As a navigating educator, we must rely on our internal compass throughout our journey. The key to balancing like a pirate in education is being able to control your compass and define what directions are best for yourself and at what time. This course will walk you through the components of PIRATE BALANCE, finding your compass in our most important areas of our lives, the best way to chart our course to set goals and weather the storm, being successful as we care for ourselves and become a more balanced version of ourselves.

Participants should have access to the book Balance Like a Pirate by Jessica Cabeen, Jessica Johnson, and Sarah Johnson. 

Online Course
15 Hours

In this 5 module course you will learn best practices for getting and staying organized within the Google Apps environment. Specifically we will be looking at Chrome, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, and Keep. Along the way you'll get many great tips for using these apps to increase your daily efficiency such as creating and organizing bookmarks, switching between Chrome profiles, creating a set of startup pages, organizing files and folders, tips for utilizing Drive features, setting up labels in Gmail, managing emails, using Gmail filters, using email templates, scheduling and snoozing emails, working with multiple calendars, setting calendar notifications and reminders, creating a booking calendar, and managing tasks (among other things).

During each module you will be provided with learning materials to review and then given a task to complete that will allow you to practice and apply the skills presented during the module. At the conclusion of the course, you will complete a final project. 

Online Course
15 Hours

This professional development course explores how educators can move past the culture of perfectionism to cultivate a "productive failure" mindset in their classrooms. Participants will learn how to explicitly teach students how to take healthy academic risks, analyze their own errors, and use setbacks as predictable launchpads for growth. 

Text: Risk. Fail. Rise. A Teacher's Guide to Learning from Mistakes by M. Colleen Cruz.

Skill 1: Designing branched, interactive formative assessment pathways within digital data platforms (e.g., Desmos, Quizizz, Google Forms, etc.) to capture immediate student misconceptions without grade penalties.

Skill 2: Utilizing cloud-based collaborative suites (Google Workspace, etc.) to build structured, independent digital templates and organized portfolio workflows for participant submissions.

Skill 3: Creating accessible, multimodal feedback loops by embedding private asynchronous audio commentary (e.g., via Mote or secure audio utilities, etc.) into student text artifacts to lower the affective filter during error correction.

In this thoughtful call to action, author and educator Starr Sackstein examines the intersection between assessment and social and emotional learning (SEL). The five SEL competencies, self awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making are addressed in this book study. Teachers will learn how to develop these abilities in their students, and how it can help students improve their learning and assessment experiences. 

Participants will:

*learn strategies for working with students, focusing on SEL and assessments to support learning.

*use Canva, Google Slides, and Google Forms to analyze student behaviors and management techniques.

* use Google Slides to create a plan for standards based assessments using success criteria to guide student learning.

*use Google Slides to create a list of possible PBL and research paper opportunities for students at their grade level.Participants need access to the book, Assessing with Respect, by Starr Sackstein. 

We've all known students who disrupt class, break the rules, and try our patience. Deep down, we know they're the ones who actually need extra love and support instead of time-outs or trips to the principal's office. In Hugging Porcupines, veteran educator Mike Anderson offers practical strategies for supporting these porcupines so they can be as successful as possible, both in school and beyond. Anderson walks readers month-by-month through the school year, sharing strategies for setting up routines at the start of school, getting back on track after holiday breaks, and finishing strong. Hugging Porcupines will deepen K-12 teachers' understanding of why porcupines struggle academically and behaviorally in school and equip them to provide more appropriate support. Participants will learn strategies for working with students and use Canva to create a list of go to strategies, use Google to make a plan for starting the school year strong, and incorporate Google Slides and Forms.

Participants need access to the book, Hugging Porcupines, by Mike Anderson.

How can you create a strong culture of growth mindset and acceptance of others from Day 1? With our ever changing classroom dynamics it is important to foster this community from the start. In this course we will work together to share and create activities and strategies that you can use to make a plan for your first 6 weeks of school or for any time you feel your classroom needs a boost. This course is geared for K-6 teachers. 

This is an introductory course for educators looking to learn more about AI and how to leverage it in an educational setting.

The course will cover:

-An introduction to AI: What it is, its benefits, and a discussion of concerns surrounding its usage

-Crafting prompts to optimize AI outputs

- A look at free AI tools and how they can reduce workload and streamline teaching.

This course has 5 modules. During each, you will learn by reading short articles, watching videos, or completing a short activity. At the end of each module you will take a quiz to assess your understanding. At the conclusion of the course, you will submit a performance task where you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned.

Discover how to transform the start of every school day into a powerful opportunity for connection, belonging, and engagement. In this interactive course based on The Morning Meeting Book, educators will explore the four components of Morning Meeting-Greeting, Sharing, Group Activity, and Morning Message-through reflection, collaboration, and hands-on application. Participants will leave with ready-to-use strategies, technology-enhanced resources using tools like Padlet, Canva, and MagicSchool AI, and a complete Morning Meeting plan designed to build a more connected classroom community. 

It's almost like having a crystal ball. We will deep dive into Dr. Twenge's book to uncover how technology has changed and defined the generations that have used it. What insights will it give us for the future of education and what our future learners will be like? Participants will:

1) Understand the tech impact on student behavior & mental health

2) Adapt instructional strategies

3) Improve communication & engagement

4) Design lesson plans that integrate appropriate information technology

5) Utilize appropriate technology for approaching and communicating with different generational groups

6) Evaluate and apply tech to support modern students' independence, executive functioning, and emotional maturity inside and outside the classroom. 

Participants need a copy of Generations by Jean Twenge.

In recent years, educators have witnessed a dramatic shift in student mental health. In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt investigates the "Great Rewiring of Childhood" that began about 15 years ago, and ties it to "the increase in smartphone-based childhood."

This interactive book study group provides a collaborative space to examine Haidt's findings and, more importantly, to develop strategies to support student well-being by promoting technology self-regulation, as well as focus and resilience.

Participants must have access to the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. 

Have you ever considered that there may be bias in AI? How will you help students navigate and evaluate the sources they use for research? About the book: "Dr. Joy Buolamwini is a combination of memoir and investigative research that exposes how artificial intelligence reproduces and amplifies social bias. The book highlights the concept of the "coded gaze"-the exclusion, discrimination, and prejudices embedded in AI systems by their creators." 

Participants will use at least two AI platforms for comparison, and utilize Canva and Google Slides. This is a self-paced course. 

In this 5-week book study of Math-ish by Jo Boaler, participants will explore how to create inclusive, engaging math classrooms that value curiosity, creativity, and flexible thinking. Educators will examine research-based strategies to reduce math anxiety, encourage risk-taking, and help students see themselves as capable mathematicians. This course includes chapter discussions, YouTube videos, and collaborative tools such as Padlet, Google Slides, Word Garden, and Lucid. 

Participants should have access to the book Math-ish by Jo Boaler .

This 6-week, 20-hour professional learning course is designed to equip K-12 educators with the knowledge, research-based strategies, and technology-rich tools necessary to build and sustain transformative family partnerships. Beyond exploring relational foundations and cultural responsiveness, participants will master a specific suite of educational technology designed to dismantle communication barriers. 

Teachers will learn to evaluate and implement multilingual, mobile-friendly outreach platforms (TalkingPoints, Canva, Smore, Padlet, Miro), design centralized digital family hubs (Google Sites) to streamline resource access, and leverage interactive learning portfolios and asynchronous video tools (Seesaw, Flip, Google Slides) to foster two-way academic collaboration. Through self-reflection and hands-on tech application, participants will produce a customized, year-long family engagement action plan that integrates these digital routines to improve student well-being and academic outcomes across diverse school communities.

This online book study will explore See It, Say It, Symbolize It: Teaching the Big Ideas in Elementary Mathematics, a resource designed to help educators build students' deep mathematical understanding through the use of multiple representations-concrete, pictorial, and symbolic. Participants will engage in collaborative reading, reflection, and application of the book's strategies to strengthen instructional practices in elementary mathematics.

Through discussions, activities, and technology integration, participants will explore ways to promote mathematical discourse, foster problem-solving, and connect learning across grade levels. The course emphasizes the intentional use of digital tools, including virtual manipulatives, interactive platforms, and assessment applications, to extend student engagement and conceptual understanding.

By the end of the study, participants will be able to apply strategies to their own teaching contexts, empower students as mathematical thinkers, and integrate technology to support visualization, exploration, and reflection in mathematics learning.

Participants will need a copy of See It, Say It, Symbolize It: Teaching the Big Ideas in Elementary Mathematics by Patrick L. Sullivan to complete the book study. 

This course explores Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant, focusing on how individuals can develop skills, habits, and environments that support long-term growth and achievement. Participants will examine research-based strategies for learning, motivation, and resilience, challenging the belief that success is driven solely by innate talent. Through guided discussion, reflection, and practical application, learners will identify ways to unlock their own potential and support growth in others. The course emphasizes transferable strategies that can be applied in academic, professional, and personal contexts.

1. Digital Self-Assessment and Progress Tracking: Participants will learn to use digital tools (such as online assessments, reflection platforms, or productivity apps) to track growth, measure progress, and adjust learning strategies over time.

2. Effective Use of Learning and Feedback Technologies: Participants will develop skills in using digital platforms-such as collaborative documents, learning management systems, or feedback tools-to seek, give, and apply constructive feedback for continuous improvement.

3. Strategic Use of Technology for Skill Development: Participants will gain the ability to identify and leverage digital resources (e.g., online courses, data dashboards, AI tools, or habit-tracking apps) to build skills deliberately, sustain motivation, and enhance performance. 

Participants will need a copy of the book Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Great Things by Adam Grant.

7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-3 Reading Success is an interactive online course designed to help educators build strong, confident readers from kindergarten through third grade. Grounded in the science of reading and refined through real classroom practice, this course translates complex research into seven powerful, easy-to-implement instructional moves that accelerate early literacy development.

Participants will explore how to systematically develop foundational reading skills-including phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing-while also fostering motivation and engagement in young learners. Each "Mighty Move” is presented through clear explanations, classroom examples, practical tools, and reflective activities that support immediate application in diverse instructional settings. 

Ideal for classroom teachers, reading specialists, instructional coaches, and school leaders, this course empowers educators to make intentional, high-impact decisions that improve outcomes for all learners, especially those at risk for reading difficulties. 

Participants will create Padlet & Canva presentations and use interactive whiteboards and presentations to Model phonics patterns, shared reading, and comprehension strategies.

Participants will need a copy of this book to complete the book study.

This one-week online course, participants will learn about Genially, an interactive content creation tool that brings learning to life. Participants will learn how to make presentations come alive, interactive images, gamified activities like escape rooms, and multimedia materials to engage students more effectively with any topic or grade level.  

This course is designed for elementary teachers. The purpose is to assist classroom teachers in including stories that honor the identities of all students within the classroom, create diverse collections and support children's social and emotional learning within the context of stories. Teachers will analyze the way they see themselves and their students before reflecting on the way students see themselves.

Participants should have access to the book Read-Alouds with Heart: Literacy lessons that Build Community, Comprehension, and Cultural Competency - Grades 3-5 by by Dana Clark, Keisha Smith-Carrington, and Jigisha Vyas. 

In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore Reach All Readers' digital resources with Anna Geiger, formerly The Measured Mom. Reach All Readers will help participants understand and apply the science of reading in practical ways so they can effectively support and reach their readers. We will explore Reach All Readers' videos, podcast episodes, blog posts, and high-quality, low-prep resources!

Participants will use digital tools, such as Canva, Padlet, and AI, to collaborate, share insights, and refine their practices for their own learning and teaching. This class will support teachers across primary grade levels, teachers working with students with disabilities, teachers working with English language learners, and all other interventionists and teaching professionals!

Registrants DO NOT need to have a copy of the book Reach All Readers. 

In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore how to utilize Google Slides in the classroom to enhance teaching and student engagement. Participants will learn the basics of creating presentations, collaborative projects and worksheets/assessments using Google Slides. Join this class to elevate your classroom presentations and student interaction through the power of Google Slides! 

Why do some of our students become disconnected from their learning in school? Where does this natural curiosity go? In this book study you will learn how to empower your learners, increase engagement, and accelerate achievement! You will work on how to harness the wonderings and curiosities of your students and leverage them into powerful learning opportunities. You will learn how to adopt an inquiry approach that results in the most authentic and inspiring learning you've ever experienced! Inquiry Mindset leaves behind the do whatever you want approach to inquiry and offers a concrete roadmap you can follow to success.

It is required that participants have the book, Inquiry Mindset: Nurturing the Dreams, Wonders, and Curiosities of Our Youngest Learners by Trevor MacKenzie and Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt . 

Create a classroom where students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn! Based on the book Positive Classroom Communities: Activities to Support Student's Emotional and Social Growth by Stacy Simonyi and Tania Campanelli, this engaging 15-hour online course helps K-12 educators strengthen classroom community through meaningful social and emotional learning (SEL) practices. Grounded in the trusted CASEL framework, participants will explore practical, easy-to-implement activities that foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, positive relationships, and responsible decision-making. 

Participants will:

*learn how to use tools like Seesaw, Google Slides, or Padlet to document student learning journeys. This includes capturing photos, videos, and voice recordings to support reflective conversations and formative assessment.

*develop the ability to design interactive digital learning menus or choice boards using platforms like Google Docs, Canva, Classroomscreen or Flippity, allowing students to pursue personalized reflection questions through multimodal digital resources.

gain skills in curating digital content and organizing them in platforms like Google Docs, Canva, ClassroomScreen or Flippity.

Participants need access to the book, Positive Classroom Communities: Activities to Support Student's Emotional and Social Growth by Stacy Simonyi and Tania Campanelli. 

Ready to make your classroom more accessible, engaging, and empowering for multilingual learners? This 15-hour, fully online course, based on the work of Lyndsey Moses, gives you practical strategies you can use right away.

Discover how visuals, sentence frames, purposeful student talk, academic vocabulary, and home-language connections can help multilingual learners tackle rigorous content, build confidence, and find their voice. You'll explore ways to amplify learning-not simplify it, honor the languages and experiences students bring to your classroom, and create more opportunities for every student to participate and succeed. Learn it. Try it. Use it tomorrow!

Teachers will develop the ability to design interactive digital learning guides and picture aides using platforms like Google Slides/Docs, Canva, Text-to-speech/audio tools allowing students to pursue personalized activities through multimodal digital resources.

Participants need the book, Supporting Multilingual Learners, by Lyndsey Moses. 

Ready to take your Canva skills to the next level? In this 5-week course, you'll explore a series of videos from Canva expert Teresa Kwant, packed with handy hacks and creative tricks designed just for teachers. You'll get to choose which videos resonate with you, diving into topics like creating eye-catching classroom materials, interactive assignments, and engaging presentations that will make your lessons pop! Each week, you'll have the chance to create your own personalized resources using the hacks you've learned, giving you practical tools you can start using right away.

This course is perfect for educators who already have a basic understanding of Canva (or who are willing to watch a few quick tutorials to catch up). Whether you're looking to spice up your lessons, design student-friendly worksheets, or create engaging presentations and games, Canva Hacks for Teachers will give you the confidence and creativity to bring your ideas to life. Let's have fun, get inspired, and transform your teaching resources with Canva! 

This practical and hands-on course is designed to help educators take control of their digital spaces. Participants will conduct a thorough audit of their existing teaching materials, implement efficient naming and filing systems, and streamline email and communication tools for greater clarity. The course also guides teachers in curating essential resources and setting up sustainable organization systems to maintain throughout the school year. By the end, educators will have a personalized, functional digital workspace that supports efficiency and reduces stress. 

This 15-hour online course introduces educators to Google Forms for classroom and personal use. A Google Workspace tool, Google Forms allows users to create easy-to-use web forms that are automatically linked to a Google Sheet. The course focus is on standards-based exercises that can be easily integrated and adapted for use across the curriculum. Topics covered may include form creation and formatting, using templates, creating surveys, quizzes, exit tickets, sharing and collaborating, incorporating AI and using add-ons. 

This course introduces teachers of all subjects and grade levels to Suno AI, an internet application that allows people to use AI for song creation. Participants will learn to use Suno AI to create instructional songs aligned with curricular goals, apply songwriting strategies to enhance content retention and engagement, and produce and share an original AI-generated instructional song. Suno AI is an excellent tool to engage auditory learners and a fun and easy way for all students to access course content. 

If you want a simple and user-friendly way to create unique images, videos, websites, booklets, multimedia presentations, and much more, Canva is the course for you! This course will help you learn how to take advantage of Canva's many unique features to use in your classroom to better engage students! Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate for 10 hours of participation. 

Get ready to ditch the doom and gloom and inspire your students to thrive in the digital world! In this book study of Digital Citizenship in Action: Empowering Students to Engage in Online Communities (2nd edition) by Kristen Mattson, you'll explore how to shift the conversation from online dangers to digital possibilities. 

Forget outdated lessons that paint the internet as a scary place-this course is all about showing students the opportunities for online collaboration, creativity, and community-building. You'll get real-life classroom examples, engaging activities for all grade levels, and tips for creating a safe space where students can experiment, grow, and learn from their mistakes. If you're ready to guide your students in developing the skills to be thoughtful, engaged digital citizens, this course is for you!

We will delve into the recently published educational text Digital Citizenship in Action: Empowering Students to Engage in Online Communities (2nd edition) by Kristen Mattson. This online collaborative environment will enable you to interact with other educators, discover additional resources, and inspire you to think differently.

Participants should have access to the book Digital Citizenship in Action: Empowering Students to Engage in Online Communities (2nd edition) by Kristen Mattson. 

Are you looking for fresh ideas that will energize your classroom, increase student participation and engagement, and make learning more meaningful? You're in the right place!Throughout this course, you'll discover practical, easy-to-implement strategies that help students become active, motivated, and invested learners. Together, we'll explore how engagement goes beyond simply keeping students busy. We'll examine how meaningful relationships, student voice, purposeful instruction, and interactive learning experiences can transform classrooms into places where every student feels connected and motivated to learn.

Participants will integrate digital technology intentionally by using tools such as Padlet, Google Slides, Nearpod, and Canva, to increase student interaction, collaboration, communication, creativity, and opportunities to demonstrate learning.So grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and let's explore how small changes in engagement can make a BIG difference for every learner. We can't wait to learn alongside you!

Participants need the book, The Big Book of Engagement by Amy Berry Lyons. 

Engagement by Design is a dynamic professional learning experience grounded in insights from School of Engagement by Jonathan Alshmeier that helps teachers move beyond compliance to create classrooms where students are active, invested, and excited to learn. Through collaborative book study, reflection, and hands-on application, participants will redesign lessons, build stronger relationships, and develop practical strategies that increase student ownership and participation. 

Using tools like Canva, Padlet, and MagicSchool AI, teachers will leave with ready-to-use engagement strategies and a personalized plan to transform student learning in their classrooms.

Teachers spend enormous amounts of time creating materials, grading work, giving feedback, and fixing lessons that students still may not engage with. This course focuses on making that work smarter rather than simply adding more technology. Participants will bring existing lessons, worksheets, assessments, or feedback systems and examine what students actually need to learn, where unnecessary teacher labor is happening, and how instructional technology can improve both learning and efficiency. Using tools such as Google Docs, Slides, Forms, Canva, digital rubrics, audio/video feedback tools, and generative AI, participants will redesign everyday classroom tasks to improve clarity, accessibility, engagement, student choice, formative assessment, and feedback. 

Participants will:

Evaluate existing lessons, assignments, and feedback systems for clarity, engagement, accessibility, cognitive demand, and unnecessary teacher workload.

Redesign classroom activities to include purposeful inquiry, choice, collaboration, formative assessment, and authentic application.

Use digital tools and generative AI strategically to streamline instructional design and feedback while maintaining teacher judgment and instructional quality. 

This book study uses Rick Rubin's The Creative Act as a springboard for practical, standards-aligned lesson design. Participants will explore creativity not as decoration or "extra,” but as an instructional design process: noticing what students need, translating difficult concepts, building stronger entry points, using constraints productively, and creating classroom experiences students remember.Throughout the course, teachers will connect selected chapters from The Creative Act to real classroom planning, curriculum design, student engagement, assessment, and technology integration.

Participants will use digital tools such as Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Slides, Canva, AI-supported planning tools, and shared digital resource banks to redesign a flat or routine lesson into a more creative, rigorous, and student-centered learning experience.

By the end of the course, participants will create a Creative Lesson Design Portfolio that includes a redesigned lesson, a student-facing digital resource, an assessment or reflection tool, and a short rationale explaining how creativity, technology, and standards-based instruction work together.

AI did not kill writing, but it did change what good writing instruction needs to look like. This course helps teachers move beyond AI detection, bans, and "AI-proof” assignments and instead teach students how to write, think, revise, question, and verify in a world where generative AI is readily available. Participants will explore tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Google Docs, Google Forms, and digital research tools while examining hallucinations, bias, privacy, source verification, prompt design, authentic voice, revision, and responsible student AI use. 

Participants will:

Redesign writing instruction to emphasize authentic thinking, voice, revision, reflection, and visible process in the age of generative AI.

Teach students to evaluate, question, verify, and use AI-generated information responsibly.

Use generative AI and digital tools strategically to support writing, research, revision, and reflection without replacing student thinking. 

This 15-hour asynchronous professional learning course invites educators to critically examine the role of the literary canon and reflect on how personal experience, tradition, and institutional expectations shape instructional practice. Through structured, self-paced learning activities, participants will analyze the texts they teach and consider whose voices are centered, marginalized, or absent in canonical instruction. The book is geared toward Secondary English teachers; however, teachers in elementary and other disciplines have taken this course and found it valuable. 

Participants will use collaborative digital tools (e.g., Google Docs, Google Slides, Canva) to engage in shared close reading, pose critical questions, and respond to colleagues' annotations in order to simulate discussion-based analysis in an asynchronous environment and share multimedia instructional reflections on how personal experience, tradition, and institutional expectations shape instructional practice using Padlet and Google Tools.

It is required that participants have the book, Workshopping the Canon by Mary E. Styslinger.

What does it truly mean for students to be fluent in mathematics? In this engaging online book study, participants will explore how to move beyond speed, memorization, and isolated practice toward a richer, more meaningful vision of mathematical fluency.

Grounded in "Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning" by Jennifer M. Bay-Williams and John J. SanGiovanni, this professional learning experience challenges common misconceptions about fluency and provides practical, research-based strategies for developing flexible, efficient, and accurate mathematical thinking in all learners.

Participants will develop the ability to use digital assessment and collaboration platforms (e.g., Seesaw, Google Classroom, Desmos) to collect evidence of student learning, provide feedback, and support mathematical discussions, learn to create and adapt learning activities that incorporate interactive digital tools to promote conceptual understanding and student engagement, especially in preparing students for the NYS Mathematics exams in grades 3-5, and 6-8.

Participants will need a copy of the book, Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning; Moving Beyond Basic Facts and Memorization, to complete the book study.

This course covers MagicSchool AI and how to use it in educational settings. The course is geared to users with MagicSchool Plus or Enterprise accounts, but you do not need a paid account to take this course.

The course covers:

• An overview of MagicSchool, including top platform features, access and tips on finding tools.

• Best practices for prompting AI and modifying and using output.

• Creating, configuring, and customizing MagicSchool for personal use.

• Using MagicSchool with students, including monitoring and managing usage.This course has 5 modules. During each, you will watch video tutorials and complete a quiz to assess your understanding. At the end of the course, you will submit a performance task where you will demonstrate learning using MagicSchool to complete a series of tasks. 

Every classroom library tells a story-but does yours reflect the readers you hope to inspire? Join us for a fun, reflective, and hands-on professional learning experience based on The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library: Building a Collection That Inspires, Engages, and Challenges Readers by Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp. 

Together, we'll take a fresh look at our classroom libraries through the eyes of our students, celebrating what's working while discovering new ways to create spaces where every reader feels welcomed, represented, and excited to explore books. Come ready to reflect, create, collaborate, and leave with ideas you'll be excited to use on Monday morning!

Participants need the book, The Commonsense Guide to Your Classroom Library- by Donalyn Miller and Coby Sharp. 

Do you want your classroom to be meaningful, relevant and fun? This book study is for you! You will learn how to reconnect with students, parents, and your profession. You will read about real-life examples and research-based how to's that can be implemented immediately. Imagine your days filled with creativity, community, relationship building and growth. Come join us for this book study on adding play to your days!

This course involves:

1) Creating Reflective and Independent Learning Spaces with Padlet

2) Designing Student-Centered Content Using Canva for Education

3) Utilizing Google Slides and Padlet to Support Student

Self-Efficacy

Participants must have access to the book  The Playful Classroom- The Power of Play for All Ages by Jed Dearybury and Julie P. Jones.

This book study is based on Mitchell Brookins' Scaffolding Complex Texts: How to Plan and Teach for Deeper Comprehension in Grades 5-8. Participants will explore research-based, practical approaches to help students access increasingly complex texts while developing the skills needed to become independent, confident readers.Throughout the course, educators will examine instructional practices that support comprehension of complex texts, with particular attention to fluency, vocabulary, text structure, syntax, and writing about reading. 

Participants will consider how thoughtful scaffolding can provide students with access to rigorous texts while maintaining high expectations for all learners.The course will combine professional reading with opportunities for reflection, collaboration, discussion, and classroom application. 

Participants will interact with course content through videos, podcasts, collaborative discussions, Padlet activities, digital surveys, Google Slides, Canva, and other interactive technology tools.

Participants are responsible for obtaining a copy of Scaffolding Complex Texts: How to Plan and Teach for Deeper Comprehension in Grades 5-8 by Mitchell Brookins. 

This course is designed for elementary teachers. The purpose is to assist classroom teachers in including stories that honor the identities of all students within the classroom, create diverse collections and support children's social and emotional learning within the context of stories. Teachers will analyze the way they see themselves and their students before reflecting on the way students see themselves.

Participants should have access to the book Read-Alouds with Heart: Literacy lessons that Build Community, Comprehension, and Cultural Competency - Grades K-2 by by Dana Clark, Keisha Smith-Carrington, and Jigisha Vyas. 

This is an introductory course for educators looking to learn more about Wayground and how to use it in an educational setting. This course is geared for those who have a Wayground School account, but it is not required that you have a paid Wayground account to take this course.

In this course you will learn how to use Wayground (formerly Quizizz) to build engaging assignments and gamify learning. This course is geared for those with a School and District Wayground account and consists of 5 self-paced learning modules:

Module 1: Overview of Wayground (Interface and Features)

Module 2: Assessment

Module 3: Other Wayground Resources: Presentation, Video, Passage, Flashcards

Module 4: Managing, Assigning, and Launching Activities

Module 5: Top Wayground Features 

Turn reading fluency practice into something students want to do! This 15-hour, fully online course is designed for K-12 teachers in all subject areas and explores how technology can make reading more active, engaging, and student-centered.

Discover creative ways for students to read, record, replay, reflect, and share their fluency while building confidence, expression, and independence. Explore tools such as Canva, Flip, Google Slides, Padlet, podcasts, video/audio recording, and other learning management systems to transform traditional fluency practice into opportunities for creativity and authentic audiences.

From recording a podcast or video to adding narration to a slide deck or creating a story for younger students, the possibilities are endless. Read it. Record it. Reflect on it. Own it! 

Online Course
15 Hours

Rock Your Read-Aloud: Purposeful Practices for Curious, Confident Readers is a four-week, asynchronous professional learning course grounded in Matthew Hammersley's Rock Your Read Aloud. Participants will learn how to intentionally plan and facilitate engaging read-alouds that spark curiosity, increase student talk, and build comprehension and confidence in young readers. Teachers will apply research-based strategies while using instructional technology to support planning, engagement, and reflection. The course emphasizes practical, classroom-ready tools educators can implement immediately.  

Online Course
15 Hours

Photopea is a free web-based photo editor that functions like Adobe Photoshop. It includes a comprehensive suite of tools and supports layers and masks, retouching tools and the ability to work with different image formats. The course will also highlight the following Artificial Intelligence tools: Magic Replace Tool, Extend Background, Content Aware, Spot Heling Brush Tool and Patch Tool.

This 15-hour online course introduces educators to Google Sheets. The focus is on standards-based exercises that can be easily integrated and adapted for educator use across the curriculum. Topics covered may include: making the transition from Excel, using spreadsheets in the classroom and school environment, gradebooks, conditional formatting and filters, graphing data, working with live Web-based data, and using add-ons. 

Great writing feedback helps students grow, but providing meaningful feedback takes time. In this course, educators will explore how MagicSchool AI can support rubric creation, individualized and class-wide feedback, and student revision. Participants will explore, evaluate, and customize AI-generated feedback. They will then create a practical plan for using these tools in the classroom. 

Google Docs is much more than just an online version of your favorite word processor. When you learn some of the different features, you'll discover that Google Docs can be invaluable in your classroom for collaborative work. While this course will be most useful to those who are relatively new to using Google Docs, experienced users may find some new tips and tricks to make this a tool for your students and for your other collaborative work. We will also look at what sort of feedback you can provide for students to help them engage in the revision process. Feedback for students should be a collaborative effort, too! This course is designed to help you use Google Docs to create collaborative documents and to encourage the use of collaboration-friendly feedback for students. 

The NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency standards are here, and they aren't just for "tech teachers.” Think computer science doesn't fit in your classroom? Think again! Whether you're teaching first graders or physics, this course will help you meet New York State's new standards without fear, frustration, or needing to speak fluent binary. 

In this practical and encouraging book study, you'll learn fun, flexible ways to weave computer science into any K-12 classroom using skills you already teach-like problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're tech-savvy or tech-scared, this course offers approachable strategies (and zero judgment) to help you confidently tackle the new standards-no coding experience, robot sidekick, or tech jargon required.

The purpose of this book study is to create a culture of learning and sharing as we delve into the recently published educational text Let's ALL Teach Computer Science! by Kiki Prottsman. 

Teachers will explore what students need to comprehend and acquire ready-to-use instructional tools to implement immediately. Through the Google Classroom platform, we will use a variety of digital tools, like Padlet, Google Slides and Canva to take a deeper dive into learning about vocabulary, knowledge building, and language structures. 

In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore the book Foundational Skills for Writing: A Brain-Based Guide to Strengthen Executive Functions, Language, and Other Cornerstones for Writers. 

Participants will learn what it takes to turn little learners into confident writers. Teachers will explore strategies that support fine-motor development, letter formation, phonics, spelling, handwriting, sentence construction, and oral language-all while nurturing students' confidence and independence as writers.

Participants will utilize various digital tools such as Canva, Padlet, and AI, to collaborate, share insights, and refine their pedagogical practices for their own learning and teaching. 

Spend the cold month of January honing and practicing your Canva skills! From basics to photo editing to design to the magic of Canva AI to build little widgets, you will end this month as a Canva pro! Sign up for all, come to as many as you like!

January 11 - Foundations
January 18 - Photo Editing and Design

January 25 - Canva AI Coding/Widgets