Habits for Resilient Learners: Strengthening the "Resilience Muscle”

This three-part webinar series is designed to equip educators with the research-backed habits and practical strategies needed to foster resilience in K-12 students. Drawing from the "Habits for Resilient Learners” framework, the series transitions from building internal mindsets to implementing collaborative systems and navigating the complexities of the digital age.

Session 1: Foundations of Resilience: Introduction and Building Beliefs

This opening session establishes why resilience is a necessity in today's ever-changing education landscape. We begin by introducing the Habits of Resilient Learners framework, a system of 10 research-backed, interconnected practices designed to help students navigate the "emotional and academic fog” of disconnection and stress. Participants will explore the foundational "I” skills and how to promote internal mindset shifts that build self-efficacy with these habits: Nurturing Core Beliefs and Embracing Vulnerability.

Portrait of a Graduate Matters is an applied professional learning course designed to support educators in translating New York State's Portrait of a Graduate vision into intentional, classroom-based practice. Grounded in culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE) principles, the course uses the BRIGHT Instructional Model to guide educators from awareness to action across all Portrait of a Graduate competencies. Participants engage with instructional tools, reflection prompts, and backward-mapping processes to examine current practice, strengthen culturally responsive instructional decision-making, and design learning experiences that foster student agency, engagement, and success. Downloadable resources included. Certificate of Completion awarded to course completers.

This course has open enrollment. Once registrations are processed, an introductory email will be sent within two weeks. We have 4 cohorts; Summer (7/06/26-10/05/26), Fall (10/05/26-1/04/27), Winter (1/04/27-4/05/27), and Spring (4/05/27-6/15/27) so please plan accordingly to select the season that aligns best with your schedule. Please note that due to Frontline restrictions, course attendance cannot be recorded until the end date.

In this specially designed session, participants will deepen their understanding of dyslexia and its impact on student learning. Dr. Beverine-Curry will explore early identification, structured literacy approaches, and practical classroom strategies that support students with dyslexia. This session is ideal for educators seeking to strengthen inclusive practices grounded in the Science of Reading.

Session 1 A New Definition

In 2025, the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) updated their definition of dyslexia. How do these changes reflect the most current understandings of dyslexia? What do the changes mean for educators and school systems?

Asynchronous Online LETRS Volume I (Units 1-4) - This program requires an estimated 48 hours of work to complete. LETRS is an intensive program and only those who are committed to complete the program should apply. Participants have access to the online program for one year from start date. This LETRS Volume I (Units 1-4) Online learning opportunity will offer an Asynchronous (independent & self-paced) learning environment. Content is delivered through print (book provided) and online sessions which includes video, learning activities, and application through Bridge to Practice activities.

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 1. TEACHERS MUST HAVE DISTRICT APPROVAL VIA FRONTLINE BY OCTOBER 1. PLEASE READ:

*DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR LETRS PROGRAMS:

Registration does not guarantee enrollment. You will receive a confirmation email if enrolled.

Preference will be given to those teachers who have participated in and completed CNY/OC Teacher Center opportunities in the past or those who serve as a liaison or board member.

Frequent drops, incompletes or absences may impact your registration in LETRS.

The Center will attempt to show equity among all school districts. Due to the nature of the course, you may be asked to complete an additional form confirming your commitment.

Please ensure that your Frontline account is up to date with the correct school for manual delivery

Once enrolled, your license is valid for 364 days.

Begins on or about October 9, 2026

Asynchronous Online LETRS Volume II (Units 5-8) - This program requires an estimated 48 hours of work to complete. LETRS is an intensive program and only those who are committed to complete the program should apply. Participants have access to the online program for one year from start date. This LETRS Online learning opportunity will offer an Asynchronous (independent & self-paced) learning environment. Content is delivered through print (book provided) and online sessions which includes video, learning activities, and application through Bridge to Practice activities.

Prerequisite: Educators must have completed LETRS Volume I and have certification of completion on file with the Center to be considered for enrollment. Registration will not be processed until this certificate is received.

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 1. TEACHERS MUST HAVE DISTRICT APPROVAL VIA FRONTLINE BY OCTOBER 1. PLEASE READ:

*DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR LETRS PROGRAMS:

Registration does not guarantee enrollment. You will receive a confirmation email if enrolled.

Preference will be given to those teachers who have participated in and completed CNY/OC Teacher Center opportunities in the past or those who serve as a liaison or board member.

Frequent drops, incompletes or absences may impact your registration in LETRS.

The Center will attempt to show equity among all school districts. Due to the nature of the course, you may be asked to complete an additional form confirming your commitment.

Please ensure that your Frontline account is up to date with the correct school for manual delivery

Begins on or about October 9, 2026

Lexia® LETRS® for Early Childhood Educators professional learning provides deep knowledge of literacy instruction for the youngest learners. The more children know about language and literacy before they begin kindergarten and first grade, the better equipped they are to succeed in literacy learning and beyond.

This is a new program with the CNY/OC Teacher Center.

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 1. TEACHERS MUST HAVE DISTRICT APPROVAL VIA FRONTLINE BY OCTOBER 1. PLEASE READ:

*DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR LETRS PROGRAMS:

Registration does not guarantee enrollment. You will receive a confirmation email if enrolled.

Preference will be given to those teachers who have participated in and completed CNY/OC Teacher Center opportunities in the past or those who serve as a liaison or board member.

Frequent drops, incompletes or absences may impact your registration in LETRS.

The Center will attempt to show equity among all school districts. Due to the nature of the course, you may be asked to complete an additional form confirming your commitment.

Please ensure that your Frontline account is up to date with the correct school for manual delivery

Lexia Aspire™ Professional Learning, grounded in the science of reading, is a flexible, self-paced, digital solution that empowers all educators to accelerate literacy skills among students in grades 4-8*. Aspire equips educators with the knowledge and skills they need to apply evidence-based strategies derived from the science of reading to a classroom of students who have varying levels of literacy competencies. Educators can also choose the content that's most relevant to improving their students' literacy outcomes.

Although the program is designed for teachers of grades 4-8, Aspire is also appropriate for HS teachers working with students of varying literacy abilities.

This program requires an estimated 48 hours of work to complete.

You have one year to complete the coursework.

REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 1. TEACHERS MUST HAVE DISTRICT APPROVAL VIA FRONTLINE BY OCTOBER 1. Please look through the Lexia Aspire website to gain a better idea of the program. If you are familiar with LETRS, this is a "cousin" program that allows for teacher choice.

PLEASE READ:

*DUE TO HIGH DEMAND FOR LEXIA PROGRAMS:

Registration does not guarantee enrollment. You will receive a confirmation email if enrolled.

Preference will be given to those teachers who have participated in and completed CNY/OC Teacher Center opportunities in the past or those who serve as a liaison or board member.

Frequent drops, incompletes or absences may impact your registration.

The Center will attempt to show equity among all school districts. Due to the nature of the course, you may be asked to complete an additional form confirming your commitment.

There is no physical manual for this program.

Begins on or about October 9, 2026

The BRIGHT Webinar Series transforms the vision of culturally responsive and sustaining education into practical strategies you can use right away. Grounded in the BRIGHT Instructional Framework and aligned with NYSED's CRSE Framework, NY Inspires, and Portrait of a Graduate, each live virtual session focuses on one of six core commitments.

B - Build Empathy-Driven Relationships and Inclusive Classroom Community (10/14/26)

R - Reimagine Rigor Through Responsive, Relevant Instruction (11/18/26)

I - Instruct with Dialogue to Strengthen Student Voice and Connection (1/13/27)

G - Give Growth-Informed Feedback and Expand Growth Mindset (2/10/27)

H - Honor and Integrate Home, Culture, and Community in Curriculum and Pedagogy (3/10/27)

T - Tend to Teacher Wellness and Collective Care (4/7/27)

* Participants can join for the whole BRIGHT series or pick the sessions that spark their learning interests, needs, and schedule.

Strong relationships are the cornerstone of effective teaching and they don't happen by accident. In this session, we'll unpack the practices that build trust, empathy, and belonging in diverse classrooms. You'll learn how to create intentional routines, model inclusive language, and set norms that welcome every student into a safe and affirming space. Together, we'll explore how empathy-driven relationships support academic growth, reduce behavior challenges, and help students feel confident taking risks in their learning.

Habits for Resilient Learners: Strengthening the "Resilience Muscle”

This three-part webinar series is designed to equip educators with the research-backed habits and practical strategies needed to foster resilience in K-12 students. Drawing from the "Habits for Resilient Learners” framework, the series transitions from building internal mindsets to implementing collaborative systems and navigating the complexities of the digital age.

Session 2: Strategic Persistence: Goal Setting and Scaffolding

This session provides educators with a toolkit for managing the "productive struggle” of learning. Participants will examine how to empower students to take ownership of their academic paths through these habits: Empower Learners through Goal Setting and Persevere through Obstacles.

In this specially designed session, participants will deepen their understanding of dyslexia and its impact on student learning. Dr. Beverine-Curry will explore early identification, structured literacy approaches, and practical classroom strategies that support students with dyslexia. This session is ideal for educators seeking to strengthen inclusive practices grounded in the Science of Reading.

Session 2 Dyslexia & Tier 1/Core Instruction

Solid, evidence-aligned T1/core instruction benefits all students, especially those with dyslexia. What are the key features of early classroom instruction that give students with dyslexia the best chances of achieving literacy success?

Executive function is the engine behind student focus, self-regulation, and independence, and understanding it changes how you teach. This updated session digs into the science of executive function and its impact on attention, learning, and behavior, with research and real classroom examples woven throughout. You'll walk away with practical, ready-to-use strategies for building focus, self-regulation, and organizational skills in students, plus fresh insight into managing multitasking and cognitive load in today's classroom. Whether you're joining for the first time or coming back for an update, you'll leave with inclusive, actionable ideas for helping every learner build independence, resilience, and academic success.

Transform your classroom into a collaborative environment by integrating intentional educational protocols. This course explores how structured routines shift students from passive listening to active, critical exploration. You will discover how these structures ensure equity of voice while helping students master essential success skills: active listening, turn-taking, and responsible participation. By implementing these high-leverage protocols, you will surface student thinking and spark authentic collaboration. You will leave equipped with a practical toolkit to foster an inclusive environment where students take full ownership of the collective learning process.

*Part 1: Synchronous Zoom Session: October 21 4:30-5:30 OR October 22 3:30-4:30 Launch the course with an overview of key concepts and goals. Build shared understanding and set the stage for personalized learning.(required to attend one) *Please note: Registration in Frontline is set for October 21 however you will receive Zoom links for both sessions and you can choose which one to attend

Part 2: Self-Paced Modules

Engage with curated resources, design and refine performance‑based tasks, plan for classroom use, and receive actionable feedback from the instructor and peers.

Habits for Resilient Learners: Strengthening the "Resilience Muscle”

This three-part webinar series is designed to equip educators with the research-backed habits and practical strategies needed to foster resilience in K-12 students. Drawing from the "Habits for Resilient Learners” framework, the series transitions from building internal mindsets to implementing collaborative systems and navigating the complexities of the digital age.

Session 3: The Connected Scholar: Teams and Feedback

The final session explores the social dimensions of resilience. Participants will learn to transform classrooms into high-functioning interconnected teams and establish a strengths-based feedback culture through these habits: Move From Groups to Team Collaboration and Navigate the Feedback Process.

In this specially designed session, participants will deepen their understanding of dyslexia and its impact on student learning. Dr. Beverine-Curry will explore early identification, structured literacy approaches, and practical classroom strategies that support students with dyslexia. This session is ideal for educators seeking to strengthen inclusive practices grounded in the Science of Reading.

Session 3 Intervention & Specially Designed Instruction for Students with Dyslexia

Even with the best core instruction, students with dyslexia usually need additional teaching, marked by increased intensity. How might we select approaches and/or design instruction to meet their needs?

Building meaningful, trusting relationships with students is essential for their growth and success but how can educators do this while maintaining professional boundaries and personal well-being? This webinar series provides practical strategies, self-assessment tools, and collaborative approaches to ensure that student-educator relationships are both impactful and sustainable. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of student needs, personal boundary-setting skills, and actionable strategies for maintaining healthy, professional connections.

Session 1: The ABCs of Educator-Student Relationships: Synchronous Webinar (11/20/25)

Understanding students is the first step to building relationships that foster trust and growth. In this session, we'll explore key concepts such as the ABC's of trust, universal youth needs, and the role of advisory programs. Educators will also learn how to gather and interpret student data to create environments where all students feel seen, heard, and supported-without compromising professional boundaries.

Session 2: Assess and Aspire - Asynchronous assignment

Effective boundaries start with self-awareness. This session will provide educators with a tool for assessing their own wellness, stress levels, and personal boundary-setting tendencies. By the 26th of November participants will receive: a 30-minute video, a 30-minute reading assignment, and a 30-minute personal assessment/reflection that must be completed by 12/9.

Session 3: Strengths, Strategies, and Support - Synchronous Webinar (12/11/25)

Maintaining boundaries isn't a solo effort-it requires practical strategies and a strong support system. In this final session, we'll focus on real-world techniques for upholding boundaries while fostering strong student connections. Participants will walk away with specific strategies, communication tools, and team-based approaches to ensure they can sustain their work without burning out.

Trained in the instructional practices of Anita Archer, Colleen Congel delivers a high-impact session on Explicit Instruction-a structured, research-based approach that emphasizes clear learning intentions, teacher modeling ("I do”), guided practice ("We do”), and independent application ("You do”). With experience across primary and secondary settings, Colleen will demonstrate how these strategies can elevate instruction in any content area.

Session 1: Clear, Direct, Effective: The Foundations of Explicit Instruction

What does it really mean to teach explicitly, and why does it work so well for so many learners? This session unpacks the research behind explicit instruction, drawing on the work of Rosenshine and Archer & Hughes, and clears up common misconceptions (no, it's not just lecturing). Participants will explore the core elements of the "I do, we do, you do" model, see what effective explicit teaching looks like in action, and leave with a clear picture of how this approach supports student learning across grade levels and content areas.

The BRIGHT Webinar Series transforms the vision of culturally responsive and sustaining education into practical strategies you can use right away. Grounded in the BRIGHT Instructional Framework and aligned with NYSED's CRSE Framework, NY Inspires, and Portrait of a Graduate, each live virtual session focuses on one of six core commitments.

B - Build Empathy-Driven Relationships and Inclusive Classroom Community (10/14/26)

R - Reimagine Rigor Through Responsive, Relevant Instruction (11/18/26)

I - Instruct with Dialogue to Strengthen Student Voice and Connection (1/13/27)

G - Give Growth-Informed Feedback and Expand Growth Mindset (2/10/27)

H - Honor and Integrate Home, Culture, and Community in Curriculum and Pedagogy (3/10/27)

T - Tend to Teacher Wellness and Collective Care (4/7/27)

* Participants can join for the whole BRIGHT series or pick the sessions that spark their learning interests, needs, and schedule.

Rigor is not about making work harder; it's about making learning matter. This session challenges traditional views of rigor by showing how responsiveness and relevance can push students to higher levels of engagement and achievement. You'll learn strategies for connecting curriculum to students' lived experiences, designing authentic performance tasks, and setting high expectations without compromising accessibility. We'll explore how to ensure all students can see themselves as capable of tackling challenging work.

Educators spend their days communicating. With students in crisis, colleagues under pressure, families navigating hard conversations, and, quietly, with themselves. Too often, the strategies we're taught focus narrowly on classroom management, leaving out the relational and internal dimensions of the job that most affect our stress and sustainability. This session will offer a trauma-informed, healing-centered approach to communication that educators can use across every relationship in their professional lives. Participants will explore how stress and dysregulation shape the way we speak and listen, and leave with practical strategies for de-escalating and connecting with students, navigating difficult conversations with colleagues without escalating conflict, communicating with families in ways that build partnership rather than defensiveness, and recognizing self-talk patterns that contribute to burnout and compassion fatigue.

Trained in the instructional practices of Anita Archer, Colleen Congel delivers a high-impact session on Explicit Instruction-a structured, research-based approach that emphasizes clear learning intentions, teacher modeling ("I do”), guided practice ("We do”), and independent application ("You do”). With experience across primary and secondary settings, Colleen will demonstrate how these strategies can elevate instruction in any content area.

Session 2: Show, Don't Just Tell: Modeling and Breaking Down Complex Skills

Students can't do what they can't see. This hands-on session focuses on the "I do" phase: how to break complex skills into manageable steps, write clear and specific learning objectives, and model thinking out loud so students understand not just what to do but how an expert approaches it. Participants will practice crafting think-alouds and worked examples using their own content, and leave with a ready-to-use model for an upcoming lesson.

Holding high expectations is an act of care. The "warm demander” stance, rooted in culturally responsive pedagogy, emphasizes the powerful combination of relational trust and uncompromising academic and behavioral expectations. In this session, participants will explore how high expectations, when paired with authentic care and explicit support, become a vehicle for equity rather than control. We will examine how to avoid the twin traps of over-permissiveness and over-punitiveness, and how to build classrooms where students experience both psychological safety and productive struggle. Participants will leave with practical strategies for communicating belief, maintaining consistency, and building the relational authority that allows high standards to feel supportive rather than adversarial.

Trained in the instructional practices of Anita Archer, Colleen Congel delivers a high-impact session on Explicit Instruction-a structured, research-based approach that emphasizes clear learning intentions, teacher modeling ("I do”), guided practice ("We do”), and independent application ("You do”). With experience across primary and secondary settings, Colleen will demonstrate how these strategies can elevate instruction in any content area.

Session 3: Every Student Responding: Guided Practice and Checking for Understanding

How do you know students are actually learning before they're on their own? This session dives into the "we do" and "you do" phases, focusing on high-engagement response strategies, frequent checks for understanding, and timely corrective feedback. Participants will try out practical techniques like choral response, whiteboards, and response cards, learn how to decide when students are ready for independent practice, and explore how to build in review strategies that helps learning stick.