'

Professional Development

Help Topics

Catalog: Rockland BOCES (WR)

Search Options

Search Results (1 - 27 of 27)

1. A Toolkit for Supporting and Sustaining High-Quality Math Instruction

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Principals, Assistant Principals, Department chairs, District Leaders

Dates: 7/31/2025

This workshop is designed to help instructional leaders recognize and support strong mathematics instruction.

Participants will explore the NYSED Numeracy Briefs and examine practical tools from the Instruction Partners' Curriculum Support Guide to strengthen math teaching and learning across grade levels.

Throughout the day, participants will:

  • Develop a shared understanding of what high-quality math curriculum and instruction look like
  • Engage in reflection and discussion using the NYSED Numeracy Briefs as a foundation
  • Analyze current practices and identify concrete steps to improve math instruction in their districts
  • Explore planning, observation, and support tools from the Curriculum Support Guide

This session is ideal for district and school leaders looking to align curriculum decisions, instructional support, and professional development with a clear vision for effective math instruction.

Lunch will be provided.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 45

2. Building Thinking Classrooms PLC for Grades 6-12

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Math Teachers Gr. 7-12

Dates: 9/3/2025 to 3/4/2026

This 4-day series supports Grades 7-12 math teachers in designing standards-based task sequences aligned with Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC). Each session begins with a focused exploration of key BTC practices, followed by hands-on time for teachers to select a unit they already teach and develop a sequence of rich, accessible, and thought-provoking tasks. By the end of each session, participants will leave with ready-to-implement task sequences that foster deep student engagement and thinking. Between sessions, optional virtual check-ins provide opportunities to reflect, refine, and collaborate. Participants will also have access to a shared drive with all created materials.
Dates:
  • Wednesday, September 3, 3:00-3:45pm OPTIONAL Virtual check-in: Launching BTC with non-curricular tasks
  • Thursday, September 11, 3:00-3:45pm OPTIONAL Virtual check-in: Launching BTC with non-curricular tasks
  • Wednesday, October 1, 8:30-2:30
  • Wednesday, October 8, 3:00-3:45pm OPTIONAL Virtual check-in (actual time TBD based on availability)
  • Tuesday, October 28 8:30-2:30
  • Tuesday, November 11, 3:00-3:45pm OPTIONAL Virtual check-in (actual time TBD based on availability)
  • Tuesday, January 6 8:30-2:30
  • Tuesday, February 3, 3:00-3:45pm OPTIONAL Virtual check-in (actual time TBD based on availability)
  • Tuesday, February 24, 8:30-2:30
  • Wednesday, March 4, 3:00-3:45pm OPTIONAL Virtual check-in (actual time TBD based on availability)


***NOTE***: After registering, please email vsamn@roboces.org with the subject you'll be working on. This helps us ensure that everyone has at least one thought partner teaching the same course.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

3. Secondary School Librarian Network

Program: School Library System

Audience: K-12 School Librarians

Dates: 9/16/2025 to 5/12/2026

The Secondary School Librarian Network is a forum to support school librarians as leaders in their educational community on program development, curricular development, educator collaboration, and advocacy. School librarians will share successes, ideas, and strategies for professional growth and to build a network of peers. All school librarians are invited to join.
  • Max Class Size: 20

4. Elementary School Librarian Network

Program: School Library System

Audience: K-12 School Librarians

Dates: 9/16/2025 to 5/12/2026

The Elementary School Librarian Network is a forum to support school librarians as leaders in their educational community on program development, curricular development, educator collaboration, and advocacy. School librarians will share successes, ideas, and strategies for professional growth and to build a network of peers. All school librarians are invited to join.
  • Max Class Size: 20

5. Building Thinking Classrooms Crash Course

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Math Teachers

Dates: 9/17/2025

This is a one-day crash course of Peter Liljedahl's 14 key practices in Building Thinking Classrooms as well as new techniques introduced in Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom, exploring how to create a classroom environment that supports thinking about mathematics. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use, research-based strategies and a clearer vision of how to build a thinking classroom and a foundation for more advanced work in BTC.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 25

6. NY State Smart Start Grant Professional Development with Mouse.Org **Grades 3-5**

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Grade K-2 Teachers

Dates: 9/17/2025 to 2/24/2026

As part of the NY State Smart Start Grant Professional Development with Mouse.Org, teachers who participate, will be trained in effective coaching techniques and how to lead a professional learning community in the context of computer science education.

OBJECTIVES
Objective #1: Increase the number of teachers prepared to teach and deliver K-8 CS using research and evidence-based curriculum and instructional strategies.

Objective #2: Increase the number of schools offering computer science in grades K-8.

Objective #3: Increase the number of students enrolled in computer science-related courses for all students with attention to diversity -- racial, socioeconomic, gender, disabilities, ELL.

Objective #4: Demonstrate relevance of computer science education and computer science careers in local contexts (as defined by REDC).

Objective #5: Engage CS educators in a supportive professional learning community.

This activity has a Team Room

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 25

7. NY State Smart Start Grant Professional Development with Mouse.Org **Grades 6-8**

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Grade K-2 Teachers

Dates: 9/17/2025 to 2/24/2026

As part of the NY State Smart Start Grant Professional Development with Mouse.Org, teachers who participate, will be trained in effective coaching techniques and how to lead a professional learning community in the context of computer science education.

OBJECTIVES
Objective #1: Increase the number of teachers prepared to teach and deliver K-8 CS using research and evidence-based curriculum and instructional strategies.

Objective #2: Increase the number of schools offering computer science in grades K-8.

Objective #3: Increase the number of students enrolled in computer science-related courses for all students with attention to diversity -- racial, socioeconomic, gender, disabilities, ELL.

Objective #4: Demonstrate relevance of computer science education and computer science careers in local contexts (as defined by REDC).

Objective #5: Engage CS educators in a supportive professional learning community.

This activity has a Team Room

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

8. NY State Smart Start Grant Professional Development with Mouse.Org **Grades K-2**

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Grade K-2 Teachers

Dates: 9/17/2025 to 2/24/2026

As part of the NY State Smart Start Grant Professional Development with Mouse.Org, teachers who participate, will be trained in effective coaching techniques and how to lead a professional learning community in the context of computer science education.

OBJECTIVES
Objective #1: Increase the number of teachers prepared to teach and deliver K-8 CS using research and evidence-based curriculum and instructional strategies.

Objective #2: Increase the number of schools offering computer science in grades K-8.

Objective #3: Increase the number of students enrolled in computer science-related courses for all students with attention to diversity -- racial, socioeconomic, gender, disabilities, ELL.

Objective #4: Demonstrate relevance of computer science education and computer science careers in local contexts (as defined by REDC).

Objective #5: Engage CS educators in a supportive professional learning community.

This activity has a Team Room

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 25

9. Developing your CCD Topics: An Uncommon Approach with Follett's TitleWise Analysis Tools

Program: School Library System

Audience: K-12 School Librarians

Dates: 9/25/2025

School librarians will use Follett Titlewave's TitleWise Collection Analysis to analyze their collections and identify topics for Cooperative Collection Development (CCD) and for their learning community. Librarians will analyze their current collections for age, Dewey/topic, curriculum tags, diversity, and student wellbeing. They will use the tools to create lists in Titlewave they can share across their districts and the library system to asynchronously collaborate. Advanced search tools will also be covered to ensure selected titles meet their specifications: curricular needs, award winners, fiction/non-fiction, reading levels, number of pages, and more.
  • Max Class Size: 35

10. Developing your CCD Topics: An Uncommon Approach with Follett's TitleWise Analysis Tools

Program: School Library System

Audience: K-12 School Librarians

Dates: 9/26/2025

School librarians will use Follett Titlewave's TitleWise Collection Analysis to analyze their collections and identify topics for Cooperative Collection Development (CCD) and for their learning community. Librarians will analyze their current collections for age, Dewey/topic, curriculum tags, diversity, and student wellbeing. They will use the tools to create lists in Titlewave they can share across their districts and the library system to asynchronously collaborate. Advanced search tools will also be covered to ensure selected titles meet their specifications: curricular needs, award winners, fiction/non-fiction, reading levels, number of pages, and more.
  • Max Class Size: 35

11. Math Curriculum Council: Elementary (K-5) 2025-26

Program: Professional Development Center

Dates: 9/30/2025 to 5/26/2026

The Math Curriculum Council will meet for four half day sessions to keep informed of recent changes in mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives from the New York State Education Department.

Our Curriculum Council will explore items related to improving curriculum and instruction for all students. There will be a focus on transitioning to the Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards. The council will participate in discussions focused on research based strategies and current best practices in mathematics, develop awareness and knowledge of the progressions across grade levels, develop a global view of mathematics across all levels, share technology resources and promote a culture of collective knowledge and expertise.

Council members will have the opportunity to discuss and share ideas on how to best prepare students for success.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

12. Math Curriculum Council: Secondary (6-12) 2025-26

Program: Professional Development Center

Dates: 9/30/2025 to 5/26/2026

The Math Curriculum Council is a Professional Learning Community (PLC) who will meet for four half day sessions to keep informed of recent changes in mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives from the New York State Education Department.

Our Curriculum Council will explore items related to improving curriculum and instruction for all students. There will be a focus on building capacity within your district as you transition to the Next Generation Mathematics Learning Standards.

The council will participate in discussions focused on research based strategies and current best practices in mathematics, develop awareness and knowledge of the progressions across grade levels, develop a global view of mathematics across all levels, share technology resources and promote a culture of collective knowledge and expertise.

Council members will have the opportunity to discuss and share ideas on how to best prepare students for success.

Participants will have access to shared materials and become part of a list serv to raise questions and get answers, not just from Valerie, but from each other!

Price is per district and includes participation in both the Elementary and Secondary Math councils.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

13. Communications Coordinators (Liaison) and Council Joint Meeting

Program: School Library System

Dates: 9/30/2025 to 6/3/2026

The School Library System Council meets regularly to recommend policy, perform long-range and short-range planning, including overseeing the development of the system's Plan of Service. Participants will also work to approve the annual system budget, the system's annual report, and to evaluate the system's services. The December 4th meeting's snow date is December 11, 2025. The February 5th meeting's snow date is February 12, 2025.
  • Max Class Size: 20

14. 5 Ways to Get Social with TeachingBooks!

Program: School Library System

Audience: K12 School Librarians

Dates: 10/7/2025

Increase your library's online presence and model digital citizenship with ready-to-go resources. Promote lifelong literacy and engage your students with book trailers and other media on the platforms they use most. Create opportunities to involve learners in the selection and promotion of books they most love. Keep your learning community informed about titles they'll want to discuss in and out of school.
  • Max Class Size: 35

15. Ready for Reading: Before, During, & After with TeachingBooks

Program: School Library System

Audience: K12 School Librarians

Dates: 10/7/2025

Join us to discover meaningful and time-saving practices to use before, during, and after reading a book with your elementary school learners. TeachingBooks offers a collection of resources to incorporate into any read aloud, literature lesson, or book group to promote literacy.
  • Max Class Size: 35

16. Building Thinking Classrooms for All Content Areas

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Teachers (All Content Areas)

Dates: 10/9/2025

Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms is grounded in detailed, classroom-based research that closely examines the actions that teachers can take to promote student engagement. Though rooted in mathematics instruction, his findings offer valuable insights for any subject area. This workshop will explore how non-math teachers can apply his research to shift classroom dynamics, increase student engagement, and foster deeper thinking across the curriculum.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 10

17. World Language Collegial Circle/Professional Learning Community

Program: Professional Development Center

Audience: Teachers of World Languages

Dates: 10/15/2025 to 5/13/2026

During World Language Collegial Circle/Professional Learning Community meetings, members will delve into pertinent topics in World Language teaching and learning. Discussions will revolve around updates from the State Education Department and the most recent developments in the field. The group will tackle present trends, issues, and persistent questions. Agendas will be structured around aspects of curriculum and instruction. Participants will seek guidance, propose solutions among their peers, exchange ideas, enhance programs, and learn about schools' diverse approaches to addressing various issues.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 25

18. BTC Meets Eureka Squared: Designing Tasks for the Elementary Thinking Classroom with Amy Chang

Program: Professional Development Center

Dates: 12/10/2025

In this session, we will dive into the high impact practices that allow us to utilize Eureka Squared in a thinking classroom. The practices discussed will intertwine with, and make extensive references to, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics (Grades K-12): 14 Teaching Practices for Enhancing Learning. Participants will experience what it means to be fully engaged in a task and learn how the concepts of deep engagement apply to curricular tasks. We will examine how we can draw thinking tasks from Eureka Squared. In particular, we will look at how the BTC lesson structure supports students to move collective knowing and doing into individual knowing and doing.

About the Facilitator

Amy is a consultant with Building Thinking Classrooms, and brings extensive experience coaching K-12 teachers and leaders to launch and sustain thinking classrooms, consulting with districts to design change initiatives, and evaluating the impact of BTC implementation. In all workshops, Amy encourages teachers to step more solidly into the role of facilitator, share power with students, and make space for every student to shine.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 35

19. Rooted in Values, Growing for the Future: School Libraries and the ALA Core

Program: School Library System

Audience: K-12 School Librarians

Dates: 12/10/2025

Join us for a dynamic, statewide day of professional learning centered on the ALA Core Values-Access, Equity, Intellectual Freedom, Privacy, Public Good, and Sustainability-and their vital role in school library practice. Keynote speaker KC Boyd will inspire participants to lead with purpose as we explore how these values intersect with emerging and essential topics such as AI, culturally responsive and sustaining practices, ELL support, media literacy, and differentiated practices. Through presentations, collaborative table work, and reflective activities, attendees will leave empowered to align their library programs with the values that drive equitable, future-ready learning communities. Sponsored by the School Library Systems Association.
  • Max Class Size: 30

20. ****ONLINE****UPDATED IDENTIFICATION & REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE & MALTREATMENT - THIS IS AN ON LINE COURSE AND FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES

Program: SAVE and Child Abuse Awareness

Audience: Classroom teachers, teaching assts, educ in adm/supv service, coaches, persons NY State cert/license

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 31, 2025)

New
This is an ONLINE course. Candidates applying for New York State certification/license, or are have an active registration in TEACH, in New York State, must complete two hours of course work in the **UPDATED** Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment in accordance with Education Law. Rockland BOCES is providing a two-hour fully online certification course that fulfills this requirement. A certificate will be issued to participants at the completion of this course as well as an electronic upload of completion directly to TEACH.

Participants register and pay thru Frontline. Upon receipt of payment, each registrant will receive an online account.

Usernames, enrollment password for the course, and link to the course are then emailed to the student. Students may begin the course when they receive their account information. Participants do not have to wait until the date posted on this registration.

  • Max Class Size: 250

21. **ONLINE** Dignity For All Students (DASA) - 6 Hour Certification Course

Program: Dignity for All Students Act

Audience: Anyone needing training for certification

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 31, 2025)

New
WORK AT YOUR OWN PACE IN THIS 100% ONLINE COURSE

Effective December 31, 2013 all applicants for Certification are required to complete six clock hours of coursework or training in accordance with Article 2 Sections 10-18 of the Education Law. Rockland BOCES is pleased to be a provider of DASA Training. Upon completion of the workshop, you will receive a Certification of Completion.

The coursework will address the social patterns of harassment, bullying and discrimination, marginalization and microaggressions, including but not limited to those acts based on a person's actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.

PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED TO RECEIVE LOGIN INFORMATION **NOTE - WE CURRENTLY HAVE ONLINE PAYMENT**

A check may be mailed to:
Rockland BOCES
Attn: Stacy Muthig
Building 10 65 Parrott Rd,
West Nyack, NY 10994

please email Stacy Muthig: smuthig@rboces.org.

Once payment is received you will receive your login credentials via email and you may begin the course right away!

No district approval and building required.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 200

22. S.A.V.E. Online Class

Program: SAVE and Child Abuse Awareness

Audience: Classroom teachers, teaching assts, educ in adm/supv service, coaches, persons NY State cert/license

Dates: On-Going (Ends Dec 31, 2025)

New
Candidates applying for a New York State certification/license, must complete two hours of course work in school violence prevention (Schools Against Violence in Education) in accordance with Education Law. Rockland BOCES is providing a two-hour fully online certification course that fulfills this requirement. A certificate will be issued to participants at the completion of this course.

Participants register thru MyLearningPlan. Upon receipt of payment, each registrant will receive an online account. Once participants receive their account information, they may start the course. Participants do not have to wait until the date posted on the registration.

Usernames, enrollment password for the course, and link to the course are then emailed to the student.

  • Max Class Size: 250

23. Quick and Easy Book Hooks for Secondary School Learners with TeachingBooks

Program: School Library System

Dates: 1/13/2026

Enrich your learning space with quick and easy Book Hooks from TeachingBooks. Using QR Code shelf talkers, engage learners with author interviews, video book trailers, audio excerpts, and book-related games that bring text to life and supplement integration of information across sources. Each activity covered in this session will be demonstrated in multiple ways so you are ready to implement them in your classrooms and libraries.
  • Max Class Size: 35

24. Quick and Easy Book Hooks for Elementary School Learners with TeachingBooks

Program: School Library System

Audience: K12 School Librarians

Dates: 1/13/2026

Enrich your learning space with quick and easy Book Hooks from TeachingBooks. Using QR Code shelf talkers, engage learners with author interviews, video book trailers, audio excerpts, and book-related games that bring text to life while supplementing application and integration of knowledge. Each activity covered in this session will be demonstrated in multiple ways so you are ready to implement them in your classrooms and libraries.
  • Max Class Size: 35

25. SLS Annual Joint Conference - Empire Educators: School Libraries & Instructional Excellence

Program: School Library System

Audience: K-12 School Librarians

Dates: 4/17/2026

The SLS Annual Joint Conference, Empire Educators: School Libraries & Instructional Excellence, is a dynamic professional learning conference dedicated to elevating librarianship and teaching practice. We are honored to feature renowned keynote speaker Olga Nesi, who will share innovative strategies for integrating digital literacy, curriculum alignment, and instructional partnerships in today's diverse school communities. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, collaborative planning sessions, and expert-led discussions designed to strengthen library programming and foster student success. This invigorating event offers school librarians, instructional coaches, and curriculum leaders the opportunity to grow their practice, build professional networks, and champion instructional excellence across their schools.

Early Bird Special: Before March 17, 2026: $125.00. After March 17, 2026: $150.00.

  • Max Class Size: 15

26. Plan for Summer Reading with TeachingBooks (Secondary School)

Program: School Library System

Audience: K12 School Librarians

Dates: 4/21/2026

Get your secondary school excited about summer reading! Join us for a look at summer reading lists, activity ideas, and ways to inspire independent reading and support curricular reading with TeachingBooks resources that let the books and their authors speak for themselves.
  • Max Class Size: 35

27. Plan for Summer Reading with TeachingBooks (Elementary School)

Program: School Library System

Audience: K12 School Librarians

Dates: 4/21/2026

Get your elementary school excited about summer reading! Join us for a look at summer reading lists, activity ideas, and ways to inspire independent reading with TeachingBooks resources that let the books and their authors speak for themselves.
  • Max Class Size: 35