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Catalog: Rockland/Westchester Teachers' Center Institute

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1. Online: Cyberbullying and Safety in the Net, July 13 - August 9, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: K-12 Educators

Dates: 7/13/2020 to 8/9/2020

Starting Today
Teachers in today's fast pace technology world must be able to deal with the new Cyber Bullying epidemic that has become a growing concern for students, parents, and educators. We will research what online bullying might look like and what tactics our students use to torment their victims. We will look at it's impact on teaching and learning and apply strategies that will help reduce and/or eliminate the instances of cyber-bullying in our classrooms and in our schools. Using the CyberSmart curriculum that stresses that cyber bullying can be controlled, we will develop classroom lesson plans and materials we can share with our parents while looking at students' rights and laws that must be considered when confronting these situations in the new school year. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

2. Online: Book Study - Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta Hammond, July 20 - August 18, 2020 (EWTC)

Audience: K-12 Educators in all areas

Dates: 7/20/2020 to 8/14/2020

Location: Online Only

This course is Free for consortium members. Many educators use the terms culturally responsive teaching, multicultural education and social justice education interchangeably, which keeps educators from implementing culturally responsive teaching effectively. They do overlap but each have very different purposes. Culturally responsive teaching is focused not on celebrating diversity but on using culture as a cognitive scaffold for processing new content during learning. It concerns itself with cognitive development and increasing brain power for culturally and linguistically diverse students. While the participants read and discuss, "Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students"by Zaretta Hammond, educators will share, discuss, help, and problem solve how to close the achievement gap by looking at culturally responsive pedagogy. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS MUST PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK ON THEIR OWN PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CLASS

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 17

3. Online: Critical Thinking and Questioning Techniques, July 20 - August 17, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: All

Dates: 7/20/2020 to 8/17/2020

Location: Online Only

In this course participants will explore critical thinking and questioning skills. Critical thinking involves logical thinking and reasoning including skills such as comparison, classification, sequencing, cause/effect, patterning, webbing, analogies, deductive and inductive reasoning, forecasting, planning, hypothesizing, and critiquing. We will take a look at the creation of a supportive environment and aide participants to use appropriate strategies when using higher order questioning in the classroom. We will link critical thinking skills and questioning techniques by taking an in depth look at Bloom's Taxonomy. We will apply this theory to various literature as well other subject matter (including science, math and social studies) that we are studying in school and create our own lesson plans. Conversations in all areas will be enhanced when you have the questions ready that get students to analyze and draw conclusions. This course will provide you with a whole new way to ask questions that will truly get our students to think outside of the box.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 20

4. Online: Exceptional Students and Higher-Level Thinking, July 27 - August 24, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: K-12

Dates: 7/27/2020 to 8/24/2020

Location: Online Only

In this course, we will focus on the students that are already meeting and exceeding the standards and are ready to excel. We will also discuss ASCD articles that address the twice-exceptional student - the one that is both a gifted learner while negotiating a learning disorder. Our discussions will include strategies to cultivate the talents of gifted children as well as overcoming obstacles in the regular education classroom. At the end of the course, participants will have specific lesson plans to enhance learning opportunities for the gifted student that will propel them to higher levels of learning. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

5. Online: Anxiety and Stress Management in a School Setting, July 27 - August 24, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: For all K-12 teachers and school professionals.

Dates: 7/27/2020 to 8/24/2020

Location: Online Only

Anxiety and stress are major factors in the lives of both school professionals and students. Participants will examine the working definition of stress and anxiety, study research findings on the cause of stress, explore its impact upon teaching and learning, and conduct a thorough assessment of stress factors in the classroom. This knowledge will facilitate the application of tools and techniques to identify, prevent, and manage stressors to improve academic success. Participants will have the information they need to identify specific students experiencing debilitating stress and and the tools they need to help the student restore personal equilibrium and enhance their classroom performance. At the end of this course, you will have the resources you need to enhance student performance by minimizing the negative effects of stress and anxiety in the classroom. This course is appropriate for all K-12 teachers and school professionals. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

6. Online: Technology Generation, July 27 - August 24, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: Classroom teachers in grades 2-12

Dates: 7/27/2020 to 8/24/2020

Location: Online Only

In this online course, we will explore the most recent advancements in technology and how they can be integrated into the classroom curriculum. We will examine Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) and create engaging learning experiences that focus on both science and social studies. We will experiment with the top math sites and develop corresponding lesson plans that will make learning concrete for our students. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

7. Online: Conferring with Confidence: The Heart of Effective Reading and Writing Instruction - July 29 - August 26, 2020(WTCI)

Audience: Classroom teachers, ELA teachers, Reading Specialists, Early Literacy Specialists

Dates: 7/29/2020 to 8/26/2020

Location: Online Only

Through collaboration and inquiry, participants will explore the conferring process and the effect that is has on classroom instruction and student engagement. Participants will work through each step involved in conferring in the classroom with a specific focus on the RIP model. Participants will identify and explore the protocol for effective feedback within an instructional setting. At the conclusion of this course, participants will display a knowledge and expertise of the structure of a conference, implications for classroom implementation and instructional practices that can be used instantly in the classroom and that they can embed in their instructional practice. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

8. Online: English as a New Language: Strategies and Tools for Success, August 1 - August 28, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: K-12 Teachers and Specials

Dates: 8/1/2020 to 8/28/2020

Location: Online only

In this online course, we will closely examine the strategies used to effectively teach English as a New Language (ENL) students. We will focus on best practices including co-teaching, helpful web tools, strategies for classroom teaching, and meaningful classroom talk. We will brainstorm ways to involve parents as we create a welcoming classroom environment for all students. We will explore resources and cross-reference lesson plans and curriculums so that each teacher has customized lesson plans to address individual needs. At the end of the course, you will have a toolkit that will include visual ideas, translation resources, conversation tools and vocabulary resources. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

9. Online: LGBTQI Education, August 1 - August 28, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: For teachers in grades K-12 and professionals

Dates: 8/1/2020 to 8/28/2020

Location: Online Only

According to statistics gathered by GLSEN, the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, ten percent of the population is gay, bisexual, or transgender. These students come to school with the needs of any other student. Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth are quickly becoming more visible in society. Parents of gender non-conforming children are coming to mental health providers in increasing numbers and are often met with stigma and bias and a lack of education on TGNC health. TGNC youth are turned out of their homes at disproportionate rates and harassed and bullied in school at higher rates than their gender conforming peers. They have higher rates of suicide, depression and substance abuse and face unique medical, legal and social barriers. They also have produced their own cultures and communities to face these challenges. This course will examine the scientific research on TGNC youth in the context of the practical challenges faced by these individuals and their families. At the conclusion of this course, you, the educator or counselor, will have the tools and strategies to be a reliable source for those youth who feel marginalized due to their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. This course is appropriate for all K-12 school professionals. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

10. Online: Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness, August 1 - August 29, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: For teachers in grades K-12 and professionals

Dates: 8/1/2020 to 8/29/2020

Location: Online Only

Mental health and illness is a component of teaching that has evolved and increased in importance in recent years. The role of the teacher does not include diagnosis or treatment recommendations for a student with a mental health diagnosis. It does, however, include: teaching of mental health literacy; responding to student's/parent's concerns by supportive listening and referral to the most appropriate person within the school to help address those concerns (such as a counselor, social worker, psychologist) and providing ongoing academically appropriate support to the student as part of the school's integrated response to the student's needs. Educators in this course will examine methods for addressing the mental health of their students through academic supports, interventions and relationship building and, at the end of the course, will have useful strategies and tools they can easily incorporate in their classrooms. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

11. Deep Dive into Flipgrid - August 3 - August 17, 2020 (EWTC)

Audience: All

Dates: 8/3/2020 to 8/17/2020

Location: Online Only

Wait List
This course is Free and open to EWTC consortium members ONLY. In this course you will learn how to use FlipGrid, an exciting web-based tool to communicate with your students, and help them communicate with one another in your digital classrooms. Flipgrid is a video response platform where educators can have online video discussions with students. Teachers can provide feedback to students, and better yet, students can provide feedback to one another. It adds a unique approach to an online classroom in terms of collaboration and classroom engagement. Learn how you can incorporate FlipGrid into your online classroom, and some strategies to create a socially connected learning environment for all of your students. Zoom Session- April 16, 2020 at 7pm

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 25

12. Online Mindful Classroom, August 3 - August 28, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: All

Dates: 8/3/2020 to 8/28/2020

Helping students cultivate affective skills such as perseverance, emotional management, self motivation, and resilience are key to both their emotional well-being and their ability to engage reflectively with ideas and information. When teachers practice and model these skills, they can be more fully present and able to respond to their students' needs. "Studies show that grade school aged children who learn mindfulness and meditation are more focused and resilient," says Sarah McKay, an Oxford University trained neuroscientist and freelance science writer specializing in mind and brain. "It helps settle them down and improves concentration." This in turn allows for optimal student performance. For teachers, this means that in the midst of everything that goes on in a classroom, we remain aware of what's going on inside our minds and bodies, which can help us with our reactions to a situation and choose a kind and compassionate response. While the practice of mindfulness is never a "cure-all," research suggests that it is a powerful foundation upon which teachers can start to build their social-emotional skills and, in turn, improve their teaching. This course examines the historical and scientific research that has been done supporting the practice of mindfulness in education. Through reading, discussion and exercise, participants will explore how mindfulness can be used everyday with in and out of the classroom. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 20

13. Online: Incorporating Social and Emotional Skills in Your Classes, August 3 - August 31, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: For teachers in grades K-12 and professionals

Dates: 8/3/2020 to 8/31/2020

Location: Online Only

In order to teach the whole child, we as educators must understand that learning is also a social and emotional experience. Knowing one's emotions, how to manage them, and ways to express them constructively are essential life skills. These skills enable us to handle stress, control impulses, and motivate oneself to persevere when faced with personal, academic or work-related obstacles. A related set of skills involves accurately assessing one's abilities and interests, building upon strengths, making effective use of family, school, and community resources. At the conclusion of the class, participants will have the tools they need to help students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills which will contribute to their success in and out of the classroom. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

14. Online: Book Study - For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education by Christopher Emdin, August 3 - August 29, 2020 (EWTC)

Audience: K-12 educators in all areas

Dates: 8/3/2020 to 8/29/2020

Location: Online Only

Wait List
This course is FREE and open to consortium members only. In For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education,Christopher Emdin provides a pragmatic approach for all teachers of urban youth, white or not, to enact change in the classroom and advocate for transformation at all levels. The advice in this book applies to anyone teaching students from a cultural background not their own. In this book study, we will discuss Christopher Emdin's Reality Pedagogy and how it applies to all classrooms and schools. We will gain strategies for restructuring classroom and schools to foster deeper student engagement. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS MUST PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK ON THEIR OWN PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CLASS

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

15. Online: Conflict Resolution: How to Maintain the Peace in Your Classroom, August 3 - August 31, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: All

Dates: 8/3/2020 to 8/31/2020

Location: Online Only

From the first year teacher to the seasoned veteran, classroom management is often identified as an area teachers would like to improve. Teachers want to continually build upon their ability to relate to students and address classroom and school conflicts as they arise. This course will examine a number of easy to implement strategies to assist you in reducing conflict and outbursts both in and out of the classroom. At the end of the course, you will have easy to execute negotiation and mediation skills that will allow you to "keep the peace" in the classroom. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

16. Online: Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind (Only open to teachers who took the introductory class Teaching with Poverty in Mind)

Audience: Only open to teachers who took the introductory class Teaching with Poverty in Mind

Dates: 8/3/2020 to 8/28/2020

Location: Online Only

This online course is only open to teachers who took the introductory class Teaching with Poverty in Mind. This follow up course (offered at a $25 non refundable registration fee) will take an in depth look at smart, purposeful engagement strategies to expand students' cognitive abilities and improve their motivation in the classroom. Drawing from research and real life success stories, we will explore strategies that all teachers can employ to enhance a student's engagement in the classroom. At the conclusion of this course, you will have the tools you need to immediately revitalize and enrich your classroom teaching practices so that all students can thrive at school and beyond. The Teacher Center will purchase the book (Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind) for each registered participant, which should be picked up at the Center prior to the course commencement date. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 20

17. Online: Book Study - For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education by Christopher Emdin, August 10 - September 4,, 2020 (EWTC)

Audience: K-12 educators in all areas

Dates: 8/10/2020 to 9/4/2020

Location: Online Only

This course is FREE to consortium members. In For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood...and the Rest of Y'all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education, Christopher Emdin provides a pragmatic approach for all teachers of urban youth, white or not, to enact change in the classroom and advocate for transformation at all levels. The advice in this book applies to anyone teaching students from a cultural background not their own. In this book study, we will discuss Christopher Emdin's Reality Pedagogy and how it applies to all classrooms and schools. We will gain strategies for restructuring classroom and schools to foster deeper student engagement. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS MUST PURCHASE A COPY OF THE BOOK ON THEIR OWN PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CLASS

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

18. Professional Development Mentor Program, 9:00am - 3:30 August 27, November and March Dates TBD 4:00pm - 6:00pm (WTCI))

Location: Woodlands HS/MS (Hartsdale, NY) - Room TBD

Audience: Teachers in Grades K-12

Dates: 8/27/2020 to 3/25/2021

Location: Room TBD

Whether you are currently a mentor teacher or would like to serve in this role in the future, this year-long program will provide you with the knowledge and expertise needed to become a skilled mentor. We will examine attitudes, skills, and components of a successful program and focus on teacher development, including how to guide, support, and nurture novice teachers. This course is only open to teachers from the Edith Winthrop Teacher Center. In addition to the summer seminar, there will be two follow up meetings, one in the Fall and one in the Spring (dates to be determined at the first session on 8/27) from 4-6pm. There will be an additional 5 hours of course work completed online. YOU MUST BE PRESENT FOR EVERY IN-PERSON SESSION AND COMPLETE ALL ONLINE COURSEWORK IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE FULL CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 30

19. Online: New York State Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework, September 28 - October 16, 2020 (EWTC)

Audience: K-12 Educators in All Areas

Dates: 9/28/2020 to 10/16/2020

Location: Online Only

This course is FREE to consortium members. "The Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Education Framework helps educators create student-centered learning environments that: affirm racial, linguistic and cultural identities; prepare students for rigor and independent learning, develop students' abilities to connect across lines of difference; elevate historically marginalized voices; and empower students as agents of social change; and contribute to individual student engagement, learning, growth, and achievement through the cultivation of critical thinking." (New York State Education Department) This workshop will introduce this framework to participants and have them think about ways to provide appropriate support and services to educate all students effectively and equitably while promoting positive student outcomes.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 15

20. Online: Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools, October 5 - November 13, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: All Educators

Dates: 10/5/2020 to 11/13/2020

Location: Online Only

Many of today's students are living with chronic trauma including homelessness, poverty, child abuse, neglect and exposure to violence in the home and in their communities. These experiences can lead to serious behavioral problems, wreak havoc on their ability to learn, and stunt academic growth. One of the problems educators face is identifying the symptoms of trauma since children don't always express their distress in a way that is easily recognizable. In this online course, we will address the root causes of trauma, specific confusing behaviors children might exhibit and discuss next steps to create a school environment where all students feel safe and can flourish - rather than fail - in and out of the classroom. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 20

21. ONLINE: Social and Emotional Development in the Classroom, October 5 - November 8, 2020 (WTCI)

Audience: K-12 Teachers

Dates: 10/5/2020 to 11/8/2020

Location: Online

Social and emotional learning, when embedded in the classroom (and in the school) curriculum, can have many positive student outcomes. It can reduce aggression and emotional distress among students, can increase collaborative classroom interactions, can improve self confidence and can lead to improved student learning. We will examine the five (5) keys to social emotional learning and look at how it translates to the classroom culture and to classroom management. We will view videos, read articles and explore various strategies that will work with our students. We will focus on self and social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, responsible decision making and how we can apply best practices in our classrooms. PLEASE NOTE: THE INSTITUTE CANNOT REFUND A PARTICIPANT ONCE THE CLASS HAS COMMENCED.

This activity has a required evaluation

  • Max Class Size: 20