Shelly Fisher | Online Learning for Teachers pursuing Continuing Education and Professional Development | The Connecting Link

 

Shelly Fisher

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“Teaching is the act of sharing the knowledge we have been given by others with hope that someday, by some way, it will again be passed on.” 

Shelly Fisher’s passion for teaching is never-ending. She presently has unlimited energy teaching 2nd graders, but also plays a huge role in her school building as a leader of the Positive Behavior Intervention System team and as a designee for her principal. Shelly holds her teaching degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Mathematics and a master’s degree in Educational Administration. 

Mrs. Fisher continually challenges herself and seeks ways to improve teacher effectiveness by meeting the needs of the ever-changing world of education, holding high accountability for the students in her K-5 building who range from ESL learners, Gifted Learners, children with Autism, children with learning disabilities, speech impaired children, to children with social and emotional issues. 

She also provides leadership to colleagues, student teachers, teacher’s assistants and teachers who explore her classes through The Connecting Link. She has been a TCL instructor since 1991 and continues to provide classes that are exciting, motivating and useful for teachers who are always trying to be the key factor in their students’ lives and success. Experienced with many different TCL classes, Shelly strives to keep them current and is always excited to hear when her students apply knowledge gained from her classes in their educational setting. She focuses on giving time for teachers and educational staff to share, compare, contrast and dig deeper into educational experiences and strategies.

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 #: IMS25501
Dates: 06/02/25 - 06/15/25
Categories:

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

Format:

Interactive

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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 #: IMS25510
Dates: 06/16/25 - 06/29/25
Categories:

Equity & Diversity Social & Emotional Learning

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 #: IMS25527
Dates: 07/14/25 - 07/27/25
Categories:

Educational Leadership Social & Emotional Learning Positive Classroom Management

Format:

Interactive

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