Communication

Course Description: First impressions are, as they say, everything. And you don’t get a second chance at making a good one. For many teachers – even those with decades of experience – the mere thought of parents entering their classroom for an evening of explanatory dialogue is enough to make them sick to the stomach. Open School Night is a parent’s way of meeting the teachers who interact with and affect their children on a daily basis, and a teacher’s way of establishing guidelines, expectations, means of communication, and areas of focus. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore tangible tools and effective strategies to creating a positive first impression and a successful Back-to-School evening. Applicable to teachers of any subject/grade level. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Course Description: “Did I miss anything?” We’ve all heard that question from a student who returns after an absence (or many absences). And we’ve all felt the frustration from not knowing what to say, of wishing our students and their parents remained informed when out of school. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore proven communicative tools as well as “distance learning” strategies in order to provide absent students with the resources they need and the education they deserve. Applicable to teachers of all subjects and grade levels. (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Course #L970 Course Description: Application: All subjects/grade levels Points or percentages? Weights? Dropping the lowest mark? Offering a curve? There are many variables when it comes to implementing grades and grading policies, all of which must be considered as we strive to create a fair, dependable, understandable system for our students and their parents, as well as for administration. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore tried and true grading practices that focus on creating such a system while steering clear of pitfalls and common mistakes. Applicable to teachers of all subjects and grade levels. (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Instructor: Lee Markowitz email: MarkowitzLIIPS@gmail.com ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only As we proceed through a new age of teaching, teachers find themselves facing new challenges and expectations…We must have heightened sensitivity to students’ social and emotional well-being, acknowledgement of gender neutrality and fluidity, recognition of anxiety and depression, as well as remaining mindful of Covid-19 and the impact it has had on so many.  Yes, we must teach the academics and yes, school must go on; however, we must always prioritize our students’ safety and comfort.  Above all else, students need to feel comfortable in our classrooms.  They need to feel safe, they need to feel accepted and welcome.  Teachers enrolled in this course will explore proven tactics and strategies aimed at maintaining a positive, encouraging classroom morale so that our students have a fair chance at performing their best and getting the most out of their educational experience. Applicable to teachers of all subjects/grade levels.

Course Description: Application: All subjects/grade levels While none of us could have predicted the circumstances of the Coronavirus, we, as educators are forced into the unchartered waters of distance learning. With that, comes the challenges of staying connected to our students, not only to continue their education, but to let them know they’re not alone. Our students depend on us. And no matter the situation, we can’t let them down. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore tactics and strategies for providing optimum educational opportunities and, more importantly, facilitated methods of staying connected with students for as long as distance learning is reality. (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

PDLI9070 (45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS) ON-LINE Course Instructor:  Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com Course Description  From the very moment that we enter the classroom, we create a definitive image of ourselves. First impressions are everything and encapsulate who we are and what students will glean from the course. Our body language, behavior, and diction are indicative of our teaching styles and our expectations of our learners. Educators are actors, putting on five shows a day, 900 shows a year, all which produce transformative learning from students.  Delving deeply into the students’ psyche and learning styles is tantamount for both educators and students today and provides everyone with the opportunity to enhance their learning and make personal connections between their own experiences and those of the curriculum. Successfully incorporating a wealth of social emotional resources as well as delving into the science of learning is crucial and invaluable. In the end, all aspects of learning will be covered. In this course, participants will learn everything there is to know about creating a successful environment that motivates students.  They will explore various resources such as articles, interviews, readings, differentiated learning sites, lesson plans, and links to literary sites.  They will research a variety of sources and decide which ones are engaging and fit into their curriculum.  In addition, teachers will gain student centered ideas, lessons that differentiate, challenging ways to motivate students, current research on pedagogy, various interdisciplinary websites and Socratic seminars and philosophical rounds that take literacy and learning to a new level!  Applicable all Educators and staff K-12.

Dealing with difficult parents is one of the biggest problems faced by today’s educators and administrators. This course is designed to provide professionals with an in-depth exploration of strategies and techniques for developing more positive and productive relationships with the most challenging parents, and in doing so, raising students’ self-esteem and increasing their academic success. Methods include building parental support and credibility, problem solving, communication scripts, understanding the different types of parenting, keeping a success journal, stress management, ways to communicate through technology, and developing positive relationships from the start. This class is suitable for anyone in the educational field. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only  

formerly titled: Strategies to Promote Regulation and Calm in yourself, staff and students throughout the day

3 credits/45 hours … In service only 

Course Description:

Learning, thinking, listening, processing information, communicating and relationships with others are best when one is in a calm and regulated state.

Regulation in others, starts with our own skills of self-regulation. Then through the process of co-regulation, calm is shared and modeled which in turn develops and fosters the ability for students to self-regulate.  Appropriate for all Educators and Staff K-12.

With the adoption of the CCLS one major instructional shift has been to incorporate more nonfiction into the classroom. As educators, one of our major goals is to prepare students to be college and career ready. Approximately ninety-five percent of daily work-related information is in expository form. Based upon this information, it is necessary for educators to teach students ways to navigate and comprehend this form of text. This course will help teachers improve nonfiction instruction and expository reading comprehension with their students. Topics covered in this class include: expository text structure, features and patterns strategies for vocabulary instruction metacognition strategies like activation of prior knowledge (new to known), self-monitoring skills, questioning the text, determining importance, and synthesizing As a result of this course participants will gather helpful unit plans of study for incorporating nonfiction for immediate classroom use. A must for all educators K-12!! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Course Description: This course is designed to equip all educators with the knowledge and skills to foster an emotionally engaging classroom. Skills such as leadership, communication and listening, positive thinking, student support, and team building all will be examined. Educators will share how to communicate not only with the students in their classrooms, but with administrators and colleagues. Communication is a complete building-wide plan. Discussions on how to build communication, leadership and positivity, in every classroom no matter the subject area or grade you teach will be shared. Participants will engage in overall positive communication strategies and teamwork skills. This course is a must for educators K-12.

Course Description We define social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities. Course Objectives

• Develop self-awareness and self-management skills to achieve school and life success.
• Use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships.
• Demonstrate decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.

Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Yes, these are often the focal points of our lessons. With that having been said, we must consider that there is more to what we do. Our students – regardless of age or grade level – enter our classrooms in September and leave in June. During that span, there is noticeable maturation, emotional growth, and cognitive development. Our role is vital, and Character Education is crucial. Yes, our students are measured by tests and numbers, but helping them grow to be well-adjusted, respectable members of society is essential. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore realistic pedagogical methodologies that focus on helping our students develop pride, integrity, and character. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

*New Course* Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Dates: March 3,4,5,6,7,10,11,12,13,14 th (2025)  East Meadow Location - 4:15 - 8:15 pm Course Description: Learning to work closely with our colleagues is tantamount to effective teaching. Learning the ins and outs of collaborative instruction not only assists teachers but students significantly. This class will instruct teachers as to how to nurture the co-teaching relationship and find a rhythm that works for everyone. Co-teaching structures of learning will be discussed, making the most of co-teaching partnerships, flexibility, rich expertise and experiences, communication, and best research practices will be discussed. Teachers will emerge with a wealth of strategies and websites for effective planning techniques. **A must for K-12 educators!!!

It is the tireless task of the educator today to find the means to advance all learners in his/her class! Great teachers know exactly the steps to take to produce outstanding and consistently effective learners. Teaching students in a dynamic, ingenious way that motivates and excites them about learning is the ticket to success. Having students learn collaborative and cooperative techniques is essential for their growth. Enabling students to have intense instruction that challenges them and enables them to critically think is the way to create meaningful learning opportunities for them. This course will effectively demonstrate the means of reaching all individuals in one’s class via informative techniques for all types of learners. It will provide intensive strategic instruction that guides them through the reading process, comprehension process, key words, and textual structures. All disciplines will be covered and synthesis will take place. A Must for all K-12 Educators!!! ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Course Description: This course will focus on how to build a true community in your classroom from day one.  Educators will discuss proper communication skills, collaboration techniques and cooperative learning strategies. This course will examine how we communicate (both verbal and non-verbal) to build a happy classroom.  Educators will share how cooperative learning done strategically on daily basis, creates an environment of trust.  Teachers will discuss how collaboration activities and techniques lead to successful classroom atmospheres.  All of these factors put together help to build a strong classroom environment.  This course is a must for all educators levels K-12.