Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional Learning Opportunities
October and November
October and November
Embedded Files
GLRS
GLRS
Special Education Directors Collaborative Community
Facilitated by Sandy Walden (swalden@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 3rd
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Understanding Behavior Because Our Students Deserve It!
Facilitated by Sandy Walden (swalden@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 22nd
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Special Education Paraprofessional Academy
Facilitated by Lara Butler (lbutler@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 27th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Co-Teaching Teams Training
Facilitated by Lara Butler (lbutler@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 28th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Transition Collaborative Community
Facilitated by Sandy Walden (swalden@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 30th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Building Literacy Foundations: Evidence-Based Reading Instruction for Young Learners with Disabilities
Facilitated by Lara Butler (lbutler@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 31st
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
School Psychologist Collaborative Community
Facilitated by Sandy Walden (swalden@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 7th
Time: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Mastering IEP Best Practices: Essential Skills for New Special Education Teachers
Facilitated by Sandy Walden (swalden@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 19th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bridging the Gap: Adolescent Literacy Strategies for Struggling Readers with Disabilities
Facilitated by Lara Butler (lbutler@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 20th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Math
Math
Math (6th Grade)-Session 2 - Mastering Manipulatives with Learning Plans
Facilitated by Marcia Williams (mwilliams@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: December 2nd
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Math (7th Grade)-Session 2 - Mastering Manipulatives with Learning Plans
Facilitated by Marcia Williams (mwilliams@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: December 3rd
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Math (8th Grade)-Session 2 - Mastering Manipulatives with Learning Plans
Facilitated by Marcia Williams (mwilliams@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: December 4th
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Literacy
Literacy
Digging into the Language domain for Grades 6-12
Facilitated by GaDOE
Questions? Contact Allison Funk
Date Offered: October 9th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Digging into the Language Domain for Grades K-5
Facilitated by GaDOE
Questions? Contact Allison Funk
Date Offered: October 21st
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Advancing Leadership for Literacy and Systems Alignment
Facilitated Kelly Chester
Questions? Contact Allison Funk
Date Offered: October 27th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Examining Expectations for Student Writing: Deep Dive into the New 3-Trait Writing Rubric (Grades 3&5)
Facilitated by Dana Penland
Date Offered: November 4th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Examining Expectations for Student Writing: Deep Dive into the New 3-Trait Writing Rubric (Grades 7 & Lit and Comp II)
Facilitated by Andina Oglesby
Date Offered: November 7th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Digging into the Text Domain for Grades K-5
Facilitated by Allison Funk
Questions? Contact Allison Funk
Date Offered: November 17th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Digging into the Text Domain for Grades 6-12
Facilitated by Allison Funk
Questions? Contact Allison Funk
Date Offered: November 18th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Administrators
Administrators
Principals Collaborative (Virtual)
Facilitated by Kevin Gaines (kevin.gaines@hart.k12.ga.us)
Date Offered: October 13th
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Assistant Principals Collaborative (In-Person)
Facilitated by Paul DeFoor
Questions? Contact Tim Cochran (tcochran@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 20th
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
GaLEADS Overview Session: Elevating Teacher, Accelerating Leaders
Facilitated by GaDOE
Questions? Contact Allison Funk
Date Offered: November 5th
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Principals Collaborative (In-Person)
Facilitated by Kevin Gaines (kevin.gaines@hart.k12.ga.us)
Date Offered: November 10th
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Assistant Principals Collaborative (Virtual)
Facilitated by Paul DeFoor
Questions? Contact Tim Cochran (tcochran@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 20th
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Assistant Principals Collaborative
Facilitated by Paul DeFoor
Questions? Contact Tim Cochran (tcochran@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 17th
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
CTAE Director Job Alike
Facilitated by Jan Pearce (jpearce@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 19th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Curriculum & Instruction
Curriculum & Instruction
Heads Together
Facilitated by GaDOE & RESA Network Questions? Contact: Allison Funk (afunk@pioneerresa.org)
Dates Offered: October 15th, October 29th
GACIS
Facilitated by Jan Pearce (jpearce@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 12th
Other
Other
Finance Director Job Alike
Facilitated by Kristie Dover
Date Offered: October 7, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alternative School Program Director Job Alike
Facilitated by Jan Pearce
Date Offered: October 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
PBIS District Coordinator Job-Alike
Facilitated by Jason Kaup (jkaup@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Nutrition Bookkeepers
Facilitated by Jaclyn Adams
Date Offered: October 16th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Substitute Teacher Training
Facilitated by Jason Kaup (jkaup@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: October 17th
Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
School Bookkeeper Job Alike
Facilitated by Kristie Dover
Date Offered: October 23rd
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
School Counselor Job Alike
Facilitated by Jan Pearce
Date Offered: October 29th
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Federal Program Director Job-Alike
Facilitated by Jan Pearce (jpearce@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 5th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
School Nutrition Job-Alike
Facilitated by Jan Pearce (jpearce@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 6th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Transportation Directors Job-Alike
Facilitated by Marty Dixon
(mdixon@rabuncountyschools.org)
Date Offered: November 6th
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Mental Health Specialist Job-Alike
Facilitated by Janice Darnell
Date Offered: November 12th
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Technology Director's Job-Alike
Facilitated by Chris Fuller
(cfuller@pioneerresa.org)
Date Offered: November 18th
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Accounts Payable Job Alike
Facilitated by Kristie Dover
Date Offered: November 19th
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Tier 2 Mental Health Training
Join experts from Emory University School of Medicine for live, virtual training sessions designed to equip school staff with evidence-based Tier 2 interventions. Learn strategies to help students manage fear and anxiety through Facing Your Fears and strengthen executive functioning skills with Unstuck and On Target. Open to teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, and other school professionals supporting student mental health.
Georgia ELA Standards Digging Deeper Series
Georgia ELA Standards Digging Deeper Series
The Georgia ELA Standards Digging Deeper Series is a comprehensive professional learning opportunity for K–12 educators seeking to enhance their understanding and implementation of the Georgia K–12 ELA Standards. This series is intentionally designed to unpack key components of the standards through targeted sessions focused on writing, language, texts, and instructional practices. Each session provides a grade-band-specific deep dive into one topic of the standards, equipping teachers with practical, evidence-based strategies they can implement immediately in their classrooms.
Whether you're an elementary or secondary educator, this series offers meaningful support and collaboration to strengthen literacy instruction and ensure alignment with Georgia’s expectations for student learning.
ESOL and Gifted Endorsements
ESOL and Gifted Endorsements
2025-2026 School Year
2025-2026 School Year
We are excited to offer endorsement opportunities in ESOL and Gifted education. Our endorsement cohorts will begin in the fall and winter to accommodate the needs of all educators. Course 1 registration for the fall cohort in both ESOL and Gifted endorsements is now open. Please see below for start dates and registration information.
SOLUTION-FOCUSED STRATEGIES FOR SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS
In partnership with Northeast Georgia RESA, we are pleased to invite you to an upcoming professional learning workshop with Dr. Russell A. Sabella, a nationally recognized leader in school counseling.
This session is designed for counselors, social workers, psychologists, and administrators and will provide practical, solution-focused strategies to support students, families, and staff while reducing burnout and fostering resilience.
Participants will learn to:
Foster a culture of hope and competence by focusing on what's working.
Empower students and families to take an active role in success.
Identify and leverage strengths and existing resources to overcome challenges.
Reduce the emotional toll of constantly addressing problems by prioritizing achievable solutions.
About the Presenter:
Dr. Sabella, professor at Florida Gulf Coast University and past president of the American School Counselor Association, is a sought-after speaker and author of Solution-Focused School Counseling: The Missing Manual, among other titles. He is best known for empowering school counselors through innovative, ethical, and practical approaches to student support. He leads with heart, humor, and a relentless commitment to advancing the profession.
We hope you’ll share this opportunity with your teams and join us for this impactful learning experience!
Exceptional Child Course
Exceptional Child Course
This 10 week online course serves as an introduction to educating exceptional children and youth. It focuses on the identification and best practices for teaching exceptional individuals. Participants will be provided with specific instructional strategies and resources to implement effective educational programs for students with disabilities. This course fulfills the state requirements for H.B. 671 for teachers in Georgia and is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). For candidates planning to enter the GaTAPP program next year, completing this course early is a great way to get ahead.
2025-2026 Mathematics Professional Learning
2025-2026 Mathematics Professional Learning
The 2025–2026 Mathematics Professional Learning offerings at Pioneer RESA provide a range of in-person sessions designed to strengthen instructional practice in math across grade levels:
Power of Progressions facilitated by Graham Fletcher
Grades K-3: Untangling the Knotty Areas of Teaching and Learning Mathematics (Focuses on addition, subtraction, and place value.)
Grades 3–8: Untangling the Knotty Areas of Teaching and Learning Mathematics. (Focuses on fractions.)
Mastering Manipulatives with Learning Plans
Separate grade-level sessions (K–2, 3–5, 6, 7, 8) in fall and spring provide hands-on strategies using manipulatives, with free materials included.
We hope you will make plans to join us for these exciting opportunities. Please see the flyer for more details.
October Newsletter Page 1.pdfOctober Newsletter Page 2.pdfFY26 Job Alike Offerings
FY26 Job Alike Offerings
We are excited to announce the upcoming FY26 Job Alike sessions. These sessions offer a valuable opportunity to collaborate with peers in similar roles across the region. By sharing best practices, resources, and strategies, we can collectively enhance our efforts and support the critical work we do as educators.
Collaboration with those in like positions is essential for professional growth and improving student outcomes. We look forward to your participation and the insightful discussions that will strengthen our educational community.
Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) Corner
Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) Corner
School Districts can request additional professional learning from North GLRS by contacting Sandy Walden, North GLRS Director or Lara Butler, North GLRS Continuous Improvement Specialist. Requests should come from building level administrators or the Special Education Director. Professional learning provided by North GLRS must be tied to the GLRS Scope of Work as determined annually by the GADOE and should support the achievement, graduation rate, post-secondary success and needs of the whole child for all students including students with disabilities.
Winter Teaching & Learning Summit
Winter Teaching & Learning Summit
We are excited to announce the upcoming Georgia Department of Education Teaching and Learning Summits, hosted in partnership with North Georgia RESA, Northeast Georgia RESA, and Pioneer RESA.
Please mark your calendars for our winter summit, designed to bring educators together around best practices, innovation, and collaboration. This engaging event will feature key updates from the Georgia Department of Education and provide opportunities to choose breakout sessions aligned to your role and interests.
Winter Teaching & Learning Summit (In-Person)
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Location: Ramsey Conference Center, Lanier Technical College, Gainesville, GA
Lunch will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you for a day of powerful learning, networking, and shared insights across districts.
We can't wait to learn and grow with you!
Professional Learning Offerings
Professional Learning Offerings
Understanding the Redesigned Georgia Milestones ELA Assessment
Join the GaDOE Assessment team for the latest updates pertaining to the redesigned Georgia Milestones English Language Arts (ELA) assessments, aligned with Georgia’s K-12 ELA Standards. Topics will include test design, item types, writing rubrics, and availability of resources.
Georgia Literacy Academy- Literacy for K-3 Electives Courses
The content in Every Classroom Counts: Georgia Literacy Academy for K-3 Electives Courses were designed especially for electives teachers of K-3rd grade students and meets the professional learning requirements of the Georgia Early Literacy Act for this group of teachers.
Literacy Coach Network
The Literacy Coach Network (LCN) is a collaborative undertaking by GaDOE Literacy Team and Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language & Literacy to provide all of Georgia’s literacy coaches with a space to explore new topics and collaborate with their coaching colleagues. For the 2025-26 school year, each session will include content drawn from Florida Center for Reading Research’s (FCRR) Fundamentals of Literacy Coaching modules.
Dates: October 1st, November 5th, December 3rd, January 7th, February 4th, March 4th, May 5th, June 3rd
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Let's Talk Testing
The GaDOE Assessment Development team invites leaders throughout the state to join a virtual professional learning series designed to build understanding of the Georgia Student Assessment Program. Each session will focus on a specific assessment topic and also allow time for attendees to ask questions about Georgia’s assessments. These sessions will not be recorded, and registration is required.
October 3, 2025: DRC BEACON Interim Assessment
November 7, 2025: Test Blueprints & Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs)
December 5, 2025: Test Development Process & Educator Involvement
February 6, 2026: Scoring Process for ELA Writing Tasks
March 6, 2026: Interpreting Test Scores
May 8, 2026: Accessing and Using Test Scores and Reports
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
ELA Graduation Guidance Open Office Hours
Each session will begin with a 20-minute update of a key topic related to the new guidance. The remainder of the hour will be dedicated to open Q&A, allowing participants to ask questions, seek clarification, and share feedback and examples of what their district is doing. Since these are open sessions, feel free to drop in as best meets your schedule.
Dates:
October 6th, November 10th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
EIP/REP Technical Assistance Chats
EIP/REP Technical Assistance Chats are part of a monthly professional learning series designed to provide timely updates, implementation support, and guidance for Georgia educators working with Early Intervention Program (EIP) and Remedial Education Program (REP) services. Each session offers opportunities to connect with GaDOE staff, ask questions, converse with colleagues, and explore strategies to strengthen student support and academic success.
Dates: October 8th, January 21st, February 11th, March 11th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Disciplinary Literacy: Strategies for Content-Area Teaching
Join this L4GA-sponsored professional learning series designed to support all content-area teachers in grades 4-12! Dr. Laurie Lee and Dr. Kevin Smith from the Florida Center for Reading Research will lead ten professional development sessions focused on literacy strategy instruction for content teachers (with a focus on social studies (SS) and science) and instructional coaches. All sessions will be one hour and take place at 3-4 p.m.
Session 5: Laurie and Kevin will review a lesson plan that incorporates all of the evidence-based practices that were introduced in Sessions 1-4.
Session 5A Audience (10/8): Social Studies Teachers (Grades 4-12)
Session 5B Audience (10/9): Science Teachers (Grades 4-12)Session 6 (10/15): In this culminating session, Laurie and Kevin will synthesize the key strategies from the IES practice guides – Teaching Secondary Students to Write Effectively in Social Studies and Science and Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices, bringing all the components together into a cohesive framework for instructional practice. They will discuss how to incorporate evidence-based literacy practices in their instruction, potential texts that could be used, any challenges they anticipate, and strategies for overcoming those challenges.
Audience: All Content Teachers (Grades 4-12)
Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Let's Talk ELA, GA! for Teachers
Join the Georgia DOE ELA team for Let’s Talk ELA, GA! for Teachers, a new virtual professional learning series designed to support Georgia’s classroom educators with the implementation of Georgia’s K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) Standards. Each interactive session will engage participants with a different focus. Through dialogue and shared expertise, participants will build a stronger understanding of how to implement the standards effectively. Teachers will leave with practical resources and a deeper understanding of how to bring the new standards to life in their classrooms. Come ready to connect, collaborate, and create! Let’s get the conversation started!
Dates:
October 14th, November 18th, December 9th (4:00-5:00 p.m.)
Fit Georgia Office Hours
Office hours are available for discussions and questions regarding Fit Georgia.
Dates: October 15th, October 29th, November 12th, December 3rd, December 17th
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Let's Talk ELA, GA!
The Georgia Department of Education English Language Arts content team invites leaders throughout the state to join a virtual professional learning series to prepare for the implementation of Georgia’s K-12 English Language Arts Standards. Important updates will be provided monthly to support leaders. There will be time set aside monthly for attendees to ask questions pertaining to the standards. These sessions will not be recorded, and registration is required.
Dates: October 16th, November 20th, December 11th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
FY26 Federal Programs Timely Talks
Each monthly Timely Talks session features GaDOE Federal Programs staff providing timely guidance on upcoming grant cycle topics. Federal programs leaders are encouraged to register and participate in this series, which addresses overarching, timely topics relevant to all programs. While live attendance is encouraged, sessions are recorded and available later in the GaDOE Community Professional Learning Catalog. Sessions highlight a main topic, allow time for emerging grant cycle updates, and include a dedicated question and answer segment.
Dates:
October 21, 2025: Equitable Services Fall Updates
November 4, 2025: Drawdowns and Source Documentation
December 9, 2025: Ongoing Monitoring, Implementation/Effectiveness, CLIP Progress Monitoring
January 20, 2026: Carryover Budgets and Mid-Year Allocation Adjustments
February 17, 2026: Identifying Needs with Stakeholder Input, FY27 CLIP
March 24, 2026: Equitable Services Spring Updates
April 21, 2026: Ongoing Monitoring, Implementation/Effectiveness, FY27 CLIP
May 19, 2026: Year End CloseoutTime: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Unpacking Digital Standards with GaDOE SuitCASE
Discover the power of Georgia’s innovative standards platform, SuitCASE, in this engaging live webinar. Learn to navigate frameworks and engage with standards in a digital format. Explore features like associations, comments, pins, copy, print, and search. Understand how SuitCASE supports your work in the classroom by exploring enhanced notes, evidence of student learning, and work examples. Join the Technology Services team to uncover new features and the latest updates in SuitCASE.
Dates: October 27th (11:30 - 12:15 PM)
The Craft Lab: Blending the Science of Standards with the Craft of Teaching
The Craft Lab is a hands-on English language arts (ELA) professional learning series designed to bring Georgia’s K-12 ELA Standards to life for secondary (grades 6-12) educators. Each session models the structure of the newly released ELA Instructional Framework. Presenters Dr. Emily Lott and Dr. Courtney Peck will lead participants in blending standards from the Language, Texts, and Practices domains when designing instruction to create one cohesive learning experience.
Dates: October 29th, November 19th, January 21st, February 25th, March 25th, April 22nd
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:20 PM
Let's Talk Math, GA!
The Georgia Department of Education Mathematics Team invites mathematics leaders throughout the state to join a virtual professional learning series to support the implementation of Georgia’s K-12 Mathematics Standards. Important updates will be provided monthly to support district leaders.
October 31st, November 21st, December 12th
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Bimonthly virtual calls for updates, networking, and specialized training for curriculum and professional learning leaders through a partnership between the GaDOE Office of Teaching and Learning and your statewide RESA network.
When: Every Other Wednesday 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
Upcoming Dates:
October 15, 2025
October 29, 2025
November 12, 2025
December 10, 2025
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