In today's diverse educational landscape, it is crucial for teachers to be well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognize and address the unique needs of students. This course will provide an overview of common neurodivergent conditions, including specific learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, mental health conditions, as well as anxiety disorders. Throughout this course, evidence-based strategies and classroom interventions to support students with neurodivergent conditions will be emphasized. Tapping into a variety of valuable resources such as Psychology Today, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child Mind Institute, and Neurodivergent Insights - educators will be empowered with practical tools and techniques that can be immediately applied to their professional practices including effective goal setting, mindset, and the use of assistive technology to enhance learning. Course participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to create a supportive and effective learning environment conducive for students with neurodivergent conditions. Finally, educators will explore strategies to prevent burnout in this demanding profession, as well as enhance one’s mental health and well-being inside and outside of school. 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 #: IMF25017
Dates: 09/15/25 - 10/12/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Positive Classroom Management Diverse Learners

Format:

Interactive

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Course participants will gain a deep understanding of the impact attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has on the performance of students in the classroom. Research-based instructional strategies and behavior management strategies will be explored, along with methods to improve executive function skills. The implementation of appropriate accommodations, modifications, and interventions will also be highlighted. This course engages participants with meaningful, applicable, and practical activities with a focus on success for students with ADHD.

Course #: IMF25018
Dates: 09/15/25 - 10/12/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Instructional Strategies

Format:

Interactive

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Participants in this course will examine foundational elements that make up student anxiety. Participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of anxiety in students at various grade levels, maturities, and cultures. Anxiety-reducing strategies and frameworks will be centered around the research of Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D., and Tom Thelen (founder of Resetschools.org). Participants will explore research studies on the causes of anxiety, learn how it impacts students’ learning and classroom interactions, and how teaching style and classroom structures can increase or decrease anxiety. This knowledge will aid in applying strategies and practices/frameworks to identify, minimize, and address a variety of anxiety factors and disorders. Additional topics include effective lesson planning to combat anxiety, explore online/digital resources to support classroom needs, including students with special needs, and connecting parents/homes to strengthening the support system to reduce anxiety. The course will conclude with participants developing an implementation plan or presentation to demonstrate knowledge and application of how anxiety impacts their 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 #: IMF25019
Dates: 10/13/25 - 11/09/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Interactive

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This course is designed to help educators build a classroom structure where differentiated instruction can occur on a daily basis for varying abilities. Through the use of videos, readings, personal reflection, and online forum questions, participants will experience differentiated instruction as well as learn methods to implement strategies in their own classroom. Participants will learn to shape and maintain learning conditions that facilitate differentiated instruction, including how to identify learning styles, create tiered activities, differentiation strategies, effective classroom management, and design the physical space for classroom differentiation scenarios. Participants will leave the course with resources and strategies to reach students of varying abilities, grades, and learning styles and help them take ownership of their education.

Course #: IMF25020
Dates: 10/13/25 - 11/09/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Instructional Strategies

Format:

Interactive

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Participants in this course will learn how to build a learning environment that embodies the goals necessary for teaching social tolerance and thoughtfulness. This course is intended to help navigate areas of social comprehension that are critical to the growth of today’s students and school communities. Participants will learn to design opportunities that will assist their students in recognizing and appreciating both their own identities and the identities of their peers. Self-reflection is a crucial step in realizing the need for anti-bias education, and it will inspire participants to take innovative steps toward doing so. Participants will also analyze how they and their school community can create inclusive and respectful learning environments. Participants will learn to create a classroom that is free of prejudice and teaches children to celebrate the diversity of those around them. Participants will leave the course having learned to use teaching tolerance and thoughtfulness goals to build and solidify a socially responsive culture within their school community. Participants will develop a new understanding of educators’ role in the classroom, along with the latest tools, strategies, and techniques for cultivating students’ learning and a state-of-the-art teaching approach to meet their educational goals. Educational research in the course is based on renown psychologists, inclusive specialists, and educational leadership experts such as Julie Cuaston PhD., Joseph A. Durlak PhD., Allison B. Dyminicki PhD., Nancy Frey PhD., Ross W. Greene PhD., Paula Kluth PhD., Rebecca D. Taylor PhD., and Roger P. Weissberg, PhD. 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 #: IMF25021
Dates: 11/10/25 - 12/14/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Social & Emotional Learning Diverse Learners Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Interactive

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Poverty, suicide, abuse, divorce, and community violence are some of the many traumatic, yet common, life experiences and events students of today’s society face. In addition, factors including social media and high stakes testing have been linked to the increasing rates of stress and anxiety among youth. This insightful course provides practical applications on how to understand, connect with, and accommodate students and their families experiencing the adverse effects of trauma, stress, and anxiety. Participants will research the short and long-term outcomes associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), learn how to incorporate effective trauma-informed practices, and build relationships with students and their families based on respect, trust, and empathy. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress management, suicide prevention awareness, students living in poverty, and educational procedures used to respond to traumatic events are additional topics accentuated in this course. Finally, educators will focus on their own well-being and discover ways to strengthen resilience and manage stress and anxiety associated with the soaring demands of the profession. Course participants will become better equipped to effectively respond to students’ complex needs.

Course #: IMF25022
Dates: 11/10/25 - 12/14/25
Categories:

Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Interactive

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