Rhode Island Federation of Teachers
Virtual Professional Development
Winter 2023-24 | Virtual PD Offerings
RIFT 2024 10 Trauma Informed Strategies to Help Students Heal February 6th - March 7th, 2024
These sessions are not recorded
Click HERE for additional information
Supporting Students through Grief & Loss
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 6:00pm-7:30pm
It is common and normal for young people to grieve. A grief sensitive educator can powerfully support a grieving student and promote mental health. Participants will learn more about the impact of bereavement on learning, strategies to talk about death and ideas for support.
presented by Melissa Labossiere & Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance
Introduction To Trauma Informed Instruction
Wednesday, January 24, 2024 6:00pm-7:30pm
Children face many adverse childhood experiences—violence, abuse, neglect, loss and more. The result can be psychological trauma, which interrupts healthy development. Participants will learn more about the science of toxic stress and its relationship to traumatic effects, as well as strategies to promote resilience and healing.
This session could serve as a good introduction to the upcoming 10 session: Trauma Informed Strategies to Help Students Heal for those interested in taking the course
presented by Melissa Labossiere & Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance
Understanding Challenging Behavior through a Trauma Informed Lens
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 6:00pm-7:30pm
Investigate the 'why' behind challenging behaviors, learn how to better understand student behaviors and explore effective trauma informed strategies to support students
presented by Melissa Labossiere & Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance
Take a break from Thanksgiving preparations to learn more about Artificial Intelligence use in education, a subject that’s bound to come up in conversation around the dinner table! Find out more about the implications of AI in your school and classroom and how you can utilize this tool to your best advantage.
Current Teacher Time Saving AI Tools:
Slide Deck - Part 2
We can all benefit from time-saving, engaging tools to use in the classroom….not just at holiday time. Discover how AI can make teaching more efficient, engaging, and rewarding.
Current Teacher Time Saving AI Tools:
Slide Deck - Part 3
Discover more time-saving, engaging tools that you can use in your classroom to start off the New Year and throughout the rest of 2024 and beyond.
Fall 2022 | Virtual PD Offerings
Engaging Every Learner: Tuesday, 11/15, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Slide Deck of this Presentation
You can create a more successful learning environment by increasing student participation and intentionally engaging every learner. This session will focus on strategies for increasing student participation, developing positive mindsets, and intentionally engaging every learner. We will share and discuss various effective group management strategies to increase with-it-ness, smoothness, momentum, and overlapping content to increase student engagement. Instructional considerations for organizing groups, the variety of tasks and challenge levels, group accountability, and instructional planning considerations will be shared.
Feedback: Tuesday, 12/6, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Slide Deck of this Presentation
(with some tech issues - sorry)
Giving appropriate feedback in classroom situations based on individual student outcomes and needs has been proven to positively impact student engagement and achievement. This session will focus on the difference between and purpose of effective feedback and other forms of communication in the classroom and how effective questioning techniques can increase opportunities for students to receive teacher-student and student-student feedback and deepen student learning.
Maximizing Learning Time: Tuesday, 1/17, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
It seems like there is never enough time in the school day, but there are strategies you can employ to maximize learning time within the time allocated for your class and/or school day. Learn how to create student-driven routines and procedures, apply knowledge of students’ social, emotional and cognitive skills, and identify research-based strategies and appropriate school, district and community resources to increase learning opportunities for all students.
Fall 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Tuesday, 11/2, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: Building Relationships: SEL 3 Signature Practices
presented by Melissa Labossiere & Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance: Welcoming Rituals, Engaging Practices and Optimistic Closures - These three signature practices can help integrate SEL practices into any classroom to promote community-building and deeper engagement.
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers’ Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance: Each Wellness Wednesday we will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times. This session we will take a self-compassion break together.
Monday, 11/8, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: Culturally Responsive Teaching: Connecting Culture & Academic Achievement
presented by Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance and Kathy Torregrossa, Cranston Teachers’ Alliance: In this session we will explore how culture, cultural sensitivity and academic achievement interrelate and consider ways to become more culturally responsive in our teaching.
TUESDAY 11/9, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: Understanding Cultural Identity and Its Impact on Your Classroom
presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Darcy Mollo, Cranston Teachers’ Alliance: During this session we will discuss how cultural identity (our own and our students’) impacts classroom dynamics, norms, and instruction. Activities will be shared that can be used in your classrooms to build a classroom culture that supports and respects diversity, and acknowledges implicit bias, in order to build a respectful learning environment.
Monday, 11/15, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Reclaiming Assessment: Part 1
presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers’ Alliance: All teachers want to know where their students start, how they progress, and the results of the teaching and learning process. In this session we will discuss how using a balanced assessment system in your classroom can inform and support your instructional decision making to optimize student success.
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers’ Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance: Each Wellness Wednesday will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being, and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times
Tuesday, 11/30, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: Reclaiming Assessment Part 2: Avoiding Bias in Assessment Practices
presented by Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers’ Alliance and Colleen Callahan, Rhode Island Federation of Teachers: Are our assessments measuring what a child learns in school or things a child brings with them to school? Research demonstrates that students of color and those from low-income families are often disadvantaged by high-stakes testing and other forms of assessment. In this session we will explore how our implicit biases can influence our observations, questions and feedback and consider ways to ensure our assessment techniques reflect equity and respect diversity.
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers’ Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance: Each Wellness Wednesday will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being, and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times
Monday, 12/6, 7:00PM -8:30PM: Supporting Students with Grief & Loss
presented by Melissa Labossiere & Sharon Usher Pawtucket Teachers Alliance: It is common and normal for young people to grieve. A grief sensitive educator can powerfully support a grieving student and promote mental health. Participants will learn more about the impact of bereavement on learning, strategies to talk about death and ideas for support. Participants will be sent a Grief Sensitive Educator Kit for attending this session. Please note that this session will not be recorded.
Tuesday, 12/7, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Building Relationships Through Restorative Circles
Slides PresentationResources Documentpresented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance: In this session, participants will explore proactive and restorative circles. Restorative circles allow a culture in which everyone feels like they belong. They build a particular sense of community in which every member--students, teacher, parent volunteers, aides--feel that they are seen, heard, and respected. Restorative Practices are a framework for building community and for responding to challenging behavior through authentic dialogue, coming to understanding, and making things right.
Thursday, 12/9, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM: SEL Through a Trauma Informed Lens
presented by Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance and Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance This session will engage participants in activities that promote SEL in the classroom through the 3 signature practices. Participants will learn more about the science of toxic stress and its relationship to traumatic effects, as well as strategies to promote resilience and healing.
Winter-Spring 2021 | Virtual PD Recordings
Week of February 8, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Wednesday, 2/10, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Reflection and Healing from 2020
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance:
Each Wellness Wednesday we will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times. This session focuses on practices to heal from the trauma and stress of 2020 and strategies to move forward while taking lessons learned with us.
Thursday, 2/11, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
Interactive Whiteboard for Engaging Student Activities in Real Time, as Assignments in Google Classroom, or in Breakout Rooms. Jamboard is now an option in Google Meet settings. We have lots of templates and ideas to share in this interactive session.
Week of February 23, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Tuesday, 2/23, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Supporting Students with Grief and Loss
presented by Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance and Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
It is common and normal for young people to grieve. A sensitive educator can powerfully support a grieving student and promote mental health. Participants will learn more about the impact of bereavement on learning, strategies to talk about death and ideas for support.
Wednesday, 2/24, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Overcoming the Winter Blues
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Each Wellness Wednesday we will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times. This session will focus on practices we can do to maintain mental well-being and happiness in the cold, dark months of winter.
Week of March 1, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Wednesday, 3/3, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Quieting the Inner Critic & Embracing Imperfections
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Each Wellness Wednesday will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being, and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times. This session will focus on how to be kinder to ourselves, embrace our imperfections and celebrate our uniqueness as teachers and as people. We all have that inner critic, and we will learn how to notice it, instead of believing it.
Thursday, 3/4, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Pixel Art Mysteries
presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance:
Fun engaging student activity to practice/review skills in any content area! Many ready to use templates and resources will be shared along with time to play.
Week of March 8, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Tuesday, 3/9, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Google Tools FAQ's
This was more of a Q & A and real-time discussion so there isn't a slide deck of resources.
presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
We will address questions submitted via a Google form, which you can complete anytime before the session, or you can ask questions during this LIVE Q & A, which will cover common concerns, Google updates, fun hidden tips & tricks, student engagement strategies, and more based on the questions submitted.
Wednesday, 3/10, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Giving Yourself the Gift of Time: The Power of the Pause
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Each Wellness Wednesday we will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times. This session will focus on the importance of taking time to get out of the doing mode and into the being mode. We will explore the benefits of taking a pause and learn how to give ourselves permission to do so.
Week of March 15, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Wednesday, 3/17, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
The Power and Practice of Gratitude
presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance and Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Each Wellness Wednesday we will connect, reflect, and learn together. We will practice strategies to cultivate overall well-being and have opportunities to support each other through these challenging times. This session will explore the practice of gratitude and the scientific connection between health, happiness and expressing gratitude.
Thursday, 3/18, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
SEL 1.0 | An Introduction to Social & Emotional Learning
(Part 1 of a 3-part series)
Resource Document w/Slide Deck
presented by Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance and Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
Social & Emotional Learning 1.0 is an introduction to SEL standards adopted by RIDE and based on the work of CASEL. Participants will be introduced to activities that can promote SEL in the classroom through Welcoming Rituals, Engaging Activities & Optimistic Closures. This is Part 1 of 3 part series.
Week of March 22, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Tuesday, 3/23, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
SEL 2.0 | Activities that promote SEL in your classroom
(Part 2 of a 3-part series)
Resource Document w/Slide Deck
presented by Melissa Labossiere and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Social & Emotional Learning 2.0 will engage participants in activities that promote SEL in the classroom through the 3 signature practices that were introduced in session 1. SEL Classroom resources and strategies will be shared.
Wednesday, 3/24, 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
SEL 3.0 | Sharing of Strategies & Resources to Promote SEL in the Class, Team & School.
(Part 3 of a 3-part series)
Resource Document w/Slide Deck
presented by Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance and Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
Social & Emotional Learning 3.0 will provide resources to enhance SEL strategies in the classroom, with your team and school. Participants will have opportunities to share what SEL strategies are working for them.
Thursday, 3/25, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Conversations Around Equity 1
Resource Document w/Slide Deck
presented by Audra McPhillips and Paul Bovenzi, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
In this session participants will engage in a series of experiences that will allow for opportunities to examine and reflect on personal bias. Videos from Verna Myers and four agreements from Glenn Singleton will provide common understandings and prompt courageous conversations.
Week of March 29, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Wednesday, 3/31, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Conversations Around Equity 2
Resource Document w/Slide Deck
presented by Audra McPhillips and Paul Bovenzi, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
In this session participants will engage in a series of experiences that will allow for opportunities to examine and reflect on how bias impacts the opportunity gaps in our school communities. Videos from Kate Gerson and an emphasis on examining the role of deficit language in our learning spaces will be explored.
Week of April 5, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Tuesday, 4/6, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Engagement & Impact in Any Setting | Teacher-Student Relationships
(Part 1 of a 3-part series)
Resource Document w/ Slide Deck
presented by Melissa Labossiere and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Based on the Distance Learning Playbook by Fisher, Frey & Hattie, this session will discuss research-based strategies to promote Teacher- Student Relationships in any setting.
Thursday, 4/8, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Engagement & Impact in Any Setting | Engaging Tasks
(Part 2 of a 3-part series)
Resource Document w/ Slide Deck
presented by Melissa Labossiere and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Based on the Distance Learning Playbook by Fisher, Frey & Hattie, this session will discuss strategies to set the conditions for engagement & learning in any setting.
Week of April 12, 2021 | Virtual PD Offerings
Tuesday, 4/13, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Engagement & Impact in Any Setting | Feedback & Assessment
(Part 3 of a 3-part series)
Resource Document w/ Slide Deck
presented by Melissa Labossiere and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Based on the Distance Learning Playbook by Fisher, Frey & Hattie, this session will engage participants in discussion on the impact of effective feedback and its impact on student achievement in any setting.
Thursday, 4/15, 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
End-of-Year Student Engagement Tools to Demonstrate Learning
presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
We will share some fun tools students can use at the end of the year to demonstrate: understanding of content, listening & speaking skills, and games to review content before exams!
Fall 2020 | Virtual PD Offerings
Week of November 16, 2020 | Virtual PD Offerings
Bitmoji - Virtual Classroom Fun!
Tuesday, 11/17, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Create a fun virtual classroom using your own bitmoji. Your classroom will consist of finding images reflective of your content and hyperlinking those images to tasks or information for your students.
These are created in a Google Slide and then can be added to your classroom!
Presented by Kathy Torregrossa and Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance:
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
SEL and the Power of Human Connection
Wednesday, 11/18, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Strategies to Keep Connected While Distancing: Trusting, nurturing relationships are the foundation of a smooth transition to school, and they are more important now than ever. In this session we will learn how to encourage children to be physically distant but not emotionally distant.
Participants will be given simple, yet powerful strategies to use immediately to cultivate a connected classroom.
Presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week of November 9, 2020 | Virtual PD Offerings
Google Classroom Organizational Tips, Part 1
Tuesday, 11/10, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Now that you have set up a Google Classroom - what else should you know?
● Classroom file in Google Drive
● Student view of assignments (how to submit assignments) Assignments change color when turned in
Be able to see/view all your work
Mobile App - difference between mobile and laptop
Inviting Guardians
Presented by Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance:
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Veterans Day
-NO Session Scheduled-
Google Classroom Organizational Tips,Part 2
Thursday, 11/12, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
● Customize google classroom header (Canva, Slides, Draw)
● Creating rubrics for assignments
● Running originality reports
● Filtering email notifications
Presented by Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week of November 2, 2020 | Virtual PD Offerings
Election Day
-NO Session Scheduled-
Back to School Teaching: Addressing Student Stress and Anxiety Through a Trauma Informed Lens
Wednesday, 11/4, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Google Meet Recording of Session
In this session, we will explore several key points educators need to understand about stress, trauma and their effects.
Participants will learn specific approaches to prioritize student support during this crisis.
Presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Google Tips & Tools Updates:
Thursday, 11/5, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
We will review the latest updates and tips to use various Google Tools, such as: G.Docs (citation tool, translate, preview option),
G. Slides (closed captioning in present mode, interactives, preview option, adding audio),
G. Meet (updates and new tools - chat, expanded grids, prevent screen sharing, etc.).
Presented by Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
Week of October 26, 2020 | Virtual PD Offerings
Concurrent Instruction
Tuesday, 10/27, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
This session will include resources and ideas for teachers who are simultaneously teaching students virtually and in-person.
Ideas for organization of your instructional time and instructional models will be provided.
You will have the opportunity to hear from various classroom teachers who have successfully overcome the challenges and who will share tips and tools to help you. All resources are part of Google Suite or interact seamlessly with Google and do not breach student privacy.
Presented by
Kathy Torregrossa and Pete Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
Resilience and Self-Care for Educators in Uncertain Times
Wednesday, 10/28, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Google Meet Recording of Session
In this session, participants will learn how self-care leads to resilience.
Participants will be given simple, yet powerful techniques to cultivate well-being during stressful times.
Presented by Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Trauma 101: Helping Students Heal from Trauma
Thursday, 10/29, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Children face many adverse childhood experiences—violence, abuse, neglect, loss and more. The result can be psychological trauma, which interrupts healthy development.
Participants will learn more about the science of toxic stress and its relationship to traumatic effects, as well as strategies to promote resilience and healing.
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Presented by Melissa Labossiere and Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
Recordings of Spring 2020 PD Offerings
Google Meet
Tuesday, March 31st
Want to see and talk to your class online all at once? We will show you how to set up and manage a Google Meet session with your students and explain the features that you control as the teacher/presenter.
Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view the tutorial at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday Session One
Wellness Wednesday #1 Recording
Wednesday, April 1st
In these times of stress and uncertainty, let’s come together, connect with each other, and care for one another in a safe, supportive and virtual space. We will learn how mindful self-care is a simple, yet powerful practice to help us in these challenging times. Get tips on how to start weaving mindful moments into your day.
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Screencastify
Screencastify Session Recording
Screencastify Session Slides & Resource Links
Thursday, April 2nd
Screencastify is a user friendly chrome extension that allows you to easily create your own content for students. This session will focus on creating simple and effective video to enhance your virtual lessons.
Audra McPhillips, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week Two Virtual PD Offerings
Google Classroom
Google Classroom Resource Playlist
Google Classroom Session Recording
Tuesday, April 7th
Join us to learn some of the features of Google Classroom: setting up a classroom, adding students and co-teachers, creating assignments, managing grades, adding topics, adding materials, and more!! We will share a resource playlist and will have a Q & A time to share experiences and/or problem-solve will be at the end.
Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday Session Two
Wellness Wednesday #2 Recording
Wednesday, April 8th
In these times of stress and uncertainty, let’s come together, connect with each other, and care for one another in a safe, supportive and virtual space. We will learn how mindful self-care is a simple, yet powerful practice to help us in these challenging times. Get tips on how to start weaving mindful moments into your day.
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week Three Virtual PD Offerings
edpuzzle
Tuesday, April 14th
This is a platform to introduce students to learning with interactive video lessons where you can interject questions for them to respond to during the video! Use videos from YouTube, Khan Academy, and more, or you can record and upload your own video! It's easy to add voice narration and questions and check if students are watching your videos, how many times they're watching each section, and if they're understanding the content. It even grades closed questions for you and imports them to a gradebook that you can export to Google Sheets. This integrates seamlessly with Google Classroom.
Kathleen Torregrossa & Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday Session Three
Wellness Wednesday #3 Recording
The Power and Practice Of Self-Compassion
Wednesday, April 15th
In these times of stress and uncertainty, let’s come together, connect with each other, and care for one another in a safe, supportive and virtual space. We will learn how mindful self-care is a simple, yet powerful practice to help us in these challenging times. Get tips on how to start weaving mindful moments into your day.
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Flipgrid
How to Use Flipgrid Session Recording
Thursday, April 16th
Flipgrid is a web based tool that allows you to build and sustain community in your virtual classroom. Learn how educators and students can record short videos to share content, provide each other with feedback, and continue to learn and grow in a collaborative way!
Audra McPhillips, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week Four Virtual PD Offerings
Digital Formative Assessment Tools
Digital Formative Assessment Recording
Formative Assessment Slide Deck (Google Forms & Quizziz)
Tuesday, April 21st
7:00-8:00pm
We will share just a few easy tools for digital formative assessments that will do the work of grading for you! (Google Forms Quizzes and Quizziz)
Kathleen Torregrossa & Peter Guyon, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday Session Four
Wellness Wednesday Session #4 Recording
Cultivating Wellness with Ourselves and Our Students
Wednesday, April 22nd
7:00-8:00pm
In these times of stress and uncertainty, let’s come together, connect with each other, and care for one another in a safe, supportive and virtual space. We will learn how mindful self-care is a simple, yet powerful practice to help us in these challenging times. Get tips on how to start weaving mindful moments into your day.
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
SEL: Social & Emotional Learning
SEL: Social & Emotional Learning Recording
SEL | Follow-up Resources from session
Thursday, April 23rd
7:00-8:00pm
We have physical distance from our students but we do not need to have emotional distance from them. In this session we will explore ways to maintain connections with our students, with time to share what is working for you.
Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week Five Virtual PD Offerings
Digital Escape Rooms
Digital Escape Rooms Part 1 -Recording
Digital Escape Rooms Playlist of Resources
Creating an Escape Room "How-To"
Tuesday, April 28th
7:00-8:00pm
Engage your students and improve their problem solving skills, while reviewing or learning content, using google forms to create digital escape rooms!
Peter Guyon & Kathleen Torregrossa, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday Session Five
Wellness Wednesday Session # 5 Recording
Supporting Mental Wellness and Family Life During COVID-19:
Wednesday, April 29th
7:00-8:00pm
In these times of stress and uncertainty, let’s come together, connect with each other, and care for one another in a safe, supportive and virtual space. These are challenging times and almost everything about our daily lives looks different. Get tips to support you and your family’s wellness as you cope, live, teach and learn during COVID-19. Let’s come together to explore the best ways to emotionally support ourselves and our children during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Google Drawing, Google Slides & Jamboard
Google Drawing , Google Slides & Jamboard Recording
Google Drawing, Google Slides & Jamboard Session Slides
Thursday, April 30th
7:00-8:00pm
Google Drawing, Google Slides and Jamboard are amazing tools that you can use to create interactive content to share with your students. Come find out how to build lessons and activities from scratch, convert your own google docs/PDFs into editable sheets, and how to share it all through Google Classroom so students can work independently or collaborate in small groups! Time will also be spent exploring ways to use Jamboard to interact "live" with your students.
Audra McPhillips, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week Six Virtual PD Offerings
Digital Escape Rooms Part 2
Digital Escape Rooms Tips and Tools for Challenge Activities 2 - Recording
Digital Escape Room - Part 2 Resources Slide Deck
Tuesday, May 5th
7:00-8:00pm
We will demonstrate a variety of fun tips, tools, and games which you can use to create the challenges for a Digital Escape Room. These tools can be added to the Google Form Escape Room, previously explained, to actively engage students in collaborative problem solving while reviewing or learning content! Even if you missed part 1, join us as these tools have many uses!
Peter Guyon & Kathleen Torregrossa, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday
There will be no Wellness Wednesday this week. Enjoy the evening and see you next week!
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
Week Seven Virtual PD Offerings
Supporting English Language Learners
Supporting English Language Learners-Recording
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
7:00-8:00pm
Sharing Tips, Resources & Best Practices for English Language Learners during Distance Learning
This session is for ALL educators
Melissa Labossiere, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday Session 6
Wellness Wednesday Session Six- Recording
Overcoming Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Difficult Times
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
7:00-8:00pm
In these times of stress and uncertainty, let’s come together, connect with each other, and care for one another in a safe, supportive and virtual space. These are challenging times and almost everything about our daily lives looks different. As we teach, love and and care for others, let's learn some strategies to overcome burnout and compassion fatigue.
Kim Ochs, West Warwick Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Week Eight Virtual PD Offerings
Accessibility Tools for All Learners
Accessibility Tools for All Learners Recording
Resources - Tools to Support Differentiation and Support At-Risk Students
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
7:00-8:00pm
Designing accessible instruction can provide equal opportunities for each and every student. Join us to learn applications, extensions, websites and Google accessibility tools that will provide every student equal access to their education especially in a distance learning environment.
Peter Guyon & Kathleen Torregrossa, Cranston Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.
Wellness Wednesday
There will be no Wellness Wednesday. Due to The Professional Development Day today.
SEL through a Trauma Informed Lens
SEL through a Trauma Informed Lens - Recording
Thursday, May 21, 2020
7:00 - 8:00pm
Building & Sustaining relationships with our students is more important than ever during Distance Learning. This session will provide resources & strategies to help establish a Trauma Informed environment
Melissa Labossiere & Sharon Usher, Pawtucket Teachers Alliance
If you attended this session, or took time to view it at a later date, please use this certificate for PLU purposes. Fill in your name and the date when you participated.