Catalog: Sachem Professional Development Inc.

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1. AI in the Classroom: Empowering Educators for the Future

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Dana Kalachik

🌟 Revolutionize Your Teaching with AI! 🌟

Are you ready to supercharge your teaching journey? Join this exciting course on "AI in Education: Your Personal Teaching Assistant!" 🤖 Meet Your New Co-Teacher: Discover the incredible ease of integrating AI into your classroom! Imagine having a tireless, intelligent assistant by your side, ready to help you with everything from lesson planning, to support for differentiation, to increasing and managing student engagement.

📚 AI for Every Subject: Learn how AI can effortlessly adapt to all subjects, providing personalized support that caters to each student's unique learning style.

💡 AI-Powered Lesson Planning: Experience the magic of AI-driven lesson planning! Watch as AI generates creative and effective lesson plans, tailored to your curriculum, saving you hours of precious time so you can focus more on other areas that need attention.

👩‍🏫 Student Engagement Amplified: AI isn't just a tool; it's your secret weapon to captivate students' imaginations! Explore how AI can turn class into an interactive, dynamic experience that keeps students eager to learn.

🌐 Join the AI Education Revolution: Embrace the future of teaching with open arms! This course is your gateway to an easier, more rewarding teaching experience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to have AI as your personal teaching assistant!

🚀 Elevate your teaching game - Let AI be your ally! Enroll today and unlock a world of possibilities in education. 🚀

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-104 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

2. Amazing Apps for Teachers

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

The primary goals of this course is to introduce educators to the many apps that are available for the iPad while also helping them understand how to successfully integrate the iPad into teaching and learning environments.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-054 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

3. Autism In Our Schools - Crisis or Challenge

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

A parent of an autistic child enrolled in public school recently shared the following sentiments in an email: "I am profoundly grateful for the teachers, administrators and support staff that have taken the time to learn more about both autism and my quirky son. Their patience, compassion, and open-mindedness can inspire us all".

Public schools are currently being faced with higher numbers of children with autism spectrum disorders. While science has yielded advances in or understanding of the causes of autism, many questions remain unanswered. Educating children with autism spectrum disorders is a huge challenge requiring high levels of skill, expertise and support. Early diagnosis and appropriate intervention can greatly improve individual's abilities and quality of life. The goal of this class is to provide educators with an insightful overview of autism - hopes and challenges. Materials contained in this course will provide you with information and "tools" that will help you provide effective educational experiences for these students.

Educational struggles and issues with autistic children hardly ever represent a lack of caring - it's simply not knowing what to do. The ultimate challenge may be to figure out ingenious ways to reach an autistic students strength's, and to use those strength's to address his/her weaknesses. Every day, individuals with autism are showing us that they can overcome, compensate for, and otherwise manage many of autism's most challenging characteristics. Equipping those around these children with simple understanding of autism's most basic elements has a tremendous impact on their ability to journey towards productive, independent lives!

Course Number: FALL24-ON-037 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

4. Bullying In Our Schools' Identify-Educate-Prevent

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

Bullies come in all sizes and shapes; some are big, some are small; some are bright and not so bright; some are attractive and some not so attractive; some popular and some disliked by almost everyone. You may not be able to always pick out a bully by what they look like. However, you can certainly identify one just by the way he/she acts.
Bullying is a dynamic of unhealthy interaction. It is a form of repeated aggression used from a position of power. It can be physical, verbal or social.
Our schools should be places where faculty and students are able to work and learn in a setting that is free from intimidation and offensive hostile behavior.
This class will help educators better understand the issue of bullying and all it's implications. The course will include the presentation of practical ideas and helpful resources that can be used to prevent bullying behaviors as well as how educators can effectively address these issues when they occur.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-003 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

5. Canva for Educators

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Dana Kalachik

🌟 Transform your teaching toolkit with Canva for Educators! 🌟

This dynamic professional development course is designed to empower teachers with the skills and creativity needed to bring lessons to life. Discover how Canva's intuitive platform can revolutionize your classroom, from creating eye-catching visuals and interactive learning materials to designing engaging presentations that captivate your students. Whether you're a tech novice or a seasoned pro, this course offers step-by-step guidance, innovative strategies, and inspiring ideas to help you elevate your teaching and connect with students like never before.

Join me and unleash the power of design to make your classroom a more vibrant, engaging, and effective learning environment!

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-112 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

6. Childhood Obesity:Schools Can Make A Difference!

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last thirty years. The obesity epidemic is a multi-faceted issue that reflects significant societal changes. Childhood obesity is quite serious as it affects our students. It is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems, once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It can also lead to poor self- esteem and depression.

Schools are one of the primary locations for reaching our nation's children and youth. Our school is a natural place to identify health problems and has the potential to make valuable contributions to both the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

This class will examine existing evidence, trends and potential solutions. Key strategies will be provided for educators to improve student nutrition and increase physical activity. We will identify important resources that can help implement those strategies. Challenges to such change will also be addressed.

Programs in our schools have the potential to reach large numbers of children. Guidance can be continuous, costs can be minimized and parents can be easily involved. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect the health of our children now and in the future.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-005 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

7. Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT)

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Danielle Sicari

Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) values and respects the advantages of all students. By doing that, it raises academic expectations for all learners. It also sends the message that multiculturalism is honored and respected in all areas of the curriculum. By creating an equitable classroom/school, individual circumstances won't interfere with students reaching their fullest potential.

(Grade Level K-12)
Course Number: FALL24-ON-103 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

8. Dealing with Difficult Students

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

Taught by a veteran teacher who works in a low income at risk school. This class will help teachers handle the "at risk" student. This course will also help teachers through situations that may challenge them daily.

Meets Standards ELA 3 & 4; HPEFACS 1-3; MST 5-7.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-056 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

9. Developing Readers in the Primary Grades

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

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Instructor: Christina Sciarrotto

This course will examine the components of a successful reading program to teach students how to read. Participants will learn and create lesson on each of the components of reading instructions.

Standards include: ELA and Technology.

Appropriate for Grades K-2.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-063 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

10. Differentiation and Scaffolding Workshop

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Lauren Donnelly

Differentiation and scaffolding are two of the most effective strategies in our teaching toolkits to help meet the needs of all of our students and create learning equity in our classrooms. However, these strategies can be time-consuming for already busy teachers. This course will demonstrate simple, practical ways to differentiate and scaffold in sustainable ways. Teachers will create resources to use in their own classrooms and work with classmates to give and receive feedback about the materials they have created.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-091 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

11. Easy ELA Assessment Prep for Elementary School Teachers

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

Stop stressing over ELA assessments and start teaching key concepts that will help students pass the state exams. Save time while producing effective lessons that will cover everything students need to know to improve performance on the ELA.

Meets Standards HPEFACS 1-3.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.



Course Number: FALL24-ON-059 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

12. Easy Math Assessment Prep for Elementary School Teachers

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

Stop stressing over the NYS Math assessments and start teaching key concepts that will help students improve performance on the state exams. Collaborate with other teachers to discuss new and effective lessons.

Meets Standards HPEFACS 1-3.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-060 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

13. Effective Email for Teachers

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

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Instructor: Jennifer Vetter

Email has become an integral part of life for almost everyone, and you probably use it dozens of times a day. But, do you use it really effectively? Lots of people don't. And do you use it for communicating with your students and their parents? This course has a simple goal, to help you use email more effectively in communicating with your students, their parents, coworkers, administrators and others.

Standards: Appropriate for all subject areas and all grade levels.

Participants will receive weekly lessons and have direct communication with the instructor via email.

Course FALL24-ON-067 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

14. English as a New Language: Strategies and Tools for Success

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Joan Carrozza

In this online course, we will closely examine the strategies used to effectively teach English as a New Language (ENL) students. We will focus on best practices including co-teaching, helpful web tools, strategies for classroom teaching, and meaningful classroom talk. We will brainstorm ways to involve parents as we create a welcoming classroom environment for all students. We will explore resources and cross-reference lesson plans and curriculums so that each teacher has customized lesson plans to address individual needs. At the end of the course, you will have a toolkit that will include visual ideas, translation resources, conversation tools and vocabulary resources.

* Participants will receive the course log in information before the course is scheduled to begin.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-084 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

15. Ensuring Student Success

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Jennifer Cartica

Oh... that invigorating feeling, when you "survey" a freshly decorated September Elementary classroom. It can symbolize a re-birth: something new and exciting. But, that classroom is just that... a room. Our students deserve more. This class will focus on what can happen within those walls. An effective educator creates an environment that will have a lasting impact on ALL who enter. How is this accomplished? Our best teachers facilitate learning in such a way as to promote a strong sense of community...a sense of family. A positive classroom community is one in which students' basic needs are met, while establishing a sense of belonging, independence and self esteem. The creation of this sense of identity within a group produces well-adjusted students allowing them the opportunity to succeed. Building community, cooperative learning, motivation and engagement, and goal setting are some of the topics that will be addressed in this class. Ensuring Elementary Student Success has been designed to help educators learn and understand the necessary components of that positive classroom community where success is an expectation.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course FALL24-ON-077 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

16. Exploring Google (explores all the Google Apps)

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

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Instructor: Christina Sciarrotto

This course will examine the components of a Google for Education including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, and Classroom. Additionally, you will learn how to share, collaborate and edit using the features of Google.

Standards include: ELA and Technology.

Appropriate for Grades K-2.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-109 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

17. Fostering a Growth Mindset in Today's Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Danielle Sicari

Course Description: When teachers and entire school districts help to develop growth mindsets within their classrooms, an entire community of learners have a support system which encourages them to learn, develop, and persevere through learning gaps and struggles. A growth mindset allows students to understand that both ability and intelligence can be developed. By possessing a growth mindset, even as students face academic struggles, they will believe that productive struggles are a part of the learning process. By creating a classroom culture that fosters and encourages growth, students begin to believe in themselves and feel capable. As a result of providing opportunities for student practice and feedback, offering support for struggling students, and ways to develop learning and development, teachers can set the stage for all students to progress in their knowledge acquisition.

Participants will:
learn how to incorporate growth mindset into their classrooms
understand why developing a growth mindset will enable students to cultivate grit, tenacity, and perseverance
develop a deeper overall approach to student interaction and instruction
analyze and create lesson plans which develop and foster the benefits of a growth mindset
create bulletin boards and classroom doors which help to maintain a community of learners with growth mindset

(Grade Level K-12)
Course Number: FALL24-ON-108 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

18. Good to Great...The compelled Educator - Part 1

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

I have never met anyone who couldn't tell me about a great teacher he or she had in school - a teacher who has influenced the course of his or her life in important ways. Teaching is more than a job - it is a responsibility. Teachers lay bare the mysteries of the world. Students are trained to explore, ask questions, to investigate, to discover.

Teaching is no easy task. It's an art form; one that requires craft, sensitivity and intelligence. Great teachers are sustained daily by the opportunity to turn on the academic light switch, console a heart break, redirect a child back on the right path.

We need all of our teachers to be like our best teachers. This class, inspired by the writings and presentations of Indiana State University's Todd Whitaker, will offer insights that will resonate with Educators from all levels in all positions. Todd Whitaker is a gifted educational thinker. He has written several books that describe the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes and interactions that form the fabric of life in our best classrooms and schools. His ideas are specific, detailed, clear and easy to follow.

This class will direct us to take a serious, in-depth approach in our search for what it is that our great teachers do differently. Every good teacher strives to be a great teacher. All schools continually strive to create a professional culture of support and learning so that all educators can improve their skills and develop these qualities. This class is filled with practical tips and strategies for connecting with your students in a meaningful and powerful way. From Good to Great - The Compelled Educator will be a hands-on guide for both new and seasoned teachers.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-039 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

19. Google Documents for Teachers (Word Processing)

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Jennifer Vetter

Google Docs is the free Google alternative to Microsoft Word and other word processors. If your students need free word processing software, or if your school has adopted Google Chromebook computers, Google Docs may be the perfect solution. These days, virtually everyone knows how to use a word processor, but most people use it as if it were an electronic typewriter. With Google Docs, you can do much more. In this course you will learn how to become really proficient at using this powerful word processor, while also teaching your students how to become more proficient in their word processing. It's also designed to enable you, and your students, to prepare really attractive and professional looking documents because the more attractive and professional a document looks, the better it communicates with its audience. And, after all, communication is what word processing is all about.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; MST 1-3 & 5-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-068 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

20. Google Slides (Similar to Power Point)

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024



Instructor: Jennifer Vetter

Google Slides (formerly called Google Presentations) is the free Google alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint. If your students need free presentation software, or if your school has adopted Google Chromebook computers, Google Slides may be the perfect solution for you and your students. For you, Google Slides may be the perfect way to prepare and present lessons to your students, as well as presentations to colleagues, school administration, and other groups. And for your students, it is ideal for classroom reports. Best of all, Google Slides makes it really easy to prepare effective, professional looking presentations. To participate in this class, all you need is access to a computer with Internet access.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; MST 1-3 & 5-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-069 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

21. Google Spreadsheets - for Teachers

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024



Instructor: Jennifer Vetter

After word processing, spreadsheets are probably the most useful tool for teachers and students. Unfortunately, Microsoft Excel is expensive and many students (and some schools) don't have access to it. Enter the free, easy to learn alternative, "Google spreadsheets," available to everyone with Internet access.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2 & 3b; MST 1-3, 5-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-048 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

22. How Speech/Language Skills Relate to Literacy

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

Instructor: Karen Zdrojeski

"Are you pulling my leg?” What does language have to do with literacy? This course will look into specific language skills that affect your students ability to read and comprehend what they have read. Do you know the difference between phonics and phonological awareness? This course will explain both and will give you tools to use to understand your students weaknesses with reading. Do you know the difference between phonology and articulation? What are idioms and how do they affect your student's comprehension? It is all in this course and you will leave with specific skills and how to work with your students to improve their reading skills through language.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; ELA 1-4; MST 1, 2, 4-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-100 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

23. How Speech/Language Skills Relate to Literacy

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

Instructor: Karen Zdrojeski

"Are you pulling my leg?” What does language have to do with literacy? This course will look into specific language skills that affect your students ability to read and comprehend what they have read. Do you know the difference between phonics and phonological awareness? This course will explain both and will give you tools to use to understand your students weaknesses with reading. Do you know the difference between phonology and articulation? What are idioms and how do they affect your student's comprehension? It is all in this course and you will leave with specific skills and how to work with your students to improve their reading skills through language.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; ELA 1-4; MST 1, 2, 4-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-100 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

24. Integrating Social Emotional Learning and Mindfulness Practices

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Lauren Donnelly

Teachers have always known that our jobs extend far beyond teaching academic subjects. But as the world changes and students' lives become increasingly complicated, our students need purposeful opportunities for social emotional learning and mindfulness practices. This course will help teachers to understand the importance of integrating SEL and mindfulness in their classrooms, and will give teachers practical strategies to help infuse these practices in their everyday interactions with students.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-092 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

25. Integrating Yoga and Mindfulness into the Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Danielle Sicari

This course will encourage teachers to use yoga and mindfulness to enhance their curriculum. Using yoga and mindfulness in the classroom can help meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. More students than we know come to our classrooms with social and emotional deficits, trauma and behaviors that can get in the way of learning. Yoga and mindfulness enhances learning, helps students to better understand themselves, improves their social behavior, promotes healthy development and helps them function more effectively as individuals. If we teach children how to become aware of their feelings, minds and bodies, we will lay the foundation for a better way to learn.

The major focus of this class will be to provide teachers with the tools necessary to include yoga and mindfulness into their classroom. Some topics will include:
1. Breathing techniques for students
2. Meditation and journaling for students
3. Chair yoga
4. Creating "Peaceful Place" in the classroom
5. Using picture books to increase awareness of mental and physical health
6. Finding your personal practice

*No previous yoga experience is necessary! This will be an informative and interactive class that will allow you to bring the yoga/mindfulness experience back to your classroom.

(Grade Level K-12)
Course Number: FALL24-ON-052| 3 Credits/45 Hours

26. Internet Essentials for Teachers

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: John Crisci & Michael Jannace

The course will train teachers in various types of internet-based technology that are useful for the 21st century classroom setting. The technology will help them to implement lesson activities that can be adapted for any content area, grade level or related services. The online technology includes castle learning, e-school training and My Learning Plan tutorials that allow for Common Core standards to be addressed, as well as, interactive learning, improvement in reading skills and vocabulary enhancement.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-028 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

27. Introduction to ELL Instruction

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Lauren Donnelly

ESL, ENL, ELL, NYSESLAT, NYSITELL, SIFE, BICS, CALPS...teaching ELLs can be confusing! This course will help you to better understand the backgrounds and needs of ENL students. We will learn about ENL terminology, the five levels of English proficiency, and the social and emotional needs of ELLs. We will also learn about cultural differences and work to develop cultural awareness about this diverse group of students.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-078 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

28. Keeping Kids Engaged

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Michael Jannace

The course will cover various lesson activities that can be adapted for any content area or grade level. Lesson activities include pod-casting, simulations, carousels, cooperative learning, Smart Board interactive activities, paired activities, jigsaws, project-based learning, presentations, direct instruction, individual learning, reading comprehension, vocabulary enhancement, debates, fish-bowls, essay grading, group testing and literature/film analysis.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-015 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

29. Managing Substance Use in the age of COVID

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

Instructor: Marissa Boscia-Wittekind

Educators have to meet the needs of their students in a very different matter over the past year, specifically students' mental health needs. Combined with the drug epidemic that was already upon us, this adds a great deal of stress and behaviors that educators must deal with on a daily basis. This course will cover ways the educator can assist in identifying students that may be struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues, strategies for addressing their concerns with the student, parents and staff, and provide educators with resources they can use and/or provide to families in order to get the students' needs met.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; ELA 1-4; MST 1, 2, 4-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-102 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

30. Mental Health In Our Schools Educational Perspectives

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

We all want our students to be healthy, happy, successful and productive. Students today face a range of demands that can negatively impact all areas of functioning in their lives. Exploring new ways of understanding themselves and the world around them will help students to connect to their thoughts, feelings and actions rather than be dictated by them.

Supporting student mental health in a proactive, comprehensive and collaborative way is an important consideration for all educators who are often the first line of defense for their students. Educational professionals have long recognized the impact that a student's mental health has on learning and achievement.

This class will give you a foundation of mental health literacy including effective strategies to use in your specific educational setting. Relevant, accurate and comprehensive information will be delivered, all in the interests of educating students and staff. Supporting and promoting overall health and well being affords educational professionals the unique opportunity to add to a positive school culture and for students to meet their learning potential.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-089 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

31. Moving Past Seats and Screens

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

How is the technological revolution affecting the learning experiences and overall health of our students? There is no argument against the educational benefit of using technology in the classroom, but is it better for them overall? For some students, just sitting in a classroom all day is hard enough, and now the trend adds the increased presence of screens to that sedentary environment. Is the combination of sitting down all day and using screens during the educational experience good for our students? How does this trend compare to the educational environments of the past? Has it already affected the health of our society?

In order to continue to move forward with the cultural technological shift but also consider what's best for our students, we, as educators, need to balance the increased use of technology with other health enhancing behaviors. In order to do this well, we need to be informed of the realities our students experience with respect to the amount of physical activity they experience during the school day, the nutrition provided by the school system, national initiatives available to them, the use of their free time, and more.

Creating an educational environment that balances the use of technology with "brain breaks" and physical activity will provide the best chance to develop well-rounded learners with a healthy body AND mind: the optimal conditions for learning. This class reviews the current state of technology and activity in schools and gives the opportunity to assess your own classroom environment and apply this concept for your students.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-072 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

32. Multiple Intelligences and its Role in the Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Christina Sciarrotto

This course will examine multiple intelligences and how to incorporate to meet the needs of the diverse classroom. Participants will enhance their understanding on the specific grade level that he/she teaches, learn about the different intelligences, and create lessons to match students' multiple intelligences.

Standards include: ELA, Math, Science, Technology, and Social Studies

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-066 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

33. New Strategies For Teaching Tolerance Building On Common Ground

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

"The highest result of education is tolerance" - Helen Keller

The differences between each of us make us unique and special. Teaching tolerance fosters school environments that are inclusive and nurturing.

As we educate children, we must teach them how to be kind, compassionate, patient and appreciative of people that may be perceived as different. Our job, as educators, is to guide our students toward a true understanding and appreciation of multiple perspectives.

Our classrooms should be places where equality and justice is not just taught, but lived. Students don't naturally understand how to be tolerant. They will with your supportive lessons and tips contained within this course, be better equipped as a result of your presentation of topics such as race, discrimination, disability and more.

If school programs are instituted and promoted that teach students how to relate to others from different backgrounds and cultures, they will be able to learn early in life how to relate peaceable with others.

This course will explore ideas and strategies on how to integrate acceptance of differences, compassion, respect and cooperation in your classroom to create a positive environment for all students.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-030 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

34. Personal and Professional Preparedness and Resiliency

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024

Instructor: Joel Vetter

The purpose of this course is to provide personal/community preparedness through engaging activities. These simple activities are a set of building blocks. The material adapted to include crucial local information on hazards, alerting and warning systems and community resources. Preparedness does not have to complex or overly time consuming, rather it should be motivating, empowering and engaging for all.

Joel Vetter is an emergency responder and educator with 29 years of escalating experience in Fire, EMS, hospital healthcare system and institutions of higher education.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course FALL24-ON-076 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

35. Practical Resources for the Efficient Teacher

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Joan Carrozza

Enhancing technology is mandatory in today's classroom since it provides your students with the rigor and skills they need to be successful in college and in their careers. We will explore various websites that will help you plan your math lessons, motivate your students and integrate science and language arts projects across the curriculum. Sites will be selected based on your grade level and content areas. At the end of this course, you will have a composite of sites that will simplify the time spent planning lessons, will keep students engaged, and will help keep parents informed. We will examine sites such as GoNoodle, Figment, Remind, Storyboarding, Discovery and explore Teacher's First resources.

* Participants will receive the course log in information before the course is scheduled to begin.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-088 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

36. Prepare and Respond to Active Shooter

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Joel Vetter
This course provides guidance to educators and administrators so they can prepare to respond to an active shooter or killer situation. Upon completion of the course, educators will be able to:

+ Describe and understand threats in your institution
+ Actions to be taken when confronted with an active incident
+ Describe actions to take to prevent and prepare for incidents
+ Describe how to manage the consequences of an incident

Joel Vetter is an emergency responder and educator with 29 years of escalating experience in Fire, EMS, hospital healthcare system and institutions of higher education.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course FALL24-ON-075 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

37. Reading Fundamentals for The Elementary School Teacher:

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

Are you charged with conducting a rigorous and comprehensive reading environment for your children and do not know where to begin? Look no further- This course will give you tools and tips to help empower you and your students. Topics to cover: Print Awareness, Letter Knowledge, Phonological Awareness, Phonics, Irregular Words, Multisyllabic word reading, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-096 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

38. Science of Reading

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Christina Sciarrotto

Science of Reading: What is the Science of Reading and why is everyone talking about it? In this course, you will learn about the different components of the science of reading. Additionally, you will learn how to make the "shift” in your classroom.

Standards include: Next Generation Standards for ELA

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-106 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

39. SEL in the Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

New

Instructor: Tracey Calise

Join our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) course designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies to foster emotional intelligence in their classrooms. This course will cover key SEL competencies such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Participants will engage in interactive activities, share best practices, and explore resources to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By the end of the course, educators will be empowered to enhance their students' emotional well-being and academic success.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-113 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

40. Self Care for the Educator post COVID

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

Instructor: Marissa Boscia-Wittekind

For over a year, people's mental health has been taxed heavily. Educators have been asked to meet higher expectations than ever before, resulting in a stressed and burnt out workforce. This course will cover self-care strategies for the educator, developing coping skills for stress, and strategies for maintaining mental wellness. In addition, the course will provide educators with the tools to ensure they are their best selves for their students. These strategies can be adapted to any area of stress, but will take a specific look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone's mental health.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; ELA 1-4; MST 1, 2, 4-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-101 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

41. SmartBoard for Teachers (formerly Smart Board for Beginners)

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Michael Jannace

The course will cover various lesson activities that can be adapted for any content area or grade level. Lesson activities include Smart Board interactive activities that allow for cooperative learning, paired activities, presentations, direct instruction, and vocabulary enhancement.

Course SUM24-ON-016 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

42. SmartBoard for Teachers (formerly Smart Board for Beginners)

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructors: Michael Jannace

The course will cover various lesson activities that can be adapted for any content area or grade level. Lesson activities include Smart Board interactive activities that allow for cooperative learning, paired activities, presentations, direct instruction, and vocabulary enhancement.

Course FALL24-ON-016 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

43. Smarter Learning-A Practical Guide for Teaching & Improving Study Skills

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

What works for students? What works against them? There is little doubt that no two people study the same way. Everyone is different, and for some students, studying and being motivated to learn comes naturally. It is a near certainty that what works for one person may not work for another.

Study skills are the "tools" you need to enable you to study and learn effectively. Study skills are learning strategies that facilitate the processing of information. They help us remember what we have learned. Study skills encompass a wide range of behaviors that students can perform before, during, and after learning to help them retain and apply information presented in the classroom or at home.

Developing core skills essential for academic success is unquestionably a goal shared by parents, students and teachers alike. Presented will be different research-based learning strategies. Time management, note taking, test taking & preparation, and goal setting are only some of the topics addressed in this class. "Smarter Learning" A Practical Guide For Teaching & Improving Study Skills has been designed for the express purpose of helping you better assist your students in improving their learning, understanding, and ultimately, their grades. Students who use study skills effectively are more likely to believe they can learn. Therefore they are more likely to be successful.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-070 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

44. Social Emotional Development in the Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Joan Carrozza

Social and emotional learning, when embedded in the classroom (and in the school) curriculum, can have many positive student outcomes. It can reduce aggression and emotional distress among students, can increase collaborative classroom interactions, can improve self-confidence and can lead to improved student learning. We will examine the five (5) keys to social emotional learning and look at how it translates to the classroom culture and to classroom management. We will view videos, read articles and explore various strategies with our students. We will focus on self and social awareness, self-management, relationship skills and responsible decision making as well as the role they play in the classroom.

* Participants will receive the course log in information before the course is scheduled to begin.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-083 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

45. Sport & Society Issues & Controversies

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

The role of sport in society has been debated for many decades. Sport is a part of society as both an educational fixture and an entertainment enterprise. Sport represents a unique slice of life, providing us with a distinctive lens through which we can observe and analyze various aspects of our larger society.

We will approach this study of sport from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Our study of sport will promote a wider understanding of social structure, power and inequality. This class will give us the opportunity to gain vital insight into sensitive issues of racism, sexism, classism and commercialization. These are some of the issues we will investigate, research and address.

Sport will be the powerful agent encouraging us to ask questions and think critically. As a universal language, sport will help educate us in ways that few activities can.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-008 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

46. Structure of Spanish

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

Are you looking for support for your ESOL children? This course will give you help with Spanish letter/sound systems, spelling sequences, Spanish syllable types and patterns, and the cross-language transfer.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-098 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

47. Teaching Vocabulary Across the Content Areas

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Lisa McGovern

This course will explore the impact of vocabulary skills on learning in all content areas. The vast majority of content learning relies heavily on learning the terminology associated with the content information. Becoming aware of the necessity of explicitly teaching content terminology can assist educators in enhancing the overall learning experience of and outcomes for students. Additionally, this course will give an overview of word building basics to clarify how words work in order to enhance teacher's abilities to teach the vocabulary associated with their content area. Finally, this course will offer specific teaching strategies educators can apply in their classrooms to explicitly teach vocabulary skills.

Meets Standards CDOS 1, 2, 3a & 3b; MST 1-3 & 5-7.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Fall24-ON-71 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

48. Technology in the Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Christina Sciarrotto

This course will enrich your usage of technology in the classroom. Participants will explore apps, create QR codes, and learn to use Senteos/Smart Response and Plickers for assessment. Educators will feel empowered after learning the latest in technology. An I-Pad is recommended for participants taking this class.

Standards include: ELA, Math, Science, Technology, and Social Studies

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-065 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

49. The Inclusive Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Lauren Donnelly

How can we create classrooms that are inclusive of all of our students? Today's classrooms are increasingly diverse places in terms of language, culture, special education needs, gender identity and sexual orientation, religion and beliefs, and many other factors. Teachers have a unique job in fostering a classroom environment where all students feel safe, seen, and accepted. This course will help teachers to understand the diversity present in their classrooms and guide teachers in creating inclusive classroom environments for all learners.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-090 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

50. The Issues of Women in Sport

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

This class will study the relationship between opportunity and discrimination. Women's participation in sport has a long history. It is a history marked by division and discrimination but also one filled with major accomplishments by female athletes and important advances for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Perhaps the most significant event came when Title IX was signed into law. Title IX changed the landscape of athletics in this country. This year we celebrate 40 years of Title IX.

Sport was and remains a way for women to achieve positive life skills, enjoy physical health and stand against oppression.

This class will take you on a journey from the past to the present, giving you a unique opportunity to witness the struggle, the courage and the triumph!

Course Number: FALL24-ON-006 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

51. The Magic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in the Classroom

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Joan Carrozza

Course participants will learn how to use Magic School AI to create PBL lessons that are meaningful to our students. We will discover how AI can revolutionize teaching and learning, specifically in creating PBL lessons that are aligned with our students' needs. We will explore AI principles, learn strategies for incorporating these technologies into the classroom, and master techniques for enhancing student engagement and critical thinking. As we dive into Project-Based Learning with AI integration, we will be able to foster collaboration and real-world problem-solving skills among students. At the end of this course, educators will have a PBL lesson tailored to the needs of their students which can be implemented into their current learning environments.

* Participants will receive the course login information before the course is scheduled to begin.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-107 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

52. Tools and Strategies for ELL Instruction

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Lauren Donnelly

How can teachers help ELLs in their classrooms? This course will give teachers practical resources and strategies to differentiate and meet the needs of ELLs. We will also learn about the accommodations that ELLs are entitled to under Part 154 of the Commissioner's Regulations.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-079 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

53. Top Digital Tools to Increase Student Engagement

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

>
Instructor: Christina Sciarrotto

As technological advances increase each day and everyone has become more dependent on the internet for daily activities, it is crucial to engage students in their learning. Book Creator, NearPod, Pear Deck, Flipgrid, BrainPop, and Padlet are a few examples that can be used to do this. Each has its own unique abilities and skills for engaging students.

Standards include: ELA and Technology.

Appropriate for Grades K-2.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-111 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

54. Websites That Teachers Will Use

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

This course will help sort through the extensive list of teacher websites. Some are free, some subscription based, some are worth it, and some should never be clicked on again. This course will provide an open discussion of these excellent resources.

Meets Standards HPEFACS 1-3.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-061 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

55. What College Didn't Teach Us About Classroom Management

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

Learn new classroom management techniques that have been tried out by a veteran teacher. Teachers will have guided scenarios and problems that they will work out and work through together. Each session will have a topic that the class will discuss together.

Meets Standards HPEFACS 1-3.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-058 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

56. What is RTI / IST / CST?

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024

Instructor: Karen Zdrojeski

Are you frustrated with RTI? Do you need resources to collect data? What does it all mean? This course will explain what RTI means? The different learning styles in the classroom. How to progress monitor students. Lots of resources for data collection.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-12.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-099 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

57. What's an IEP? The Ins and Out of Creating an Effective Individualized Education Plan

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Kristina McDonald

This course will cover steps on understanding what an individualized education plan (IEP) is, how to write an (IEP), laws and regulations of special education, progress monitoring and data collection. In addition, the course will give an overview of Committee on Special Education (CSE) and parent involvement. These strategies can be adapted to any grade level in the area of special education.

Appropriate for all grade levels and standards.

Course FALL24-ON-081 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

58. Word Structure for Elementary Students

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Tracey Calise

The English language has 26 letters that are used in combination to represent 42 to 44 different sounds. If you need help with Phonemes, Consonant Phonemes, Vowel phonemes, sounds/spelling, syllables, onset-rime or morphemes, this is the course for you.

Meets Standards ELA RL, RI, & W.

Appropriate for Grades K-6.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-097 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

59. Working With Parents

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Rochelle Oliver

Parental involvement has a great impact on student achievement. Therefore, it is very important to get parents working on our side. When we actively build positive relationships with parents we strengthen our students' chances for success. This course will discuss the positive outcomes of parent involvement and parents working with teachers. We will evaluate the benefits of proactive communication and analyze effective communication strategies for dealing with reluctant or difficult parents. Specific topics will also include: welcome letters, open school night parent-teacher conferences, class websites, and classroom newsletters.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-002 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

60. Workplace Security Awareness for Educators

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Dates: 10/21/2024 to 11/26/2024


Instructor: Joel Vetter

This course will provide guidance to individuals on how to improve security in your workplace through behaviors and actions. No workplace is immune from security threats. School safety has too often become the target of threats where staff have now become the first line of defense. This course presents information on how staff can contribute to the schools security and safety. Activities will guide staff through:

+ importance of workplace safety
+ approaching an unknown individual
+ criminal and terrorist threats
+ workplace violence threats
+ indicators of workplace violence
+ information on cyber threats
+ social engineering


Joel Vetter is an emergency responder and educator with 29 years of escalating experience in Fire, EMS, hospital healthcare system and institutions of higher education.

Appropriate for all grade levels.

Course Fall24-ON-074 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

61. Celebrating Diversity

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

The implementation of diversity in classrooms not just schools, is critical for teachers as "diverse learning environments promote development of analytical skills, dismantle stereotypes, and prepare students to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world" - United States Attorney General 2011

Education is all about broadening our personal horizons, cultivating new experiences and learning how to see the world from multiple viewpoints. This highlights why diversity in our schools is so critical. Schools today must respond to an ever- increasing diverse student population. Our hallways are places of racial, ethnic, linguistic, economic and academic diversity where it is possible at least to rub shoulders with those who are different from us.

Teachers must create a classroom culture where all students regardless of their cultural background are welcomed and supported, and provided with the best opportunity to learn.

This class will highlight and examine opportunities that exist for educators to create an atmosphere of inclusion and appreciation. We will focus our attention and efforts on the acquisition of sound educational skills and strategies to make culture more explicit, affirm identity, and create a context for understanding.

Diversity is everyone's concern and in everyone's best interest. Respecting diversity is fundamental. Celebrating it takes us all further - together!

Promoting diversity in schools is pivotal to teach "that our strength comes from people of different races, creeds, cultures uniting in commitment to the freedom of all" - United States Department Of Education 2011

Course Number: FALL24-ON-009 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

62. Education & Understanding Choice & Healthy Relationships

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024

>
Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

"Healthy Relationships Will Always Add More To Your Life Than They Take"

Relationships can be complicated. They can also be wonderful. They can be our greatest joy and our greatest despair.

The major focus of this class will be to provide teachers with the tools necessary to help their students prepare for optimum success in relationships that are central to life. This class will provide lessons, information and skills that will foster individual student wellness, self -esteem and the ability to relate to others in healthy ways.

The content of this class will provide teachers with tools to effectively introduce students to the foundations of strong satisfying relationships. We will examine expectations, potential problems and explore the nature of mature interpersonal behavior. We will practice decision making and problem solving while learning relevant life skills necessary for overall wellness.

Some specific topics include:
1.Evaluating influences impacting life expectations.
2.Understanding important developmental differences between the adolescent brains of boys and girls.
3.Identifying socially acceptable and positive dating behaviors.
4.Showing caring and consideration to others.
5.Improving decision-making and stress management skills.
6.Setting personal short-term and long-term relationship goals.

A recurring theme will be the importance for students to make informed choices about their relationships, their goals and how they live their lives. Throughout the class teachers learn current and relevant techniques/strategies enabling them to effectively encourage students to self-regulate emotions and take responsibility for behavior choices - particularly those that impact others.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-031 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

63. Educators as Leaders

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

As an educator, your role is complex, challenging, and always changing. Leadership studies are crucial if we are to embrace the concept of teachers as change agents. Quality educational leadership is vital to the overall success of your school, your school district and your community.

Teachers are leaders. They lead students every day. In order to better serve our students and have a lasting impact on student achievement, the obligation of leadership needs to be addressed.

This class will guide educators to develop an operational definition of leadership, to identify the essential qualities and characteristics of leadership and the specific skills necessary for educators to realize their unique potential as leaders. You will learn how to translate your expertise in teaching and learning to effect positive change for your students, colleagues, and profession. You will learn to identify and overcome common leadership roadblocks, and examine and strengthen your own leadership style. A primary emphasis of this class will be on teacher's self-examination and self-perceptions with regard to teacher leadership.

Educators are devoted to improving the effectiveness of their teaching. This class includes strategies and activities that will facilitate and enhance leadership abilities. Teachers will discover the leader within them and learn to communicate more effectively and persuasively with confidence and authenticity.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-035|3 Credits/45 Hours

64. Encouraging the Health and Wellness of the Next Generation of Students

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

The overall health of Americans is suffering. Some of the causes of this are preventable while others are not. While there is still much we do not know about how to avoid disease and maintain health, there is a wealth of information, knowledge and practices that CAN and DO address these issues. The sad news is that we currently do not give necessary consideration to something so crucial. Truth be told" the onset of some of these health issues has gotten younger and younger" affecting more and more of your students.

As an educator, we have the responsibility of teaching our students more than just an area of content. We are, in essence, teaching them about life. What kind of life will our students experience if they do not have the information and tools required to ensure the proper "quality of life"! We should help them learn about the aspects of their lives they have control over, as well as some best practices proven to accomplish this task.

This class will address the development of good personal habits, stress management techniques, avoidance of health risks, increased exposure to physical activity, assessment of nutritional guidelines while highlighting the importance of minimizing the risk involved in cyberspace. You will be asked to research current information as well as plan how to incorporate your findings into your field of study in the hopes of having a positive impact on the health of your students. You will be asked to evaluate your own habits to better prepare you to encourage your students to do the same.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-036 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

65. Exploring Critical & Contemporary Issues In Education

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

There are few people who would argue about the importance of excellence in education. Our educational systems have come under intense scrutiny and I think we can all agree that the state of our education system has plenty of room for improvement.

Sometimes it seems that teachers have to deal with more than is humanly possible. Not only do they have to teach and try to meet the needs of so many different students, but they are also expected to keep up with the latest educational reforms. The truth is that many educational issues face teachers each and every day.

As professionals, educators must be informed and be knowledgeable of issues that are critical to the overall functioning of our schools. Our first challenge lies in identifying issues impacting our students and schools. This course will identify, explore and analyze these contemporary issues. As we examine with a critical eye, we are better equipped to become informed professional decision makers.

Current, critical and contemporary issues studied in this class include, but are not limited to:

1.High Stakes Assessment
2.Standards based Reform
3.Classroom Size
4.Year Round Education-Is More School The Answer?
5.Common Core Standards
6.Teacher Effectiveness Initiatives
7.Integrating Technology
8.Charter And Public School Debate
9.School Failure And Dropping Out
10.The Homework Debate

This class will allow us to examine relevant pro and con viewpoints and provide us with positive solutions. This class approaches all issues remembering it is our duty as educators to try our very best to work through these challenges, solve them if at all possible, and still provide our students with the best possible education!

Course Number: FALL24-ON-029 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

66. Good to Great...The compelled Educator - Part 2

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

Compelled Educator Part II picks up where Compelled Educator Part I left off. Part I took us on a guided tour searching for and learning about what it is that our best teachers DO! It provided practical tips and strategies for teachers to connect with their students in a meaningful and powerful way.

All teachers have high expectations for students. Great teachers also have high expectations for themselves. Part II builds and adds to those skills, tools and insights acquired in the previous class.

The main variable in any classroom is not the students, but the teacher! Productive student behavior and smooth day- to- day operation of the classroom does not happen by accident. Our best teachers help their students meet rigorous course standards by establishing and maintaining a learning environment that supports and motivates students to do their personal best.

Part II will supply simple suggestions that you will be able to integrate into your current daily routines. This class is not about what we know - it is about who we are and what we do! It directs us to accurately self-reflect and truly understand what it is that separates good from great!

Course Number: FALL24-ON-043| 3 Credits/45 Hours

67. Peak Performance Sport Psychology

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

Sport psychology is the study of the psychological factors that affect participation and performance in sports. Athletic performance has three parts: physical preparation, technical skill and psychological readiness. If any of these areas are neglected, athletic performance will decline. Psychological preparation, often neglected, involves preparing the mind of an athlete just as thoroughly as one prepares the body. The sport community has recognized that mental factors such as confidence, composure, focus and motivation are highly significant to athletic performance. As sports continue to evolve at a rapid rate, thanks to constant technological advances and sports medicine studies, more athletes are becoming aware of the mental game.

Necessary skills include, but are not limited to, visualization, imagery, relaxation, centering, positive self-talk, motivation, leadership and goal setting. Whether you are interested in sport psychology from a coaching, athletic, or parental perspective - this class will help us investigate this fascinating field in depth. Sport psychology can help in so many ways, and it makes sense to get every advantage you can get!

Course Number: FALL24-ON-007 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

68. Poverty & Education: Effects - Implications - Perspectives

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

You have chosen a profession where you have opportunities to change lives. Our role in assisting student's to discover their talents, interests, resources and opportunities for gaining an education is critical.

More than 15%.....,more than 44 million Americans live in poverty. As poverty continues to increase in our communities, it is important for educators to understand the effects poverty can have on their students, and their student's school success. Poverty damages. It damages childhoods; it damages life chances; and it damages us all in society.

Poverty remains a stubborn fact of life and has serious implications for the nation's educational sector. Many educators are frustrated with the mindset, behavior and learning challenges that students from poverty often bring to school. A deeper understanding of poverty and the barriers it presents is highly needed. Poverty is a complex phenomenon. This class will arm you with relevant facts and enhance your knowledge about the debilitating and cumulative effects poverty has on student's.

You will be introduced to the latest research and how it affects student's cognitive development and academic performance. You will learn how to differentiate among different types of poverty and examine the unique aspects and effects of each. This class will relevantly present classroom level strategies and tools for countering poverty's negative effects and help you to create an educational framework to meet the needs of these students and help them succeed in school.

We must challenge the barriers of poverty and help all of our student's to grow, thrive and achieve academic success!

Course Number: FALL24-ON-040 | 3 Credits/45 Hours

69. Sport and the Media

Program: SPDI Online CTLE Activity

Audience: Education professionals seeking CTLE Hours/Credits

Dates: 11/4/2024 to 12/13/2024


Instructor: Mike O'Flaherty

The media play a huge part in sport. We find out what's happening, how our team is doing and it creates great sporting moments and sports celebrities and stars. On any given Sunday, sports enthusiasts all over the world can "tune in" to the lives of their favorite stars. This course will examine the full breath and impact of sports representation in the media. We will study both the prominent and subtle roles that media plays. We will take an in-depth look at the links between mass media and sport. From the printed word, to radio, to television and now the internet - we will explore the influence and impact of sport as it is communicated through the various forms of media presentation.

Course Number: FALL24-ON-004B | 3 Credits/45 Hours