Catalog: Rockland/Westchester Teachers' Center Institute

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1. Book Study: Accelerating K-8 Math Instruction (Zoom)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Audience: K-8 Educators

Dates: 10/2/2023 to 10/23/2023

Starting Soon
Join us for a Book Study on Accelerating K-8 Math Instruction bu Dr. Nickie Newton. There is an overwhelming consensus among both educators and researchers that we need to adopt acceleration rather than remediation as a tool to counteract the challenges that students currently face.
Key topics to be discussed:
How to accelerate instruction as a way of saying "everybody is invited to this party.”
Explore pathways to helping academically challenged students achieve and move in step with their grade-level standards.
Examine suggested implementation and evaluation strategies grades K-8.
Review Dr. Newton's strategies, tools, and the downloadable templates she offers readers, ideas that can be used right away.
Participants must secure a copy of the book before the course begins.

2. Home Language and Literacy Development of ELLs (10/2- 10/5/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 10/2/2023 to 10/5/2023

Wait ListStarting Soon
During this online course experience, participants will explore the importance of home language on literacy development and learn how to foster this language. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

3. Early Childhood Professional Learning Community 23-24(Zoom)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 10/3/2023 to 4/2/2024

Starting Soon
The Lower Hudson Region Early Childhood Professional Learning Community 23-24 (PLC) brings together PreK, Kindergarten, Grade 1 educators and support staff to collaborate, build relationships, and prepare children to develop skills necessary for successful transitions in early childhood. The 23-24 PLC will have sessions on diverse early childhood classrooms, SEL, early literacy, library resource, math, and more. Each session will explore a topic with a guest presenter, who is well versed on the topic. PLC members will build a network for sharing support and resources. Jennifer Tuthill will facilitate the Early Childhood PLC. Time will be provided for participants to collaborate and share resources. The PLC offers the opportunity to earn 8 CTLE hours by completing each one hour session. This PLC is co-sponsored by Nyack Teacher Center And Rockland Teachers' Center.

4. Teaching and Building Community in a Diverse Classroom in Early Childhood - Zoom

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Audience: Early Childhood, Pre-Service

Dates: 10/3/2023

NewStarting Soon
In early childhood education, creating a sense of community and belonging is pivotal for introducing nnew materials and concepts to our students. During this session we will explore what belonging is, why it is so important and how we can enhance our own practices. Take the time to reflect on what we are already doing and how we can strengthen our practice. This session is faciliatated by Dr. Zenya Richardson, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Teacher Education at Rockland Community College
The goal is to enlighten educators in the importance of eliminating disparities and realizing the imperative of critically developing cultural proficiency. The group will have candid conversations about race to help educational leaders understand why performance inequity persists and how to guide policy analysis and instructional reform that promote true academic parity. This hybrid 15 hour book study will assist educational leaders to examine the achievement gap through the prism of race. Participants must secure a copy of Courageous Conversations About Race: A Field Guide for Achieving Equity in Schools and Beyond by Glenn E. Singleton before the course starts.

6. The Secret Behind Wait Time (10/10- 10/13/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 10/10/2023 to 10/13/2023

Wait List
Wait time can make or break a lesson. How can something so simple have such an incredible impact? It's the difference between a student fully being engaged and participating and a student becoming frustrated and checking out. During this course, participants will learn strategies to incorporate and utilize wait time to ensure understanding and comfort for ENL students. 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

7. Paraprofessionals in the 21st Century - Zoom (SRP)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 10/11/2023

In this seminar participants will identify the knowledge and skills they bring to their job, understanding the roles and responsibilities of the SRP compared to the classroom teacher, and gain knowledge of legal and ethical standards, including confidentiality. This training is provided by NYSUT ELT (WKS SRPNM1). This training is limited to teaching assistants and other school-related professionals (SRPs).

8. Teachers As Readers - Starting the New Year with Rockland Reading Council

Location: St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY) - Room Number TBA

Dates: 10/11/2023

Location: Room Number TBA

During this presentation, you will gather lots of resources to prepare for a strong 2023-2024 school year. Books on a variety topics that will help set the stage for a productive and inclusive classroom will be shared. We will also review some professional development, planning, and teaching resources that can help inform your teaching and make life a little easier. Please bring at least one book or resource that you feel is beneficial to setting routines, creating an inclusive classroom, or enhances teaching skills and strategies. This presentation is offered by Rockland Reading Council and facilitated by Co-Presidents Blaire Bookman Sadoff and Maryanna Hoekstra.

9. Building Community Through Agriculture

Location: Cropsey Farm (New City, NY)

Audience: PreK-12 educators

Dates: 10/12/2023

New
Engage in a day of interactive learning focused on teaching core standard concepts through the lens of agriculture. Educators will participate with lessons focused on food, fiber and fuel systems, art and agriculture, and share in a round table discussion with community health and wellness professionals to learn about the availability of resources for students, educators , families and communities.

Lunch is included in the training. If you have dietary restrictions, please email dstudnitzer@rockteach.org by Oct. 15.
This training is co-sponsored by the RTC, Rockland Farm Alliance, and Rockland County School Health and Wellness Coalition.

This training is facilitated by Sue Ferreri, Executive Director, Rockland Farm Alliance.

Students returning to physical education classes following a concussion often need to go through the Return to Play Protocol. Return to Play was designed to return athletes to competition and is predicated on a student being symptom free before they can start the protocol. If school districts use this for physical education classes, students can miss many weeks of class and the social, physical, and emotional benefits that these classes provide. Also, research has shown activity can be beneficial for recovery from concussion.

This interactive Zoom will examine an approach to Return to Physical Education after a concussion. The process of a gradual return to activity will be examined. Also, impediments for the implementation of return to physical education will also be discussed. Solutions will be offered to help clear these roadblocks.

Presenter: Michelle Kellen, M.Ed., Professional Development Manager, Brain Injury Association of New York State.

BIANYS will provide CEUs in the following areas: Social Work, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and Occupational Therapy.

This training is co-sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of NYS

11. Immersion Lessons for Non-English Speakers (10/16- 10/19/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 10/16/2023 to 10/19/2023

Wait List
During this online course experience, participants will explore immersion lessons in English and walk away with numerous samples and strategies. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

12. The Power of Pictures: Utilizing Images to Engage Students in Math (Zoom)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 10/18/2023 to 10/25/2023


Using pictures to start mathematical conversations is a sure-fire way to engage all learners. Images will spark curiosity. Visualizing math is the key to understanding and solving problems. Sessions will explore the math progressions through images that will help students develop number sense. Participants will investigate using images in a full lesson format called 3 Act Tasks. Participants will discover a variety of ways to implement this simplistic idea into their math lessons so that their curriculum will be enhanced.

Participants must attend both session to receive CTLE hours

13. Affirming Classrooms for LGBTQ+ Youth - Zoom

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 10/19/2023

This interactive workshop will focus on how to create affirming classroom environments for your LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) students. It will cover terms LGBTQ+ students want you to know, legal considerations, and more. Led by Loren Klein, Director of Health & Wellness, and staff of the Rockland County Pride Center.

14. Foundations of Mentoring for Teachers

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Audience: Teachers with 5 years experience

Dates: 10/21/2023 to 11/18/2023

"Foundations of Mentoring” is a 15 hour course over 2 days and for teacher with 5 or more years experience. The model used for the course was developed by the New Teacher Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This course will prepare educators ro act as mentors to new incoming staff. Participants will understand the stages of adult learning, develop strategies and skills to be effective mentors, and gain an understanding of the trust, mutuality, and risk-taking within the mentor-protege relationship. The basic tenets of mentoring can help teachers to not only support new staff members, but develop better collegial relations with team members or grade level partners. Each participant will receive a binder of materials for the course. Faciilitated by Joe Fusaro, Director of Nyack Teacher Center. This training is offered in collaboration with Nyack Teacher Center and East Ramapo Teacher Center and priority is given to Rockland Teachers' Center member districts.

15. ENL Verbal and Nonverbal Communication (10/23- 10/26/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 10/23/2023 to 10/26/2023

Wait List
Why do we have such a hard time communicating our thoughts back and forth to each other in a way that ensures understanding? During this online course experience, participants will learn how to increase communication skills with ELLs both verbally and nonverbally. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

16. Elementary Math PLC 23-24 (Zoom)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 10/24/2023 to 4/30/2024

The Elementary Math Professional Learning Community is designed to be an interactive professional learning community where teachers explore and discuss curriculum highlights, updated NYSED resources and best instructional practices with teachers at their grade level throughout the state. Key topic highlights in the 23-24 agenda include positioning multilingual learners for success in math class, NASA curriculum connections, standards-based math play/center activities and more.

17. Introduction to AI in Education

Location: Online Only (Online, )

Dates: 10/25/2023 to 11/1/2023

Last year ended with a flurry of discussion around AI(Artificial Intelligence). There were debates and discussion about whether or not to allow it in schools and some district created policies addressing AI. Now that the dust has settled a little, this course will begin to take a look at what AI is and how it can be useful to teachers. We will touch on student use but primarily we will focus on staff use. AI is here to stay and will dramatically change education so it is important to start to understand and harness it's power before it become overwhelming to catch up. 3hrs includes 1 hour of asynchronous work between Oct 26-Oct 31.

18. Cross-Cultural Communication (10/30- 11/2/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 10/30/2023 to 11/2/2023

Wait List
During this online course experience, participants will learn how to increase communication skills with ELLs and their families to build a stronger home-school connection. By learning the cultural cues and mannerisms, participants will be able to effectively communicate with students and families as well as create a learning environment that is safe and diverse. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

19. Cognitive Strategies and Engagement (SRP)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 11/1/2023

The ultimate learning environment is rich in engagement. When the learner is engaged they are fully immersed in the learning. This seminar delves into multiple strategies for educators to create that rich learning environment and motivate our 21st century students. With cognitive engagement the students do all the hard work of learning while the teacher is truly a facilitator. This training is limited to teaching assistants and other SRPs.
During this one hour session you will learn about the science of a concussion, including leading causes, signs and symptoms. Attendees will gain insight on what it is like to be a student with a concussion trying to attend school. Finally you will learn academic adjustments that you can use to help students who are recovering from a concussion. An update to this presentation also examines considerations and adjustments to virtual learning. This session is provided by Michelle Kellen, Brain Injury Association on NYS (BIANYS). BIANYS offers Social Work (#0539), Physical Therapy/ PT Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologist & Audiologists, and Occupational Therapy/OT assistants. This training is co-sponsored by BIANYS and RTC.

21. Cross-Cultural Communication and Children's Literature (11/6- 11/9/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 11/6/2023 to 11/9/2023

Wait List
Why do we have such a hard time communicating our thoughts back and forth to each other in a way that ensures understanding? During this online course experience, participants will learn how to increase communication skills with ELLs both verbally and nonverbally. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

22. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer)

Location: B.O.C.E.S. Building 10 (West Nyack, NY)

Dates: 11/9/2023

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 Sonia Wagner, Mental Health Association of Rockland.

23. Strengthening Home/School Communication (11/13- 11/16/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 11/13/2023 to 11/16/2023

Wait List
During this online course experience, participants will learn how to build home language connections to increase second language acquisition. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

24. Using Cognates with English Language Learners (11/13- 11/16/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 11/13/2023 to 11/16/2023

A word is cognate with another if both are derived from the same word in another language. During this online course experience, participants will explore how the use of cognates support English Language Learning and how to explore the effect of false cognates. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

25. Fabulous Fractions (Zoom)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Audience: 3-5 educators

Dates: 11/14/2023 to 11/21/2023

This training is designed to help teachers better understand the development of concepts and skills around fractions. Explore visual supports and activities that support a standards-based approach to understanding fractions, as well as the developmental progress and rich tasks that support students in their understanding of equivalence, addition/subtraction, multiplication and division and how those concepts work into math in the real world around them.

26. How Can we Help our Youth After a Traumatic Event (SRP)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 11/15/2023

Wait List
Who needs more support? Which of our youth face the greatest risk of mental illness? How can educator's influence children's experiences after traumatic events to promote wellness (over mental illness)? This seminar will help educators identify the risk factors for developing mental illness following a crisis event and how to investigate evidence-based practices for promoting student healing. This training is limited to teaching assistants and other school-related professionals (SRPs)

27. Social Emotional Learning

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 11/21/2023 to 12/5/2023

Wait List
Social emotional learning (SEL) is a methodology that helps students of all ages to better comprehend their emotions, to feel those emotions fully, and demonstrate empathy for others. These learned behaviors are then used to help students make positive, responsible decisions; create frameworks to achieve their goals, and build positive relationships with others. Incorporating SEL into the classroom can increase academic success. It can lower the stress levels of students as they strive toward that success. It may help to prevent negative behaviors such as drug use, violence, and bullying. It can equip students with the "soft skills” they will need in today's work environment. SEL promotes positive relationships and attitudes about school. These workshops will provide an overview and better understanding of Social Emotional Learning including practical application. These 2 sessions will provide you with an overview and better understanding on Social Emothional Learning, including practical applications. This training is offered in conjunction with Nyack Teacher Center.

28. Using Music to Increase Second Language Acquisition (11/27- 11/30/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 11/27/2023 to 11/30/2023

During this online course experience, participants will explore how the use of music increases second language acquisition for English language learners. 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.
During this online course experience, participants will engage in an introduction to the research proven SIOP Model©. This course is 3 ENL/CTLE hours and 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

30. Building Bridges Through Student Storytelling (12/4- 12/7/2023)

Location: Online (online, ny)

Dates: 12/4/2023 to 12/7/2023

A wonderful way to build bridges with newcomer students is by having the students share their story. Participants in this 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. MLP Evaluation is completed 3. Attendance is confirmed by instructor: 4. Once the MLP 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.

31. QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) - Zoom

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 12/5/2023

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 Sonia Wagner, Mental Health Association of Rockland.

32. Increasing Comprehension of ELLs for SRPs

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 12/6/2023

This seminar will familiarize participants with who our English language learners are and the challenges that they face as they acquire a new language. Participants will have the opportunity to examine how critical culture is and its impact on an English learner's identity as well as explore strategies for making information more comprehensible and accessible to ELLs. NYSUT ELT training WKSS SRSP31 This training is limited to Teaching Assistants and other school-related professionals (SRPS).

33. The New Brick - Haverstraw Brick Museum - Zoom

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Dates: 12/7/2023

Learn from the past to discover brick technology for tomorrow. This Zoom seminar will look at the history of Brick Architecture from ancient Babylon to the present day. We will also learn brick terminology, review important NY infrastructure landmarks, and why bricks are having a renaissance as a sustainable material for new building construction in Parametric Architecture as a material leader in the New Brick Technology for tomorrow. This training is facilitated by Rachel Whitlow, Executive Director of The Haverstraw Brick Museum.

34. Let's Play Math (Zoom)

Location: Zoom (Zoom, Zo)

Audience: PreK-5 Educators

Dates: 12/11/2023 to 12/13/2023

Explore standards-based games that help kids develop in-depth understanding of math concepts.. These curriculum companion activities are a great way to help kids strengthen their numeracy skills. Perfect center-based activities and holiday/family night/summertime fun!