Mary Wolf | Online Learning for Teachers pursuing Continuing Education and Professional Development | The Connecting Link

 

Mary Wolf

Instructor photo

Mary Wolf has 20 years of elementary classroom teaching experience, and is proud of her many years working as an instructor for the Connecting Link. She began her association with TCL as a student, and was intrigued by the wide range of topics offered. Over the years, she has met many outstanding educators through Connecting Link classes, and looks forward to forging new friendships and helping educators reach their goals. 

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). Participants will learn about Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and educational rights, exploring various treatment options. Finally, this course will address the significance of collaboration between educators and families, alongside strategies to foster motivation, self-advocacy, and essential life skills in students with ADHD, in line with insights from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Course #: IMW26014
Dates: 03/23/26 - 04/19/26
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Instructional Strategies

Format:

Interactive

View Course
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.
Course #: IMW26021
Dates: 04/27/26 - 05/26/26
Categories:

Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management Content-Area Teaching

Format:

Interactive

View Course
This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively motivate students who exhibit resistant attitudes such as "I won't," "I can't," and "I quit." Participants will explore the underlying causes of these attitudes, including lack of confidence, fear of failure, and learned helplessness. The course will provide strategies based on the latest educational psychology research centered around the research of Dr. Eric Thomas, Dr. Carol Dweck, and more to re-engage these students, foster a positive mindset towards challenges and understand the importance of classroom engagement. Participants will learn how to implement motivational strategies, adapt teaching methods, and develop supportive classroom cultures to encourage student perseverance and resilience. The course will conclude with participants developing an implementation plan or presentation to demonstrate knowledge and application of how to empower these students in the classroom so they can improve student well-being and performance. Throughout the course, participants will engage in interactive dialogue through a variety of mediums to receive valuable feedback to reflect on from their instructor. All formative and summative projects are reviewed and graded, and feedback from the instructor will be provided allowing the participant to enhance their portfolio of educational tools/resources to impact their classroom or school community.
Course #: IMS26506
Dates: 06/08/26 - 06/21/26
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Content-Area Teaching Diverse Learners

Format:

Interactive

View Course
With the soaring concerns of mental health issues, students need to be supported more than ever with their social and emotional development. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) involves teaching and modeling five lifelong skills: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, social awareness, and relationship skills. In this course, participants will learn how to weave SEL into the curriculum, which has been shown to increase academic outcomes and promote overall positive mental health among students. Participants will also explore strategies to support and enhance their own mental health and well-being.
Course #: IMS26515
Dates: 06/22/26 - 07/05/26
Categories:

Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management 21st-Century Teaching

Format:

Interactive

View Course
This course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their teaching practices. Participants will explore the transformative potential of AI in education, examining its ability to enhance personalized learning, streamline assessments, and support classroom management. The course covers key topics such as ethical considerations, strategies for using AI to differentiate instruction, and techniques for fostering student engagement through AI-powered tools. The course introduces AI to teachers through a variety of learning mediums including, videos, webinars, interactive applications, and current research applications/articles. Drawing on the latest research and practical applications, educators will gain a deeper understanding of how AI can empower teachers and students alike while addressing challenges such as bias, privacy, and equitable access (US Department of Education, 15). Educators will learn to leverage AI tools to optimize their instructional strategies and introduce students to foundational AI concepts, fostering digital literacy and preparing learners for a technology-driven world (Poth, 2023). By the end of this course, educators will be equipped with practical tools and strategies for incorporating AI into their teaching, enabling them to create dynamic, inclusive learning environments. Participants will engage in interactive dialogue through a variety of mediums to receive valuable feedback from their instructor, allowing the participant to enhance their portfolio of educational tools/resources to impact their classroom or school community.
Course #: IMS26520
Dates: 07/13/26 - 07/26/26
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Technology Tools for the Classroom

Format:

Interactive

View Course
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. By the end of this course, educators will be equipped with practical, research-based strategies to replace punitive discipline with relational, restorative approaches that prioritize connection, accountability, and student dignity. Participants will design an implementation plan or presentation that demonstrates their ability to apply student-centered practices to real-world classroom or schoolwide challenges. Through this comprehensive approach, educators will be empowered to build trust, repair harm, and create inclusive learning environments where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success. Throughout the course, participants will engage in interactive dialogue through a variety of mediums to receive valuable feedback to reflect on from their instructor. All formative and summative projects are reviewed and graded, and feedback from the instructor will be provided, allowing the participant to enhance their portfolio of educational tools/resources to impact their classroom or school community.
Course #: IMS26527
Dates: 07/27/26 - 08/09/26
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Interactive

View Course