Paul Wright | Online Learning for Teachers pursuing Continuing Education and Professional Development | The Connecting Link

 

Paul Wright

Instructor photo

Paul has developed and written many of our most popular tech courses. Technology is changing the face and direction of education; however, Paul makes it a point in all of his courses to invoke the human side of the classroom. Technology should be a medium to reach students, but the teacher is what drives the learning and engagement.  Paul’s work experiences have taken him around the world to a variety of school districts and classrooms. He is eager to hear your experiences and shares his to reflect together on the art of teaching.

In his free time, Paul travels around North America watching his son play hockey. His passion for teaching never stops, and he even finds time to stop into local schools in the communities he visits to see what they are doing!

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 #: IMW25030
Dates: 05/05/25 - 06/01/25
Categories:

Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Interactive

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This course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to build strong, positive relationships with students and their families. Participants will explore the crucial role these relationships play in fostering student achievement and creating a supportive classroom culture. The course covers key topics such as effective communication techniques, cultural competence, and strategies for engaging parents and caregivers. Drawing on the influential work of Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, whose framework of six types of parental involvement has significantly shaped how schools engage with families, educators will gain deeper insights into fostering meaningful family-school partnerships. Additionally, the course will highlight the research of Dr. Anne T. Henderson, who has extensive publications on building strong relationships. Educators will also learn methods to support students’ emotional and academic needs, manage conflicts, and build collaborative partnerships with families. By the end of this course, participants will develop an implementation plan or presentation to demonstrate their knowledge and application of these strategies. 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 #: IMS25509
Dates: 06/09/25 - 06/22/25
Categories:

Educational Leadership Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Interactive

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To leverage our world’s ever-changing and developing depth of online resources, educators will learn how to use a variety of online websites, applications, and various other digital resources to enhance classroom instruction and support the needs of all learners through multiple learning mediums. Educators will become exposed to a variety of digital resources to foster collaboration between students, stimulate creativity, create differentiated assessments easily, and strengthen the communication pathways home to parents. Participants will gain an understanding of internet resources that can aid in audio/video recording, interactive whiteboards, brainstorming, mind-mapping, project management, portfolios, creation of quizzes-polls-surveys, study-guides/flashcards, flipped classroom tools and screencasting, online formative assessments, eBooks, and social media as a vehicle for communication with students and parents, as well as other communication applications. Participants will leave the course with tools to maximize the learning environment through technology engagement and inspire creativity in their students.
Course #: IMS25508
Dates: 06/09/25 - 06/22/25
Categories:

Technology Tools for the Classroom Content-Area Teaching

Format:

Interactive

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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 #: IMS25507
Dates: 06/09/25 - 06/22/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Positive Classroom Management Diverse Learners

Format:

Interactive

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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 #: IMS25516
Dates: 06/23/25 - 07/06/25
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Technology Tools for the Classroom

Format:

Interactive

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Participants in this course will examine methodologies to facilitate the growth of a positive relationship with the most challenging of parents in a variety of school settings. Participants will focus on effective parent communication and engagement for K-12 education. Participants will explore methods to improve communication and collaboration that will focus on parent engagement and, in turn, will create a positive learning environment for every student. Emphasis is on exploring and learning ways to connect with parents and families. Participants will synthesize paradigms and leave the course with a better understanding of developing parent communication techniques leading towards sharing responsibility to help children learn and meet their educational goals.
Course #: IMS25517
Dates: 06/23/25 - 07/06/25
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Innovative Classroom Instruction

Format:

Interactive

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This course will educate participants on the difference of a fixed or growth mindset, and how Appreciative Inquiry (AI) can cultivate the classroom environment into a place of risk taking and success. Participants will learn about their own mindset and how it impacts students, as well as techniques for evaluating the growth mindset, strategies for reframing failures to successes, and devising lesson plans with the growth mindset in mind. Participants will also learn about Appreciative Inquiry and how it is among the growing trend of approaches to human development and organizational change. Focus on the power of positive question and imagery, sharing stories, and implementation of Dr. David Cooperrider’s 4-D cycle will be reviewed, along with implementation strategies. Participants will leave the course understanding how to create a dynamic classroom that fosters growth and compassion; that will create bonds with students to push them further and increase test scores.
Course #: IMS25526
Dates: 07/14/25 - 07/27/25
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Interactive

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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 #: IMS25525
Dates: 07/14/25 - 07/27/25
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Content-Area Teaching Diverse Learners

Format:

Interactive

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Participants in this course will examine methodologies to facilitate the development of a mathematical mindset centered around the research of Dr. Carol Dweck’s mindset theory, Dr. Jo Boaler’s classroom approach, and Dr. Susan Johnston-Wilder’s international research in math anxiety components. Participants will reflect on their own teaching practices and explore strategies and frameworks that incorporate a student’s mathematical experience and evolution. The foundations of developing a mathematical mindset will be researched. Strategies for helping students, teachers, and parents understand what a mathematical mindset is and how it is effectively implemented by reducing math anxiety will be explored. Participants will learn how to create a welcoming, yet challenging mathematic classroom experience, implement strategies/best-practices to foster a mathematical mindset for their students. Participants will learn that math stress/anxiety reducing strategies in one’s classroom and helping students understand their anxieties can improve their internal motivation. Additional topics in the course are effective lesson planning to combat math anxiety to grow mathematical mindsets, explore online/digital resources to support mathematic classroom needs, including students with special needs, and making meaningful connections with parents to strength and preserve the mathematical mindset at home.
Course #: IMS25524
Dates: 07/14/25 - 07/27/25
Categories:

Instructional Strategies Content-Area Teaching Mathematics

Format:

Interactive

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This course is specifically designed to teach educators how to collaborate with parents and students using the iPad. Learn about tools/apps used to create lessons, books, videos, and more. Educators will learn how to enhance communication with students and parents using the iPad, and how to assess students. Educators will leave the course knowing a wide range of applications to maximize the learning environment.
Course #: SPC17147
Categories:

Technology Tools for the Classroom

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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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 #: SPC25036
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Technology Tools for the Classroom

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will examine collaborative, engaged, cooperative learning—a significant shift away from the typical teacher-centered classroom. Participants will learn how developing a classroom culture of trust, safety, challenge, and joy can foster engaged and effective learning. Research suggests that effective communication and collaboration are essential to becoming a successful learner. Participants will learn how to develop classroom learning experiences around students’ constructing knowledge and engaging in action together. Techniques to develop intrinsic motivation that leads to student engagement and achievement will be researched. Foundational work in this course will include the research and use of collaborative learning, engaged learning, and cooperative learning models. Participants will synthesize these paradigms and create applications for implementation into their own classrooms.
Course #: SPC19154
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will examine methodologies to facilitate the growth of curiosity and creativity in their students. Participants will learn how developing a classroom culture of curiosity and creativity can foster engaged and effective learning. Research suggests that increasing curiosity and creativity in a classroom can lead to a more student-centered classroom. Techniques to develop curiosity and creativity that leads to student engagement and achievement will be researched and explored. Foundational work in this course will include the research on developing creativity and curiosity strategies from simple to complex, lesson planning, and using project-based learning to enhance the classroom. Participants will synthesize these paradigms and leave the course with a better understanding of how to assess and develop creative and curious thought in their students, improve classroom culture through use of innovative strategies, develop an expertise in their own classroom to foster a creative environment, and foster the growth of curious learners to solve problems creatively.
Course #: SPC18168
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will examine methodologies to facilitate the development of a culturally relevant classroom centered around research of Gloria Ladson-Billings, Geneva Gay, Django Paris, and H. Samy Alim, among others. Participants will define what is a culturally relevant/responsive classroom. Participants will define what is a culturally relevant/responsive classroom. An exploration on five ways to create a culturally relevant lesson as well as review a variety of culturally responsive frameworks of instruction. Teacher leaders' and administrators will learn how to engage culturally relevant teaching strategies and discuss challenges with staff to foster a more culturally relevant/responsive classroom/school community. Participants will explore practices that effectively educate parents on the culturally relevant/responsive classroom. Administrators will gain expertise on developing a letter home or presentation that effectively educates parents on the classroom/school community goals as well as how to effectively keep communication open throughout the year while continuing to develop the culturally responsive classroom/school community. Participants will explore organizations that educate and provide resources for teachers/administrators who are developing a culturally relevant classroom. Key areas of concerns from the participants particular school community will be reflected on and resources will be reviewed to enhance their culturally responsive teaching and leading.
Course #: SPC22320
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Positive Classroom Management 15-hour PD courses

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will examine methodologies to facilitate the development of a culturally relevant classroom centered around research of Gloria Ladson-Billings, Geneva Gay, Django Paris, and H. Samy Alim, among others. Participants will reflect on their own teaching practices and explore strategies and frameworks that incorporate a student’s and school community’s cultural heritage and experiences; fostering a much more wholistic educational experience for all children. The foundations of culturally responsive teaching will be researched. Strategies for helping students, teachers, and parents understand what culturally relevant teaching is and how it is effectively implemented will be explored. Participants will learn how to create a culturally welcoming classroom, development and implement strategies for fostering relationships between different cultures in one’s classroom, and how to help students understand differences between cultures in a respectful manner. Additional topics include culturally responsive classroom management and discipline, including students with special needs in the culturally responsive classroom, and connecting parents/home to the culturally relevant classroom.
Course #: SPC22006
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Today’s schools are richer in diversity than ever before. This course is designed to provide educators with the resources, tools, and steps necessary to foster a welcoming, safe, and productive learning environment built on respect for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) for all students. Course participants will examine the implications of historical inequities on personal beliefs and practices, as well as modern day school policies and procedures. Educators will be challenged to look at their professional practices and curriculum materials from new perspectives and will be empowered with resources and strategies necessary to advance DEIB initiatives in their classrooms and schools. 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 #: SPC23027
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will take an in-depth look at the research by Angela Duckworth and how “grit” is clearly correlated to student success in the classroom and beyond. Participants will learn about grit and how it differs from resilience. Numerous grit strategies, classroom management practices, and strategic lesson planning development will be explored, discussed, and developed so that the participant will have a working knowledge of how to embed grit into their classroom culture at the conclusion of the course. Participants will learn how grit strategies can increase achievement and improve wellbeing, thus changing their students’ development trajectory when faced with a problem or difficult task. Additional topics include how grit is related to talent. What is productive struggle? What does a gritty student look like? How to effectively educate parents on bringing grit elements into their children’s lives at home will be explored. The course will allow participants to dive into grit research and learn about online web resources to support their gritty classroom during the school year and develop grit-infused lessons. It will conclude with participants developing an implementation plan or presentation to demonstrate knowledge and application of how grit frameworks/strategies impact their classroom so students can improve education performance and well-being. Throughout the course, students will participate 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 student to enhance their portfolio of educational tools/resources to impact their classroom or school community.
Course #: SPC23023
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Content-Area Teaching

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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 #: SPC24032
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Content-Area Teaching Diverse Learners

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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This course is designed to enhance a participant’s knowledge of assessment and grading practices. Participants will review formative, interim, and summative assessment types, as well as the grading practices within them (traditional vs. standards-based grading), assessment design, implementation strategies, and how to interpret data results to define mastery. Participants will leave the course knowing how to identify course goals for assessments, effectively construct a variety of assessments based on content, understand how assessment can increase learning, use a variety of assessment mediums, and provide measurable data to students, parents, and other educators that demonstrate growth in learning.
Course #: SPC18165
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants will learn to develop, create, implement, and assess a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) program, lessons and units. A variety of frameworks will be reviewed and discussed to allow for easy replication of STEAM units and activities. Inquiry-based lessons for instruction and assessment will be explored to help gain a better understanding of possible classroom applications and projects. Educators will leave the course with a roadmap to better implement STEAM into their classroom, promote STEAM questioning, and develop STEAM PBL (Project-Based Learning) units.
Course #: SPC17149
Categories:

21st-Century Teaching Content-Area Teaching

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants will learn to develop, create, implement, and assess a STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program, lessons and units. A variety of frameworks will be reviewed and discussed to allow for easy replication of /STEAM units and activities. A variety of STEM/STEAM careers will be explored and highlighted in resources. Educators will leave the course with a roadmap to better implement STEM/STEAM into their classroom, promote STEM/STEAM questioning, and develop STEM/STEAM PBL (Project Based Learning) units.
Course #: SPC18314
Categories:

15-hour PD courses 21st-Century Teaching

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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This course is designed to help educators build a classroom structure where differentiated instruction can occur on a daily basis to create high expectations for student achievement 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, and effective classroom management. 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 #: SPC22317
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management 15-hour PD courses Instructional Strategies 1-Credit Courses

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will learn how to build academic success by exploring and developing tools to increase K-12 students’ soft skills (communication, work ethic, leadership, personal responsibility, and listening.) They will recognize and prioritize their students’ soft skills that will be valuable in reaching future goals, remaining optimistic, and dealing with conflict in their schooling. Participants will explore a series of strategies for reaching and helping students learn appropriate behaviors, strategies for the future, and ways to help prepare them for college and career readiness. Research is based on the works of Robert W. Gaines, II, Ph.D., Meca B. Mohammed, Ph.D., Cheryl Talley, Ph.D., and Marcheta Evans, Ph.D., among others. Foundational work in this course will include the research on understanding soft skills, strategies to develop soft skills, bringing students' soft skills to reach within the classroom, and the different types of soft skills: communication, work ethic, leadership, personal responsibility, and listening. Participants will synthesize these paradigms and develop a new understanding of the role that soft skills can play in student learning, along with new tools and techniques for cultivating students’ soft skills.
Course #: SPC22015
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Content-Area Teaching

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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In this course, participants will delve into the essential components underlying student anxiety. They will gain insights into recognizing anxiety's indicators and manifestations across different ages, developmental stages, and cultural backgrounds. The course will highlight anxiety alleviation methods and models based on the work of Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D., and other various researchers. Participants will investigate research on anxiety triggers and understand its effect on students' educational experiences and classroom dynamics. Through various interactive channels, participants will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful reflection and receive constructive feedback from their instructor to reflect upon.
Course #: SPC24321
Categories:

1-Credit Courses 15-hour PD courses Social & Emotional Learning

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will examine research-based proactive practices and best practices of the alternative discipline. Strategies for improving classroom and school culture through the use of alternative discipline will be explored. Participants will reflect on their discipline philosophy to establish a framework for growth to effectively implement positive alternative discipline interventions and strategies. Participants will learn about alternatives to school discipline and the most effective ways to reach students and to reward positive behaviors. When students do misbehave participants will learn ways that students can still receive appropriate instructional time and be part of the classroom community. Participants will leave the course with a toolkit of resources to impact their classroom and school community through alternative discipline.
Course #: SPC18171
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will learn how to build academic success by exploring and developing tools for cultivating their students’ attention and designing active learning experiences for all learners. Participants will explore creative strategies for reaching students from distractions to regaining and focusing their attention for learning. Research is based on Caitrin Blake, Neil Bradbury and Jaren Cooney Horvath, among others. Foundational work in this course will include the research on understanding distraction, strategies to decrease distractions, bringing students' attention within the classroom, and the different types of attention: curious, divided, structured, sustaining, mindful. Participants will synthesize these paradigms and develop a new understanding of the role that attention can play in student learning along with new tools, strategies and techniques for cultivating students’ attention along with a state-of-the-art approach in learning to meet their educational goals.
Course #: SPC22013
Categories:

Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Online Self-Paced

View Course
This course is designed to provide educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to build strong, positive relationships with students and their families. Participants will explore the crucial role these relationships play in fostering student achievement and creating a supportive classroom culture. The course covers key topics such as effective communication techniques, cultural competence, and strategies for engaging parents and caregivers. Drawing on the influential work of Dr. Joyce L. Epstein, whose framework of six types of parental involvement has significantly shaped how schools engage with families, educators will gain deeper insights into fostering meaningful family-school partnerships. Additionally, the course will highlight the research of Dr. Anne T. Henderson, who has extensive publications on building strong relationships. Educators will also learn methods to support students’ emotional and academic needs, manage conflicts, and build collaborative partnerships with families. By the end of this course, participants will develop an implementation plan or presentation to demonstrate their knowledge and application of these strategies. 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 #: SPC24033
Categories:

Educational Leadership Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Online Self-Paced

View Course
This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively support vulnerable students and struggling learners, ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all. Participants will delve into the complexities faced by students who experience challenges such as socio-economic disadvantages, emotional difficulties, and academic struggles. The course will provide an in-depth exploration of the factors contributing to student vulnerability, drawing on the latest research in education and psychology. The course will examine the research of Dr. Michael Ungar, whose work on resilience among marginalized children and families provides critical insights into supporting vulnerable students. Educators will learn strategies to create supportive and inclusive classroom environments, implement differentiated instruction, and foster social-emotional learning (SEL). The course will highlight the importance of building strong relationships with students, understanding their unique needs, and developing personalized learning plans. Participants will delve into the significance of family and community partnerships. The course will conclude with the creation of a comprehensive support plan or presentation showcasing the participant’s ability to apply these strategies in educational settings. 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 #: SPC24034
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Social & Emotional Learning

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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This course is designed to help educators build a classroom structure where all students feel empowered and included in the classroom environment. Through the use of videos, readings, personal reflection, and online forum questions, participants will experience the multicultural classroom, as well as learn methods to implement strategies in their own classroom. Participants will learn to shape and maintain learning conditions that facilitate a multicultural perspective during instruction, including how to identify and promote diversity, confront stereo-types, and be introduced to how to create culturally aware lesson plans and activities.
Course #: SPC22319
Categories:

1-Credit Courses Equity & Diversity 15-hour PD courses

Format:

Online Self-Paced

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Participants in this course will examine methodologies to facilitate the use of virtual teaching mediums and for how to effectively blend them together with the traditional classroom. Participants will learn what a “flipped classroom” means, looks like, and what the benefits include. They will gain effective lesson planning skills to flip their classroom for a lesson, weekend, week, or more. Common pitfalls of the flipped classroom will be discussed, and resources on how to prepare students for the flipped classroom model will be examined and viewed. Techniques to motivate students and how to deal with unprepared students will be navigated through a variety of pathways. Participants will explore, examine and evaluate numerous platforms to flip their classrooms. A plethora of assessment strategies and models will be researched that use the flipped classroom. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to create and effectively implement a flipped classroom lesson for a variety of time periods and understand how to blend both methodologies together to create an optimal learning environment for all learners from K to 12.
Course #: SPC21008
Categories:

Technology Tools for the Classroom Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

View Course
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 #: SPC18178
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

View Course
This course will educate participants on the difference of a fixed or growth mindset, and how Appreciative Inquiry (AI) can cultivate the classroom environment into a place of risk taking and success. Participants will learn about their own mindset and how it impacts students, as well as techniques for evaluating the growth mindset, strategies for reframing failures to successes, and devising lesson plans with the growth mindset in mind. Participants will also learn about Appreciative Inquiry and how it is among the growing trend of approaches to human development and organizational change. Focus on the power of positive question and imagery, sharing stories, and implementation of Dr. David Cooperrider’s 4-D cycle will be reviewed, along with implementation strategies. Participants will leave the course understanding how to create a dynamic classroom that fosters growth and compassion; that will create bonds with students to push them further and increase test scores.
Course #: SPC18191
Categories:

Positive Classroom Management Instructional Strategies

Format:

Online Self-Paced

View Course
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