WINTER/SPRING 2025 REGISTRATION
22 Professional Learning Opportunities
All Free of Charge
You must use a personal email address (not your school email) to ensure you receive all communications related to your class.
(School/district firewalls may block our emails.)
The instructor will email you prior to the class start date.
Once your instructor confirms you have completed the requirements for each course, a CTLE certificate of completion will be emailed to you.
The email will be sent from kariannitrc@gmail.com. Please add this address to your contact list to prevent our emails from going to spam.
For those wishing to earn in-service credit, prior approval from your district is required.
Our website is http://intercountyteachercenter.org.
There, you will find information from NYSED about teaching and certificates, as well as a registration page.
If you have any special circumstances, please let your instructor know;
he/she will make every effort to accommodate you.
Welcome to the Intercounty Teacher Resource Center!
CLICK ON THE YELLOW HYPERLINK AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH COURSE DESCRIPTION TO REGISTER
1. Reaching Students Through Culturally Diverse Picture Books (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Meghan Correira
Asynchronous: 1/27/25 - 2/24/25; remote office hours available upon request
Picture books often resonate with students of all ages. In this course, participants will learn how picture books can celebrate the uniqueness of all those around them. Participants will learn numerous titles about accepting differences in gender, race, religion, language, appearance, and abilities, as well as various ways to utilize picture books to promote diverse cultures and acceptance in the classroom.
https://forms.gle/JSCwUSjfVFF1uc498
2. Tune into Teaching: Integrating Music in the Classroom (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Tracey Trentowski
Asynchronous: 1/29/25 - 2/26/25; remote office hours available upon request
STUDENTS LOVE MUSIC! Why not show them how often the themes presented in lyrics connect with their assigned texts? This course is designed for educators seeking to enrich their teaching practices through the integration of music when it comes to literature and poetry. Teachers will explore many ways in which music can enhance learning experiences that can be easily adapted to any grade level. Participants will be provided techniques that can help boost student engagement, foster creativity, and improve focus of academic content. Educators will learn practical strategies for weaving music into lesson plans, activities, and classroom routines pertaining to literature and poetry.
https://forms.gle/ibBtuxqKiovs4UEG9
3. Keeping it Fresh: Helping Teachers Find Balance & Brilliance after Year 5 (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Kevin Trentowski
Asynchronous: 2/2/25 - 3/3/25; remote office hours available upon request
This course is designed to empower educators with strategies that will rejuvenate their teaching practice and help them maintain freshness in their approach. Participants will discover innovative techniques to engage students, foster creativity, and ignite passion in the classroom, ensuring your teaching remains vibrant and impactful.
https://forms.gle/Q4B1KSoBsmSk35GYA
4. Getting Started with Guided Writing Grades K-3 Strategy Guide (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Jenna Korte
Asynchronous: 2/5/25 - 3/5/25; remote office hours available upon request
In Getting Started with Guided Writing Grades K-3 Strategy Guide, teachers will be introduced to the concept of guided writing and its importance in developing young students' literacy skills. The course will cover the components of a guided writing lesson, including pre-writing activities, guided writing sessions, and post-writing reflection. Teachers will learn effective strategies for scaffolding writing instruction to meet the diverse needs of K-3 students. Additionally, the course will explore methods for selecting appropriate writing prompts, providing constructive feedback, integrating technology tools, assessing writing progress, differentiating instruction, fostering a supportive writing environment, and creating personalized action plans for implementing guided writing strategies in the classroom. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, practical examples, and interactive activities, teachers will gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement guided writing instruction in their K-3 classrooms.
https://forms.gle/8WArrN838mgbnDU59
5. Mindfulness and Self Care for Teachers (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Annie Warren
Asynchronous: 2/10/25 - 3/10/25; remote office hours available upon request
Self care for teachers refers to a deliberate and proactive practice that educators engage in to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This involves recognizing and addressing the challenges and stresses inherent in the teaching profession, aiming to prevent burnout and enhance overall job satisfaction. This course is designed to empower teachers with the knowledge and practical skills needed to prioritize self-care, manage stress, and avoid burnout in the demanding field of education. Through a series of modules, participants will explore strategies for fostering well-being, maintaining work-life balance, and building resilience. The goal is to equip teachers with tools that promote sustainable and fulfilling careers.
https://forms.gle/h7xFRCEvMMoCX6T66
6. Promoting Mental Health in Schools: Suicide Awareness and Prevention (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Jessica Ciardullo
Asynchronous: 2/12/25 - 3/12/25; remote office hours available upon request
Designed for educators, this course addresses the vital role schools play in fostering a safe and supportive environment for students. Participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to recognize warning signs, respond effectively, and contribute to the prevention of suicide within the school community. This comprehensive course combines evidence-based practices, real-life case studies, and expert insights to equip educators with the tools needed to identify, understand, and address suicide risk factors. From creating a stigma-free environment to implementing prevention strategies, participants will learn how to actively contribute to the well-being of their students and school community.
https://forms.gle/WyRUUhbZL2S5SBWs9
7. New Glasses: Literature Through Different Literary Lenses (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Edward Schmieder
Asynchronous: 2/24/25 - 3/24/25; remote office hours available upon request
Through one lens we can see the moon and planets in detail. Through a different lens, we can see the microbes in the microscopic world that surrounds us. Nowadays teachers have many lenses to view texts, and each one of those opens our eyes anew. This course will introduce teachers to an array of literary lenses. There are plenty from which to pick; just a few to enliven your students’ reading and thinking. Imagine the richness of the intersection of literature, culture, and the physical environment. Imagine the intersection of Harry Potter, popular culture, and ancient myth and magic. Join us as we try-on various lenses - no prescription required.
https://forms.gle/pQGVC6sa1pBc3SzU7
8. Mastering Google Workspace: Empowering Educators in the Digital Classroom (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Mia LaFata
Asynchronous: 2/26/25 - 3/26/25; remote office hours available upon request
During this course, we will explore various Google Workspace applications such as Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. Each application will have its own session in the course, showcasing its unique functions and how they can work together. Educators will learn how to leverage each tool effectively in the classroom to enhance their curriculum and empower students with advanced technology skills.
https://forms.gle/LE5KE6JnGWz84FxH6
9. Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Education (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Harold Kench
Asynchronous: 3/3/25 - 3/31/25; remote office hours available upon request
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education in profound ways, reshaping the traditional classroom landscape and revolutionizing teaching and learning practices. This professional learning course delves into both the positive and negative effects of AI within educational settings, a must for today’s teachers.
https://forms.gle/sHV8xu3wGg9Adfgm9
10. Making Lessons More Accessible to ELLs (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Veronica Frullo
Asynchronous: 3/5/25 - 4/2/25; remote office hours available upon request
What is needed for ELL students? As educators, we know lessons, activities, instruction, assignments, and opportunities need to be more accessible to ELL students. After a brief overview of the five English proficiency levels, we will discuss what to expect of students at each proficiency level and implement activities and protocols that can be used in all content areas. Participants will learn activities and protocols that can be easily integrated into lessons to make those lessons more accessible to ELLs.
https://forms.gle/i5ZxGFNVEfATd9Zc6
11. Mental Health: Helping Students with Anxiety and Depression (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Mark Hanes
Asynchronous: 3/10/25 - 4/7/25; remote office hours available upon request
As mental health problems among adolescents continue to climb, schools are seeing the importance and need for mental health education. This course will improve your knowledge and understanding of anxiety and depression. We will dispel common myths about these disorders and learn how to identify risk factors and warning signs of mental health concerns.
https://forms.gle/ppQdBFFHvqiEug7b9
12. Co-Teaching Best Practices (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Annie Warren
Asynchronous: 3/12/25 - 4/9/25; remote office hours available upon request
Co-teaching allows both students and teachers to experience and benefit from a wide range of instructional practices while meeting a variety of learning styles in the classrooms. Co-teaching models promote inclusion, increase engagement, promote teamwork, and allow teachers to differentiate instruction more easily. Through the successful implementation of co-teaching, teachers can establish multiple pathways to lead to student success. Upon completing this course, participants will leave with a toolbox containing knowledge of current practices for co-teaching models, resources that work, and lesson plans that can be utilized immediately.
https://forms.gle/JoXkmTXgaTu2ZZKs9
13. A Guide to Supporting Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Your Classroom and Meeting Each One’s Needs
(15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Kim Davis
Asynchronous: 3/17/25 - 4/21/25; remote office hours available upon request
This course of professional learning is for the special education teacher, the general education teacher and the content area teacher. With the students with autistic spectrum disorder in mind, this course will cover topics such as promoting a welcoming environment, creating an inclusive classroom, research based practical teaching strategies, and positive behavior supports, as well as collaboration and addressing communication and sensory needs.
https://forms.gle/SCavgEUuEhQ6KGwZ7
14. Beyond Tolerance: Creating a Culturally Inclusive and Civically Aware Classroom (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Meredith Murolo
Asynchronous: 3/19/25 - 4/23/25; remote office hours available upon request
No matter the content area, as teachers we are tasked with being on the frontline of educating our youth to live in an ethnically and culturally diverse America. Educators have a responsibility to create a culturally inclusive classroom and provide a means for students to become more culturally and civically aware. In this course, participants will learn approaches to teaching about cultural responsiveness and civic responsibility by discussing and learning strategies to create both a tolerant and accepting classroom. We will discuss how to navigate difficult conversations and engage students in lessons that will prepare them for their future beyond their K-12 education. Coursework will be both synchronous and asynchronous.
https://forms.gle/iSeS5Jc8Sg6uJRJ67
15. Reconnecting with the Disconnected Learner (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Douglas Shaw
Asynchronous: 3/24/25 - 4/28/25; remote office hours available upon request
One of the lasting effects of the Covid lockdowns is the disconnectedness teachers report with their students. What if the pandemic only accelerated the trend that began in 2012, when over 50% of American teenagers started carrying smartphones? This course will take an in-depth look at the reasons so many of our students feel so disconnected, the challenges that presents to educators, and what we can do about it.
https://forms.gle/RFVG87ySDBvVsvoX9
16. Best Practice: Differentiating Instruction in the Elementary Classroom (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Meghan Correira
Asynchronous: 3/26/25 - 4/30/25; remote office hours available upon request
In today's world, educators face extreme challenges of meeting the unique needs of every learner. This course will provide principles and practices of differentiated instruction. Educators will develop skills to create an inclusive environment to allow every student to thrive.
https://forms.gle/ZEBkTZB33tTMiCRY9
17. From Eye Rolls to Imagination: Is There Really a “Write” Way to Teach Creative Writing? (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Tracey Trentowski
Asynchronous: 4/7/25 - 5/5/25; remote office hours available upon request
Oftentimes students find it challenging and a waste of time to write creatively. We spend so much effort in education focusing on meeting requirements for standardized testing that students are often losing out on opportunities to express themselves creatively. Whether you are looking to occasionally incorporate additional creative writing assignments, or you are teaching a creative writing elective, this course will provide you with effective strategies, engaging activities, and practical approaches for inspiring and nurturing creative thinking for students at any age. Participants will explore various aspects of the creative writing process, including brainstorming techniques, character development, plot structure, and use of literary devices. Educators will learn how to create a supportive and stimulating environment where students feel comfortable and empowered to express themselves through writing. Participants will gain practical insights, strategies and worksheets to immediately use or adapt in their own classroom.
https://forms.gle/9KYB59ifhqgUT8T9A
18. Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Jessica Ciardullo
Asynchronous: 4/9/25 - 5/7/25; remote office hours available upon request
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom is a transformative course dedicated to empowering educators with the tools and strategies needed to integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into their teaching practices. In this course, educators will embark on a journey to create a positive and emotionally nurturing classroom environment that enhances not only academic success but also the overall well-being of students. This course is designed for educators seeking to foster the social and emotional growth of their students. Participants will delve into the principles of SEL, exploring practical techniques to create a supportive and inclusive learning space. Through engaging modules, collaborative discussions, and real-world application, educators will gain the skills needed to cultivate emotional intelligence and resilience in their students.
https://forms.gle/wpCQ4PULzk5PKz127
19. Stress Free IEPs: Your Guide to Creating Meaningful and Compliant IEPs (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Caitlin Morrell
Asynchronous: 4/21/25 - 5/19/25; remote office hours available upon request
IEP season is upon us! Do you feel like your PLEPs (Present Levels of Educational Performance section on your IEPs) are up to par? Does writing measurable annual goals make your head spin? Are you unsure if your sections are cohesive and accurately portray the whole child? Then this is the class for you! Over the next four weeks, you will learn how to clean up your PLEPs to be succinct and accurate to your individual students' needs, and create meaningful measurable goals that directly support their needs.
https://forms.gle/U23JDQH69Vxsj5xw6
20. Blended Learning in the Classroom (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Harold Kench
Asynchronous: 4/23/25 - 5/21/25; remote office hours available upon request
Blended learning (aka Flipped Classroom) is the practice of combining online learning and resources with traditional face to face classrooms. In a traditional classroom, the instructor would lecture about material, then assign students homework on that same material. The flipped classroom provides students with the digital lecture material and resources beforehand (videos, lessons, handouts, etc…), and then uses the valuable face to face time in the classroom to work on homework/activities. The benefits to this method of teaching is that students can work at their own pace with the online components of the lesson, and then have more one-on-one time with the instructor to clarify any points of difficulty. This model also gives students who are confident in the material a chance to peer mentor their struggling classmates.
https://forms.gle/KwdcAfQEHJofp3zR8
21. Powering Up Pedagogy with AI (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Norma LaFata
Asynchronous: 4/28/25 - 5/26/25; remote office hours available upon request
This course is designed to empower educators with the knowledge and tools of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize teaching methods and learning experiences. Participants will learn to harness the capabilities of AI to enhance their pedagogical practice with confidence. We will take a look at some of the less promising practices so that we can appreciate and focus on those practices with the greatest potential for teaching and learning. Participants will walk away with an abundance of resources and ideas to enable them to maximize AI in the classroom.
https://forms.gle/VBKB6wKcepLBnhvE6
22. Civic Literacy (15 CTLE hours)
Instructor: Meredith Murolo
Asynchronous: 4/30/25 - 5/28/25; remote office hours available upon request
This course will explore ways to incorporate the new civic literacy standards into the social studies classroom. We will focus on topics, activities, and resources that promote inclusive civic engagement skills. Participants will learn about techniques that support respectful and informed discussions about civic issues in the classroom and ways to encourage students’ critical thinking skills for a deeper understanding of both historical and modern day civic issues. This course will also examine the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness Program.