Presenters: Jonathon Regan & Sherri Rinckhoff

Tentatively Scheduled for December 12, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12 504 Committee Members, CST, Guidance, etc.

Calling all 504 coordinators and team members! Introducing a dynamic and collaborative workshop aimed at fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices in 504 program management. This roundtable discussion provides a platform for participants to exchange valuable insights, resources, and strategies for the effective implementation of 504 plans. Participants should bring forms, materials, and success stories to engage in peer-to-peer learning and explore innovative approaches to support students with disabilities. 

Presenter: Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for February 5, 2025 (Grades 6-12) AND February 12, 2025 (Grades Pre-K-5)

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12

Professional Learning Academy Course 

Classroom assessment has been shown to be one of the most powerful factors for enhancing student learning. However, assessment must have a direct correlation to learning goals in order to be a valid indicator of learning. This workshop will provide opportunities for teachers to reflect on their use of assessments and examine a continuum of assessments to affect student learning. Participants will work with colleagues to enhance expertise in designing assessments that provide critical evidence that students really understand the important ideas and processes contained in the curriculum. Educators will have the opportunity to boost their assessment literacy and impact. Time will be devoted to assessment design within each participant’s content area, as well as the use of technology in assessment.

Presenter: Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for January 22, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Ignite a passion for learning in students with this dynamic workshop on brain-based strategies for classroom engagement. Discover how the brain processes information and learn how to design instruction that captivates students' interest and promotes active participation. From designing interactive lessons to leveraging technology and collaborative learning structures, this workshop offers practical tools and strategies to create an interactive and stimulating learning environment. Participants will explore innovative strategies that harness the brain's natural processes to create an engaging and enriching learning environment for all students.

Presenter: Bernadette Ricco

Tentatively Scheduled for December 18, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades 1-5

The top quarter (High-End) students of any given classroom, regardless of whether they are formally identified for Gifted Programming, present challenges for teachers. Endeavoring to enhance their learning while also addressing the mainstream curricula and spectrum of learning needs, requires unique tools.

This workshop will provide how-to techniques for identifying and challenging these students and time-efficient ways to monitor their progress. Participants will be given time to reflect and to create "plan now, implement tomorrow" curricula modifications based on tools that will be provided and discussed.

Presenter: Amy Brown or Virginia Senande 

Tentatively Scheduled for October 9, 2024 (Grades 6-12) AND October 10, 2024 (Grades Pre-K-5) 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, 6-12

Professional Learning Academy Course 

Both new and experienced teachers cite classroom management as a major concern. Promoting a learner-centered, work-oriented, harmonious learning environment requires a focus on prevention, intervention, and problem-solving. Participants in this introductory workshop will explore strategies that support a positive emotional and physical environment, and consider the importance of rules, procedures, and reinforcement. An important thread throughout the workshop is teaching students to demonstrate self-management skills in order to successfully engage in learning to grade-level expectations. Participants will reflect on their management styles and develop plans to enhance student behavior. 

Presenter: Amy Brown & Silvia Jost

Tentatively Scheduled for November 26, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-8

This is an interactive roundtable session dedicated to exploring classroom management strategies tailored to the unique needs of specialized settings. It’s perfect for teachers of art, music, world languages, or any other specialty. The session will provide a collaborative platform to discuss common challenges and share proven techniques for fostering a positive and productive learning environment. 

Presenter: Aimee Edwards & Kim Faustini

Tentatively Scheduled for December 2, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Join us for an engaging workshop focused on enhancing the climate within your classroom! In this session, educators will explore practical strategies for strengthening connections, managing behaviors, and fostering a sense of collectiveness within their classrooms. Participants will learn how to navigate the balance between whole-class strategies and individualized support, to effectively meet the diverse needs of their students. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, educators will discover how to leverage available resources to enhance their classroom climate. Leave feeling empowered with a toolkit of strategies to create a cool, calm, and collected classroom environment where every student can thrive.

Presenter: Amy Brown

Tentatively Scheduled for January 9, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-4

Impactful learning is a MOVING experience!  Participants will learn the basics of brain science to understand why movement is critical in the teaching and learning process. From brain primers to movement-infused instruction to thoughtfully executed brain breaks, participants will explore a variety of techniques to help students learn on their feet with memorable and impactful learning experiences.

Presenter: Jennifer Santa

Tentatively Scheduled for October 23, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-9

Unlock the power of data to drive student achievement! In this workshop, participants will discover the importance of collecting and analyzing data to inform instructional decisions. Participants will dive into data such as NJSLS scores, benchmark assessments, and classroom assessments and learn how to apply the data to effectively support struggling students who have I&RS action plans. Educators will collaborate on how to best meet students’ diverse needs through interactive discussions and real-world scenarios. 

Presenter: Amy Brown

Tentatively Scheduled for December 17, 2024 (Grades Pre-K-5) AND December 19, 2024 (Grades 6-12)

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12

Professional Learning Academy Course 

Differentiated instruction recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not offer the necessary learning opportunities for all students to succeed in the classroom. This does not mean that teachers must create different lessons for all students; a differentiated approach offers a supportive learning environment for all students. This workshop will present a wide range of instructional strategies, techniques, and approaches that teachers use to support student learning. Participants will learn about the key elements of differentiated instruction, tools for digital assessment, and explore resources for standards-driven learning. Resources, demonstrations, and technology solutions will be included in this workshop.

Presenter: Kelly Stevens

Tentatively Scheduled for November 22, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

So, you have the tools to differentiate under your belt, now what? This session, based on the book “Leading and Managing the Differentiated Classroom” by Carol Tomlinson, will provide teachers with practical strategies for managing a differentiated setting. Today’s educators are increasingly tasked with meeting the needs of a wide range of learners, each with their own unique strengths, challenges, and learning styles. This workshop is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and manage a differentiated classroom effectively.

Presenter: Glen Coleman

Tentatively Scheduled for January 21, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Learn how to integrate kinesthetic learning experiences into your classroom by experiencing it firsthand! Participants will delve into the science that explains why physical movement improves mental alertness, health, and learning - and increases energy for everyone in the classroom. Educators will walk away with a toolbox of kinesthetic learning activities designed to do the following: prime the brain for deep learning, make learning active, engaging, and memorable, and help students retain information after periods of concentrated effort.

Presenter: Melanie Arnold and Laura Wiseman

Tentatively Scheduled for December 4, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-8

Discover practical strategies for supporting student success in this workshop focused on meeting diverse behavioral and social-emotional needs in K-8 classrooms. Educators and service providers will explore proactive approaches to address a variety of behavioral challenges and promote positive social-emotional development. Participants will learn how to create inclusive classroom environments, implement effective behavior management techniques, and provide targeted support to meet individual student needs. Leave with a deeper understanding of how to increase availability for learning and foster a supportive community where all students can thrive.

Presenter: Amy Brown

Tentatively Scheduled for October 17, 2024 (Grades Pre-K-5) AND October 22, 2024 (Grades 6-12)

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-5, Grades 6-12

Professional Learning Academy Course 

Researchers and practitioners alike recognize many diverse benefits of cooperative learning, including higher reasoning skills, retention, time on task, motivation, and social support - all contributing to an increase in student achievement. Effective use of cooperative learning strategies will prevent the pitfalls which are inherently possible in “group work” and ensure that all students are accountable for their learning. Participants will be immersed in cooperative learning opportunities as they review research, theory, procedures, skills, and practical applications of a variety of structures.

Presenters: Sarah Christensen & Denise Marinaro

Tentatively Scheduled for January 27, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Instructional aides are an integral part of the classroom and should be engaged by teachers to partner on student learning. However, many teachers are not trained on how to effectively employ instructional aides in their classrooms. This workshop aims to equip teachers and instructional aides with tools to join forces in support of student learning. Teacher/aide pairs would benefit from attending this workshop together. Topics will be geared toward general education content and specials/elective teachers including task delegation, understanding student IEPs and instructional aides’ purpose, and best practices for communication. Special education teachers are also welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Presenter: Laura Sullivan

Tentatively Scheduled for October 2, 2024

Recommended for Educators of Grades 3-12 Tested Area Teachers

This workshop explores ways to integrate released state-test items into your teaching repertoire. Delve into the provided resources to gain valuable insights into assessment expectations, question formats, and content as well as to build a collection of questions that you can use in your classroom. Utilizing released items can help when teaching students valuable test-taking strategies and reinforcing your content. Together we will explore ways to use these questions to supplement your current teaching. Participants will receive many different resources and the well-needed TIME to review them and align them with your current units so that you can start using them with your students tomorrow.

Presenter: Glen Coleman

Tentatively Scheduled for March 13, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades 9-12

Learn by failing forward: Help students deliver powerful two-minute speeches with no notes.

These speeches will require students to use course content—no matter the discipline—to express their understanding of the world. To instruct teachers in this methodology, known as Two Minutes to Mastery, teachers can expect to brainstorm prompts and deliver 30-second speeches in a low-stakes environment with an emphasis on experimentation and learning by doing. Hopefully, teachers will bond as they learn collaboratively how to help students become confident public speakers, a process that will also deepen students’ content mastery.

Presenter: Nancy Mliczek

Tentatively Scheduled for March 17, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades 6-12

Discover the keys to unlocking the full potential of informational texts in content area classrooms. This dynamic professional learning experience is designed to equip content area teachers with a robust toolkit of strategies that enhance students' comprehension, critical thinking, and engagement with informational texts. This workshop will be aligned with the new NJSLS English Language Arts standards.