New Courses - 2026

 

 

Digital Dependence: Technology’s Social, Psychological, and Behavioral Impacts on Student Learning

This course is designed to explore the impact of technology, digital communication, and the ways children and adolescents socialize, learn, and are perceived in the classroom.

Participants in this course will learn about the nature of digital devices and the pressure they place on K-12 students, and how they can impede the development of critical life skills such as empathy, conflict resolution, and resilience. The effective use of technology and media literacy will be investigated. This course prepares educators by engaging them in thoughtful dialogue and activities that promote 21st-century ideas and understanding of students’ diverse, digital, and global learning needs. Participants will synthesize these paradigms and develop a new understanding of educators’ roles in the classroom, along with the latest tools, methods, and techniques for cultivating students’ learning and a state-of-the-art teaching approach to meet their educational goals. View Course

Emotional Regulation: Teaching Calm and Building Confidence in Students

This course equips K–12 educators with the tools and understanding necessary to support the emotional regulation of students and transform the student-teacher relationship.  Rooted in the latest research in neuroscience and child development, participants will examine how emotional regulation is closely tied to brain function, executive skills, and the impact of trauma. They will explore how dysregulation affects learning, behavior, and student-teacher relationships, and how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic stress can manifest in the classroom. Drawing from the groundbreaking work of Dr. Marc Brackett (Permission to Feel) and Dr. Susan David (Emotional Agility), the course highlights how emotions influence decision-making, attention, and academic success. Educators will gain practical strategies to recognize signs of emotional dysregulation, co-regulate with students, and build a classroom environment that fosters psychological safety, trust, and student voice. Emphasis will be placed on the intersection of trauma, SEL (social-emotional learning), and emotional regulation to help students develop resilience and self-awareness. The course emphasizes emotional regulation strategies that are adaptable for both younger and older students, ensuring relevance across all grade levels (K-12). View Course

Feedback That Fuels: Strategies to Promote Resilience, Growth, and Confidence in the Classroom

This course is designed to support educators with practical tools to deliver feedback that promotes student growth while addressing the often-overlooked impact of perfectionism in the classroom. Participants will examine how different types of feedback can either hinder or empower learning (Schunk & Ertmer, 2025) and explore strategies for fostering a classroom culture that encourages risk-taking, resilience, and self-confidence (Reid, 2025; McCabe, 2024). Through research-based practices and real-world examples, teachers will learn to recognize signs of perfectionism and intervene in ways that support healthier learning mindsets (Ganimian, Fryer, & Dweck, 2022). The course prepares educators to craft feedback that motivates rather than discourages, shifting the focus from flawless performance to meaningful progress (FeedbackFruits, 2023; Xu, Chen, & Zhao, 2023). Participants will engage in reflective practice, collaborative discussions, and the development of actionable plans tailored to their own teaching contexts. Ultimately, this course equips educators to create inclusive, growth-centered environments where all students can thrive. View Course

From Conflict to Connection: Empowering Discipline Strategies for Educators

This course empowers educators to transform discipline from a reactive process to a proactive opportunity for connection and growth. Participants will explore research-based strategies to de-escalate conflict, foster student accountability, and create a culture of respect. Grounded in the work of researchers such as Dr. Ross Greene (The Explosive Child) and Dr. Bruce Perry (The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog), participants will explore how behavioral challenges are often manifestations of unmet needs and lagging skills—not intentional defiance.

The course integrates principles of restorative justice (as advanced by Howard Zehr) to reframe misbehavior as an opportunity for growth and relationship-building.  Educators will analyze discipline systems, recognize the role of equity and trauma, and design practices that build student relationships and restore trust. A toolkit of practices will be developed to foster safe, responsive, and equitable learning environments. View Course

Strategies for School and Life Success: ADHD Teaching Excellence

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts a student's ability to focus, behave, and learn effectively. This course provides a comprehensive and updated overview of ADHD, including its symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and effects on students' academic performance. It also addresses common co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety and mood disorders, as noted by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Child Mind Institute.

Educators participating in this course will focus on the learning challenges faced by students with ADHD, emphasizing the need for tailored teaching strategies and supportive learning environments. The course highlights the importance of executive function skills for organization and time management, as well as the role of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in promoting positive behaviors, as explained by Understood (a leading nonprofit organization committed to empowering tens of millions of people with learning and thinking differences in the United States). View Course