Professional Learning Opportunities
High School Health Education
Health Education professional learning opportunities support teachers in deepening their understanding of Health Education expectations, including mandatory HIV education lessons (opens in new window) to be taught every year for all grades, and sexual health education as part of comprehensive education for grades 6-12. Using the New York City Health Education Scope and Sequence documents, teachers will develop effective plans for delivering high-quality Health Education instruction to support students' academic development and their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Questions? Email your Borough Team.
Health Education Professional Learning
Introduction to Health Education Series
Teachers should complete these introductory professional learning opportunities (PLOs) to review Health Education requirements and instructions on how to access recommended curriculum before moving onto the next topic-specific series.
Click the drop down arrow to view the recommended sequence of PLOs.
Click each registration link to read more specific details, including pre-work.
Self-Guided Course (CTLE: 45 minutes)
Introduction to Health Education: Secondary Requirements and Resources (6-12)
In this self-guided WeLearnNYC course, participants will learn about the impact of Health Education on student outcomes, the required components of Health Education in NYC, and where to find resources to support Health Education lesson planning.
Enroll in the WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Introduction to Health Education: Strategies for Skills-Based Instruction (K-12)
In this interactive webinar, participants will learn best practices for teaching skills-based comprehensive health education so that students acquire the skills and knowledge they need to make healthy choices. Participants will learn how to access the NYCPS-recommended HealthSmart curriculum, including slide decks in English and Spanish.
Note: This training was formerly referred to as “Health Ed Basics 1: Teaching Skills-Based Health Education” and will cover the same content. If you have Health Ed Basics 1 on your Events/CTLE record (opens in new window) then you do not need to take this webinar.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Thursday, October 19, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 7, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Election Day
Monday, January 29, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. High School PD Day
Monday, February 5, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Self-Guided Course (CTLE: 45 minutes)
Introduction to LGBTQ+ Concepts and Terminology (K-12)
In this self-guided WeLearnNYC course, participants will examine concepts and terminology like sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and discuss creating an inclusive environment that benefits all students by promoting diversity.
Enroll in the WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Strategies for LGBTQ+ Affirming Classrooms (6-12)
In this interactive webinar, participants will explore how to make their Health Education classes more inclusive for students and families who hold diverse identities and examine several tools, including age-appropriate recommended lesson plans for teaching students about gender identity and sexual orientation.
Note: This training was formerly referred to as “Health Ed Basics 4: LGBTQ+ Affirming Health Education Classrooms” and will cover the same content. If you have Health Ed Basics 4 on your Events/CTLE record (opens in new window) then you do not need to take this course.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Wednesday, November 29, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 25, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sexual Health Education Series
These professional learning opportunities (PLOs) will provide strategies for teaching the required sexual health unit, including topics like puberty, identity, and healthy relationships.
Click the drop down arrow to view the recommended sequence of PLOs.
Click each registration link to read more specific details, including pre-work.
🛑✋🏾Have you completed the Introduction to Health Education Series? It is recommended that teachers complete the introductory PLOs before moving to the Sexual Health Education Series.
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Sexual Health Education: Introduction to Requirements and Resources (6-12)
In this interactive webinar, participants will gain the knowledge and confidence to provide students with the required sexual health component of their Health Education class and learn how to support student learning around puberty, sexual identity, healthy relationships, sexual harassment prevention, and more. Available upon request: copies of medically accurate, standards-based lessons (limit one set per teacher).
Note: This training was formerly referred to as “Health Ed Basics 2 (Part 1): Introduction to Effective and Inclusive Sexual Health Education” and will cover the same content. If you have Health Ed Basics 2 (Part 1) on your Events/CTLE record (opens in new window) then you do not need to take this course.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Monday, December 4, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 24, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Monday, February 12, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Sexual Health Education: Strategies for Effective Instruction (6-12)
This interactive webinar provides participants with student engagement strategies, the opportunity to practice teaching strategies and addresses common concerns that arise when teaching the required sexual Health Education unit. Upon request, participants will receive copies of medically accurate, standards-based lessons (limit one set per teacher).
Note: This training was formerly referred to as “Health Ed Basics 2 (Part 2): Strategies for Teaching Sexual Health Education” and will cover the same content. If you have Health Ed Basics 2 (Part 2) on your Events/CTLE record (opens in new window) then you do not need to take this course.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Wednesday, December 6, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, February 13, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Sexual Health Education: Promoting Inclusivity for Students with Disabilities (6-12)
In this interactive webinar, participants will discuss factors that impact students with disabilities and the instruction they receive for sexual health education. Through a collaborative process, participants will explore best practices from current research and identify effective instructional strategies, social emotional considerations, and self-advocacy practices they have successfully used with their students with disabilities.
Note: This training was formerly referred to as “Comprehensive Sexual Health Education for Students with Disabilities" and will cover the same content. If you this training on your Events/CTLE record (opens in new window) then you do not need to take this course.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Thursday, January 25, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 11, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
HIV Education Series
These professional learning opportunities (PLOs) will review required HIV lessons and provide instructions to access the new curriculum for 2023-2024.
Click the drop down arrow to view the recommended sequence of PLOs.
Click each registration link to read more specific details, including pre-work.
🛑✋🏾Have you completed the Introduction to Health Education Series? It is recommended that teachers complete the introductory PLOs before moving to the HIV Education Series.
Self-Guided Course (CTLE: 45 minutes)
HIV Education: Introduction to Requirements and Resources (K-12)
In this self-guided WeLearnNYC course, participants will review a skills-based approach to HIV education. Participants will leave equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to implement Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum.
Enroll in the WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
HIV Education: Exploring Curriculum Concepts and Skills (9-12)
In this interactive webinar, participants will be introduced to the concepts and skills taught within grades 9-12 of the required Growing Up and Staying Safe: New York City K-12 HIV Education Curriculum. Participants will reflect on their grade level scope and sequence to increase familiarity and build confidence, describe the relevance of the concepts and skills within selected lessons, and practice one skill from the National Health Education Standards that supports healthy student behaviors.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Monday, October 30, 2:15 p.m.- 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, November 7, 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Election Day
Monday, January 29, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. High School PD Day
Monday, March 4, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (cancelled)
Monday, April 8, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (cancelled)
Safe and Supportive Schools for LGBTQ+ Students
These professional learning opportunities (PLOs) will review concepts and terminology to better support students and families with diverse identities and examine tools, including age appropriate recommended lesson plans.
Click the drop down arrow to view the recommended sequence of PLOs.
Click each registration link to read more specific details, including pre-work.
Self-Guided Course (CTLE: 45 minutes)
Introduction to LGBTQ+ Concepts and Terminology (K-12)
In this self-guided WeLearnNYC course, participants will examine concepts and terminology like sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and discuss creating an inclusive environment that benefits all students by promoting diversity.
Enroll in the WeLearnNYC course and complete on your own time
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Build an Affirming Community with OUT for Safe Schools (K-12)
In this interactive webinar, participants are provided tools to build affirming school communities in their classroom through instructional best practices, and outside of their classroom with the OUT for Safe Schools® badge campaign, GSA club, and resource availability for LGBTQ+ students that includes all their identities. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to explain the importance of being affirming and inclusive of all student identities, identify strategies to be more inclusive during instruction, understand the importance of utilizing the OUT for Safe Schools badges, continue or launch a Gender and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) club, and recommend affirming and age-appropriate in-person and online resources to their students.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Wednesday, October 11, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Monday, March 4, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Condom Availability Program (CAP)
Become certified to support your school's Health Resource Room.
Click the drop down arrow for more information.
Visit the Condom Availability Program professional learning page opens in new window) to register for the CAP professional learning series to become CAP certified.
Culturally Responsive Teaching
These professional learning opportunities (PLOs), provided by partner organizations, will review Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) concepts and how they can be applied to classroom practices and instructional strategies.
Click the drop down arrow to view upcoming PLOs.
Click each registration link to read more specific details, including pre-work.
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Rigor, Relevance, Relationships: The Fundamentals of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (K-12)
In this webinar, facilitated by Dr. Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, of Archaeology of Self (opens in new window), participants explore how culturally responsive pedagogy can positively impact student academic outcomes. Participants will examine how academic rigor, relevance and relationships can be practically applied to health and physical education classrooms, and learn to identify and interrupt biases and stereotypes in their thinking and their behavior.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Monday, March 25, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Using Role Play to Rewrite Unhealthy Media Messages in the Health Education Classroom (K-12)
In this webinar, facilitated by Kristin Stuart Valdes of Humanizing the Classroom (opens in new window), participants will analyze how media messages influence young people, learn how to use role play and other skills to counter unhealthy media influences. Participants will create health education lessons that incorporate these skills and leave with a reference guide of culturally responsive social-emotional learning skills.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Previous webinars
Tuesday, March 26, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Live Webinar (CTLE: 90 minutes)
Using Culturally Responsive Health Education: Content and Skills (K-12)
In this webinar, facilitated by Sarah Benes and Holly Alperin from Lighthouse Wellness Education (opens in new window), participants explore culturally responsive practices related to topics including nutrition, media literacy, and mental health when teaching the National Health Education Standards. Participants will learn to center identity and culture, assess curriculum to determine strengths and areas for improvement and walk away with tools for ongoing professional development.
Register for one of the webinar dates/times below
Professional Learning Policies and Expectations
Digital Citizenship: The Office of School Wellness Programs promotes positive digital citizenship (opens in new window) and practices that lead to safe, effective online learning. In accordance with the NYCPS Internet Acceptable Use Policy (opens in new window), the Office of School Wellness Programs reserves the right to terminate any user’s access to our online professional learning opportunities and online communities, at any time, should activities/posts be deemed inappropriate or in violation of this policy.
Participation: We love professional learning in person because we have the opportunity to learn from each other face to face. Virtual PLOs also afford us many conveniences, so in order to maintain the same level of engagement, we ask that you fully engage with the presenters, the materials, and each other. Full engagement will ensure that you are also able to attain CTLE credit for the session. If you are experiencing technological issues preventing active participation, please inform the facilitators immediately. “Full engagement” includes but is not limited to: accessing the online sessions via a computer or mobile device (preferably located in a space with minimal distractions and not while in transit), completing pre-work (where applicable), and participating in all activities in the session. Contributions to the “chat,” polls, midpoint check ins on google forms, breakout discussions, feedback surveys, and any tasks included in the session are required and appreciated. Being on camera for webinars is also strongly recommended. We thank you for your time and commitment to student learning and we look forward to working with you during our professional learning sessions.
Contact Your Borough Team For Support
Please contact your Borough Team with any questions: