During this 3hr online course, participants will engage in an introduction to the research proven SIOP Model©. This course will run through Google Classroom. While there are suggested timelines for work completion, this course does NOT require any synchronous sessions so you may plan your time accordingly. All work is due by the end of the last day of the course. You will receive a Rockland Teacher Center gmail account to participate in this course. Participants print their own CTLE certificate. After the following has been completed, 1. The course officially ends: 2. Frontline Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the Frontline admin marks the course complete, participants will be able print their CTLE certificate. Please note that initial class information, including your new RTC gmail, will be sent to the email you have registered on Frontline MLP.

A wonderful way to build bridges with newcomer students is by having the students share their story. Participants in this 3hr online course will learn tasks and tools that help students create ways to tell their story and begin to build connections in the classroom. While there are suggested timelines for work completion, this course does NOT require any synchronous sessions so you may plan your time accordingly. All work is due by the end of the last day of the course. You will receive a Rockland Teacher Center gmail account to participate in this course. Participants print their own CTLE certificate. After the following has been completed, 1. The course officially ends: 2. Frontline Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the Frontline admin marks the course complete, participants will be able print their CTLE certificate. Please note that initial class information, including your new RTC gmail, will be sent to the email you have registered on Frontline MLP.

In this 3hr online course, participants will focus on the Cross Cutting Concepts (CCC) found in the NYSSLS Science standards. There are 7 CCCs that participants will review and will look at resources available on how to bring them into our curriculum. An overview of what a model is will also be reviewed. Participants will go back to their grade-specific science standards and will develop a NYSSLS visual model based on NYSSLS requirements. This 3-hour course will be asynchronous and materials will be found on our Google Classroom. Participants will receive a rockteach.org email address to participate. Dates listed are the start date and end date.

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) teaches the general community how to reduce the risk of suicide in loved ones, colleagues, and neighbors. This is a "gatekeeper” training that helps participants feel equipped and comfortable in talking with people who are going through difficult times, and helping them connect to other supports when needed. Topics include warning signs of suicide risk, what to ask and how to respond, steps for referring someone to help, and resources for assistance. This training is facilitated by Velvet Hyland-Reda, Greater Mental Health of New York

This three-part series challenges educators to reimagine assessment practices that better support learning and student growth. Led by renowned educator Starr Sackstein, participants will explore the historical and psychological impacts of traditional grading, discover the power of peer and self-assessment, and gain actionable strategies to implement alternative models like standards-based grading, portfolios, and feedback-driven instruction. Through reflection, practical tools, and real-world examples, this series empowers educators to create more equitable, student-centered classrooms where assessment becomes a tool for learning, not just evaluation. This training is offered in conjunction with NYSASD (soon to be NYSALL) Session 1: Rethinking Assessment: Why Traditional Grading Fails Students The historical context of grading Research on grading's impact on motivation and learning The case for shifting toward feedback-driven assessment Takeaways for Participants: Self-reflection activity: Evaluate current grading practices. Research-based insights on grading's impact on student motivation. Strategies to initiate discussions with stakeholders (parents, administrators). Additional dates: Jan 27 and February 10. Separate sign up.

Students are affected by their experiences and impacted by the situations and events that they witness. Exposure to trauma and traumatic events often create social, emotional and behavioral problems that can hinder academic progress. For teachers, who are directly exposed to a large number of young people with trauma in their work, a secondary type of trauma, known as vicarious trauma (compassion fatigue), is a big risk. This seminar will provide School-Related Professionals (SRPs) with an understanding of how trauma affects students and offer an opportunity to develop strategies to support and promote school wide success. This training is provided by NYSUT ELT and is LIMITED to TEACHING ASSISTANTS and other SCHOOL-RELATED PROFESSIONALS. RTC Member districts SRPs receive priority registration. WKSSRP57

Participants in 3hr online course will participate in the lab experience based on the NYSSLS standards.They will develop a proper Google Form for data collection. Knowledge of Google forms is a pre=requisite to this course. Then, we will participate in the hands-on experience and collect data using our form. This 3-hour course will be asynchronous and materials will be found on our Google Classroom. Due to the class being asynchronous, a list of lab materials will be emailed in advance. They will be common items. Participants will receive a rockteach.org email address to participate. Dates listed are the start date and end date.

Technology can increase teachers' capacity to support the learning of individual students with wide differences in their abilities to see, hear, speak, move, read, write, understand English, attend, organize, engage and remember. To do this efficiently and effectively technology should be carefully selected, purposeful planned and thoughtful implemented. Not all technology is useful for all students. Required Texts: "Integrating Technology in the Classroom: Tools to meet the needs of every student”, by Hamilton, Boni. (2018) (2nd Ed.) Washington DC: International Society of Technology in Education; "How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms”, by Tomlinson, Carol Ann, (2017), Alexandria, VA, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. *If you are taking this course for Graduate Credit, participants must also register with Manhattanville through Instant Enrollment on Service Hub. Email Colleen Gill at cgill@rockteach.org for more information. Note: Official graduate transcripts will not be available until the official end of the college semester.

In this course, students will understand how to construct, teach, and enhance writing responses to historical fiction texts. They will learn how to implement a yearlong framework that will move students from simple responses to multi paragraph essays. Students will learn how to adapt their lessons to reach all learners. Finally, they will use the lessons taught to create a structure that is relevant to their particular students. Required texts: Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey. (2013). Better Learning Through Structured Teaching: A Framework for the Gradual Release of Responsibility, 2nd Edition Paperback. Alexandria, VA:: ASCD. Kylene Beers and Robert E Probst. (2013). Notice & Note Strategies for Close Reading. New Hampshire: Heinemann. *If you are taking this course for Graduate Credit, participants must also register with Manhattanville through Instant Enrollment on Service Hub. Email Colleen Gill at cgill@rockteach.org for more information. Note: Official graduate transcripts will not be available until the official end of the college semester.

Participants will engage in a book study utilizing the book, "Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv. Children are suffering from nature-deficit disorder and are on screens too much for their young age. Louv argues that American childhood has become overly standardized, overly structured, and overly saturated with technology. Many movements across the country have started around the concept of: "No Child Left Inside.” "The most important goal for our children, in their everyday lives, to experience joy and wonder, sometimes in solitude- for them to create their nature experiences and as they grow up, to expand the boundaries of their exploration.” Outdoor learning helps to increase attention, engagement, and reduce behavior problems in the classroom. The book study will focus on the importance of outdoor time for students and how it affects their academics. Participants must secure a copy of the book before the course begins. This course will be delivered in Google Classroom. A rockteach email address will be assigned to all participants. RTCI/WTCI course.

Executive functioning involves the neurological processes used to consciously control thoughts, emotions and actions so that goals can be set and achieved. When students have deficits in their executive functioning skills they tend to have difficulty grasping concepts, cannot maintain an organized workspace and despite having just heard directions, don't know where to start. In this 15 hour online class we will explore the executive functioning skills that control a student's ability to think metacognitively and also their ability to respond appropriately using their social emotional skills. We will explore the role of the working memory and the essential role it plays in processing, storing and retrieving information, as well as the other necessary skills of task initiation, planning, organization, self-monitoring, impulse control, flexibility and emotional control. We will develop strategies to address our students needs and learn to incorporate strategies to our teaching and learn that will allow students with effective functioning deficits to succeed academically and socially. This course will be delivered in Google Classroom. A rockteach email address will be assigned to all participants. RTCI/WTCI course.

This 15-hour online course introduces educators to the principles and practices of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT), a dynamic and effective approach to language learning. TBLT prioritizes real-world tasks, problem-solving, and project-based activities, encouraging students to use language in authentic contexts. TBLT focuses on practical application and encourages students to actively engage in using language to complete tasks, from group projects to presentations, which enhances both their language fluency and problem-solving capabilities. By integrating real-life scenarios, TBLT fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and the development of language skills in meaningful contexts. This course will run asynchronously through Google Classroom. While there are suggested timelines for work completion, this course does NOT require any synchronous sessions so you may plan your course completion time accordingly. All work is due by the end of the last day of the course. You will receive a Rockland Teachers' Center gmail account to participate in this course a few days before the start date. RTCI/WTCI course

This 15-hour asynchronous course focuses on integrating mindfulness strategies into teaching practices to enhance student engagement, focus, and well-being. Participants will explore various techniques and practices that can help students stay present and involved in learning, fostering a purposeful and productive classroom environment. This course emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and reflective practices for both teachers and students, contributing to an environment of positive, mindful learning. This course will be delivered in Google Classroom. A rockteach email address will be assigned to all participants. RTCI/WTCI course.

As a result of this course, participants will develop methods and strategies to integrate the core skills of listening and speaking into their curriculums. They will be able to infuse real-world problem-solving skills into content area curriculums. Participants will make student learning more enjoyable by better teaching the "noncognitive skills of learning” (Opitz & Ford, 2014). In this course, participants will learn to embed content-rich experiences into the classroom. Not only will participants achieve better product results from their students, but also witness students developing the lifelong learning skills of critical thinking, linguistic aptitude and cooperation. Participants will be able to make an immediate impact upon their teacher and the learning outcomes for students in their classes. The small group work and correspondence will be completed on the class wiki page. The link for the course is drgillwiki.wikispaces.com. This portion of the course requires posting on a discussion board. Participants will work towards a final project, creating interconnected lessons and reflections aimed at improving student learning. Participants will provide repository of classroom documents aligned with current NYS Learning Standards. Required Readings: "Engaging Minds in the Classroom: The Surprising Power of Joy”, by Opitz, Michael & Ford, Michael, 2014, Alexandria, VA: ASCD; "Teaching the Core Skills of Listening and Speaking”, by Palmer, Erik. (2014). Alexandria, VA: ASCD. *If you are taking this course for Graduate Credit, participants must also register with Manhattanville through Instant Enrollment on Service Hub. Email Colleen Gill at cgill@rockteach.org for more information. Note: Official graduate transcripts will not be available until the official end of the college semester.

Participants will engage in readings, discussions, case studies, and hands-on explorations of AI-powered tools. By incorporating historical and contemporary research, educators will analyze AI's potential to disrupt or reinforce systemic inequities and develop actionable strategies for equitable AI integration. A midterm assessment in Week 4 will allow educators to apply their learning by designing AI-infused lesson plans, while the final assessment will require participants to develop a comprehensive AI integration strategy for their classrooms. Through reflection, collaboration, and practical application, this course equips educators with the knowledge and skills to harness AI for meaningful, inclusive, and ethical teaching. If you are taking this course for Graduate Credit, participants must register with Manhattanville through Instant Enrollment. Email Colleen Gill at cgill@rockteach.org for more information. Note: Official graduate transcripts will not be available until the official end of the college semester.

Join NYSED leaders and teachers/teacher leaders at High School grade level from across the state as we explore NYSED resources, discuss curriculum issues and trends, and network with fellow educators and friends. Great opportunity to develop partnerships and share ideas with colleagues throughout the state. Facilitated by AMTNYS HS Grade level Reps Christopher O'Sullivan and Daryl Cox.

Participants will access, develop and utilize reading comprehension strategies that will actively engage their students in the learning process. Participants will have the opportunity to develop, implement and discuss instructional strategies to improve the literacy development of students within all classrooms. Participants will learn effective strategies to improve students' acquisition of competencies in listening, speaking, reading, vocabulary, written expression (i.e. mechanics, grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, and editing skills). Participants will access the information and tools necessary to focus student learning through reading and writing across the curriculum. Teachers involved in this course will have the chance to reflect, discuss, and implement strategies to improve understanding of nonfiction text. More specifically, participants will develop strategies to improve their students' writing skills in any type of classroom setting. Required Readings: "The Highly Effective Teacher", by Marshall, Jeff (2016); "Strategies that Work", by Harvey, S. and Goudvis, A. (2000). Course will run asynchronously. No in person instruction. Only start and end dates are listed. Offered through the Rockland/Westchester Teacher Center Institute.

This course will provide an overview of the characteristics of effective instructional strategies in a general education classroom. Participants will develop strategies to incorporate children with special needs and the programs and procedures used most effectively to serve them. It will also provide information about the laws guiding the education of special education students and the theories, diagnostic procedures and teaching strategies which are most effective with these students. By the end of this course students should have gained a full understanding of: Special health-related issues, Learning processes of the special education student, motivational and communication techniques, classroom management, the means to update knowledge and skills in the subject taught, current trends and issues, special education legislation, characteristics and etiology of specific disabilities, intervention strategies for children with disabilities, how to adapt the learning environment to meet the needs of exceptional children, and identification of students with disabilities. The text The Inclusive Classroom will provide theoretical support and research-based strategies to improve student learning in mainstream classrooms. Required Readings: "The Inclusive Classroom"-The Loose-Leaf Version-5th edition, by Mastropieri & Shruggs, 2014; "How to Teach Students so Students Remember" - 2nd Edition, by Sprenger, Marilee, 2018. Course will run asynchronously. No meeting dates. Only start and end dates are listed. Offered through the Rockland/Westchester Teacher Center Institute.

Participants in this 3 hr online course will focus on more of the Science and Engineering Processes. Participants will be provided with a Google Sheets file of authenticity collected data. Using Google Sheets, participants will analyze the data collected, and they will generate a graph as well as develop an evidence-based claim based on the data and the graphs. This 3-hour course is delivered asynchronously through Google Classroom. Participants will receive a rockteach.org email address to participate. The dates listed are the start and end dates. Course is available 24/7.

Participants will access text and research in whey which they will plan curriculum with the "end in mind.” Then, they will develop instructional units and learning strategies "to reach out to individual learners at their varied points of readiness, interest, and learning preference.” Course participants will develop curriculum adaptations and instructional strategies based upon tiered assessments. They will take these ideas and put them into action in their classrooms. Participants will develop the "big ideas” associated with curriculum designs. Then, participants will analyze and apply methods of differentiating products (content), process (instruction) and product (assessment). During input sessions, participants will learn to incorporate a variety of research-based strategies into their lessons. Course participants will develop curriculum adaptations that are responsive to the individual needs of all students while still maintaining a focus on academic proficiency and excellence for all students. These strategies will include: responsive teaching, ongoing formative assessment, and teaching for understanding in academically diverse classrooms. Participants will develop assessment tools to address the Six Facets of Understanding from the UBD model: Explanation, Interpretation, Application, Perspective, Empathy, and Self-Knowledge. Required Readings: "How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms”, 3rd ed., by Tomlinson, Carolyn. (2017). Alexandria, VA: ASCD; "Essential Questions: Opening Doors to Student Understanding”. 2nd ed., by McTighe, J. and Wiggins, G. (2013). Alexandria, VA: ASCD. *If you are taking this course for Graduate Credit, participants must also register with Manhattanville through Instant Enrollment on Service Hub. Email Colleen Gill at cgill@rockteach.org for more information. Note: Official graduate transcripts will not be available until the official end of the college semester.