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Kim Kittredge   Kkittredgeliips@gmail.com

How can teachers increase rigor and productivity in the classroom? This course is designed to arm educators with a multitude of skills to increase rigor and make your students become the motivated individuals you wish them to be.  Participants in the course will be given a multitude of materials and strategies to help their students become more productive. Through hands-on activities, group work, SEL learning, computer-based games and technology and differentiated instruction to name a few, your students will thrive.   Students who didn't think they had it in them will break the barriers and understand that rigor is not “hard” it’s just a tiny bit uncomfortable; but the benefits are powerful!

This course is a must for all educators of all grades K-12.

Achieving the optimum level of student productivity is at the core of one’s teaching. Providing students with assessments, choices in their curriculum, and differentiation is the key to their success. Adding rigor to students’ curriculum is essential in the common core era. In this course, participants will learn how to develop target -centered homework, prepare students for the mandates of the standards, advance students’ vocabularies, produce lessons and implement strategies for our learners. The rigor will be increased dramatically! A must for K-12 educators!!!! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Hands-on, experimental learning is the wave of the future for educators, coaches, directors, and administrators alike. Developing driving questions for students enables them to utilize critical thinking skills and enhance their learning tremendously. The course will center around summative and formative assessments for learning, showcase lessons for discussion, PBL techniques, inquiry-based analysis and many more innovative concepts. Participants will be able to guide their learners perfectly. All disciplines and grade levels welcome. *A must for K-12 educators*

(3 credits/45 hours) In service credit only Instructor: Grace Rossetti     gracerossettiliips@gmail.com Course Description:  What is integrated co-teaching (ICT) and how can it be successful? As an ICT teacher for the last 5 years, I can't wait to share my success with other educators! In this course, participants will learn different models that co-teachers can use: station teaching, parallel teaching, one teach/one observe and one teach/one assist. The goal is for participants to learn the difference between the models, how they can all be used to reach the needs of all your learners, and how you can begin using them right away. This course suits all educators K-12.

Students of all ages look at sports as a main hobby and source of entertainment outside of school. This course focuses on learning in relation to youth, amateur, and professional athletics. Participants will create projects, lessons, and activities that will tie sporting events to English-Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Participants will develop curriculum-based assignments for their classroom, with a special emphasis on sports leagues, teams, and athletes. Students will make connections between what is happening in and outside of the classroom. This course is suitable for all educators, K-12. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service only

Taken from www.responsiveclassroom.org, “Interactive Modeling is a straightforward, quickly paced process that’s effective for teaching children any academic or social skill, routine, or procedure that you want them to do in a specific way (whether for safety, efficiency, or other reasons). One of the essential practices of the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching elementary school children, Interactive Modeling can be used by any adult anywhere in school at any time of year.” Teachers will learn the steps for Interactive Modeling, strategies for success, ideas for where to use in your lessons and routines. Applicable for teachers K-12. 

Course Description – Revitalizing our classrooms is the ticket to students’ success. Having the skills necessary to invigorate our learners and capture their learning styles is tantamount. In this course, teachers will have the opportunity to glean a depth of understanding regarding the nature of the adolescent and the ways in which their learning is impacted by many factors. Teachers will be instructed on a plethora of learning styles and models that gear instruction to individuals perfectly. A must for all K-12 educators!!!!

(3 credits/45 hours) – In-Service Credit

Having students become knowledgeable citizens of the world through cultural experiences enables them to become reflective thinkers and critical learners. Viewing one’s culture as tantamount to the learning experience is critical for both students and teachers alike. Kaleidoscope is the process of putting into place a multicultural way of thinking and teaching that can be implemented by all teachers. Teachers will be provided with a theoretical framework, bridging theory and practices via exercises, discussion, scenarios, teaching materials, and language acquisition. In the end, a recipe for engagement will occur. *A must for K-12 Educators!!!!! ONLINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

School violence can be prevented. Research shows that prevention efforts – by teachers, administrators, parents, community members, and even students – can reduce violence and improve the overall school environment. No one factor in isolation causes school violence, so stopping school violence involves using multiple prevention strategies that address the many individual, relationship, community, and societal factors that influence the likelihood of violence. Prevention efforts should ultimately reduce risk factors and promote protective factors at these multiple levels of influence. COURSE OBJECTIVES At the conclusion of the class students will be able to: ● Create school wide prevention and intervention strategies. ● Develop emergency response planning. ● Develop school policies and understanding legal considerations. ● Create a positive school climate and culture. ● Implement ongoing staff development. ● Ensuring quality facilities and technology. ● Foster school/law enforcement partnerships. ● Institute links with mental health/social services. ● Foster family and community involvement. ON-LINE (3 Credits – 45 Hours) In-service Credit only

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia - gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-service Course - 3 Credits / 45 Hours Course Description: Educating today's students in a tactile, active fashion improves a wealth of critical and analytical thinking skills. Kinesthetic learners retain information more effectively, become active rather than passive participants in learning, and are able to acquire a wealth of information more expeditiously than their peers. This course will train teachers to find ways to assist students in their work ethic and their problem-solving techniques. Topics being addressed include hands-on simulations, animations, role-playing exercises, micro-learning lessons. A multitude of benefits arise when kinesthetic learning is at the forefront! *A must for K-12 educators!!!!

Research continues to confirm that we can teach students with learning disabilities to “learn how to learn.” We can put them into a position to understand and value their own education. Because everyone learns differently, helping children reach their maximum potential should be the goal in every classroom. A variety of tips and tools have been developed throughout this course to help both teachers and parents provide the most supportive and successful learning environment. This course will provide a wealth of information and a comprehensive overview of evidence-based remediation and accommodation teaching strategies. This course will include: the visible signs of learning disorders; effective teaching and accommodation strategies; most recent technology, diagnostic criteria; and self-esteem. This course applies to all Educators K-12. NOTE: This is a separate and independent course from ABC’s of Learning Disabilities and Beyond – Resources for Educators . This course was designed to provide additonal information and direction beyond the ABC’s course. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only  

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Life Lessons are learned in a plethora of ways. Students glean motivation and desire success when inspirational ideas are presented to them. This course will focus on a wealth of disciplines and a variety of insightful topics that encapsulate creativity and enable students to reach for the stars. Lessons from a variety of different modalities will be covered, including English, Social Studies, Math, and Science, as well as innovative techniques, all of which strengthen students' skills and nurture their inner beings. *A must for K-12 educators*

Course Description: This course will examine how we as educators work on literacy, literacy programs, and literacy techniques with our students.  Educators will develop classroom literacy and comprehension programs to work with the population of students you have in your classrooms.  Participants will learn effective and strategic literacy methods such as fluency and phonics, and will transform your classroom within a matter of weeks.  A classroom where comprehension builds literacy perfection, is one that any educator strivers for. This course is a must for teachers of grades K-12 of all levels.

CCSS ELA-Literacy. RL5.1 – Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS ELA- Literacy. RL 2.6 – Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud Course Description: Creating a balanced literacy program in one’s classroom is tantamount to student success. In this course, participants will be introduced to a medley of literary forms and techniques that will ensure student success. Topics include: author study, literature circles, poetry analysis, RAFT writing, non-fiction and fiction sources, newspaper and magazines, vocabulary study, arguments, etc… Assignments include: raising the proficiency bar, determining and clarifying meaning in texts, distinguishing between text types. In the end your classroom will be infused with literate individuals!!!! Participants will be introduced to a medley of literary techniques. They will be able to comprehend, organize, and orchestrate a balanced literacy program within the confines of their classroom. They will also be able to walk away with a wide array of material for their literate classrooms. a. Participants will be able to implement a balanced literacy program in their classrooms b. Participants will be able to glean the knowledge of experts in their field and develop writing assignments for their students c. Participants will be able to acquire a medley of non-fiction and fiction assignments (common core driven) for their classrooms. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Small, peer-led discussions about texts; engaging, thought provoking critical readers – these are just some of the descriptions that are entailed in literature circles. When kids are engaged in well-structured book clubs, their comprehension and their attitude toward reading, both improve. Well-designed literature circles, organized by competent teachers can pave the way for lifelong readers and learners. In this course, you will learn how to construct literature circles (fictional and non-fictional) inside your classroom and enable students to create meaningful connections within various texts. Participants will complete a myriad of tasks: • Complete an introspection of themselves and their teaching styles • Complete research on literary circles • Share relevant teaching stories that assist everyone in the teaching process • Cultivate student interest by creating exciting reading opportunities • Master different approaches to prepare students for higher thinking • Execute lessons that enrich student learning • Read a young adult novel and complete literature circle activities of your own Overall, participants will be refreshed as they enhance their classrooms by learning more about themselves! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

*New Course Spring 2025 Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Literacy is at the forefront of education today. All teachers are expected to be teachers of reading and writing regardless of their subject area. Teachers need a repertoire of lessons and ideas to motivate learners and elevate student abilities. This course provides a plethora of lessons, graphic organizers, best practice techniques, strategic thinking skills, collaborative, small group activities, and models that enhance student learning. Via the activities, participants will delve deeper into the literacy process and apply the models to their respective discipline. The subject areas of reading, writing, science, math, social studies, and health will be covered. Specific strategies and projects will be covered as well as a multitude of best practice techniques. In the end, participants will walk away with a literary bag of tricks! In this course, participants will be instructed on the various ways to foster literacy development. They will learn the strategies that facilitate student learning, including read alouds, dialoging about texts, engagement before, during, and after reading, and extensive discussions that allow for creativity and growth. Teachers will be instructed on ways to incorporate complex texts into their repertoire and build upon students’ knowledge. A rich literary curriculum will be addressed as well, including orthographic mapping, text structure, and interdisciplinary applications *A must for K-12 Educators!!

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: A happy classroom is teeming with positive relationships and a sense of belonging. All students are treated equally, all input is taken into account, and students feel safe and respected. Creating this positive classroom culture provides students with the ability to flourish and connect to the material at large. This course will provide educators with the tools necessary to develop an enthusiastic mindset and to subsequently create lessons to match. Topics to be covered include positive reinforcement, effective classroom environment strategies, literature readings from the Dalai Lama and "The Good Life", as well as philosophical readings on scientific keys to happiness. *A must for K-12 educators*

  Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com (3 Credits/45 Hours) – In-Service Credit Course Description: Individuals who do the most talking, thinking, reflecting, or moving do the most learning. When learners feel good about what, how, and with whom they learn, they’re more likely to want to do it again. Building upon childhood experiences and engaging our students in relevant, meaningful instruction in all disciplines is crucial. Participants in the course will understand the tools for success that their students need in order to make sense of their learning. They will learn to organize their content, pre-teach, structure their lessons perfectly, develop active participants rather than passive recipients of learning. Classrooms will be completely restructured to meet the needs of their aspiring learners! **A must for K-12 educators!!!