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Search Results (1 - 37 of 37)

1. A Joyful Journey to Purposeful, Practical, and Strategic Teaching Presented by the 2025 NYS Teacher of the Year, Colleen Keough (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 10/7/2025

Begin the school year with an inspiring event led by the 2025 New York State Teacher of the Year, Colleen Keough, as she shares her powerful journey working in a high-needs school community. Through heartfelt storytelling and practical insight, she will highlight how she fosters literacy, joy, and connects with students and families by designing inclusive, impactful programs that celebrate student voices and cultures. This session will explore the importance of authentic collaboration with colleagues, the role of community-driven initiatives, and the transformative power of Literacy woven into every aspect of her teaching. Whether attending in person or virtually, participants will leave with: -an energized sense of purpose. -practical strategies to bring joy into their classrooms. -a deeper understanding of how Literacy can serve as a foundation for equity, empowerment, and engagement in all learning environments. FEE: $10 for each ACARC event (credit towards ACARC membership if you join at a later date) OR $30 for all events during the 25-26 school year ($30 for ACARC yearly membership). *ACARC membership includes: -Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year. -A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). -A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November. *** Additional fee for Dr. Guice's book study group. Non-members fee send to: ACARC / Jen Steil, Bethlehem Central Middle School, 332 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 To become an ACARC member, go to www.nysreading.org; Click on Membership- Regional Directors and Local Councils - Albany City Area Council Registration is required; Go to www.teachers-center.com and search for ACARC For questions, CONTACT: acarcny@gmail.com

2. BEST BOOKS OF 2025 (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 12/4/2025

Best Books: Spark Joy, Inspire Readers There's nothing like a great book to ignite a love of reading-and we've got fresh titles to share! At ACARC's ever-popular Best Books event, three local experts will highlight their top Children's and Young Adult picks to help you connect students with books that engage, reflect, and inspire. Whether you teach early readers or teens, you'll leave with fresh titles to engage, inspire, and delight readers of all ages. Registration is required. Don't miss this joyful celebration of books! Fee: $30 for ACARC yearly membership* (includes all PD events for 2025-26; Dr. Guice's Book Clubs cost extra) Nonmember fee: $10 per event *This fee includes: Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year. A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November. *** Additional fee for Dr. Guice's full year book study group. ACARC Contacts: Mary Sandoval and Abbey Ferris - acarcny@gmail.com

3. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness By Jonathan Haidt Exploring Smartphones and Social Media's Effect on Today's Kids (ALC Book Study)

Program: Adirondack Literacy Council

Audience: Any elementary, MS, and HS teachers, staff, or admin who are interested and able to participate in open, honest conversations.

Dates: 1/27/2026 to 4/28/2026

In our annual book study, we will explore what Johnathan Haidt has coined "The Great Rewiring of Childhood.” Haidt, a social psychologist and professor at NYU, argues that the years 2010-2015 saw a societal shift from a play-based childhood to a phone-based childhood, with dramatic plunges in youth mental health globally. He integrates tons of data to prove this point and offers several simple solutions governments, schools and parents can take to improve the well being of our children. We will discuss how the data and solutions relate to our school communities to continue prioritizing and supporting student mental health district wide. Participants must purchase the book on their own.

4. Teacher Wellness with SEL Strategies for the Classroom

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 8/5/2026

Starting Soon

This professional learning session equips school staff with research-based mindfulness, meditation, and reflective practices to strengthen emotional literacy, enhance well-being, reduce stress, and foster a more positive and effective learning environment.

5. Outdoor Minds: Connecting Students with Nature Through Innovative Outdoor Education

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 8/10/2026 to 10/12/2026

Inspired by Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and the book, The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, this course empowers teachers to reimagine education beyond traditional classroom boundaries. Participants will discover strategies to create meaningful bridges between students and the natural world while exploring two pivotal shifts that can revitalize teaching practices: moving from information delivery to authentic inquiry and from isolated learning to collaborative discovery.

Throughout this transformative experience, participants will develop project ideas for incorporating the natural world into instructional practices. The course supports teachers in building upon these concepts while weaving interdisciplinary skills into the teaching journey, ultimately helping educators break free from the four walls of the classroom to create dynamic, nature-connected learning experiences

By course completion, participants will have developed a transformation plan tailored to student needs. Participants will leave with practical strategies, a supportive network of fellow educators, and the confidence to implement meaningful change into the learning environment.

6. DASA Certification Training (Non-CTLE) - August

Program: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Regional Catalog

Dates: 8/13/2026

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District is a NYSED-approved provider. As of 3/30/20 all approved Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Training Providers have been approved by NYSED to offer the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Training Entirely Online due to COVID-19 precautions.Sign up anytime prior to the synchronous session date.

Objectives:

This training is in compliance with the requirements of the NYS Education Department. Participants will:
>Understand the intent components, and operational definitions present in the Dignity Act.
>Develop and enhance awareness and sensitivity to the range of experiences of the specific student populations as named in the Dignity Act.
>Understand how school climate and culture have an impact on student achievement and behavior.
>Understand bullying, harassment and discrimination, including indicators, early warning signs, prevention and intervention and how to interact with families of victims and aggressors.
>Enhance the understanding of diversity and multi-cultural environments and examine personal biases.
>Articulate the Reporting Requirements for Educators as specified in the Dignity Act.

Includes 3 hours of self-paced, online instruction (recorded PowerPoint with embedded questions) and a 3 hour live virtual meeting with the instructor. Self-paced work must be completed BEFORE the live virtual meeting.

Cost: $70. Please make checks payable to BH-BL Central School District. Please note, while you may register and participate in the course prior to payment, documentation of completion will not be submitted to NYSED until payment has been received by BH-BL.
Please print the registration confirmation off of Frontline and mail it with a check upon registration to:
Dottie Salvatore, BH-BL School District, PO Box 1389, Ballston Lake, NY 12019. (Include a copy of your registration confirmation with the check)

7. Empowering Educators Series: Integrating AI Tools Summer 26

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 8/16/2026 to 9/6/2026

Wait List

When preparing students for the future, we have a duty to familiarize them with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, which are likely to be a part of their workplace landscape. Instead of labeling the use of AI as cheating, consider it as a tutor, peer review partner, and thought provoker for your students. The use of AI promotes critical thinking, understanding, and engagement in students, while moving away from the rote memorization and copying methods of traditional education. Many AI tools are emerging that can create educational content for teachers including assessments, presentations, video summaries, and more. By the end of this workshop, participants will not only have a solid understanding of AI in education but will also be equipped with practical skills to integrate AI tools effectively into their teaching practices. We will explore ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Notebook LM, MagicSchool, and many other AI tools that can enhance your classroom learning experiences. Join us on this exciting journey towards reshaping the future of education through the thoughtful and purposeful integration of AI in the classroom! (participants should expect to spend 5 hrs per week to earn a total of 15 CTLE Hours)

8. Quiet Wisdom and Movement and Sound Meditation Circles: In-Person Summer 2026 Session

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Teachers (K-12)

Dates: 8/25/2026

Ready to kick off the new school year with a renewed sense of calm and focus? Join us for this 3-hour, in-person summer session at Wisdom Roots Wellness, a beautiful studio nestled next to the Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville, NY. We'll guide you through restorative practices like breathwork, movement, and a live sound bath. The best part? You'll experience live, expert-led practice that not only recharges you but also bolsters your confidence to bring these essential calming skills right into your classroom and daily life. It's the perfect blend of relaxation and practical learning to start your year off right!

9. National Board Certification - Introduction and Planning Session Summer 26

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 8/26/2026

Closed

The National Board Certification process was the single most important step for me in retaining my excitement about being a teacher! Join GCRTC coach Geoff Bizan for an introduction to the process and benefits of certifying. Identify free resources and networking opportunities to guide and support your growth in all domains of teaching and learning. Open to all NYS teachers considering certification - no commitment necessary!

10. National Board Certification - MOC Maintenance of Certification - Intro and Planning Session Summer 26

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 8/26/2026

The National Board Certification process was the single most important step for me in retaining my excitement about being a teacher! Join GCRTC coach Geoff Bizan for an introduction to the process and benefits of maintaining your current certification. Identify free resources and networking opportunities to guide and support your growth in all domains of teaching and learning. Open to all NYS teachers considering maintaining their current National Board Certification in the next few years.

11. Movement & Sound Meditation Circles: 2026-27 Series

Program: NYS Learning Standards

Dates: 9/23/2026 to 5/12/2027

In this year-long course, participants are invited to join a vibrant community of educators in a weekly synchronous virtual Circle. Each Circle will explore: - a theme that is designed around participant's weekly feedback and needs - a guided gentle movement sequence & flow with modifications for accessibility - a live curated sound bath - group -share-outs for integration and self-reflection. A sound bath is a meditation practice that offers many benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. The practice invites the listener to rest, tune into their senses, and experience the frequencies and soothing tones of the instruments playing in the soundscape. (Headphones or earbuds are highly recommended for a truly immersive listening experience.) When we take time to replenish ourselves and fill our own cup, we are able to serve others from the overflow. This allows us to show up to our classrooms feeling regulated, sustainable, and impactful for the students we work with everyday. *This course will also meet on 5/19/27 and 5/26/27.

12. Designing AI-Resilient Science Lessons

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: K-12 Science Educators

Dates: 9/28/2026 to 11/6/2026

Artificial intelligence is changing the classroom, but the answer isn't banning AI or trying to catch students using it. The answer is designing science learning experiences where student thinking, reasoning, and sensemaking remain essential. In this asynchronous course, science teachers will learn to create AI-resilient lessons that place student reasoning at the center of learning.

Through the lens of the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS), participants will explore how the Science and Engineering Practices can foster explanation-building, evidence-based argumentation, modeling, data analysis, and other forms of authentic scientific thinking. Teachers will develop practical strategies for designing phenomenon-driven lessons where AI supports learning while productive struggle, visible thinking, and meaningful discourse remain indispensable.

13. Developing Mathematical Reasoning Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms K-12 By Pamela Weber Harris Book Study

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: Mathematics teachers K-12

Dates: 9/28/2026 to 11/16/2026

New

Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms emphasizes the importance of teaching students increasingly sophisticated mathematical reasoning and understanding underlying concepts rather than relying on a set rule for solving problems. This book illuminates a hierarchy of mathematical reasoning to help teachers guide students through various domains of math development, from basic counting and adding to more complex proportional and functional reasoning. Everyone is capable of understanding and doing real math. This book: Highlights the important mathematical relationships, strategies, and models for students to develop Offers personal stories, reflection sections, and extensive practical exercises for easy implementation Includes real math-a lot of it-to provide teachers with examples they can put to use in their classrooms immediately This book is a valuable resource for educators looking to reach more students by building a strong foundation of mathematical thinking in their students. By addressing common misconceptions about math and providing practical strategies for teaching real math, this book shows that everyone can use the mathematical relationships they already know to reason about new relationships. In other words, everyone can math. Participants need to obtain a copy of the book prior to the first session.

14. Developing Mathematical Reasoning: The Strategies, Models, and Lessons to Teach the Big Ideas in Grades 6-8 By Pamela Weber Harris Book Study

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: Mathematics teachers K-12

Dates: 9/28/2026 to 11/23/2026

New

Author Pam Harris argues that teaching real math―math that is free of distortions-will reach more students more effectively and result in deeper understanding and longer retention. This book is about teaching undistorted math using the kinds of mental reasoning that mathematicians do. Memorization tricks and algorithms meant to make math "easier" are full of traps that sacrifice long-term student growth for short-lived gains. Students and teachers alike have been led to believe that they've learned more and more math as they move through the content, but in reality students are not necessarily progressing in their ability to reason mathematically. In her landmark book Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms, Pam emphasized the importance of teaching students increasingly sophisticated mathematical reasoning and understanding underlying concepts rather than relying on set rules for solving problems. This grades 6-8 companion volume equips you to confidently tackle traditionally difficult topics like integer operations, ratios, and reasoning proportionally. Key features include: Reasoning-based strategies: Replace traditional algorithms with approaches that build critical thinking while ensuring understanding Problem Strings: Step-by-step guidance on using sequenced problems to spark insight and make thinking visible Practical Tools: Ready-to-use routines, discussion prompts, and modeling techniques for immediate classroom application Learn how to teach undistorted math so every student can think mathematically rather than memorize. By shifting from procedures to sense-making, you'll help your middle schoolers build the flexible mathematical brains they need to thrive. Participants need to obtain a copy of the book prior to the first session DUE Date.

15. CONTINUING OUR SEARCH FOR TEXTS THAT CHANGE READERS: A YEAR-LONG STUDY GROUP OF NEW AND NOTEWORTHY FICTION (2026-2027) Cairo-Durham (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 9/28/2026 to 6/14/2027

We need our colleagues to help solve the many problems that come to bear upon our libraries & classrooms. Many of the students we teach depend primarily upon educators & the school system for nourishment - physical, cognitive, emotional, intellectual, and literary. There is nothing more rewarding than to see a student become an avid reader. It is a daunting task to keep up with new books and to continue helping students find THE book - that one particular book that changes the student from reluctant to read to willing to read, and from willing to read to wanting to read. The difficulty of finding that "right” book is that the "right” is a moment in time - temporary and individual. Teachers must have a huge repertoire of book knowledge to be able to match readers with books that are potentially game changes for the reader. * A booklist will be provided on our first meeting, books are available at school and public libraries. **This program is open to all educators. 18 hours in person, 12 hours preparation required outside synchronous meeting times. A virtual option will be available each meeting. ***Course fee: $100; Reading Council enrollment fee: $40/$20 for students (paid online); The applicable course fee and Reading Council enrollment fee will be due at the first meeting date *Membership fee: Annual membership: $40;$20 for students* This includes: *Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year *A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). *A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November.

16. Council for Exceptional Children NY Annual Conference - Stronger Together: The Portrait of a Collaborative Special Education Professional

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: Teachers, Related-Service Providers, Paraeducators, Community Partners, Administrators

Dates: 10/2/2026 to 10/3/2026

Stronger Together: The Portrait of a Collaborative Special Education Professional. Featuring strands in Innovation, Culturally Responsive - Sustaining Education, Pedagogy and Advocacy. Hosted by the New York Unit of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), this event brings together special education professionals, leaders, families, and advocates for an engaging and collaborative learning experience. Whether you're here to deepen your knowledge, connect with colleagues, or discover new tools and strategies, we're excited to have you join us. Participants will explore evidence-based practices, emerging trends, and innovative approaches that support children and youth with exceptionalities. Our program includes a dynamic lineup of sessions, featured speakers, networking opportunities, and resources tailored to educators, paraeducators, researchers, related service providers, community partners, administrators at every stage of their journey. This registers you for the CTLE hours: each session will provide an evaluation for proof of attendance. To register and pay for the Conference, please click "Registration" on the CEC NY webpage: https://newyork.exceptionalchildren.org/events/new-york-cec-annual-conference-2026

17. Scaffolding for Success: Part 1

Program: English as a New Language

Dates: 10/4/2026 to 11/8/2026

New

Participants will learn to effectively teach both language and content to English language learners in their classrooms. This course explores the stages of language proficiency development and equips teachers with practical scaffolding strategies to make grade-level content accessible while supporting language growth. Discover how to differentiate instruction, design comprehensible lessons, and create learning experiences where ELLs can engage with academic content at any proficiency level. This course is appropriate for those new to working with multilingual learners and for teachers looking to refine their approach. Teachers will gain actionable tools to help every student succeed. Coursework: Weekly assignments will include online readings (articles, NYSED Bilingual Education website, Colorin Colorado, and others), videos, weekly discussion questions and responses to classmates, and application assignments (revising lesson plans to include scaffolds for ELLs). We will discuss how to use AI to help teachers understand the needs of their ENL students and how to refine AI prompts to develop appropriate scaffolds for ELLs.

18. BOOK STUDY - 10 TO 25: THE SCIENCE OF MOTIVATING YOUNG PEOPLE - FALL '26

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All educators and parents of adolescents

Dates: 10/5/2026 to 11/16/2026

Wait List

Why do our attempts to connect with adolescents and young adults so often lead to disengagement, frustration, or conflict? How can we shift our interactions to leave young people feeling inspired, enthusiastic, and ready to contribute? This asynchronous book study explores these critical questions through the lens of cutting-edge research from psychologist David Yeager, as detailed in his book 10 to 25. We will explore the neuroscience of the adolescent brain, focusing on how puberty sparks a deep need for social respect and an aversion to shame that lasts into the mid-twenties. Participants will learn to adopt what Yeager terms the "Mentor Mindset," a leadership style attuned to this fundamental need for status and respect.

Participants will develop effective and easy-to-learn practices to reduce a wide variety of behavior problems, including school dropout, stress, and mental health struggles. Join us to learn how the Mentor Mindset can save you time by empowering students, transferring responsibility, and nurturing well-adjusted, accomplished young people. All educators and parents of adolescents will benefit.

Participants will need to purchase the book: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People by David Yeager.

19. From Beginner to Builder: Architecting NYSSLS Curriculum with AI Prompts

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: K-12 Science Educators

Dates: 10/5/2026 to 11/20/2026

Ready to harness the power of AI but not sure where to start? This asynchronous course is designed for K-12 science educators with little or no experience using AI. Participants will learn the fundamentals of prompt writing using the R.I.C.E. Framework (Role, Instructions, Contrasts, Examples), then apply those skills to construct customized, reusable "Master Prompts" that streamline curriculum design. Build a personalized library of AI prompts to generate phenomenon-driven 5E lessons, three-dimensional NYSSLS assessments, and differentiated instructional supports-saving time while strengthening high-quality science instruction.

20. Study Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 10/5/2026 to 11/16/2026

New

Jonathan Haidt's groundbreaking analysis reveals how social media and modern parenting have created unprecedented mental health challenges for an entire generation. As rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm continue to rise among adolescents, understanding the root causes has never been more crucial. Join us as we begin to transform understanding into action. This 20 hour study includes discussion groups and practical applications for all participants. We'll discover: The startling connection between smartphone use and adolescent mental health decline How overprotective parenting styles contribute to decreased resilience Evidence-based solutions for parents, educators, and policymakers A comprehensive framework for restoring healthy childhood development Please NOTE: Participants must obtain a copy of The Anxious Generation prior to the start of the course.

21. Thinking forward: Integrate a modern classroom with a building thinking classroom strategies

Program: Mathematics - Secondary

Audience: Grade 6-12 Educators

Dates: 10/5/2026 to 11/16/2026

New

What would it look like if your students spent every class period genuinely thinking - not just following steps? In this 15-hour asynchronous course, middle and high school educators across all content areas will learn to combine the Modern Classrooms Project's self-paced, mastery-based instructional model with the research-backed classroom culture practices from Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use unit plan, practical strategies for fostering student collaboration and deep thinking, and a sustainable daily framework that works for all learners. No prior experience with either framework required.

22. New Mentor Training Fall 2026- online and asynchronous

Program: Mentoring

Audience: Teachers, School Related Professionals, School Staff, Mentor Coordinators

Dates: 10/5/2026 to 11/2/2026

"Mentor-mentee partnerships help beginning teachers to acclimate themselves to a new environment by shattering the walls of isolation that they often experience at the outset of their careers and, as a direct result, raise student outcomes by expanding pedagogical and interactive social skills.” - The State Education Department/ The University of the State of New York New York State Mentoring Standards This rigorous course guides veteran teachers through the analysis of the knowledge and attributes critical to teacher mentoring as well as fundamental instructional practices. Participants will practice primary mentor actions including listening, observing, monitoring and coaching while continually reflecting on their own growth as measured by the NYSED standards for mentoring. This 6 week course consists of asynchronous assignments with feedback provided by the facilitator weekly. By the end of the 20 hour experience teachers will have created their own mentor handbook with tools and strategies to support the growth, development and retention of new teachers as well as the students they teach. Enrolled participants will receive an email via Frontline one week prior to course start. Please contact Liz@teachers-center.org for questions.

23. NYSSLS Chemistry Storyline Collaborative: 26-27 School Year

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: High School Chemistry Teachers and Science Administrators

Dates: 10/5/2026 to 4/12/2027

Are you looking to transition your chemistry instruction away from traditional topic-by-topic coverage and toward genuine student sensemaking? Join other dedicated educators in developing NYSSLS-aligned storyline curricula for New York State high school chemistry classrooms. This collaborative PLC uses the highly regarded Illinois NGSS Storyline curriculum as our foundational blueprint. Our goal is not to copy Illinois materials-but to apply the same design principles in ways that reflect NYSSLS, Regents expectations, and more engaging local contexts.

Participants will develop robust chemistry storyline components independently, sharing progress and insights with the group for feedback. We will shift our instructional focus from "covering content" to supporting sensemaking, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for Regents-style reasoning without reverting to memorization. Join us to transform your chemistry curriculum into a coherent sequence of lessons driven by phenomena and shaped by student thinking!

24. Book Study: The Artificial Intelligence Playbook

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: teachers, TAs

Dates: 10/6/2026 to 11/10/2026

New

This book study explores The Artificial Intelligence Playbook (Hargrave, Fisher & Frey, 2024), focusing on how AI can serve as a virtual administrative assistant for educators. Participants will learn practical applications of AI tools to reduce administrative workload and create more time for meaningful student interactions. Through supported implementation, teachers will develop a deeper understanding of how AI tools function in the classroom, while also exploring and addressing common concerns (e.g., data privacy, academic integrity, over-reliance on AI). Each participant will build a personal AI handbook using facilitator-provided prompts and engage in ongoing peer discussion via Padlet. Facilitator will email participants one week before the course begins with details for accessing course materials. NOTE: participants are responsible for securing their own copy of the text.

25. CONTINUING OUR SEARCH FOR TEXTS THAT CHANGE READERS: A YEAR-LONG STUDY GROUP OF NEW AND NOTEWORTHY FICTION (2026-2027) Albany (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 10/7/2026 to 6/9/2027

We need our colleagues to help solve the many problems that come to bear upon our libraries & classrooms. Many of the students we teach depend primarily upon educators & the school system for nourishment - physical, cognitive, emotional, intellectual, and literary. There is nothing more rewarding than to see a student become an avid reader. It is a daunting task to keep up with new books and to continue helping students find THE book - that one particular book that changes the student from reluctant to read to willing to read, and from willing to read to wanting to read. The difficulty of finding that "right” book is that the "right” is a moment in time - temporary and individual. Teachers must have a huge repertoire of book knowledge to be able to match readers with books that are potentially game changes for the reader. *A booklist will be provided on our first meeting, books are available at school and public libraries. **This program is open to all educators. 18 hours in person, 12 hours preparation required outside synchronous meeting times. A virtual option will be available each meeting. ***Course fee: $100; Reading Council enrollment fee: $40/$20 for students (paid online); The applicable course fee and Reading Council enrollment fee will be due at the first meeting date *Membership fee: Annual membership: $40;$20 for students* This includes: *Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year *A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). *A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November.

26. Transform Your Teaching: Mastering High-Leverage Practices for Inclusive Success

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: teachers, new teachers, teacher teams, mentor-mentee teams, special class and inclusive classroom teachers

Dates: 10/8/2026 to 11/12/2026

New

Elevate your instructional impact in this 15-hour professional learning course grounded in High-Leverage Practices for Inclusive Classrooms (Council for Exceptional Children). Together, we'll dig into essential, evidence-based practices designed for systematic use across both general education and special education settings - with a focus on Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions that translate directly into stronger support for every learner in your classroom. This course is built for collaboration and individual growth. Whether you're joining as a mentor/mentee pair, partner teachers, a teacher-and-TA team, a grade-level or PLC team, or simply as an individual educator, you'll leave with sharpened systems, renewed strategies, and a concrete goal-setting practice to carry forward. How it works: Each week, participants complete an asynchronous online task using google sites, connected directly to their own teaching context, then come together for one hour of peer and facilitator feedback - turning theory into classroom-ready action in real time. The facilitator will contact participants one week before the course begins with details for accessing course materials. NOTE: Participants are responsible for securing their own copy of the book.

27. Cultivating Wonder: Nature-Based Renewal for Educators - Fall '26 Edition

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 10/13/2026 to 11/9/2026

In a profession governed by bells, standards, and schedules, it is easy to lose touch with the curiosity that drove us to teach in the first place. Research shows that "Awe"- the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding - is a critical antidote to stress and burnout.

Cultivating Wonder is designed not just to give you new teaching strategies, but to reinvigorate you. This course operates on a simple premise: You cannot share what you do not possess. To spark a love of nature and curiosity in students, a teacher must first rekindle their own sense of wonder. Whether you are an outdoor education veteran or a teacher who prefers the indoors, this course will help you use the natural world as a battery to recharge your teaching practice and model lifelong curiosity for your students.

10/13 Session 1: The Science of Awe & The Art of Noticing
10/19 Session 2: Nature Sketches and Observation for Non-Artists
10/26 Session 3: Bringing the Outside In
11/2 Session 4: Modeling Curiosity
11/9 Session 5: Implementation: Share a plan to cultivate wonder (Due Nov. 16)

28. Reflective Practices for Teacher Resilience and Excellence

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 10/13/2026 to 11/17/2026

New

Decades of research on teacher learning-from Dewey to Kolb and Schön-show that reflection, not experience alone, is what turns years in the classroom into real expertise. This asynchronous, facilitator-paced, 15-hour course teaches educators to use structured critical reflection to build resilience and sharpen instructional practice, entirely on their own schedule. Across five modules, participants learn and apply four field-tested reflection models. By the end of the course, participants will be able to select and apply the reflective model that best fits a given situation, use double-loop questioning to surface and test the assumptions behind recurring classroom challenges, and engage in structured, non-evaluative reflective dialogue with colleagues. Participants leave with a personalized Individual Reflective Practice Plan for sustaining the habit long after the course ends. Critical reflection is a skill, not a personality trait-and this course gives that skill a repeatable structure, turning difficult days into growth rather than burnout. This course uses google classroom, no text is required. Facilitator will contact participants one week before the course begins.

29. Navigating Student Anxious Behaviors: A Conversation Between School Staff and Therapists

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: Teachers, support staff, administrators

Dates: 10/14/2026 to 11/12/2026

New

Student anxiety, avoidance, and difficulty with peer relationships are among the most common challenges educators encounter in today's classrooms - and among the hardest to address without clinical training. This course bridges that gap, pairing the perspective of Carly Samach, a Clinical Mental Health Counselor specializing in OCD and anxiety treatment, with the day-to-day realities of school practice. Across five modules, participants will explore the developmental and social roots of student anxiety and avoidance, examine the educator's role in supporting anxious learners, and build a working knowledge of the school and community resources available to students in need. The course closes with a practical application module in which participants design a concrete plan to implement one new strategy in their own classroom. Delivered through Google Sites with an accompanying reflective learning journal, this 15 CTLE hour, asynchronous, facilitator-paced course allows educators to engage with the material on their own schedule while still benefiting from facilitator guidance throughout. School Staff will leave this course able to: - Describe the functions and presentations of anxious behavior and its developmental/social context - Identify avoidant behaviors and the barriers they create to peer connection - Apply evidence-based strategies to support anxious students - Navigate the network of in-school and community resources available to support student mental health - Implement a strategy of their own design to address anxious behavior in their classroom Facilitator will contact participants one week before the course begins.

30. ACARC'S Literacy Trivia Event 2026

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 10/19/2026

New

Ready to test your literary knowledge and leave with ideas for your classroom? Join the Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC) for an exciting afternoon of food, fun, and friendly competition! Our Literacy Trivia Event combines a game-based approach to professional learning with genuine collegial connection. Collaborate with fellow educators, expand your literacy network, and take home fresh book titles, trivia, and classroom-ready strategies you can use the very next day. Bonus: Earn 1.5 CTLE credits, enjoy free giveaways for participants, and win great prizes! Bring a colleague and join the fun! EVENT FEE: $20 for nonmembers; FREE for ACARC members. Payment due at the event (cash, check, credit card). Frontline registration is required. *Membership fee: Annual membership: $40;$20 for students* This includes: -Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year -A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). -A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November. *** Additional fee for Dr. Guice's full year book study group. For questions, CONTACT: acarcny@gmail.com

31. 2026-2027 Virtual World Language Support Network and PLC

Program: World Languages

Dates: 10/22/2026 to 5/20/2027

For the 2026-27 school year, the Albany/Saratoga Virtual World Language PLC will merge with the North Country PLC, to continue the tradition of collaboration and innovation in the World Language Classroom. The 2026-27 PLC will focus on: - The continued implementation of the updated standards, particularly at the Checkpoint B level - The implementation of the updated Checkpoint B Exams - Advocacy and strategies to continue programs and increase enrollment - Community outreach, field trips and real-world experiences for World Language students - Seal of Biliteracy support and mentoring - New AP Exam format - Planning, teaching and assessing in the age of AI. The PLC will meet for 15 hours total from October 2026-May 2027, with a total of 3 hours of asynchronous time. All live meetings will be virtual via Google Meet.

32. ESSENTIAL METHODS FOR MANAGING DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX TRAUMA

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Educators

Dates: 10/25/2026 to 11/28/2026

This five week book study of Help for Billy by Heather T. Forbes will guide you in effectively incorporating proven strategies in your classroom for trauma-impacted students who struggle with self-regulation. You will learn what the research has shown us about the effects of trauma on the brain and gain valuable new understandings for shifts you can make as teachers to support, guide and intentionally scaffold practices to tap into a student's natural desire to learn. You will compare traditional approaches to classroom management, transitions and teacher-student relationships with a new view that supports all students to learn and achieve academically. Participants are required to secure a copy of the text, Help for Billy, by the start of the course. Active engagement of participants is expected each week.

33. Quiet Wisdom: Continuing our Exploration of Contemplative Practices in Teaching- Fall 2026 Series

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Teachers (K-12)

Dates: 10/27/2026 to 12/15/2026

Inspired by Quiet Wisdom: Exploring Contemplative Practices in Teaching, this all new session of Quiet Wisdom will dive deeper into some previously explored contemplative practices for educators, as well as expand our repertoire of self-care and mindfulness. Both new and past participants are encouraged to attend. Meditation, reflection and contemplation is an effective practice that assists participants in emotional regulation, nervous-system balancing, stress-management, and creative thinking. Scientists from Mass General Hospital and Harvard Medical School suggest that meditation can alter brain structures, enhancing the density of the hippocampus and effectively strengthening the parts of the brain relevant to learning, memory, self-awareness, compassion and introspection. By participating in contemplative practices in a school setting, faculty and students alike may experience a great improvement to the level of presence, positive behavior, and general well-being throughout the entire school community. In this series, Emileigh Tanner, meditation specialist, will lead participants through various contemplative practices, focusing on one technique per week. An interactive discussion will follow, led by teachers who will share the research behind the practice and facilitate a conversation on how to apply it in different classroom settings and disciplines. This course will have 7 hours of synchronous instruction, with a one-hour synchronous make-up session. There will be a total of 8 hours of asynchronous work, which is optional, but required to receive the full 15-hours.

34. EVERYDAY TEACHING ACTIVITIES FOR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Educators

Dates: 11/15/2026 to 12/19/2026

This 5 week asynchronous book study will guide you in understanding the components of social, emotional learning (SEL) and character development (SECD). You will discover innovative techniques to integrate the 5 social emotional learning competencies - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management and responsible decision with strategies in the domains of: Self- and Social Awareness, Empathy and Perspective Taking, Self-regulation and Communication, Relationship Skills and Social Problem Solving for tapping into the NYS SEL Learning Benchmarks.

You will learn the basic steps for how to develop the relevant skills that form an SEL approach to learning while also strengthening your class climate for students to demonstrate empathy, respectful communication, self-control, improved relationships and reduce conflict. Participants will leave with a deepened awareness for shifting to a proactive stance for building behavioral reflection and self-monitoring opportunities into a problem-solving framework. Through this work you will discover how SEL can provide the foundation for sustaining a culturally responsive, safe and positive classroom environment that nurtures and affirms a strong sense of identity and purpose for learning.

Participants will need to obtain a copy of the book, Nurturing Students' Character- Everyday Teaching Activities for Social-Emotional Learning, Jeffrey S. Kress and Maurice J. Elias. Active engagement is expected of participants each week.

35. Best Books of 2026: Spark Joy, Inspire Readers (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 12/3/2026

New

Discover your next classroom favorite at ACARC's Best Books of 2026 event! We invite you to join us for an afternoon of book talks, where three dedicated literacy experts will unveil their premier Children's and Young Adult selections. This curated session is designed to help educators across all grade levels find high-quality titles that reflect student experiences and spark genuine curiosity. Whether you are looking to refresh your library or inspire a reluctant reader, this joyful celebration will provide the tools and titles you need to foster a lifelong love of reading. Registration is required to secure your spot in this professional learning community! EVENT FEE: $20 for nonmembers; FREE for ACARC members. Payment due at the event (cash, check, credit card). Frontline registration is required. *Membership fee: Annual membership: $40;$20 for students* This includes: *Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year *A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). *A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November. *** Additional fee for Dr. Guice's full year book study group. For questions, CONTACT: acarcny@gmail.com

36. Using Literature to Build Literacy and Social-Emotional Learning (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 4/1/2027

New

Discover how ELA teachers and school counselors can collaborate to use novels to address both English Language Arts standards and school counseling competencies. This event with Carla Young will highlight specific texts and practical strategies for drawing out social-emotional learning themes. Leave ready-to-use strategies that help students make meaningful connections between literature and their own lives. With more than two decades of experience as a school counselor, Carla Young enjoys helping educators find practical ways to support students' academic, social, and emotional growth. She was honored as the 2019 Beautiful Me Teacher of the Year and the 2023 New York State School Counselor of the Year. In addition to her work in schools, Carla shares her experience as an Adjunct Professor at Russell Sage College, a presenter at state and national conferences, and a consultant for school districts across New York. She appreciates opportunities to collaborate with educators and share practical strategies that can be applied immediately in schools. EVENT FEE: $20 for nonmembers; FREE for ACARC members. Payment due at the event (cash, check, credit card). Frontline registration is required. *Membership fee: Annual membership: $40;$20 for students* This includes: *Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year *A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). *A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November. *** Additional fee for Dr. Guice's full year book study group. For questions, CONTACT: acarcny@gmail.com

37. Summer Reading May 2027 Sponsored in collaboration with ACARC and UAlbany's Literacy Teaching and Learning Department (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 5/1/2027

New

Get ready for an inspiring and engaging professional development experience! Dr. Cheryl Dozier and another guest from the University at Albany serve as our expert panel as they share their latest favorite children's literature, offering fresh ideas you can immediately connect to your students. Plus, they'll highlight impactful professional books and articles on literacy that will spark your creativity for the upcoming year. This is the event to help you build your summer reading stack while connecting with fellow educators. You'll leave not only with new resources but also with valuable opportunities to network, share ideas, and gain insights to elevate your teaching. Don't miss out on an evening full of inspiration and professional growth! EVENT FEE: $20 for nonmembers; FREE for ACARC members. Payment due at the event (cash, check, credit card). Frontline registration is required. *Membership fee: Annual membership: $40;$20 for students* This includes: *Attendance at other Virtual & Hybrid ACARC PD events throughout the year *A yearly membership to ACARC and the New York State Reading Association (NYSRA). *A discounted rate at the annual NYSRA Conference in November. *** Additional fee for Dr. Guice's full year book study group. For questions, CONTACT: acarcny@gmail.com

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