Environmental Impacts

Course Description: As educators, we must remain dynamic and flexible as we navigate the unchartered waters of modern education. Our students have changed and so has life around them. Following a pandemic, online/remote and hybrid learning have become new norms.  Students, regardless of age/grade/level, are faced with new challenges, both academically and socially.  And while we cannot always predict these changes, we must be able to adapt our teaching methods in order to provide our students with the best education possible. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore proven pedagogical strategies focusing on the modernization of education and the flexibility and adaptability teachers must employ. Applicable to teachers of all subjects/grade levels. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

The natural genetic make-up of the body interacts with environment from the moment of conception. While extreme genetic or environmental conditions can predominate behavior in some cases, these two factors usually work together to produce individual intelligence. During this class, you will learn topics which include the understanding between genetic and environmental influences of cognition, environmental causes, nutrition and cognitive functioning, birth order and how it relates to intelligence, other important factors that influence intelligence, sociocultural influences on learning and behavior, and addressing behaviors within our classroom. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only  

Traumatic experiences come in many forms ranging from one-time events (like the current pandemic) to experiences that are prolonged and recurring. To date, approximately 50% of the nation’s children and adolescents have experienced at least one or more types of serious childhood trauma. The effects of these traumatic experiences impact how students focus, attend, learn, form relationships and behave in the classroom. Trauma informed interventions focus on building relationships, routines, choice-making and self-regulation skills. This course has been developed to provide all educators with content knowledge on the types and biology of trauma, ACES, and best practices in trauma-informed behavior and classroom management strategies. The course will provide participants with the knowledge and tools they need to create a safe, supportive learning environment for all students. A timely course given the current public health crisis and school shut down. A good opportunity to be prepared to meet the needs of staff and students when school re-opens. Course Objectives: Participants will: 1. Develop an understanding of what trauma is and the effect it has on brain development 2. Form an awareness of the role trauma can play in classroom performance and behavior 3. Become trauma aware and develop a trauma lens in which they can look at behavior in a different way 4. Examine traditional behavior and classroom management strategies and adapt them to be trauma informed and trauma focused 5. Create an action plan to address the needs of students impacted by the effects of trauma This course is relevant to all who work in schools with children ages 5-21 in both regular and special education settings. This course has been designed for all school administrators, regular and special education teachers (grades K-12 and ages 5 to 21),special area teachers (gym, art, music, technology) school psychologists, school counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, speech and language therapists or speech pathologists and occupational or physical therapists. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only

  Gayle Meinkes-Lumia (gaylelumia@yahoo.com) Establishing classroom routines is a must for all teachers. Developing a schedule and a repertoire for students at the onset of the school year, as well as creating safe learning spaces that promote social-emotional learning is tantamount for any grade level and socioeconomic status. In this course, teachers will learn the basics of the art of teaching and the ways in which close connections are established. They will analyze the propensity for learning in each of their students and create individualized and differentiated instruction for all. A wealth of graphic organizers, articles, poetry, technology, classroom anchor charts and visuals will be utilized, all of which connect student learning and establish the foundation for the school year ahead. A must for all K-12 educators!!!!!

Preppy. Techie. Geek. Freak. Loser. Jock. These are just a few of the labels that students live with every day. And some labels are a lot nastier. Who hands out these labels? What role do labels play? Do they help or hurt? Do people sometimes like their labels, or do they always hate them? This course will examine the truth behind these labels and the impact that they have on student behavior and learning. Suitable all educators K-12. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING STANDARDS 1. To learn where labels come from Standard 2: A Safe and Healthy Environment. Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment. 2. To understand the emotions that go along with labeling Standard 2: A Safe and Healthy Environment. Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment. 3. To look at how to reduce the emotional effect of labeling Standard 2: A Safe and Healthy Environment. Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment. 4. To create environments that foster feelings of appreciation and acceptance Standard 2: A Safe and Healthy Environment. Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment. ON-LINE 3 Credits [45 hours] Inservice Credit Only