REGISTRATION BEGINS SEPTEMBER 1, 2026

ADJUSTING THE NORM: STRATEGIES FOR EMBRACING ALL CULTURES IN THE CLASSROOM

Instructor: Mike DeMario                         45 CTLE Hrs; 3 Inservice Credits K-12

Dates: October 5 – November 16, 2026                                               Fee: $160

Synchronous Meeting Dates: October 5: 5PM-6PM and October 19: 5PM-6PM

Remaining 43 hours are asynchronous.

(Participants meet virtually via online communities to discuss and share lessons and strategies. Personal Google accounts will be required to access the course.)

As our country’s demographics shift, the impact can be seen in the classroom as we are teaching students from across the world.  There is great potential for embracing cultures and enhancing instructional activities, while bridging cultures between home and school.  Educators will review research-based strategies to better incorporate students from other cultures into the classroom.  Educators in this course will become empowered to adjust instructional delivery to meet the needs of their classroom’s changing demographics and improve educational outcomes for all students.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Create a perspective on immigration

• Create a definition of immigration and relate it to their school setting

• Analyze issues associated with immigration

• Assess the relationship between stereotyping and myths

• Discuss cultural issues surrounding immigration and education

• Understand the effects of immigration and assimilation on students and families

• Differentiate between ‘individualism’ and ‘collectivism’

• Compare and contrast theories that can be used to analyze newcomer educational issues

• Discuss and identify sources of miscommunication between newcomer parents and schools

• Analyze and implement guidelines for developing newcomer parent involvement programs

• Develop strategies for supporting immigrant students and families

• Research and implement resilience strategies for immigrant students

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THE POWER OF OUR WORDS -BOOK STUDY- BY PAULA DENTON

Instructor: Shaina Fischer            45 CTLE Hours, 3 Inservice Credits K-12

Dates: October 5, 2026- November 13, 2026 Asynchronous                      Fee: $160

Ever wonder how small tweaks to what you say can completely change your

classroom's vibe? Join us for an engaging, collaborative book study on Paula Denton’s The Power of Our Words to discover the secret to impactful teacher language. We’ll explore five simple communication habits and learn how quick shifts in your words and tone can boost student motivation and cooperation. You’ll walk away with practical, everyday strategies to build a respectful classroom culture where both you and your students thrive.

Materials: "The Power of Our Words" by Paula Denton

By the end of this course, participants will:

• understand the profound impact of our language in educational and interpersonal settings 

• develop more intentional and positive communication habits.

• develop specific strategies for positive communication - focusing on what we say

• learn the importance of tone and nonverbal communication

• learn strategies for navigating challenging situations and difficult conversations

• Implement and reflect on what was learned

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NAVIGATING YOUR POSITION IN THESE TIMES Pt. 1

Instructor: Selina Durio               30 hours, 2 inservice credits   Grades K-12 

Dates: October 5 - December 14, 2026                    Fee: Free for OWL Consortium Members  - All others $110

Mandatory Synchronous meetings: 10/5; 10/19; 11/16; 11/30; 12/14    Time: 6:30 - 8:00 pm

SYNCHRONOUS MEETINGS WILL BE VIA ZOOM, not Google Meet 

 * Personal Google accounts will be required to access the course. 

This course is designed to provide a safe space for educators in their first six(6)years of teaching within a school district to examine and evaluate their practices. It will utilize discussion, written responses, and a mentorship approach to typical (and atypical) situations where new instructors find themselves. An array of strategies will be provided to help educators embed coping skills and other positive behaviors into their everyday practice. Private one-to-one mentorship and discussion will be made available upon request.

Participants will explore the following topics.

• Every day, school-setting questions 

• Generic workplace agreement situations (non-specific contract issues) 

• Overall license/certification issues (NYSED) 

• Professional Development 

• Social Media - Do’s and Don’ts 

•  Current Educational Climate and Issues 

• Additional topics will be added based on participant needs 

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UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IN SCHOOLS

Instructor: William Scampoli        45 CTLE Hours; 3 inservice credit       K-12 teachers, Teacher Aides & Admin

Dates: October 1 - December 11, 2026                         Time: Asynchronous            Fee: $160  

Chronic absenteeism is one of the most pressing challenges facing schools, yet the reasons students miss school are often far more complicated than they first appear. A student may be dealing with anxiety, illness, transportation problems, family responsibilities, housing instability, bullying, academic frustration, or a growing sense that school is no longer a place where they feel connected or successful.

This 45-hour asynchronous course is designed to help educators better understand why chronic absenteeism happens and what they can realistically do to address it. Throughout the course, participants will explore the importance of school connectedness, supportive classroom routines, respectful family communication, and fair, responsive intervention. They will also examine how health, mental health, disability, homelessness, discipline, transportation, and other life circumstances can shape attendance in different ways. Rather than treating absenteeism only as a discipline problem, the course encourages educators to respond with curiosity, compassion, early support, and shared problem-solving.

By the end of the course, each participant will:

• create a practical 90-day attendance improvement plan for a classroom, grade level, department, student support team, or school.

• develop thoughtful, realistic strategies that strengthen relationships, remove barriers, and help more students feel able, supported, and motivated to attend school consistently.

• learn how to distinguish chronic absenteeism from truancy and overall attendance rates

• recognize early warning signs, interpret attendance data, and look beneath the surface of an absence to consider the barriers affecting a student’s ability or willingness to attend.

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TEACHING WITH AI: A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING AI LITERACY

 Instructor: Jennifer Kelly         45 CTLE hours; 3 in-service credits                                                       Grades K-12 

Dates: October 2 - November 13, 2026       Time: Asynchronous                                                        Fee:  $160

 * Personal Google accounts will be required to access the course. 

This course aims to provide educators with the conceptual understanding, practical skills, and pedagogical frameworks needed to integrate AI literacy into their classrooms and their own practice. Teachers will move from foundational understanding of how AI works, to critical evaluation of its risks and benefits, to hands-on application in lesson design, and finally to building sustainable, ethical classroom practices around AI.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• understand how AI works and explore its potential as well as its limitations.

• evaluate AI tools for bias, appropriateness, as well as learn how AI Tools can enhance and support classroom curriculum.

• explore the ways AI Tools can assist in common teacher tasks.

• develop a philosophy to incorporate AI with integrity and plan for teaching AI ethics and literacy in their student population.

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MODERN STUDENT CHALLENGES: VAPING, GAMBLING, & DIGITAL ADDICTION

Instructor: Melissa Levy                45 CTLE Hours; 3 Inservice credits                                           Grades: K-12

Dates: October 5, 2026 - December 11, 2026                   Time: Asynchronous                                          Fee: $160   

* Personal Google accounts will be required to access the course. 

This course explores emerging challenges affecting today’s students, including vaping, youth gambling and sports betting, technology and digital wellness. Participants will examine current research and real-world examples while exploring how these issues can impact students, families, schools, and communities. The course provides practical information, resources, and strategies to help educators and youth-serving professionals better understand and support today’s students. 

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Identify emerging challenges affecting today’s students, including vaping, youth gambling and sports betting, and technology/digital wellness.

• Describe current trends, risk factors, and potential impacts associated with these challenges.

• Recognize signs that may indicate a student is experiencing difficulties related to vaping, gambling, or technology use.

• Examine the social, emotional, developmental, and environmental factors that may contribute to student behaviors.

• Apply knowledge gained from current research and professional resources to realistic student situations.

• Identify appropriate roles for educators, school professionals, families, and community support when addressing emerging student concerns.

• Develop practical strategies and resources that can be shared with colleagues and used to support students in professional settings.

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BUILDING INTRINSIC MOTIVATION: BEYOND THE ACHIEVEMENT BOARD 

Instructor:   Deb Fitzpatrick          45 CTLE  hrs / 3 inservice credits                                                        Grades K-12 

Dates: October 9 - November 30, 2026 Time: Asynchronous                                               Fee: $160

 * Personal Google accounts will be required to access the course. 

Building Intrinsic Motivation: Beyond the Achievement Board invites educators across all grade levels to rethink traditional behavior management and academic incentives. By examining the shift from extrinsic reinforcement to internal desire, this course equips teachers to cultivate self-motivated learners who thrive beyond the promise of a tangible reward. Together, we will dissect the psychological drivers of engagement, autonomy, belonging, mastery, and translate these concepts into concrete K–12 classroom practices. Through collaborative planning, practical case studies, and reflective exercises, participants will learn how to structure choice, deliver growth-oriented feedback, and build a cohesive culture where learning itself is the ultimate reward.

During this course, participants will:

• evaluate the limitations of traditional extrinsic reward systems on long-term student engagement.

• identify the core components of intrinsic motivation, including autonomy, belonging, and mastery.

• apply growth-oriented feedback strategies that foster student self-efficacy across K–12 grade levels.

• design classroom routines that promote student ownership and self-directed learning.

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CREATING A BALANCE BETWEEN TANGIBLE AND DIGITAL LITERACY IN TODAY’S CULTURE

Instructor: Jennifer Stamatiades    45 CTLE Hrs./ 3 Inservice Credits  K-12  

Dates: October 5-November 23, 2026                                   Fee: $160

Time:  October 5th: Mandatory Google Meet from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm (Synchronous) 

            Course  expectations & Unit Overview  

November 23rd: Mandatory Google Meet from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm (Synchronous)--Sharing Unit Plans & Reflection 

            Plus 41 hours of asynchronous independent study/assignments.

Ever wonder if we are adequately preparing students for the fast approaching and ever changing world of AI and technology? Are we doing our students a disservice by removing tangible learning opportunities? Is it possible to create a healthy and meaningful balance of both?

Current research proves that excessive screen time in young children disrupts the development of brain white matter required for foundational language, deep reading comprehension, and less tangible literacy skills. Can we create a healthy balance in the classroom for authentic learning opportunities? This course will provide you with the tools to do exactly that. Revamp the “old” while blending in the best parts of technology to create a well rounded classroom environment and curriculum.

Through  current research, online videos, collaborative unit planning and professional collaboration among participants, teachers will be able to create highly effective units that blend together tangible and digital authentic learning opportunities. 

Participants will explore the following topics: 

• Define Digital and Tangible Literacy and skills

• Focus on Essential Standards

• How to increase brain connectivity among students

• Strengthen Neutral Pathways of students

• Create new opportunities for development of inferential skills for students

• Create effective and meaningful units of study

• Foster meaningful student socialization and problem solving opportunities

• Leverage technology

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GRATITUDE: CULTIVATING APPRECIATION IN OUR CLASSROOMS

Instructor: Jamie Adamski       15 CTLE Hrs.; 1 inservice credit                                   K-12

Dates: September 28  - November 26, 2026                                                                     Fee: $55                                                                          

Time: September 28th, 6:30-7:30, Mandatory meeting online through Zoom

October 12th, 6:30-7:30, Mandatory meeting online through Zoom

Plus 13 hours of asynchronous independent study/assignments.

Personal Google accounts will be necessary to access the course.

This course explores the science and application of gratitude in educational settings. Educators will develop personal gratitude practices, implement classroom strategies, and design a sustainable plan to strengthen school culture and well-being. Learn the meaning, history and benefits of gratitude for individuals and society. Examine the neuroscience of gratitude and how gratitude may influence brain activity, emotions, and behavior.  Explore ways to express gratitude through verbal and written communication, acts of kindness, and acts of service. 

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• understand the research base behind gratitude and its impact on well-being and learning.

• develop a sustainable personal gratitude practice.

• implement age-appropriate gratitude strategies in the classroom.

• use gratitude to support classroom climate and behavior.

• create a gratitude-based action plan tailored to their school setting.

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DESIGNING INSTRUCTION WITH GEMINI AND NOTEBOOKLM

Instructor: Jeannette Walsh, Reading Specialist     45 CTLE Hrs.; 3 inservice credits         Grades K-12 

Dates: October 18 - December 6, 2026                      Time:  Asynchronous                        Fee: $160                                                                                   

This course is for K–12 educators who want to use AI to make lesson planning faster and more effective. Google Gemini is an AI assistant that can generate ideas, organize content, and create instructional materials, while NotebookLM is an AI research and writing tool that works directly from a teacher's own uploaded sources such as readings, PDFs, videos, visuals, and websites to summarize, make connections, and generate instructional supports grounded in those materials. Participants will be guided by short instructional videos created by instructor Jeannette Walsh to understand how to do this.

Participants will need a personal Google account to access both tools.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• use Gemini to plan and develop engaging instruction more efficiently.

• use NotebookLM to work effectively with high-quality instructional resources, including readings, videos, visuals, and other classroom materials to analyze content, make connections, and develop meaningful learning experiences.

• design a complete five-lesson instructional unit, created and developed within their personal Google account, that integrates high-quality resources, Gemini, and NotebookLM.

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EDUCATOR PREPAREDNESS: SENSITIVE & PERSONAL STUDENT ISSUES…

WHAT STUDENTS WANT TEACHERS TO KNOW

Instructor:  Debbie Salitsky, LCSW      45 CTLE Hrs; 3 Inservice Credits Grades K-12

Dates: September 30 - November 18, 2026 Time: Asynchronous                                                   Fee: $160

Every student carries an invisible backpack filled with emotions, experiences, fears, and responsibilities often unseen to their educators. While each of us cannot resolve every challenge our students face, we can become better equipped in seeing, understanding, or hearing the unspoken. This course explores sensitive topics many students want their educators to understand i.e, anxiety, family issues, poverty, abuse, trauma, grief, social media pressures, identity, self-harm, eating disorders, substance use and tech-addiction. This course will equip educators with greater awareness and tools to create an emotionally safe classroom thus improving favorable student outcomes.

Upon completion of this course, participants will:

• have greater awareness of the myriad of students’ sensitive issues.

• acquire strategies and tools to create a safe learning environment as sensitive issues arise.

• build strong educator-student relationships.

• recognize early warning signs that may require intervention or additional support.

• learn creative strategies that improve academic and social emotional success.

• leave with action skills to be able to make students feel safe, seen, and heard.

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