A 5-Session Virtual Book Study Series:
DATE SERIES: NOV 23 | DEC 14 | JAN 11 | FEB 1 | FEB 22
(must attend all dates)
Target Audience: Educators, Parents, Counselors, School Administrators, Social Workers, Wellness Coordinators, School Psychologists, and Community Partners
Join us for a 5-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 and wellness teams along with guest appearances from other experts from the ESC 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.
Participants are responsible for purchasing the book.
Date: Nov. 23, 2026
Location: Online via Google Classroom
Facilitators: 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
Ashland Grad Credit Optional: 1 hour - $195 (details given on Nov 23)
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon, shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
SELF-PACED COURSE - GOOGLE CLASSROOM
REGISTER AND COMPLETE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE BY JUNE 4, 2027.
Target Audience: All Educators or K-12 Teachers and Administrators
Dyslexia is no longer a mystery. MRI scans and other tools of neuroscience have advanced our understanding in the last decade. We now know what to do to help students become skilled, confident learners.
This self-paced book study will guide participants through a deeper understanding of dyslexia providing a clear framework of instructional approaches that work best for children identified with dyslexia or at risk for dyslexia.
Course Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course participants will...
Develop a better understanding of dyslexia
Identify the signs to look for within the educational setting
Recognize how dyslexia is identified
Understand how to teach students with dyslexia
Be equipped to determine what to teach students with dyslexia
Acquire an educators and a family perspective in supporting a child with dyslexia
This course requires Google Classroom in order to participate.
Facilitator: Olivia Weisman, M.Ed., CALT
Contact Hrs: 15
Event Fee: $95 per person
Grad Credit: $195 - 1 hour Ashland credit (info will be shared when registered)
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon - shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
SELF-PACED COURSE - GOOGLE CLASSROOM
MARCH 15, 2026 - MAY 4, 2027
Target Audience: Teachers, Administrators, Parents
The Disengaged Teen book study weaves intensive research regarding student learning with a powerful tool kit to support and enable adolescents to flourish, academically and emotionally. It is essential reading for both parents and educators who are looking to understand, support, and empower adolescent agency and learning, not only for gifted learners, but for all students.
OBJECTIVES: As a result of this course, you will be able to:
Understand and identify the four Modes of Learning students use to navigate academic demands and the social dynamics of adolescence
Analyze and implement strategies for connecting with disengaged teens in order to ignite curiosity, build self-awareness, and regulate emotions.
Implement evidence-based strategies to assist adolescents in developing agency and accelerate learning and success.
Learn how to inspire productive struggle in students, harness stress responses, and assist students in focusing on broader purpose, rather than short-term goals.
Participants are responsible for purchasing their own book.
Facilitator: Cathy Fischer, ESC Gifted Coordinator
Contact Hrs: 15
Event Fee: Free - Gifted Members* | $50 - Non-Members
*Gifted Member Districts: Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Keystone, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Grad Credit: $195 - 1 hour Ashland credit (info will be shared when registered)
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon - shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
SERIES DATES:
2026: NOV 11 | DEC 2 | DEC 16
2027: JAN 13 (4:00-5:30 to allow for presentation of action plans)
Target Audience: Gifted specialists, classroom teachers, and instructional leaders
Join Heather Searight 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.
Participants are required to purchase the book - The Depth Advantage: Deeper Learning in a Distracted World by John Spencer from Amazon.
Contact Hrs: 15
Optional Graduate Credit: $195 - 1 credit available through Ashland University
Facilitators: Alice Ogonek and Heather Searight, Ashland Adjunct Professors and ESC Gifted Coordinators
Event Fee: Free - Gifted Members* | $50 - Non-Members
*Gifted Member Districts: Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Keystone, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield-Sheffield Lake, Wellington
Grad Credit: $195 - 1 hour Ashland credit (info will be shared when registered)
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon - shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
SELF-PACED COURSE - GOOGLE CLASSROOM
REGISTER AND COMPLETE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE BY DEC 18, 2026.
Target Audience: All Educators or K-12 Teachers and Administrators
Join The Literacy Mixtape: A Podcast Study on the Science of Reading
Listen. Reflect. Remix your practice.
Dive into the Five Big Ideas of Literacy through powerful podcast episodes from Sold a Story, Melissa & Lori Love Literacy, and Science of Reading: The Podcast. This 5-session virtual study is designed for educators who want to deepen their understanding of reading instruction grounded in research.
Participants will:
Listen to a curated podcast episode (your “track”)
Complete Knowledge and Reflection Checks based on the podcast episodes that will deepen connections between research and practice by exploring key ideas from the podcasts and thinking about what they look like in real classrooms.
Each Track also contains Bonus Tracks that are designed to deepen understanding and expand participant knowledge
Whether you’re new to the Science of Reading or ready to level up your literacy practice, this mixtape will challenge, inspire, and energize your teaching.
This course requires Google Classroom in order to participate.
Facilitators: Jennifer Martinez and Olivia Weisman
Contact Hrs: 15
Event Fee: $95 per person
Grad Credit: $195 - 1 hour Ashland credit (info will be shared when registered)
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon - shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112