2-DAY EVENT: JAN 20 | MAR 18
(must attend both dates)
Target Audience: School administrators or any educator interested in leadership
School leaders juggle endless responsibilities—data analysis, communication, scheduling, reporting, compliance, and more—all while trying to stay focused on supporting staff and students. This book study will explore AI for School Leaders by Vickie F. Echols, a practical guide with 62 strategies to lighten your workload through AI. We’ll examine how AI can streamline repetitive tasks, improve communication, simplify planning, and support data-driven decision-making—while ensuring technology enhances, not replaces, the human side of leadership. Whether you want to save time on reports, draft communications, or organize professional development, this study will help you use AI to free up time for what matters most: leading people and improving learning.
The book is included or you can purchase on your own through Amazon.
TIME: 10:00 - 11:00 am
LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom
FACILITATOR: Mike Triska
EVENT FEE: Free - LC District Members* | $75 - Non-Members
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, JVS, Keystone, Lorain, Midview, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Optional Ashland Grad Credit: $195 purchased through Ashland University
Books can be purchased through the ESC for an additional $45.
REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: DEBBIE SHANNON, SHANNON@ESCLC.ORG
MUST ATTEND ALL DATES:
Mandatory Synchronous Online Sessions: 4:00-5:15 via Zoom: October 29, November 12, December 3 and December 17
Independent Work Sessions: November 5, November 19 and December 10
(Consists of reading the assigned chapters and completing a small assignment focusing on those chapters. It could be a short video reflection, a Google Form with questions, a few Google Slides, a discussion board, etc.)
Communicating about student achievement requires CALM grading practices--grades that are Consistent, Accurate, Learning-focused and Meaningful. This interactive, highly-engaging book study will not only focus on CALM grading but also each one of Ken O'Connor's famous 15 fixes for broken grading.
Each session will be made up of reviewing the content and discussing the practical standards based grading principles that O'Connor focuses on in his 2022 book A Repair Kit for Grading: 15 Fixes for Broken Grades. - 3rd Edition
TIME: 4:00 - 5:15 pm
LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom
FACILITATOR: Dave Kish
EVENT FEE: $50 - LC District Members* | $75 - Non-Members
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, JVS, Keystone, Lorain, Midview, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Optional Ashland Grad Credit: $195 purchased through Ashland University
Books can be purchased through the ESC for an additional $45.
REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: DEBBIE SHANNON, SHANNON@ESCLC.ORG
Target Audience: K-12 Educators
MANDATORY VIRTUAL SESSION DATES: NOV 5, 2025 AND JAN 28, 2026
Welcome to the Teaching Students to Use AI Ethically & Responsibly Book Study! This approximately 10-week, mostly asynchronous professional learning experience will guide you through Salman Khan, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, James Marshall, and Meghan Hargrave’s insightful book on fostering ethical and effective student use of artificial intelligence. Grounded in the latest research and years of classroom experience, the book takes us from understanding what AI is “under the hood” to preparing students to be confident, ethical thinkers in an AI-powered world.
Books will be provided. Participants must pick up their copy at the Educational Service Center of Lorain County (1885 Lake Ave., Elyria - 8:00am-3:30pm) prior to the first virtual session or purchased the book on their own separately.
Access to Google Classroom required. Participants must have their school tech departments whitelist @nort2h.org in the school's Google Admin Console or use a personal Google account to access the course.
TIME: 3:30 - 4:30
LOCATION: Google Classroom
FACILITATOR: Mike Triska
EVENT FEE: Free - LC District Members* | $75 - Non-Members
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, JVS, Keystone, Lorain, Midview, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: DEBBIE SHANNON, SHANNON@ESCLC.ORG
Target Audience: Educators, Parents, Counselors, School Administrators, Social Workers, Wellness Coordinators, School Psychologists, and Community Partners
Join us for a four-session virtual book study exploring Jonathan Haidt’s powerful and timely book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. This cross-disciplinary series brings together the expertise of ESC literacy specialists, parent mentors, wellness, and technology specialists to foster meaningful dialogue and actionable insights for educators, families, and school leaders.
Through guided discussions and collaborative reflection, participants will:
Examine the cultural and technological shifts impacting youth mental health
Explore the effects of screen time, social media, and declining independent play
Consider practical, developmentally appropriate strategies to support children and adolescents
Reflect on the roles of literacy, family engagement, digital wellness, and social emotional, physical, and mental well-being in shaping healthier childhoods
Exploring the connection of technology on student learning and development
Each one-hour Zoom session will focus on specific chapters and themes from the book, with time for discussion, shared perspectives, and application to both home and school contexts.
Join this critical conversation as we seek to better understand and support today’s youth in an increasingly anxious age.
Keep your eyes out for our related all day PD called Scroll, Stress, Repeat: Addressing Anxiety in a High-Pressured Era Spring 2026.
Participants are responsible for purchasing the book. Amazon Link
ATTEND ALL DATES: DEC 8 | JAN 5 | JAN 26 | FEB 9
TIME: 4:00 - 5:00
LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom
FACILITATORS: Mindy Kaminski, MSSA, LISW-S, Erica Kaufmann, M.A.T., C-SLDI, Jennifer Martinez, M.Ed., Cathy Papp, MSW, LISW-S, Brooke Sherman, M.Ed., LPCC-S, and Olivia Weisman, M.Ed., CALT
EVENT FEE: $50 - LC District Members* | $100 - Non-Members
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, JVS, Keystone, Lorain, Midview, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: DEBBIE SHANNON, SHANNON@ESCLC.ORG
Target Audience: Gifted specialists, Classroom Teachers, and Instructional Leaders
Join Jen Detmar and Alice Ogonek for a hybrid book study exploring The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World by Dr. John Spencer, a practical and inspiring guide for bringing deep thinking, creativity, and purpose into today’s classrooms. This professional development and learning opportunity is designed for educators passionate about challenging and supporting gifted learners through meaningful, depth-oriented instruction.
This book study includes four interactive Zoom sessions, offering time for reflection, collaboration, and application of key concepts. Participants may also choose to earn one graduate credit through Ashland University.
Whether you're a classroom teacher, intervention specialist, or administrator, this study will empower you with strategies to deepen learning in ways that engage and inspire.
Details:
Format: Hybrid (Select Mondays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm)
Zoom sessions:
January 12, 2026
January 26, 2026
February 9, 2026
March 2, 2026 (Note: March 2nd Zoom session will be from 4 - 5:30 to allow for presentation of action plans.)
Graduate Credit: 1 credit available through Ashland University
The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World by John Spencer can be purchased on Amazon.
Date: Jan 12, 2026
Location: Hybrid (Online via Zoom, Google Classroom)
Facilitators: ESC Coordinators Jen Detmar and Alice Ogonek
Event Fee: Gifted Consortium District Members - FREE | Non-Member Districts - $75.00
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes - sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1110
Target Audience: Curriculum Directors, Building Administration, and/or Instructional Coaches
SERIES: JAN 9 | JAN 20 | FEB 6 | FEB 17 | MAR 3
(must attend all dates)
his book study engages math leaders in exploring Transforming Teaching through Curriculum-Based Professional Learning by James B. Short and Stephanie Hirsh. Participants will examine the shifts in practice needed to implement curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) and reflect on how these apply in their own contexts. Together, we will unpack the core, structural, and functional design features of CBPL, clarify the roles of leaders, coaches, and teachers, and analyze current practices to identify strengths and opportunities for growth aligned with high-quality instructional materials and sustainable systems.
Note: While the book addresses curriculum-based professional learning across subject areas, this study will focus specifically on mathematics teaching and learning.
The book is available through INFOhio at this link or on Amazon.
ATTEND ALL DATES: SEPT 9 | SEPT 24 | OCT 9 |OCT 22
TIME: 9:00 - 10:30 am
LOCATION: Virtual via Zoom
PRESENTER: Mallary Mancino
EVENT FEE: $50 - LC District Members* | $100 - Non-Members
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Firelands, JVS, Keystone, Lorain, Midview, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE: DEBBIE SHANNON, SHANNON@ESCLC.ORG
Target Audience: Teachers of Gifted Students
Vertical Differentiation for Gifted, Advanced, and High-Potential Students outlines 25 engaging tools and strategies to stretch student thinking, promote deep learning, and provide layers of challenge in the classroom and beyond. It is essential reading for educators looking to support and extend student thinking across content areas and grade levels.
Each strategy is expertly designed to foster deep inquiry and conceptual understanding by guiding students to justify conclusions, apply critical and creative thinking, develop solutions to real-world problems, and transfer learning across contexts. Packed with both "tried and true" thinking models and new, innovative ideas with concrete examples, this resource ensures that no matter where students are in their learning journey, they’ll find themselves challenged and engaged.
Participants must provide their own book, which can be purchased through AMAZON.
(This Book Study is also eligible for graduate credit at Ashland University, follow this link to register for Ashland Credit: Vertical Differentiation : EDU 6230 C1 : Ashland Grad Credit Registration Link
Date: March 13, 2026
Location: Online via Google Classroom
Facilitator: ESC Gifted Supervisor, Cathy Fischer
Event Fee: Gifted Consortium District Members - FREE | Non-Member Districts - $75.00
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes - sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1110