AI in Action: A Teacher’s Guide to AI 

A Book Study

     Instructor: Kim Turri                                            45 hours, 3 inservice credits Grades K-12

Dates:  July 1 - August 12, 2024                         Asynchronous                                                 Fee: $150

Required Materials: The Artificial Intelligence Playbook: Time-Saving Tools for Teachers that Make Learning More Engaging by Meghan Hargrave, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey. 

           Access Link: The Artificial Intelligence Playbook: (Amazon.com) 

           Looking for ways to enhance your teaching and spend more quality time with your students? Join our book study, where we will enter the world of AI through explorations of The Artificial Intelligence Playbook. As educators become more aware of the potential impact of AI on education, this playbook will be pivotal in providing the confidence educators need to explore AI tools to enhance instructional practices. This book study will empower teachers to explore AI's potential and discover practical ways to implement it to improve their planning and instruction. This course will closely examine the reasons for using AI and how to harness its power effectively for content management, improving student engagement, addressing instructional needs, and evaluating student learning. By the end of this course, educators will be able to utilize AI, a valuable tool to enhance productivity and spend more time teaching and supporting students. 

Course Objectives: 

• Utilize AI tools to develop, optimize, and ethically manage educational content for enhanced delivery and accessibility. 

• Design interactive learning experiences using AI-driven platforms and technologies. 

• Facilitate collaborative activities that promote student engagement and participation. 

• Utilize AI tools to differentiate instruction and personalize learning experiences. 

• Construct valid and reliable assessments using AI-supported techniques. 

• Interpret assessment data to inform instructional decision-making for student support

• Utilize AI technologies to deliver timely and targeted feedback to students. 

• Implement strategies for fostering a growth mindset through feedback. 

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CANCELED Empowering Today’s Teenager

Instructor - Mike DeMario                                      45 CTLE hrs; 3 Ins. Credits Grades 6-12

Dates:  July 1 - August 15, 2024                                                                                                 Fee: $150

Mandatory Synchronous Meetings:  July 1: 9am-10am     July 8: 9am– 10am     July 15: 9am – 10am

The adolescent brain, like the rest of their body, is still growing and changing.  Many teens deal with issues such as impulse control, erratic behavior, changing bodies, increased emotions and coping skills.  Teachers need to be able to understand these issues and be equipped with strategies for assisting students through them. 

Participants will research the issues facing today’s teenagers and how these issues impact the classroom.  Teachers will develop lessons and instructional strategies for helping students learn to control impulses, level out erratic behavior, and deal with their changing bodies.  

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

Module 1 - Understand the changing adolescent brain

Module 2 - Explain why teenagers exhibit erratic behavior and impulsive behavior

                        Develop strategies to assist students with impulse control and erratic behavior

Module 3 – Discuss methods for motivating the unmotivated

Module 4 - Discuss methods for helping students improve their self esteem

                        Explain methods for dealing with students who are battling their changing bodies         

Module 5 - Develop methods for empowering students 

                        Explain the difficulties in empowering female students

Module 6 - Demonstrate an understanding of issues facing teens and methods for teaching students coping skills and methods        for making responsible decisions

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

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The Key to School Success: Executive Functioning in the Classroom Setting

Instructor: Allison Biancamano               15 CTLE hours: 1 in-service credit                                                                       Grades K-12 all areas

Dates:  July 8 - August 9, 2024                                                           Asynchronous                                                                       Fee:  $50

This course will be provided asynchronously via Google Classroom - work at your own pace 

Personal Google accounts will be required to access this course

This course is designed for general educators, special educators, teacher assistants and support staff who wish to develop a better understanding of the special education evaluation process.

Executive functions control and regulate cognitive and social behaviors, such as controlling impulses, paying attention, remembering information, planning, and organizing time and materials, and responding appropriately to social situations and stressful situations. Educators will learn all about executive functioning, as well as simple classroom strategies that can assist students with deficits in these particular skill areas (time management, active listening). 

Participants will learn to:

(a) identify and comprehend all executive functioning skills 

(b) learn the difference between EF deficits and ADHD 

(c) execute simple classroom strategies that can assist students with deficits in executive function skills 

(d) devise lesson plans related to improving executive functioning skills in the classroom setting.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet virtually with the instructor on an as-needed basis via Google Meet (by appointment). The course is to be completed independently via posted material and assignments.

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Financial Foundations: 

A Journey to Enhance Your Students’ Financial Literacy

Instructor: Debbie Fitzpatrick                                      45 CTLE Hours; 3 Inservice credits                  Grades: K-12               

Dates:   July 1 - August 5, 2024                                      Time: Asynchronous                                                                   Fee: $150

This course is designed to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and resources to effectively integrate financial literacy education into their curriculum. Through a series of comprehensive modules, participants will explore key concepts, activities, and strategies to engage students in understanding personal finance. From budgeting simulations to investment games, this course provides educators with practical tools to cultivate financial literacy skills among their students, empowering them to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.

Participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of financial literacy education in preparing students for future financial independence.

• Gain proficiency in teaching fundamental financial concepts in an engaging and relatable manner.

• Explore innovative teaching strategies and resources to facilitate experiential learning in the classroom.

• Learn how to address diverse learning styles and backgrounds when teaching financial literacy.

• Develop assessment techniques to measure students' comprehension and application of financial concepts.

• Create a plan for integrating financial literacy education into existing curriculum standards effectively.

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Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning 

A Book Study

Instructor:  Roseanne Hennig                              45 CTLE  hrs / 3 inservice credits                                                        Grades 1-6

Dates: July 1 - August 6, 2024                                                                                                                                         Fee: $150

Mandatory Synchronous Meeting Dates: (synchronous 3 hours)

July 1, 2024 (7:00 pm-8:00pm), 

July 22, 2024 (9:00 a.m-10:00a.m.)  

August 6, 2024 last class  (9:00a.m.-10:00 a.m.)

Additional  42 asynchronous hours

Required text: Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning (Moving Beyond Basic Facts and Memorization) by Jennifer M. Bay-Williams and John J. SanGiovanni

Are your students still counting on their fingers to figure out basic facts?  Are you tired of asking. “Why don’t my kids know their basic math facts?”  When given a problem, can your students choose an appropriate strategy and check for reasonableness every time? These questions will be answered in this course. Fluency in mathematics is more than adeptly using basic facts or implementing algorithms. Real fluency involves reasoning and creativity.  After taking this course, you will be able to give your students the knowledge and power to become confident mathematical thinkers.  They will become confident and happy learners while engaging with math. 

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

• Have a better understanding of what true fluency is in all students.

• Be able to help all students develop a deeper understanding of what procedural fluency is (and is not)

• Understand how to advantage students’ understandings and skills to support their emerging fluency

• Learn which utilities, reasoning strategies, and automaticities to attend to in your teaching

• Have a robust collection of routines, games, and other activities that support a fluency agenda

• Develop techniques for assessing all components of fluency

• Be ready and excited to engage families in understanding and supporting fluency

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Enhancing Background Knowledge & Vocabulary: 

Keys to Reading Proficiency

Instructor:  Jeannette Walsh                                3 Inservice credits; 45 CTLE Hours                                               Grades: K-12 

Dates:  July 8 - August 25, 2024 Time: Asynchronous                                                                                               Fee: $150

Join our asynchronous course, "Expert Strategies: Enhancing Background Knowledge & Vocabulary: Keys to Reading Proficiency” specifically crafted for K-12 educators. This course focuses on vital teaching strategies for building background knowledge and boosting vocabulary instruction, essential for cultivating proficient readers and engaged learners. 

Through research-backed methods, you will explore various techniques to enrich your teaching practice and improve student comprehension across all subjects. Innovative teaching tools and resources included in the course will enable you to apply new strategies directly in your classroom, enhancing engagement and educational outcomes. Participants will develop the skills necessary to transform your teaching and significantly elevate your students' academic performance.

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

Participants will:

• Cultivate a deep understanding about the importance of building knowledge and vocabulary to develop proficient readers across all grade levels.

• Equip teachers with a wide range of expert strategies, resources, and instructional methods for effectively integrating knowledge-building and vocabulary acquisition into their teaching practices.

• Empower educators to create engaging and inclusive learning environments that address the diverse needs of students, ultimately enhancing reading comprehension, critical thinking skills, and academic achievement.

• Explore the foundational aspects of reading comprehension and the role of background knowledge.

• Learn strategies for guiding students through challenging texts.

• Understand how writing activities can enhance students' understanding.

• Observe classroom implementations of text sets and learn how to map out a text set.

• Explore various literacy methods to support students at different reading levels.

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The Power of Collaboration 

Instructor: Mildred Mirabile                                   45 CTLE hrs./ 3 inservice credits.                                                                        Grades K-12

Dates: July 1 - August 9, 2024                                                                                                                                                                             Fee: $150

This course will be conducted in an asynchronous online setting utilizing Google Classroom-work at your own pace. Participants will have the opportunity to communicate and share ideas and lessons via this platform. Optional personalized meetings will be available through Google Meet to help navigate course work. Personal Google accounts will be required to access this course. 

Study after study is confirming what veteran teachers already know: When students feel engaged and motivated to learn in the classroom, it creates a learning culture where students thrive. Teachers are on the front lines of creating collaborative learning environments, and they need the right strategies to ensure their efforts succeed. 

In this course, you will take stock of your current classroom culture and see how it measures up against the components of a collaborative learning environment. After exploring the many benefits of collaborative and cooperative learning, you’ll take a deep dive into both methodologies for creating a culture of learning that promotes social interaction, builds self confidence, improves the collaborative skills of students, improves student decision making skills, and enhances interpersonal skills. You’ll develop a playbook of actionable strategies that will foster a positive culture and meet your students’ social and emotional needs, plus a plan for overcoming potential challenges and roadblocks. 

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to establish and maintain a collaborative learning environment throughout the school year. 

This course provides the following classroom connections: 

• Strategies for building positive relationships with students 

• Techniques for implementing both collaborative and cooperative learning in your classroom 

• Methods to use the cooperative learning continuum to support students, no matter their needs 

• Tips for fostering a positive learning environment that supports student engagement and motivation to learn 

In this course, participants will: 

• Assess the key characteristics of the Collaborative and Cooperative model and assess how it compares to your current classroom environment. 

• Create a lesson plan using the Collaborative and Cooperative Learning continuum to support students. 

•  Analyze specific strategies you might use that would align with each tier of the Collaborative and Cooperative Learning continuum. 

• Examine the impact collaborative and cooperative learning has on positive student-teacher relationships, and plan strategies for building a classroom culture where student engagement and motivation lead to student success. 

• Assess your current classroom in terms of how collaborative it currently is.

• Determine specific strategies that you could use with your students to create a more collaborative environment. 

• Propose ways that a lesson or activity could be revised to differentiate for students’ needs and learning styles. 

• Create an artifact that supports the implementation of collaborative and cooperative learning, and plan for its audience and evaluation. 

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Building a Thinking Classroom - The Tasks! 

Instructor - Beth Read                                         45 CTLE hrs./ 3 inservice credits                                                             Grades K-6

Dates: July 1 - August 12, 2024                                            Asynchronous                                                                                               Fee: $150

“Educators can suck the thinking out of tasks by turning them into mimicking tasks.” 

This may be your introduction to Building Thinking Classrooms,  or perhaps you’ve been utilizing it in your classroom already.  Regardless of prior knowledge of BTC, you will find this course engaging, relevant and very practical.  

This course is more than simply a collection of good thinking tasks. It delves deeper into the implementation of the 14 practices from the BTC framework by updating the practices with the newest research, and focusing on the practice through the lens of rich math tasks that address specific mathematical learning outcomes or standards. Across the 20 non-curricular tasks and 30 curricular tasks. Participants will focus on their grade level NYS Standards and fuse these rich tasks into their curriculum.

Participants will:

• Choose tasks to fit your particular math standards, goals, and the competencies you want your students to build 

• Walk through all the steps and scripts to launch, facilitate, and consolidate each task 

• Share examples of possible student solutions along with hints you might offer to help their thinking along 

• Offer tasks for consolidation, example notes to my future forgetful self, and mild, medium, and spicy check-your-understanding questions (CYUs) for every thin sliced sequence of curricular tasks 

• Reflect on tasks 

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Technology, Video Gaming, and Social Media:

A Broad Overview of the Negative Impact on Brain/Social Development and Mental Health

Instructor: Debbie Salitsky

45 CTLE hrs./ 3 inservice credits                        Dates: July 9 - August 12, 2024                            Grades K-12 Educators & Support Staff

2 Hour Mandatory Synchronous Meeting- July 9, 2024   8:30 – 10:30 AM

43 Hour Asynchronous Participation to be completed by August 12, 2024

Overuse of technology, video games, and social media addiction are profoundly affecting the brains of children and adolescents. Social media obsession (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat) and use of video games (Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite, Call of Duty, GTA) contribute to isolation, inability to self-regulate, and a host of mental health and educational issues. Educators and Support Staff will learn about the negative impact technology, video gaming, and social media overuse has on our youth by exploring brain-based evidence. Participants will explore prevention techniques for students and parents to minimize the development of maladaptive behaviors and addiction. A review of AI technology will also be explored on how it may negatively impact student learning.

Participants will:

• Gain greater awareness of the negative effects of technology, video gaming, and social media on the developing brain.

• Review how technology, video games, and social media addiction manifest mental health issues.

• Discuss strategies available to educators and support staff to deter overuse and addiction.

• Collaborate on ideas of how to support students and parents.

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Can’t Hurt Me: A Book Study

Instructor:  Doug Read                                   45 CTLE hrs./ 3 inservice credits                                                                             Grades K-12

Dates:July 1 -August 12, 2024                               Asynchronous                                                                                                        Fee: $150

Required Reading:   “Can’t Hurt Me, Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds” by David Goggins

                                           Audible version is highly recommended.  Has podcast and author interviews between chapters.

For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare -- poverty, prejudice, learning disabilities, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him "The Fittest (Real) Man in America."

In Can't Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.  The goal of this course is to learn the practical strategies to grow as individuals and more importantly, impart these life skills to our students.

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

• Identify factors in our own lives and those of our students that are preventing us from reaching our true potential

• Use visualization to overcome periods of negative thinking

• Acquire strategies to build mental fortitude and toughness

• Motivate students to unlock their true potential, conquer their fears, and become the best version of themselves.

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