Catalog: Greater Capital Region Teacher Center (Web Registr

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1. 2024-25 Virtual World Language Support Network and PLC

Program: World Languages

Dates: 9/26/2024 to 5/15/2025

The 2024-25 Virtual World Language PLC will continue its tradition of collaboration and innovation in the World Language Classroom. We are also excited to continue our collaboration with the North Country World Language PLC to expand our abilities as language educators. The 2024-25 PLC will focus on: - Collaborative work with the North Country World Language PLC - AI in the World Language classroom: the what, why and how with focus on: - Resources for teachers, and - Learning activities for students - Comprehensible Input (CI), Acquisition Driven Instruction (ADI) and the updated standards - Continued implementation of the updated NYS World Language Standards with focus on: - Creation of / requirements for the updated Checkpoint A Assessment - Finding and using authentic resources to improve language learning at all levels, and - Embedding authentic resources into CI curriculums and CI-structured classrooms The PLC will meet for 15 hours total from September 2024-May 2025, with 3 meetings being joint meetings with the North Country World Language PLC. All meetings will be virtual via Google Meet.
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: $30 (paid online); The applicable course fee and Reading Council enrollment fee will be due at the first meeting date
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: $30 (paid online); The applicable course fee and Reading Council enrollment fee will be due at the first meeting date

4. Interactive and Inspiring Afternoon with Torrey Maldonado (ACARC)

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 10/17/2024

ACARC is thrilled to have Torrey Maldonado speak at our Fall hybrid event! Torrey is a middle school teacher in NYC and the best selling author of Secret Saturdays, Tight, What Lane? and Hands. In fact, Torrey's most recent book was selected as this year's Global Read Aloud choice for middle schoolers and was featured on the CBS Good Morning. Torrey writes the lives of boys and is known for writing quick rollercoaster novels. Come join us to be inspired by Torrey, as well as learn more about the Globe Read Aloud. Discover the joy of teaching reading and readers beyond the programs. Bring your colleagues to the Bethlehem Central Middle School Library or join us online to engage with Torrey virtually. In person participants will receive our ACARC tote and have the opportunity to win one of Torrey's books. Time: Registration: In-person registration 4-4:15; Event: 4:15 pm-6 pm  Fee: Fee: $10 for nonmembers; FREE for ACARC members (Annual membership: $30).  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
Please note DATE CHANGE - Rescheduled for March 20, 2024. ACARC invites you to join us for an evening of learning around multilingual learners (MLLs) and the importance of providing comprehensive instruction that addresses both language and literacy development. Our presenters will lead us in identifying cultural and linguistic considerations that impact instructional planning for literacy lessons. Through interactive discussions and knowledge sharing, participants will also expand their instructional toolbox with strategies that support English language development across all modalities (reading, writing, speaking, listening) in order to support readers in becoming increasingly strategic and empowered in their literacy journey. Fee: $10 for nonmembers; FREE for ACARC members (Annual membership: $30). 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

6. Book Study The Heart of Fiction by Kate Roberts

Program: English Language Arts

Dates: 4/21/2025 to 5/26/2025

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This book delves into the successful strategies used by teachers to increase proficiency in our students to read and understand on their own. The book talks about analysis of theme, craft and character.. This book study is asynchronous. Book study pacing guide: Weeks 1 and 2: Acknowledgement and Chapter 1 Weeks 3 and 4: Chapter 2 Week 5: Chapter 3-end NOTE: Participants need to obtain a copy of the book prior to the start of the course.

7. Summer Reading for Teachers: Celebrate a Year of Professional Development with ACARC!

Program: Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC)

Dates: 5/22/2025

Get ready for an inspiring and engaging professional development experience! Dr. Cheryl Dozier and Dr. Kelly Wissman from the University at Albany, alongside Dr. Scott Storm, will return as part of our expert panel. They'll 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, pizza, and professional growth! Cost: -Free for ACARC members and members of the Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning, UAlbany. (ACARC annual membership: $30) -$10 for nonmembers (Please send payment to Jen Steil Bethlehem 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 This event is co-sponsored by the Literacy Teaching and Learning Department, University at Albany, and the Albany City Area Reading Council. We look forward to seeing you there for an enriching evening of professional development!

8. New Mentor Training July 2025 - online and asynchronous

Program: Mentoring

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

Dates: 7/1/2025 to 7/22/2025

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"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 course guides veteran teachers through the analysis of the knowledge and attributes critical to teacher mentoring. 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 course consists of asynchronous assignments with feedback provided by the facilitator weekly. By the end of the 15 hour experience teachers will be equipped with tools and strategies to support the growth, development and retention of new teachers.

9. WRITING WORKOUTS BOOK STUDY

Program: English Language Arts

Dates: 7/6/2025 to 8/10/2025

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Join us for an online book study on Rebecca G. Harper's new book Writing Workouts. This book provides a method for instruction that gives students the fun they want and the targeted skill practice they need. Rebecca G. Harper shows us just how to use the method systematically, so writing is tied to relevant lessons and standards. This book study will help educators learn the ways in which we can help students hone their skills in persuasive writing, argument, fiction, poetry, memoir, and more, while toggling between brief and multistep writing tasks to build stamina. We will tap into auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and digital components of crafting and think about word-, sentence-, and paragraph-level techniques. We will even learn how to help students jump the high jumps of research writing by getting good at each smaller leap. Harper's strength-training approach to writing helps students to exercise a plethora of skills to build their writing muscles and make their language come alive. Each week, we will explore new writing exercises and study how we can incorporate these quick and daily writing practices into our pre-existing lessons. We will engage in discourse and reflection on the ways in which we can utilize, implement, and customize these exercises to meet the needs of our students across the content-areas of our classrooms. NOTE Participants will need to obtain a copy of the book, Writing Workouts, prior to the start of the course.

10. A Teacher's Guide to Math Workshop Book Study

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 7/7/2025 to 8/11/2025

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Are you seeking a mathematical community in your classroom where students are curious and persevere? Do you dream of a classroom where students are engaged in games, rich tasks and taking deep dives into math concepts in pairs or small groups? This book study will give you the tools to take your current math curriculum and turn it into a successful math workshop. The chapters of this book provide overviews of components of math workshop, beliefs vs. actions, keys to success, read aloud books that go along with the components/concepts, and online tools and videos to support implementing math workshop. Are you ready to create the math classroom you've always dreamed of? Participants must purchase a copy of A Teacher's Guide to Math Workshop by Dr. Nicki Newton, Dr. Alison Mello, and Janet Nuzzie prior to the start of the course.

11. No More Math Fact Frenzy Book Study

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 7/7/2025 to 7/28/2025

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Are your students struggling to master their math facts? Are you searching for a way to build student knowledge so they can become fluent mathematicians? This book study will provide educators with information about how what is happening in math class when studying and learning math facts is not working and how to fix it. Educators will gain knowledge about how to build stronger foundational skills, efficient strategies and meaningful math fact practice in and for their students. Flexible student thinking creates a classroom culture of fluency where students learn their math facts more successfully. Participants must purchase a copy of No More Math Fact Frenzy by Linda Ruiz Davenport, Connie S. Henry, Douglas H. Clements, Julie Sarama, Nell K. Duke and M. Colleen Cruz prior to the start of the course.

12. Specially Designed Instruction Book Study

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 7/7/2025 to 8/11/2025

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In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore Anne M. Beninghof's book Specially Designed Instruction (1st Edition). This book will equip teachers to provide specially designed instruction to meet the needs of all learners across any classroom. The book is full of practical examples, answers to FAQs, worksheets, and tools for teachers and teams. Registrants should secure a copy of the book before the start date. A Google Classroom link will be sent on or before 6/30/25.

13. The Science of Writing: Differentiated Practices for K-12 Success: A Differentiated Approach to Evidence-Based Writing Instruction

Program: English Language Arts

Audience: K-12 Educators

Dates: 7/7/2025 to 8/11/2025

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Welcome educators! We're excited to invite you to join our advanced professional learning opportunity: "The Science of Writing: Differentiated Practices for K-12 Success." Drawing from both cognitive science and classroom experience, this course isn't just about theory - it's about practical, proven strategies you can use tomorrow. Whether you're helping kindergarteners form their first sentences or guiding high school seniors through complex analytical essays, you'll find strategies tailored to your students' needs. Over five weeks, we'll dive deep into what really works in writing instruction. Each week builds on the last, and you'll leave with a portfolio of strategies, lesson plans, and resources ready for immediate use. You'll have opportunities to adapt these strategies for your specific students and receive feedback. If you've been looking for a way to strengthen your writing instruction with evidence-based practices that actually work in real classrooms, this is your opportunity. Join us in transforming how we teach writing, one classroom at a time.

14. What the Science of Reading Says about Word Recognition Book Study

Program: English Language Arts

Dates: 7/7/2025 to 8/11/2025

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In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore Jennifer Jump's and Robin D. Johnson's book What the Science of Reading Says about Word Study. Participants will unlock helpful background information that will examine current research on the science of reading and topics such as phonological awareness, sight words, and fluency. Participants will also explore practical classroom tips and techniques to help students develop word recognition skills Registrants should secure a copy of the book before the start date. A Google Classroom link will be sent on or before 6/30/25.

15. Book Study for Special Educators: The Artificial Intelligence Playbook

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: special educators, counselors, related service providers

Dates: 7/7/2025 to 8/11/2025

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This summer book study explores "The Artificial Intelligence Playbook" (Hargrave, Fisher & Frey, 2024), focusing on how AI can serve as a virtual administrative assistant for special educators. Participants will learn practical applications of AI tools to reduce administrative workload and maximize time for meaningful student interactions. Led by a special educator for special educators, we'll focus on applications for case managers, inclusive classroom teachers and special class teachers. Participants must secure their own copy of the text before the start of the course. Blended learning: Two synchronous online meetings with asynchronous assignments in between for a total of 15 CTLE hours.
This professional development course introduces reading and writing experiences designed to supplement your Fundations and Heggerty teaching by integrating phonics skills with authentic literacy practices, boosting engagement, and fostering a love for reading and writing in early childhood classrooms. While phonics instruction is essential, an overemphasis on phonics can lead to student frustration during independent reading and writing. When literacy engagements are meaningful, students' confidence and enjoyment of literacy increase. Over the course of 6 weeks, we will explore a variety of reading and writing activities that allow students to use their phonemic awareness and phonics skills in meaningful ways. From mentor texts and environmental print to shared reading and interactive writing, these activities give students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of reading and writing, making connections between what they've learned in phonics programs like Fundations and Heggerty and real-life literacy experiences. This course is designed to support teachers who want to create a balance between phonemic awareness activities with authentic literacy instruction. Through this course, you will learn practical strategies and engaging activities to foster literacy experiences that promote student engagement and build confidence. By the end, you'll be equipped with tools to bring phonics instruction to life through authentic reading and writing practices that students can relate to and enjoy. Class Sessions: Mentor Texts & Heart Maps (July 8th) Environmental print/Neighborhood walk (July 15th) Shared Reading with Predictable Texts (July 22nd) Bookmaking (July 29th) Story Retelling (August 5th) Interactive/Shared Writing (August 12th)

17. EVERYDAY TEACHING ACTIVITIES FOR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Educators

Dates: 7/13/2025 to 8/16/2025

Wait List
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 newly revised NY 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.

18. Summer/Fall 25 - BUILDING AND VALIDATING NGSS/NYSSLS CLASSROOM ASSESSMENTS: AN INSTITUTE IN PRACTICAL EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE: July 2025 - December 2025

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: Open only to those accepted into the IPES program for the 25-26 school year.

Dates: 7/14/2025 to 11/3/2025

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Participation begins with a 5 day workshop from July 14th through the 18th, 2025. During that time, workshop facilitators will introduce participants to the principles and techniques of Practical Educational Science. Each participant will prepare and test the first draft of an assessment kit for one NYSSLS performance expectation. Each assessment kit will include a set of learning goals with associated rubrics in a rating guide, an assessment task, and a teacher guide. Participants are also encouraged to complete a community-building milestone by hosting up to three meetings with colleagues in their district, focused on the principles of Practical Educational Science.

Following the July 2025 workshop, participating teachers will collaborate to iteratively administer, score, evaluate and refine their assessment kits. Each kit will include learning goals, rubrics with help text, the assessment activity, and teacher instructions. Works in progress and final products will be posted on NGSSRubrics.org.

Participating teachers will administer their assessments to one or more of their classes. The quality of assessment information will be enhanced through collaborative reliability studies with peers and Institute staff at monthly meetings. Assessment, evaluation and refinement of assessment kits will continue over the course of the academic year.

Participating teachers will attend monthly meetings where they will share assessment results, conduct inter-rater reliability and validity studies, and evaluate each others' progress in developing and validating assessment kits.

19. Summer/Fall Mentor: AN INSTITUTE IN PRACTICAL EDUCATIONAL SCIENCE: July 2025 - Dec 2025

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Audience: Open only to those accepted into the IPES program for the 25-26 school year.

Dates: 7/14/2025 to 11/3/2025

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This option gives participants an opportunity to hone their skills in assessment design, identifying practical learning goals, designing rubrics, and providing professional development through supervision and evaluation of the work of the incoming cohort. Participants will mentor a group of up to two members of the next IPES cohort in developing their practical capacities as educational scientists by supporting them in meeting milestones, providing written feedback on milestone submissions, and serving as observers and evaluators of reliability studies.

Mentors will support teachers during the summer workshop from July 14th through the 18th. Mentors will supervise and evaluate a maximum of two new IPES teachers over the course of the school year.

20. AMTNYS PLC Session 2: AI for the Math Classroom

Program: Mathematics - Secondary

Dates: 7/15/2025

The session will explore AI tools to help instruct students. We will discuss teachers using tools in their teaching and students using tools in their learning. We will also discuss the ethical and proper use of AI for students.

21. DASA Certification Training (Non-CTLE) - July

Program: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Regional Catalog

Dates: 7/16/2025

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)

22. Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) for Teachers Retreat CTLE Registration

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All school-based educators

Dates: 7/17/2025 to 7/20/2025

CARE is a unique evidence-based program designed to help educators reduce stress and enliven their work by promoting awareness, presence, compassion, reflection, and inspiration - the inner resources needed to help students flourish, socially, emotionally, and academically.

Previous participants include PK-20 teachers, leaders, support staff, teacher educators and coaches, out-of-school time providers, and more. If you support learning for the next generation, this retreat is for you.

CARE is a program of CREATE (Creating Resilience for Educators, Administrators and Teachers). CARE was developed at the Garrison Institute (see here for more information)

This innovative in-person training for educators from July 17 to July 20 will introduce an evidence-based set of practical skills, to support wellbeing. These skills will help reduce stress, improve mental concentration and emotional awareness, and facilitate responsiveness.

You will be able to apply these in your work so you can consistently be the caring, compassionate educator you are. These skills include body awareness, movement, deep listening, emotion-awareness training, and much more.

This is a co-sponsored program. Enrolling in this course will provide you with documentation of up to 25.75 Continuing Teacher and Leader (CTLE) hours. Please note you must also register for the site fees via the Garrison institute as follows:

Fee Schedule (All rates inclusive of program, materials, meals and lodging option of your choice (with the exception of the commuter rate which does not include lodging):

Single Room (per person rate): $990.

Double Room (per person rate): $940.

Commuter Option (staying offsite): $860.

Register for Garrison Institute here: https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/event/cultivating-awareness-and-resilience-in-education-2025/

23. Current Trends in Special Education with New York State CEC 2025

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: special educators, related service providers, teachers

Dates: 7/22/2025 to 8/26/2025

NY Council for Exceptional Children and Greater Capital Region Teacher Center are proud to offer this free blended-learning online course to help special educators navigate today's challenges. The course opens and closes with live online sessions featuring Q&A and networking opportunities. Between these meetings, participants complete self-paced learning modules for a total of 15 hours of CTLE. Topics include: - Updates in evidence-based behavioral support - Evolving Special educator and Related Service Provider responsibilities and roles - New York State IEP Guidance - New technology impacts, privacy and digital literacy - Updated Universal Design for Learning (UDL) frameworks Participants come away with deeper understanding of the current state of the profession but also skills to bring to the classroom, to their role as case managers and to their role as advocates for students with disabilities.

24. YOGA AND MINDFULNESS IN THE CLASSROOM: STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES TO ENHANCE STUDENT LEARNING

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 7/23/2025 to 8/27/2025

Wait List
As educators we want to create the best learning environment for our students. The significant increase of SEL programs in schools has brought the conversation of student mental and emotional health to the front of the class. Educators continue to experience first hand how post-pandemic school has changed - increased class size, decreased student engagement and motivation and an increase in student educational and social-emotional intervention needs. This course will provide teachers with research-based practices and strategies that can support any classroom environment. Through the use of secular-based yoga movements, breathing techniques, and mindfulness lessons, students (and their teachers!) will begin to develop techniques, incorporate tools to enhance the learning environment and improve self-regulation. We will explore why it works, how to get started (even if you've never done yoga or mindful training), how to introduce it to your class, and practices that are best for a variety of environments and learners. This course is appropriate for all grade levels and for teachers of any subject area. Note: This is a hybrid course which will meet for one hour of online, synchronous learning (Zoom) accompanied by 2 hours of asynchronous learning through Schoology.

25. Leveraging AI Tools for Google Workspace

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 7/26/2025 to 8/30/2025

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This asynchronous summer professional development course introduces educators to 10 essential AI tools that seamlessly integrate with Google Workspace to transform teaching practices and enhance student learning outcomes. Participants will explore practical applications of artificial intelligence that can streamline administrative tasks, personalize learning experiences, and foster creativity in the classroom. Participants should expect to spend 3 hrs per week over 5 weeks to earn 15 CTLE Hours.

26. WRITE NOW & WRITE ON BOOK STUDY

Program: English Language Arts

Dates: 7/27/2025 to 8/31/2025

Join us for an online book study of the book Write Now & Write On, by Rebecca G. Harper. This book study is designed to help you help your students up their writing game, while making literacy applicable, beneficial, and original. According to Rebecca G. Harper: "Your students may not realize it, but they're already writers. All those informational text messages, Instagram captions, and Facebook posts have given them the skills they can use as a springboard to the formal, content-specific writing they'll need for success in school and college and throughout their careers.” In this book study, we will learn various ways to provide your students with the practice they need to become better writers. No matter what subject you teach, this book provides relevant and engaging teaching strategies that can be tailored to your specific content-area. Each week, we will explore new exercises that are similar to the writing students are already doing. We will study how we can incorporate quick and daily writing practices into our pre-existing lessons. We will learn various strategies for introducing academic vocabulary, as well as skill-boosting strategies for summarizing and using textual evidence. Best of all, we'll engage in discourse and reflection on the ways in which we can utilize, implement, and customize these strategies to meet the needs of our students across the content-areas of our classrooms. NOTE Participants will need to obtain a copy of the book, Write Now & Write On, prior to the start of the course.

27. New Mentor Training August 2025 - online and asynchronous

Program: Mentoring

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

Dates: 8/5/2025 to 8/26/2025

Wait List
"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 course guides veteran teachers through the analysis of the knowledge and attributes critical to teacher mentoring. 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 course consists of asynchronous assignments with feedback provided by the facilitator weekly. By the end of the 15 hour experience teachers will be equipped with tools and strategies to support the growth, development and retention of new teachers.

28. Empowering Educators: Integrating AI Tools in the Classroom

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 8/10/2025 to 8/31/2025

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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, 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 on this 3 week program to earn 15 CTLE hours.

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

Program: Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Regional Catalog

Dates: 8/14/2025

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)

30. Quiet Wisdom: In-Person Summer 2025 Session

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Teachers (K-12)

Dates: 8/26/2025

In this 3-hour in-person session, participants will have the opportunity to explore the practices from the virtual meditation in a live community setting. Practices to be explored include breathwork, movement meditation, silent nature immersion, compassion meditation, live sound bath, and more. Participants will also have an opportunity to practice-teach breathwork portion to fellow participants in small groups for classroom and personal application.

31. National Board Certification - Introduction and Planning Session

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 8/27/2025

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!
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.

33. Study Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation

Program: Professional Strategies

Dates: 9/8/2025 to 11/3/2025

Wait List
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.

34. Experience the Magic with Magic School AI

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 9/22/2025 to 10/26/2025

Wait List
Welcome to the "Introduction to MagicSchool Platform for Educators" course! In this course, educators will learn how to effectively utilize the MagicSchool platform to enhance their teaching experience and streamline their daily tasks. MagicSchool is a cutting-edge AI platform designed specifically for educators, offering over 60 individual tools to support teachers in various aspects of their work. Throughout this course, educators will explore the different tools available on the MagicSchool platform, learning how to create resources, generate materials, and access valuable educational support. From lesson planning to student engagement strategies, MagicSchool offers a wide range of tools to cater to the diverse needs of educators. By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the MagicSchool platform confidently and leverage its capabilities to optimize their teaching practices. Join us on this exciting journey of discovering the magic of MagicSchool and revolutionize your teaching experience! (15 CTLE Hours)

35. Quiet Wisdom: Continuing our Exploration of Contemplative Practices in Teaching- Fall 2025 Series

Program: Professional Strategies

Audience: All Teachers (K-12)

Dates: 10/7/2025 to 12/2/2025

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 for transitions, new seasons, and holidays. 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 new series will also allot participants the opportunity to practice implementing these techniques with guided support from Emileigh and the instructors. 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.

36. History of Whaling Teacher Workshop

Program: Co-sponsored Programs

Dates: 10/22/2025

History of Whaling Teacher Workshop Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce, an exhibit at the Hudson Area Library (which will be online at the end of year on Hudson River Valley Heritage (https://www.hrvh.org/) offers a unique opportunity to look at our city, county, state, and national history through the lens of local history. Hudson has always been a "whaling town” in the collective imagination of people in the area and it has helped form our collective identity. When students learn about their own local history, the streets they walk on, the river they visit, they will be motivated to learn and will be able to better contextualize Social Studies concepts and facts.

Hudson was founded in 1784 as a maritime port city. The importance of Hudson's whaling and maritime past is evidenced in the street signs with a whale logo designed during urban renewal, recent hotels opened during the current tourism boom like The Wick and the Hudson Whaler, and the popularity of any whaling history program the library has offered. Hudson's whaling history has maintained a specific intense lore in people's imagination. Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce responds to community and visitor interest in Hudson's whaling past, through logbooks, seamen's letters, merchants' accounts, maps, maritime documents and more the community has the opportunity to learn about this history in a new, accurate and vivid way.

This exhibit was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

37. The Magic Continues - Intermediate Magic School AI

Program: Math, Science & Technology

Dates: 10/27/2025 to 11/24/2025

Closed
In this course participants will learn next-level skills to enhance student learning with Magic School AI.