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 and complete the registration process.
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.
NYS Teacher Centers Receive Funding!
Erie-Catt Teacher Center Registration Policy
Registration Fee Policy
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 confirming 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 sections 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.
CTLE Certificates: Erie-Catt will send a hard copy of a CTLE Certificate to participants who complete courses in a timely fashion. Our internal process typically takes between 10 days and two weeks. Certificates are sent via inter-school mail and the US mail. Delivery times may vary from a few days to over a week. We appreciate your patience with our process.
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.
NYS Teacher Centers Receive Funding!
Summer 2025 Course Registration Form Link
Summer 2025 Course Registration OPENS Thursday, May 15th, 2025
Summer 2025 Course Registration CLOSES June 4th, 2025
Summer Course Registration Fees are Due by June 6th, 2025
Summer 2025 Courses
Session 1
July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025
Enhancing Students with Special Needs Communication in the Classroom
Heather Kerr-Puleo 15 Hours Online July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025
This course will focus on increasing students with special needs communication in the classroom. It will cover information about language skills (receptive/expressive/social), language processing disorders, and tips on how to increase students’ communication in the classroom and throughout the school day. The course is run on Google Classroom.
Exercise & Movement for Students & Teachers
Melissa Hartnett, 15 Hours Online July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025.
Teachers and students have very high demands, and these demands continue to increase. There are some things out of our control, but finding activities to help improve mental health is something we can have some control over. Statistically, there has been an association between physical activity and mental well-being. When an individual’s mental well-being is more positive, they can perform better at school, their job, and in life. There are many workout programs out there, and many ask the question, “Where do I start?” In this course, you will explore and complete numerous workout programs for yourself and your students, as well as learn about the benefits of each of them. You will then develop a workout routine for yourself and a workout routine to implement into your classroom. You will explore workouts on YouTube, as well as looking at different apps (many of these programs give you a free trial, so you don’t need to subscribe unless you really like it). This course is taught by a personal trainer who has obtained certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Teens Who Hurt - Online Book Study (by Hardy and Lazloffy)
Karen Waugaman 15 Hours Online July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025
Offering a fresh perspective on treatment, this book presents an overarching framework and numerous specific strategies for working with youth exposed to violence, violent youth, and their families. For each chapter, please respond and reflect on the prompts in each chapter’s listed posts. Also, please respond to at least one other participant for each post. 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.
The Power of Play: Embracing Fun in Middle & High School
Erika Austin 15 Hours Online July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025
Play time 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 September. 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.
Using Artificial Intelligence & Personalized Learning in 2025
Kathy Halter 15 Hours Online July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025.
Focus on personalized learning is a priority in education in 2025. We are now in a position to prioritize the unique needs of each student more than ever before. We now have access to data-driven insights, and with that, schools can customize learning experiences to support each student’s goals, learning style, and pace. With the help of AI Tools, we will explore how AI Tools can personalize learning for all of our students.
Your Brain on Art - Book Study
Mykal Karl 15 Hours Online July 1, 2025 - July 21, 2025
This book study explores Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, focusing on the transformative impact of creativity and artistic expression on brain health and emotional well-being. Designed for educators, this course emphasizes how integrating art and creativity into educational practices can enhance cognitive development, emotional regulation, and student engagement. Participants will learn practical strategies for fostering creativity in the classroom and creating environments that support holistic student growth. 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.
Session 2
July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
Building Strong Readers: Strategies for Success in Elementary Grades & Special Education
Kathleen Saia & Caroline Ventresca 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
This professional development training is designed to equip educators with effective, research-based strategies to support reading development in elementary classrooms and special education settings. Participants will explore key components of literacy instruction, including oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The training will also address differentiated instruction, multisensory techniques, and intervention strategies for struggling readers. Educators will leave with practical tools and resources to enhance reading instruction and foster a love of literacy in all learners.
Building Thinking Classrooms - Book Study
Mykal Karl 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
This book study dives into Building Thinking Classrooms by Peter Liljedahl, a research-based guide for fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving in K-12 education. Participants will explore the 14-point framework and learn practical strategies to transform their classrooms into student-centered spaces where thinking, creativity, and engagement thrive. Designed for educators, this course provides actionable insights for fostering deeper learning and helping students take charge of their education. 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.
Compassion Fatigue Awareness: Resilience in Professional Practice
Mykal Karl 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
Avoid symptoms of burnout by understanding your own stressors and the practical treatments to lessen them. Learn how to leverage the power of self-regulation, intentionality, and perpetual maturation to combat Compassion Fatigue. Rate your own level of compassion satisfaction and leave with tools to increase your professional resiliency.
Goal Setting & Organization for Academic & Personal Growth
Stephanie Genco Gasiecki 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
Effective goal-setting strategies are grounded in evidence-based practices, such as SMART goals, self-reflection, and a growth mindset. Strategies for goal-setting and tracking progress can be differentiated to meet the diverse needs of learners. In this course, teachers will learn goal-setting and organization strategies to support student academic and personal success. You’ll learn and practice methods for creating habit change, tracking progress, and celebrating success. Upon completion, you’ll have created a tool for your students/classroom to support crucial executive functioning skills that help build self-management.
How to Deal With Parents Who Are Angry, Troubled, Afraid, or Just Plain Crazy - Book Study
Kathy Halter 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
Dealing with parents is probably the most difficult part of our job. This workshop will help us to deal with high-maintenance parents who never seem happy with the job you are doing. This book study will give you strategies and ideas for defusing emotionally charged parents. It will also help to develop a supportive parent-community relationship. This entire workshop will be completed online. Book: How To Deal With Parents Who Are Angry, Troubled, Afraid, or Just Plain Crazy, Second Edition by Elaine K. McEwan. 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.
Importance of Grit in Education
Peter Herman 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
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, create activities and mindsets that instill grit into the classroom, all of which will lead to successful students in the classroom and life.
The S in STEAM: Online resources to inspire science thinkers (K-12)
Jennifer Kibler 15 Hours Online July 22, 2025 - August 11, 2025
Let’s nurture our students’ science curiosity, inquiry skills, and knowledge as we integrate science into daily instruction. From science videos and video clips to experiments to lessons, this course will be an exploration of 45 online resources to inspire thinkers in your classroom. Each of the three course parts will be introduced by a TED Talk, followed by an exploration of 15 online resources and websites. Throughout the course, participants will select their Top 15 resources/websites to enhance their integration of science inquiry and inspiration in the classroom, implement resources/websites in the classroom, and share student responses and classroom tips from implementation with the teacher participants.
Session 3
August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025
Anxiety Awareness
Beth Funigiello 15 Hours Online August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025
According to the National Institute of Health and Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it is estimated that 1:8 children under the age of 18 suffer from an anxiety disorder. It is also estimated that 1:4 children, specifically between the ages of 13 - 18, suffer from an anxiety disorder. Children and teens with anxieties are often at risk of struggling in areas of social and emotional health, physical wellness, and academic growth. This course is NOT designed to diminish the importance of seeking counseling or speaking with medical professionals, but it is designed to bring awareness of anxiety to teachers, staff, and SRPs so day-to-day support tools can be implemented to support unique student needs.
Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had - Part 2 - Book Study
Darlene Rombola 15 Hours Online August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025
This course is online and asynchronous. Mathematicians describe mathematics as "playful," "beautiful," and "creative." Students sometimes describe math as "boring," "useless," and even "humiliating." In Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had, Tracy Zager helps teachers close this gap by making math class more like mathematics. Join us in a rich conversation around what mathematicians do and the mathematical habits they possess. In Part 2, we will read and discuss Chapters 5-8. We will also engage in supplemental activities to help deepen our understanding of the habits of mind of mathematicians. Participants will implement ideas in their math class and share their reflections on it with the group. Together, we will move towards authentic, delightful, and robust teaching and learning of mathematics and student success. 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.
Leading & Managing a Differentiated Classroom 2nd Ed - Book Study
Karen Waugaman 15 Hours Online August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025
In this 15-hour book study, teachers reflect on their current knowledge of differentiation and what they believe the roadblocks are. They will go on to reflect on their belief system as a teacher and their vision for differentiation, while reading the corresponding chapters in the book. Tied into Chapters 4 and 5, they will reflect on the benefits of a learning environment and management using differentiation. Going with Chapters 6 and 7, participants will reflect on their yes/but reasons and why and how to work around them. Embedded throughout the book study are videos demonstrating differentiation at different levels and with different subjects. As their final assignment, teachers will write either a differentiated unit or lesson plan, or an anecdotal piece about how they will incorporate differentiation. The choice is given, realizing that different levels and subjects can be differentiated differently. 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.
Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom & Therapy
Heather Kerr-Puleo 15 Hours Online August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025
This course is an introduction to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom and/or therapy rooms. It will cover information about SEL, the benefits of using SEL with the special education population, and include tips/tricks on how to use this in classrooms and therapy to help enhance everyday learning for our students!
The T in STEAM: Virtual Learning Expeditions K-8
Jennifer Kibler 15 Hours Online August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025
Let’s nurture our students’ curiosity in Science, Social Studies, Health, Math, and ELA by incorporating learning expeditions from around the United States into our lessons. The course begins with inspiration from Normal Park School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. From Normal Park’s talk, we will gain perspective on the value of incorporating learning expeditions, “mini-virtual field trips,” into our daily lessons. The course will be divided into three sections. Section 1 will be an exploration of 30 Zoo webcam sites. Section 2 will be an exploration of National Park webcams, choosing from over 80 locations. Section 3 will include 15 virtual trips focused on How Things Are Made. Participants will choose their Top 15 resources/locations/trips and share how each can be incorporated into their classroom lessons/units. Participants will also reflect on the work that other participants explore and highlight in the discussion boards.
Tiny Humans, Big Emotions - Book Study
This book study explores Tiny Humans, Big Emotions by Alyssa Blask Campbell and Lauren Stauble, a guide to understanding and supporting children’s emotional development. Tailored for K-5 educators, this study focuses on how to help students regulate emotions, build resilience, and thrive socially and emotionally. With fun, interactive activities and real-world strategies, this course will empower teachers to create nurturing environments where all students can succeed. 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.
Truth for Teachers
Kathy Halter 15 Hours Online August 12, 2025 - September 2, 2025.
Truth for Teachers is a great podcast series that every teacher should listen to. This workshop will allow us to listen and discuss mindset and motivation, productivity strategies, and tips and tricks that will help you to make the end of your school year as strong as you started off in September. Feel that sense of accomplishment for a job that is never done. During this online workshop, we will be discussing and posting via Google Classroom.
Instructional Materials Creation Workshop - Various Dates - July 1, 2025 - Aug. 28, 2025
Instructional Materials Creation Workshops (formerly titled "Working Wednesdays") are an opportunity for you and your colleagues to come to the Center and work to create classroom materials, curriculum, lessons, etc. Use our Ellison Dies, our Poster Maker, Book Binder, and/or Laminator to create and preserve the materials for classroom use. You will receive CTLE credit hours for the number of hours you work in our Center. The dates are July 1, 8, 10, 16, 22, 31, and August 6, 11, 27, 28 from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. These dates/times are subject to change. Hours can be accumulated throughout the summer. Because each individual's hours may vary, you will pay for your total hours upon completion at $1 per hour. CTLE Certificates and Superintendent verification letters will then be issued. We look forward to seeing you!
Course Roadmaps (click to download)
Becoming the Math Teacher You Wish You'd Had - Pt 2
Building Strong Readers: Strategies for Success
Compassion Fatigue Awareness: Resilience in Professional Practice
Enhancing Students with Special Needs Communication
Exercise & Movement for Students & Teachers
Goal Setting & Organization for Academic & Personal Growth
How To Deal With Parents Who Are Angry, Troubled, Afraid, or Just Plain Crazy
Importance of Grit in Education
Leading & Managing a Differentiated Classroom 2nd Ed
Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom & Therapy
The Power of Play: Embracing Fun in Middle & High School
The S in STEAM: Online resources to inspire science thinkers (K-12)
The T in STEAM: Virtual Learning Expeditions K-8
Using Artificial Intelligence & Personalized Learning in 2025