Short Clips, Big Thinking in Social Studies *IN PERSON* presented by Wendy Braxton - 8:30-2:30pm
2026-06-04 08:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | JEA Alternative School, 31 Lee Ave, Wheatley Heights, NY, 11798-1837, United States
Leveraging visual media and active learning strategies to promote productive struggle. This professional development session supports secondary social studies teachers in using commercials and short film clips as high-impact entry points to hook students and spark curiosity. Participants will explore how visual media can be leveraged to build background knowledge, surface multiple perspectives, and motivate students to engage deeply with complex historical and contemporary issues. Teachers will learn how to intentionally structure these strategies to foster productive struggle and sustained critical thinking. Emphasis will be placed on aligning instruction to the New York State Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CRSE) Framework by centering student voice, identity, and inquiry. Participants will leave with ready-to-use strategies and examples that can be immediately implemented in secondary social studies classrooms. Eligible for 6 hours CTLE credit. Can use 1 consortium seat. If district pays, district approval must be confirmed prior to start of session.
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7di5JrCPLY7Cr0nCijrIrWL_k2warKV/view?usp=sharing
Registration: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=13208&I=5319485

Writing Beyond the Writing Block (3-8) *IN PERSON* presented by Mike Ochs - 8:30-2:30pm
2026-06-04 08:30 - 14:30
Writing development does not need to be confined to a single block of time. This workshop explores how short, purposeful writing opportunities embedded across subjects-drawing on approaches aligned with research on ‘writing revolution” sentence-level writing and self-regulated strategy development (SRSD)-can deepen understanding and strengthen literacy. Teachers examine how structured writing in math, science, and social studies helps students clarify thinking while building habits that transfer back into longer writing tasks. Eligible for 6 hours CTLE credit. Can use 1-1/2 Consortium seats. If district pays, district approval must be confirmed prior to start of session.
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z939QRJoGtguuSoaNv8cZDIh0-yZCvpz/view?usp=sharing
Registration: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=13208&I=5322093

Unlock the Power of AI in Your Google Classroom *IN PERSON* presented by Christine Joneleit - 8:30-2:30pm
2026-06-09 08:30 - 14:30
In this hands-on workshop, you will learn to leverage Google’s newest AI tools to save planning time, engage students, and personalize learning. By the end of the session, you will be able to: -Create dynamic, standards-aligned lessons quickly using Gemini, designed to capture student interest. -Generate engaging visuals, including infographics and comics, to support diverse learners. -Customize Gems and build a NotebookLM to help students deepen understanding, stay engaged, and retain knowledge. -Transform Google Slides into attention-grabbing videos (Google Vids) to enhance classroom instruction. -Access resources and prepare for Gemini certification, with guidance and materials to become a Gemini Certified Educator or support students in becoming Gemini Certified. You will leave the workshop with ready-to-use strategies, enhanced lesson plans, and practical tools to integrate AI into your classroom immediately. Bring a lesson plan and Google Slides to apply what you learn in real time, along with any other teaching ideas you’d like to explore.
Eligible for 6 hours CTLE credit. Ineligible to use consortium seats. If district pays, district approval must be confirmed prior to start of session.
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15y2hS6B6TB3StTZDHMaAX3wf1BI7VrZ3/view?usp=sharing
Registration: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=13208&I=5358632

BELONGING & BEYOND: THE ONE QUESTION THAT IGNITES CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CLASSROOMS *IN PERSON* presented by Kari Horn Lehman - 8:30-2:30pm
2026-06-10 08:30 - 14:30
What if the key to strong behavior, engagement, and equitable learning is simpler, and more human, than we think? In this energizing full-day session, educators experience firsthand how belonging unlocks motivation and positive behavior, and then learn how to extend those same practices into culturally responsive instruction that elevates every learner. The morning builds a foundation of belonging through hands-on activities and practical routines grounded in academic mindset research. The afternoon turns warmth into actionable CRSE practice: identity-affirming routines, inclusive participation structures, and instructional moves that connect directly to NYS Portrait of a Graduate competencies, including communication, cultural competence, and learner independence. Educators leave with The Belonging-to-Equity Playbook, a practical toolkit that supports immediate implementation and long-term culture building. What Educators Gain: -Evidence-informed routines that strengthen behavior and engagement through connection -CRSE-aligned strategies that make representation and access practical and sustainable -Tools that directly reinforce Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) competencies -Inclusive participation structures that support all learners -A ready-to-use Belonging-to-Equity Playbook for classroom, team, or building-wide implementation Target Audience: K-12 classroom teachers, specialists, building leaders, and related service professionals seeking highly practical strategies that connect belonging, behavior, engagement, and culturally responsive practice. Eligible for 6 hours CTLE credit. Can use 1-1/2 Consortium seats. If district pays, district approval must be confirmed prior to start of session.
Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1acSPSCNvvR0t80JVNttqLj3Ocjqdp5OT/view?usp=sharing
Registration: https://www.mylearningplan.com/WebReg/ActivityProfile.asp?D=13208&I=5300408
