Inspired by the research of Peter Liljedahl, the Building Thinking Classrooms Series is a dynamic, research-based professional learning experience designed for Grades 5-12 educators ready to transform passive problem-solvers into confident mathematical thinkers.

This isn't just professional development.

It's a mindset shift where perseverance, risk-taking, and collaboration are central pedagogical moves! And yes, the return on investment is exponential!

Series Dates:

June 23, 2026 ( Kick Off Event In-Person: 1PM - 3PM )
September 30, 2026 ( Full Day In-Person Series #1 )
October 20, 2026 ( Full Day In-Person Series #2 )
October 21, 2026 ( Live In-Person Demonstration Day with Chase )
December 1, 2026 ( Full Day In-Person Series #3 )
December 2, 2026 ( Live In-Person Demonstration Day with Chase )

Have you been working toward a more neuroaffirming, collaborative approach in your school setting, only to feel "stuck" with systems and colleagues still relying on traditional behavior-based reward systems?

Would you like to connect with others who are committed to creating child-centered, neuroaffirming, and trauma-informed practices? Join colleagues to share successes, challenges, ideas, and resources.

The goal of the Neuroaffirming Professional Learning Network is to bring together professionals across special education disciplines in Ulster County and beyond to collaborate, share resources, and support the implementation of neuroaffirming practices.

Participants will co-plan monthly areas of focus. Centering our work on students' perspectives is essential, and listening to neurodivergent individuals helps guide our practice. Resources may include Mona Delahooke's Beyond Behaviors, Amy Laurent and Jac Fede's Autism Level UP!, the SCERTS Model, Barry Prizant's Uniquely Human, and Linda Murphy's Declarative Language Handbook, along with many others.

Let's move beyond behaviorism to create better experiences and outcomes for our students!

This professional learning series is designed for educators and leaders joining the work for the first time. Participants will deepen their understanding of culturally responsive PBL design while building leadership capacity to support implementation across classrooms, schools, and districts.

Participants will explore how the NY Inspires initiative creates meaningful learning experiences that foster critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and student agency. Through in-person institutes, virtual learning sessions, and collaborative design time, participants will engage in cycles of inquiry, design, implementation, reflection, and refinement.

Across the year, participants will:

* Design or refine Portrait of a Graduate-aligned PBL experiences
* Develop sample rubrics aligned with Portrait of a Graduate competencies
* Explore equity-centered instructional design
* Build leadership strategies that support systemic instructional change
* Engage in peer critique, reflection, and collaborative problem-solving
* Share learning through a Presentation of Learning (POL) highlighting impact on teaching and student learning

Sessions:

Launch: Sept. 22 - 23, 2026, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM (9/22: JBCC, New Paltz | 9/23: iPark 87, Lake Katrine)

Check-In: Nov. 17, 2026, 3:45 PM-4:45 PM (Virtual)

PBL Camp: Jan. 25-28, 2027, High Tech High, San Diego *Additional registration/cost required

PBL Design Camp: Feb. 3, 2027, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM (iPark 87, Lake Katrine) *Snow Date TBD

Design/Ideation: Feb. 4, 2027, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM (JBCC, New Paltz) *Snow Date TBD

Learning Lab: Feb. 8, 2027, 3:45 PM-4:45 PM (Virtual) *Snow Date TBD

Celebration of Learning: Apr. 30, 2027, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM (JBCC, New Paltz)