Fall 2024 Courses

One of the main functions of the Erie Catt Teacher Center is to provide professional learning opportunities for educators (teachers, teaching assistants, teacher aides, and all other school-related professionals). ECTC sponsors classes to support State educational initiatives and partners with other Centers to extend opportunities.

Responsibilities

Teachers who wish to take an ECTC course must register online.
Attend and complete all requirements for classes in which you have successfully enrolled.
Upon completing the course, participants are required to complete our Course Evaluation Form.
If you are unable to participate in a course after you've registered, you must notify ECTC two weeks prior by contacting Joe Winiecki at 716-805-3125, jwiniecki@e2ccb.org.
Erie-Catt Teacher Center understands that as educators and learners in ECTC courses, we are committed to the ethical use of technology to support our learning objectives and professional growth. Technology can be a valuable tool for generating ideas, enhancing discussions, and providing insights, but its use should always align with the principles of academic integrity, respect, and fairness.

Erie-Catt Teacher Center Registration Policy

Registration Fee Policy

A Registration Fee of $1 per hour is charged for each Course
(Example: Greatest ECTC Course Ever - 15 hours: Registration Fee = $15)

Please follow the policy below to ensure a smooth registration process:

Complete one online registration form for each course you would like to register for (i.e., if you register for two courses, please complete two registration forms).
Make payment to E2CC BOCES (check or money order) by the payment due date below - one check for each course (this will enable us to return checks if a course does not run or you would like to drop out of a course before the withdrawal deadline). If the name on the check does not match your registration name, please add a note with the payment. Please write the course name on the memo line. Follow this procedure for each course you register for.
Send your payment via US Mail to: Erie-Catt Teacher Center, c/o Joe Winiecki, 3000 Schoolview Road, Eden, NY 14057
- OR -
Inter-School Mail to: Erie-Catt Teacher Center, Eden GLP, c/o Joe Winiecki
Confirmation - After you register online you will receive an email that we received your registration (at the email address indicated on the registration form(s) you submitted). Once the Erie-Catt Teacher Center receives your payment (check or money order), we will confirm your course participation to the email address you provided. We will send a course reminder email a week or two before the course start date.
Refunds - Registration refunds will be issued in the following ways: Payment(s) will be returned or a refund will be sent if the course fails to run. Payment(s) will be returned or a refund will be sent if you request to withdraw from the course a minimum of 2 weeks before the start date. No Refund will be given if you do not complete the course. No refund will be given if you withdraw within 2 weeks of the start date of the course. Regarding additional sections: Payment(s) will be returned if you are on a waiting list and additional section(s) of the course are not scheduled. Once additional dates are scheduled for the additional section, you will have additional time to reply to express your desire to attend or withdraw.

As always, contact the Center if you have questions.

Course Registration Information

Individuals may register for as many courses as they like. Individuals will be notified of the status of their course registration(s). Individuals should complete one form for each class they would like to register for and make payment before the deadline date. Multiple course registrations cannot be put on a single form. Contact the Center if you have questions: 716-805-3125 - or email: jwiniecki@e2ccb.org.

Most of the courses are run through online learning management systems like Google Classrooms (or similar platforms). Our instructors generally release sections of the course (assignments) every few days, allowing participants to complete the coursework on their own schedule. Our instructors are mindful of their course presentations to keep the participants "together" in the course (even though many of our courses are asynchronous). Many course assignments have deadlines - and our instructors understand that most of our participants have full-time jobs (and many have second jobs and families). It is important for course participants to communicate with their instructor if they are having difficulties completing assignments.

If you are interested in a course and your District requires prior approval, please seek that prior approval now. Obtaining prior approval now will reduce registration issues. In some situations, educators register and drop courses due to their District not approving the course, or not approving the course in a timely fashion. We appreciate your consideration of this matter.

Fall 2024 Course Registration Ended on September 18th, 2024

Contact the Center (716-549-4454 ext 4123) for Late Registration Details

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST A LINK TO LATE REGISTRATION

Registration for Fall Session 1 will close on Sept. 25th, 2024

Fall Session 2 Registration will close on Oct. 9th, 2024

Fall 2024 Course Registration OPENS on September 4th, 2024

Fall 2024 Course Registration CLOSES on September 18th, 2024

Fall Course Registration Fees are Due by September 24th, 2024 (or sooner)

FALL 2024 COURSES

SECTION 1

10/7/24 - 11/1/24

Exploring K-4 Websites for Math Instruction and Differentiation

Jennifer Kibler 15 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

Participants will explore 32 websites that support math skills practice and differentiation in the classroom. Teachers will receive links to and brief overviews of the websites. They will explore and analyze the sites. They will choose 15 sites that they could use to supplement full-class instruction and/or differentiated instruction. Participants will write a brief summary of their 15 selected sites including pros, cons, and instructional ideas. They will add the summaries to the class-sharing Google doc.

From Behaving to Belonging: The Inclusive Art of Supporting Students Who Challenge Us - by Causton & MacLeod - Book Study

Allison O’Dell 15 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

Book study coursework includes a close read of the book and discussion of some of the following topics: rethinking students who challenge us; focusing on educator’s mental health; creating a culture of inclusion; teaching kindness, gratitude, and compassion; how to deal with crisis artfully; and how to proclaim and maintain loving spaces, just to name a few. This book provides great resources and activities that can be adapted for K-12 learners. The ECTC has a limited number of course books for loan to those who confirm their registration. Contact the Center to be put on the list to borrow a copy of the book.

Getting Started With Canva

Kathy Halter 15 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

There are now many tools that allow you to make all sorts of professional-looking graphics, but my favorite one right now is Canva! Let's take the next 15 hours to learn and explore all possibilities for your classroom. It's fun, easy and has so many classroom applications! A final project is required.

Importance of Grit in Education

Peter Herman 15 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

GRIT: it's a word that everyone seems to know of but doesn’t truly know what it is. More important than understanding the word is the question: How do you acquire grit? The way the discussion about grit connects to the schools is: What are all the ways educators can help our students embed this skill into their lives? Grit has been discussed as the single most important predictor of success, so it is about time we focus on it. This class will give you an overview of what grit is, analyze how much of it you have, help students and educators understand its importance, and create activities and mindsets that instill grit into the classroom, all of which will lead to successful students in the classroom and in life.

Math is Figureoutable - Part 3 - Episodes 53-99

Darlene Rombola 18 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

PreK - 8 Math Teachers, AIS, TA’s, Special Ed. This course is online and asynchronous. Join us as we let Pam Harris lead the way with her series of Math Podcasts. In Part 3 we will focus on Episodes #53 - #99. Pam is full of helpful information and strategies that you can use in your classroom immediately. You can listen to the podcasts at your own convenience, as this is a 100% asynchronous class. The topics will vary, the collaboration thread is sure to be rich, and we will culminate with time for you to map out your next steps.

Mindfulness: In Real Life and Education

Heather Kerr-Puleo 15 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

This course will focus on mindfulness. It will offer an overview of what mindfulness is, why it is important to practice this in your personal life, how to practice it in your personal life, and why it is important to teach and practice it with students in the educational setting. Tips, videos, and helpful resources will be provided throughout the course. The course is run on Google Classroom. This professional development improves the learning of ALL students. There are also adequate resources provided.

Motivation, Mindset, and Grit

Jonathan Erwin 9 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

One of the teachers’ main concerns in today’s classrooms is students’ lack of intrinsic motivation and ability to persevere when met with a challenge. Participants in this workshop will: 1) gain an understanding of the 5 components of intrinsic motivation; 2) learn how students’ mindsets impact their motivation and their learning; and 3) learn dozens of classroom practices and teaching strategies that appeal to intrinsic motivation, change students’ mindset, and increase students’ will to persevere.

A New Kind of Diversity (by Tim Elmore) - Book Study

Mykal Karl 15 Hours Online 10/7/24-11/15/24

For the first time in history, up to five generations find themselves learning and working alongside each other in a typical workspace. The result? There can be division. Interactions between people from different generations can resemble a cross-cultural relationship. Both usually possess different values and customs. At times, each generation is literally speaking a different language! Come learn how to decipher different generations and make the most of your hours at school. The ECTC has a limited number of course books for loan to those who confirm their registration. Contact the Center to be put on the list to borrow a copy of the book.

Sticks and Stones - Implicit Bias, Stereotypes, and Microaggressions - NYSUT

Winiecki/Baldwin 15 Hrs Hybrid (4 hrs on Zoom / 11 hrs online) 10/7 - 11/1/24 (Zoom sessions 10/7 7 pm-8 pm, 10/9 7 pm - 9 pm, 10/10 7 pm-8 pm)

Learn how to promote social unity and increase cultural awareness in your school and community by attending this new NYSUT workshop for members and local affiliates. The goal is to bridge cultural divides and make our schools and communities more welcoming and inclusive places for people of all abilities and backgrounds by helping participants see beyond their own personal worldviews.

Unlock the Power of AI: Using Google Gemini to Transform Your Classroom

Mark Hanes 15 Hours Online 10/7/24 - 11/1/24

Boost your teaching arsenal with Google Gemini! This class will show you how to use this AI tool and how it can transform your teaching and ignite your students' learning.

SECTION 2

11/4/24-12/6/24

Book Creator in the Classroom

Kathy Halter 15 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

Book Creator enables students to create and read digital books. It is an ideal tool for enhancing student engagement through story creation and multimedia design. It has many personal applications and is great fun in the classroom. It is user-friendly and easy to use in a Google-based classroom - there is also an app for the iPad available.

Creating Genius Hour in the Elementary Classroom

Melissa Hartnett 12 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

Have you ever wanted to implement Genius Hour in your elementary classroom but have no idea where to begin? Implementing activities like these can be a wonderful experience for students and teachers; however, it can be very difficult for an elementary classroom. This course will introduce you to Genius Hour and teach you the basics of where to begin. Participants will be reading articles and watching videos on Genius Hour. They will then take what they have learned and create their own lesson/activity to implement in their classroom. **Please be sure you have a Google account because this class will use Google Classroom.

The Culturally Responsive Classroom

Peter Herman 12 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

A culturally responsive classroom isn’t a new concept, although it has gained more traction as the look of student populations evolves in many schools. An increasingly diverse student population brings challenges but also opportunities. The experiences and strengths of all students can be used to make school relevant. When you are aware of a student's cultural background it allows you to plan accordingly and make connections between school and a student's world.

Deliberate Optimism - Reclaiming The Joy In Education - Book Study

Kathy Halter 15 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

Deliberate Optimism, 2nd Edition, by Debbie Silver and Jack Berckemeyer - Book Study. Attitude can make all the difference. When educators choose optimism―even in the face of the toughest challenges―they foster a school culture where students and staff feel safe, engaged, productive, and able to enjoy the healthy interactions that lead to real change. This book features many discussions and actions we can take now in our lives and classrooms. There is a chapter on mental health and QR codes leading to additional resources, such as self-assessments and videos. Deliberate Optimism demonstrates how changing your mindset can help you rediscover your motivation―and create a school environment bound for success. This 15-hour workshop will leave you inspired and proud to be an educator. The entire workshop will be completed online. The ECTC has a limited number of course books for loan to those who confirm their registration – and yes – you may want to buy yourself or a friend a copy–it is a keeper! Contact the Center to be put on the list to borrow a copy of the book.

First in Math Games for Grades 3-6

Jennifer Kibler 15 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

The First In Math online math program is a supplemental online program that is available to all schools free of charge. Demo accounts will be provided to any teachers who do not already have school accounts. This course will provide game overviews and explorations for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers. The class will be divided into 8 sections that match areas of the online program: 1) An Overview; 2) Just the Facts, Very Important Facts, and Practice Gyms; 3) Skills Sets; 4) Know and Show Word Problems; 5) Measurement World; 6) Computational Thinking; 7) Bonus Games 3, 4, 5, or 6; and 8) Foundational Bonus Games for their grade level-Bonus Games 2, 3, 4, or 5. As teachers explore each area, they will watch videos/read directions for each game and try out the game in student mode. Participants will learn the focus content for each game, determine which games best support the learning in their classroom/current program, gain skills needed to introduce games to their students, and conclude the class with their own chart of selected games that best match their curriculum.

The Power of Play: Embracing Fun in Middle and High School

Erika Austin 15 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

Playtime isn’t just for the elementary levels! Together over three weeks, we will explore the transformative potential of play in the middle and high school classroom. Let's delve into research on the benefits of play-based approaches, analyze peer-reviewed studies, and discuss practical strategies for integration immediately in your daily instruction. We will discover various play-based pedagogies and collaborate to develop a toolkit of games and activities to enhance student engagement and learning. By the end of the course participants will be empowered to create dynamic classrooms that spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and drive academic success in adolescent learners.

Special Needs Strategies

Heather Kerr-Puleo 15 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

This course will focus on providing some basic information about disabilities and/or delays people may work with in the school setting. It will address tips and tricks that can be used in the classroom to help students who may be diagnosed with these disabilities and/or delays while working with them. The course will touch base on related service providers, as well as how they can help assist with some of the needs that students may have. This course will hopefully help provide teachers with information, resources, and tips to help make working with students with a disability in the classroom a positive experience for everyone!

“Teaching ELLs Across Content Areas” by Zacarian and Haynes - Online Book Study

Karen Waugaman 15 Hours Online 11/4/24-12/6/24

This book study will take a look at SIOP (The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol [SIOP] was developed to make content material more comprehensible to English Language Learners. The model was developed by Jana Echevarria, Mary Ellen Vogt, and Deborah J. Short.) and best practices for teaching ELLs and how to best use these in content area classrooms. You will need the book Teaching ELLs Across Content Areas by Zacarian and Haynes. The ECTC has a limited number of course books for loan to those who confirm their registration. Contact the Center to be put on the list to borrow a copy of the book.

Yoga and Mindfulness Activities in Every Classroom

J Weiss 15 Hours Hybrid 11/4/24-12/6/24 Zoom Sessions 11/9 @ 9 am, 11/16 @ 9 am, and 11/23 @ 9 am

We will examine the history of YOGA along with how it may be presented in your classroom with the support of mindfulness activities. These books will be used by participants as a mini book study ("The YOGA Curriculum For Physical Education K-5/6-8" by Kristen Santos) in conjunction with numerous other resources that will build your skills and allow you to bring these health and wellness activities into your classroom with a sound educational purpose. A collaborative effort will be generated to discuss practical assessments not only to benefit the teacher but also for the students to assess themselves for intrinsic guidance and motivation. Teachers will create and discuss classrooms that generate learning opportunities for YOGA and mindfulness activities in their setting. To support synchronous learning, ZOOM will be utilized on the following dates: 11/9 @ 9 am, 11/16 @ 9 am, and 11/23 @ 9 am. The ECTC has a limited number of course books for loan to those who confirm their registration. Contact the Center to be put on the list to borrow a copy of the book.

Course Roadmaps - Click a course to download the course roadmap

A New Kind of Diversity