2024-2025 Seminars

*All virtual seminars will begin at 4:30 PM.

**Online Seminars: Participants have thirty (30) days from the day access is granted to complete and upload all the assignments.  An experienced instructor will provide feedback and coaching.  At the end of the thirty days, participants who successfully complete the requirements will receive a grade of Pass and a certificate of completion.  If not, a grade of Fail will be entered.  Please be mindful when registering, which seminar you are registering for.

Crafting Inclusive Lessons for Linguistically Diverse Learners

Online Seminar for Teachers

11/04/2024 – 12/04/2024

This invaluable training will support content teachers across the grades to leverage the comprehensive “Academic and Linguistic Demands: Creating Access to the Next Generation Learning Standards in English Language Arts for Linguistically Diverse Learners.” This essential tool provides classroom teachers with a detailed blueprint for planning lessons that ensure ELLs/MLLs can effectively access the Next Generation Standards. In this training, educators will learn how to maximize this document to craft lessons that cater to the diverse linguistic and academic needs of all Multilingual Learners. The A&LD document serves as a long-awaited replacement for the Bilingual Common Core Progressions as it offers updated strategies and frameworks.  (7 hours) 

Behind Behavior: Legal Insights and Constructive Strategies for SRPs

Online Seminar for SRPs   

11/04/2024 – 12/04/2024

As schools increasingly strive to be inclusive environments for all students, there has been an increase in challenging behavior within schools. Yet, many school-related professionals who work closely with students may not be adequately trained in understanding behavior, nor do they know how to best respond. This seminar is designed to teach school-related professionals the law surrounding behavior in schools, while also building a framework for understanding behavior and how to best respond. (3 hours)

From Chaos to Control: Mastering Execuitve Function Skills 

Online Seminar for Teachers

12/02/2023 – 01/01/2025 

Executive function skills are essential for navigating the complexities of daily life. They enable students to manage tasks, organize thoughts, and regulate emotions effectively. Students who possess strong executive function skills are better equipped to excel academically and socially. While many students naturally develop these skills within expected timelines, others may present with deficits. Recognizing and addressing these deficits is crucial to supporting students in their learning journey. As educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that all students have access to effective instruction tailored to their needs. In this seminar, we will explore executive functioning skills, methods for identifying deficits, underlying causes, and actionable strategies for fostering their development through thoughtful lesson planning. (5 hours)

Belonging: Fulfilling the Goals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Online Seminar for Teachers 

01/06/2025 – 02/05/2025 

Students need to know and feel that they belong in school in order to experience safety and success. Historically efforts to include students have improved schools; however more effort is needed to move students from being included to feeling that they belong. In this seminar you will examine the distinction between inclusion and belonging and review potential barriers to belonging. (5 hours)

Creating Inclusive Schools: Empowering SRPs to Support LGBTQ+ Students

Online Seminar for SRPs

01/06/2025 – 02/05/2025

This transformative three-hour online seminar is tailored for an audience of school-related professionals (SRPs) and delves into critical topics essential for cultivating a welcoming and affirming school climate. The seminar’s comprehensive content equips SRPs with the tools needed to foster inclusive and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students. Participants will gain practical strategies and insights that can be seamlessly integrated into the school environment, enhancing their understanding of the unique needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ students.  (3 hours)

Integrating AI-Generated Rubrics in Formative Assessment

Online Seminar for Teachers

02/03/2025 – 03/05/2025

Learn how harnessing the power of AI and formative assessment fosters a supportive classroom atmosphere where feedback is constructive, learning is continuous, and anxiety is minimized. Participants will learn how to use AI tools to create their own custom rubrics and explore practices for embedding formative assessment seamlessly into their instruction with the support of technology.  (7 hours)

Effective Interventions for Students with ADHD Grounded in Executive Function

Online Seminar for SRPs

03/03/2025 – 04/02/2025

Each student in a classroom presents with unique strengths and areas of opportunity as a learner. This is particularly true for students with an Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD), as the same diagnosis can look incredibly different in two different students. As educators, it is our job to meet the needs of all students. This seminar will provide paraprofessionals (teaching assistants, teacher aides, etc.) with an overview of ADHD and how it presents in classroom settings. It will engage participants in learning about the connection between ADHD and executive functioning difficulties, as well as specific interventions that can be used based on an individual student’s needs.  (3 hours)

Tackling Cyberbullying to Safeguard Students

Online Seminar for Teachers

04/07/2025 – 05/07/2025

Cyberbullying, which shares some traits with traditional bullying, involves the use of technology to threaten, harass, intimidate, or harm a person. The challenge for educators is the prevalence of and ease with which students can engage in cyberbullying. This seminar explores the causes and effects of cyberbullying. With a focus on legal issues, educators will learn strategies for preventing and responding to cyberbullying.  (5 hours)

Sustaining Compassion While Avoiding Fatigue and Burnout

Online Seminar for SRPs

05/05/2025 – 06/04/2025

School-related professionals (SRPs) and school support staff are engaged in highly rewarding yet challenging professions. Challenges that existed before the global pandemic were exacerbated during remote learning. Now that students have returned to in person learning, new challenges have arisen. All these challenges, the new and the old, can contribute to compassion fatigue and burnout. This seminar offers participants the opportunity to identify distinctions between each, to assess their risk for each, recognize the signs of compassion fatigue and the symptoms of burnout, and review strategies to counter the effects of compassion fatigue.  (3 hours)

**Virtual Seminars: These are live web-based seminars.  

7 Ways to Thrive in Your School Environment 

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
10/16/2024 
Supporting the whole child while providing the foundation of self-care for educators is the basis of a thriving school. Fostering a supportive environment that promotes strong relationships benefits all stakeholders. Discussions will encourage ways to think about how to support and create thriving inclusive environments for all. (2hours)

Building Dynamic Classroom Communities with a Tech Toolbox

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
10/24/2024
Whether it is the first day of school or the 100th Day celebration, instructional technology can be a vital tool in fostering dynamic classroom communities. This virtual seminar will help educators find opportunities for students to build community and engage with content through the thoughtful incorporation of instructional technology platforms that promote collaboration. Using the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards as a framework, this seminar will explore how teachers can create a Classroom Tech Toolbox to empower their students as members of a community of connected learners. (3 hours)

Managing Anxiety During Uncertain Times

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
11/06/2024 
I’m frustrated and stressed out!  This has been a difficult year!  This session will provide the factors that affect our response to a loss of control, stress, and anxiety.  Coping strategies will be discussed and shared, as well as ways to build resilience.  (2 hours)

Building Positive School Culture and Climate through an Equity Lens

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
11/19/2024 
This program examines the difference and relationship between culture and climate and how it’s critical to the student success, the wellbeing of staff, as well as families. Participants will engage in analyzing culture and climate through an equity lens. (2 hours)

Accelerate Learning through Embedded Assessment with Digital/Tech Tools

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
11/21/2024 
This virtual seminar will explore how digital tools can be used to facilitate embedded assessment practices that empower the learner and accelerate the learning process. Participants will reflect on their own instructional goals and set standards-based learning targets. The seminar will then investigate best practices for pairing the “right” instructional technology with these targets in a variety of learning contexts. Strategies will also be presented for using technology to establish classroom routines that will help promote student engagement and goal setting. Assessment can be a valuable mode of communication in the classroom community and this seminar will demonstrate how digital tools can be used to effectively design relevant, embedded formative assessments that provide meaningful feedback to both teachers and students. (3 hours)

Family Engagement with Equity in Mind

Virtual Seminar for Teachers and SRPs
12/04/2024 
Fifty years of research highlight the benefits of engaged families for student success and school improvement.  Unfortunately, widespread improvement in how we view and engage with families, particularly for nondominant families (defend as “those impacted by systemic oppression, such as marginalization based on race, class language or immigration status”) have been slow to take shape.  However, according to researcher Dr. Karen Mapp, “due to the pandemic, family engagement is finally being recognized as a core strategic component of any intentional effort to provide equitable and excellent educational opportunities for all children.”  This session will examine challenges to equity-based family engagement including deficit-based views of families, suggest practices and approaches to foster meaningful engagement with families, and recommendations for systems change for schools to implement.  (3 hours)

Mentoring Seminar: Racial Differences in School Discipline: Does Race Matter?

Virtual Seminar for Teachers and SRPs
12/10/2024 
Is the educational system within the U.S. reflective of or antithetical to the ongoing racial structure of U.S. society? This seminar provides a forum to discuss race, racism, oppression and how it interpersonally manifests as prejudice, negative stereotypes, micro- aggression, and racial attitudes. It provides a foundation of understanding for mentors to explore and engage in equity and racial equity conversations with their mentors around discipline, lessons, coaching and disposition. (2 hours)

Moving from Spare the Rod to Preventative Behavioral Interventions

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
12/17/2024 
How do I handle the “terrible” behavior and the outright disrespect of some students? “I have considered leaving the profession, I’m beyond done!” Behavior is a concern facing many educators across the state and country. There are many factors that have increased the poor choices our youth are making. So how do we move from zero tolerance policies, procedures, and reactions like- “it’s all the child’s fault” to understanding the root causes of the issues and developing effective processes and procedures to prevent and alleviate the behaviors some of our youths are displaying. This seminar will provide a safe space for educators to release their frustration while also encouraging effective ways to engage with our most challenging youth. (2hours)

Foundational Strategies for Effective Instruction with Newly Arrived ELLs

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
01/07/2025 
This immersive 3-hour training is designed specifically for teachers new to working with ELLs. The session focuses on equipping educators with practical strategies to foster an inclusive atmosphere, to heighten their understanding of language development’s role in instruction, and to employ engaging activities that facilitate student learning and linguistic advancement specifically for Newcomer and SIFE students. By utilizing a case study, attendees will have a unique opportunity to apply the strategies learned, encouraging practical implementation and deeper comprehension of how to effectively support linguistically diverse learners in their educational journey.  (3 hours)

10 Things You Can do to Promote a Positive School Culture and Climate

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
01/15/2025 
What are 10 things every educator can do to contribute to a safe, respectful, and fruitful school environment? Participate in this training and find out how you can contribute to positive changes. (2hours)

Managing Post Pandemic Conflict

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
01/22/2025 
Conflict is inevitable and at times challenging to face. This training will discuss five basic strategies to manage conflict. (2 hours)

The Evolution and Definition of Race and Ethnicity in American Society

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
01/28/2025 
This introductory seminar will review our current definition of race and ethnicity and examine how these terms have shifted over time. Particular attention will be given to racial categories as social and not biological constructs. (2.5 hours)

Transitional Shifts

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
02/04/2025 
Explore communication tools that still are vital to instruction post pandemic.  Learn strategies to support students returning to the classroom including SEL check ins.  Seek ways to keep home and work separate and apply procedures if learning shifts return to remote learning.  (2 hours) 

Managing Post Pandemic Anxiety

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
02/11/2025 
I’m frustrated and stressed out! This has been a difficult year! This session will provide the factors that affect our response to a loss of control, stress, and anxiety. Coping strategies will be discussed and shared, as well as ways to build resilience. (2 hours)

Shifting Mindsets for Effective Family-School Engagement

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
02/26/2025 
Are assumptions about families and community getting in the way of deeper connections needed for student success?  The relational piece is the necessary ingredient for any meaningful family-school engagement effort to be sustained.  This session will identify key assumptions that get in the way of building relationships of trust and respect with families and describe asset- based thinking for building powerful partnerships with families. (2 hours)

Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI): What does this really mean for me, my classroom, my school environment, and my district?

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
03/05/2025 
The Board of Regents launched an initiative to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools across New York State. The Board expects that all school districts will develop policies that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion- and that they implement such policies with fidelity and urgency. This seminar introduces DEI to better understand the framework passed by the NYS Board of Regents. It provides a forum to discuss how DEI can be incorporated in your teaching practices and in the school culture and climate. (2 hours)

Implementing Social Emotional Learning Practices with ELL/MLLs

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
03/11/2025 
The focus of this dynamic 3-hour seminar is on integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) practices for English language learners (ELLs) in K-12 education. Educators will gain actionable strategies and insights at the classroom, building, and district levels to address the unique needs of ELLs, many of whom have experienced trauma. Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to promote emotional intelligence, resilience, and cultural competence among ELLs, while also delving into practical techniques for seamlessly integrating SEL into instruction. Through reflective dialogue and collaborative activities, educators will develop personalized action plans to enhance SEL support for ELLs, fostering inclusive and nurturing learning environments where all students can thrive academically and emotionally.  (3 hours)

Community Building: Effectively Create Authentic Relationships with our Youth, School, District and Law Enforcement

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
03/18/2025 
There’s a lot of debate and controversy around law enforcement in schools. Is it a positive move by districts? Is it encouraging increased “negative” behavior? Are students of color re-traumatized with the placement of law enforcement in the schools? Are there ways to effectively collaborate and partner with the local police? This seminar delves into this “hot topic” and provides stories and strategies of effective partnerships between schools and law enforcement. (2.5 hours)

Oh My Gosh! What Should I Do?

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
03/27/2025 
Students are fighting in the halls, in hidden places, in front of adults, at events, in the community. Verbal and physical assaults are occurring in-person on social media and call out culture is rampant. What can I do? What should I do? This seminar will provide a forum for SRPs and K- 12 Practitioners to discuss their fears, concerns, and challenges around youth behavior. The school code of conduct, school culture and climate, preventative and intervention models and tools will be discussed. This session will also provide self-care tips to help provide supportive tools for SRPs and K- 12 Practitioners during difficult times. (2 hours)

Creating Equity and Taking Risks

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
04/02/2025 
Participants will discuss how to create an equitable environment of respect and rapport where students are comfortable taking risks (1.5 hours)

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Why Should We Know About It?

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
04/10/2025 
Understanding what AI is and how AI works in schools can help educators better understand their role in this new era. But first, what is AI, and how does it affect the school environment and the educator? This session will provide an overview and a basic understanding of AI. (2hours)

SEL in Action: Using Evidence-Based Strategies to Address Behavior and Learning Needs in the Classroom

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
04/29/2025 
This session will engage participants with the opportunity to put the five CASEL competencies into action. First specific strategies and activity ideas will be reviewed in connection to the self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making competencies. Then a variety of K-12th grade scenarios and role play situations will be introduced, allowing participants to assess the needs of students, work cooperatively to connect teaching practices, and construct activities that would strengthen the SEL skills of the students. Use of the NYS SEL benchmarks will also be integrated to support teachers in their own classroom planning. (3 hours)

Addressing the Risk of Violent Behavior in Youth: Know the Signs of Youth Violence

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
05/06/2025 
What are the “warning signs” for violent behavior in young people? How do we know when to reach out for help before something potentially dangerous happens? This program will stress the importance of developing strong and authentic relationships with young people and their families, providing tips and strategies to help identify students who are violent, while keeping you and others safe. (2.5hours)

Managing Triggers for Traumatized Youth

Virtual Seminar for Teachers
05/13/2025 
How can you tell when a child is cognitively/emotionally/psychologically ready to learn? What are trauma-informed approaches to student behavioral challenges? This seminar will have participants discuss common trauma triggers and their behavioral manifestations. Participants will explore how to identify and practice trauma-informed strategies for deescalating challenging behaviors and evaluate behavior management strategies. (3hours)

Equity and Autism in Schools

Virtual Seminar for SRPs
05/15/2025 
Many students on the autism spectrum need services, support, and deserve equitable access to culturally sensitive care. What are ways we can better serve our autistic students? Equity and Autism in Schools will provide a forum for SRPs to discuss their experiences working with autistic students. In addition, the seminar will provide practical tips to foster a supportive and equitable experience for young people. (2hours)