Education Policies & Trends
 | *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – July 28th-August 1st Course Credits- 3 Credits/45 Hours Course Description: Instructing all students to lead others, become independent thinkers, and take ownership in their learning is key to their success. This course will provide participants with the practices it takes to train their students to be at the top of their game including being proactive in their learning, finding their inner voice, and creating opportunities for themselves. Many tools will be provided that enable them to engage their students and direct them towards creating alternatives and goals in their lives, ones that cause them to be highly effective in all they do. *A Must for all K-12 Educators* | |
 | Janna Florio Online Course - 3 credits / 45 hours - In-Service Credit Only Applicable to High School Teachers & Department Coordinators/Chairs Description: Being a student in high school is tough; being a teacher of high school students is tough; however, surviving high school as a newcomer to the country could feel almost impossible. Combined with the harrowing experiences they suffer during their immigration journeys, adolescent ELLs are also faced with the stresses that plague the majority of all other high-schoolers. From high-stakes testing to mental health concerns, students within this age bracket hold a lot of weight on their shoulders. Past trauma, feelings of isolation, displacement from family, and the challenges of learning a new culture and language only exacerbate these issues for immigrant and migrant students. In this course, you will learn about the struggles these students face, the challenges they must overcome, and what schools might be able to do to support them. | |
 | *New Course Spring 2025
Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description:
Understanding the ways in which students’ learning is maximized is key to education today. Having an awareness of the various learning styles facilitates student/teacher interaction, effective accommodations, and analysis of individuals’ critical thinking skills. This course will focus on the work of American psychologist, Howard Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligences and the ways in which his profound analysis ties directly into 21st century learning. Teachers will leave with a knowledge of the eight different intelligences and the intertwining of creative components of each. Innovative components of the intelligences will be learned as well as how to tie them into all disciplines and age groups.
*A must for all K-12 Educators* | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 – June 30th-July 5th, no class July 4th Cousre Description:Being a mentor and mentoring are both important roles for an educator. This course will delve into what it is like to be mentor to another teacher. We will go through the strategies and skills that should be shared from a seasoned teacher to a newer teacher. We will also discuss how when you a mentor a student in class he help them to become the best version of themselves. Mentors in all roles are here to guide and provide. Educators will leave this course with a better sense of how to work with teachers and students to be the perfect mentor for today. This course is a must for educators K-12. | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – August 18th-August 22nd Course Credits- 3 Credits/45 Hours Course Description: Fostering deep and engaging classroom discussions is essential for promoting critical thinking and student engagement. Too often, classroom discussions tend to be blasé. This course will instruct participants on the tricks to tantalizing their learners. Teaching tools include effective communication and discourse, Socratic Seminars, innovative role-play, friends without pens, fishbowl, and many more! *A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
 | Course # PDLI9100
(45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS) ON-LINE
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
Course Description:
This course will discover the benefits of teaching proper mindsets to students and educators. We will also work on teacher mindsets and how balanced teaching will help with the balanced classroom. Educators will discover how de-stressing helps in the success of learning. Teachers will discuss fixed vs. growth mindsets, assessments and communication strategies for all. | |
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Since we know education moves in cycles, we see Common Core moving out, and Next Generation moving in. As always our roles as teachers need to ebb and flow as well. This course will describe just what we need to achieve a greater understanding of the Next Generation Standards. We will discuss how to move forward in our curriculum with our students in our classrooms today. This course will provide you with the knowledge to be more of a facilitator in your classroom as you coach your students and as they become more active in their own learning. Educators will explore how to promote and encourage self-directed learning in your classroom, while also creating a learning environment that encourages collaboration. Teachers will discuss how to help your students manage their own learning, and inspire their thinking skills. These skills will help them thrive in their daily lives both inside and outside of the classroom.
This course is a must for all teachers of all disciplines K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: The burden of responsibility for student success should ideally rest squarely on the shoulders of the student. Providing the means for our learners to solve open-ended real-world problems is crucial. This course will explore the ways in which our learners can become self-directed - solving and developing answers to critical problems in society. Participants will explore lessons of PBL, divergent thinking, riddle solving, comprehensive studies development, and be able to purposively solve world issues.
*A must for all K-12 educators* | |
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Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
(3 Credits/45 Hours)
Course Description: How do Teachers get their students to achieve success? This course will discuss the ins and outs of doing well in school – teachers will learn to build upon students’ natural vibes and create lessons that spark their students’ worlds. Engaging their cognitive brains and their processing skills in order to have them achieve greatness is the task at hand. Strategies as turn and talk, Cornell note taking, audio and videotaping oneself will be addressed. **A must for all educators and disciplines- K- 12!! | |
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This course will examine how educators discover and develop positive classroom connections with their students. Participants will learn effective and strategic teaching methods to transform your classroom into an emotionally connected atmosphere of positivity and learning. Having a connected classroom is key to uncovering and discovering how positivity builds a perfect foundation in any classroom. Educators will study strategies for positivity classrooms as well as daily connection skills. This course is a must for teachers of grades K-12 of all levels.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 – July 7th-11th Cousre Description: College and Career Readiness is the new expression in schools today. What exactly does it mean? How do we help our students achieve it? How do we model our lessons? This course is designed for educators who want to work with their students and get them to the next level. Educators who are looking to explore higher order thinking strategies for their students will explore practices to use daily. Teachers will work to share critical thinking, communication, collaboration and other components that students will need in the future for uses in the real-world. Educators will feel confident in sharing their lessons and promoting readiness in all students. This course is a must for educators K-12. | |
| *New Course Spring 2025 Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Course Description:The goal of giving great feedback is a skill that all need to practice. Whether you’re a teacher giving feedback to your students, an administrator providing feedback on an observation, or a colleague sharing feedback on a fellow teacher’s lesson, feedback is an integral skill. This course will provide strategies for sharing positive and negative feedback with proper etiquette and style. Since feedback accomplishes different goals depending on the situation, educators will work on strategies for effective use of feedback at the optimal moments and times. Teachers will find that after this course they will achieve great results in and out of the classroom to help provide the feedback results they seek. This course is a must for educators K-12. | |
| *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 - August 25th-29th Course Description: This course will deal with the tried-and-true form of teaching learning. As educators we should teach our students to work smarter, not harder! This course will provide teachers with simple strategies that will make students’ time in your classroom worth it! Students will learn and study more effectively and make learning stick. Educators will discuss in this course research on how the brain works and thus retains information. Teachers will discuss the day-to-day reality of teaching and learning strategies to a dynamic classroom of students of all levels. Educators will discuss the basics of how the brain takes in and stores information, as well as best practices for retrieval of daily information. Easy-to-implement strategies will be shared to help guide any educator through lessons that can improve outcomes for all students. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12. | |
 | Course Description:
This course will focus on how help your students become better problem solvers by using Project-Based Learning. Educators in this course with discuss techniques for success with PBL that will help your students thrive and become more successful individuals. Educators will focus on techniques such as: Collaboration, Student Choice, Role Playing and Real-World Scenarios to name a few. Participants will explore such techniques and learn to empower your students to achieve and become better problem solvers. This course is a must for all instructors of all levels K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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This course will focus on how to support the struggling learners we all have in our classrooms. Educators will share strategies that work in all areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking to bring those learners up to par with the rest of the class. Strategies will be explored on how to lift up those students who struggle. Students will feel supported satisfied with their improvements. Teachers will walk away with a plethora of great lessons and techniques. This course is a must for all teachers of all disciplines grades K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
Course Description: The more active the body is in learning, the more meaningful connections the brain can make to the content. This course will incorporate multi-sensory methodologies and principles of neurodevelopment into education. Participants will learn how to seamlessly introduce strategic movement into the learning process in order to enhance focus, retention, and comprehension. This course will empower educators with knowledge and resources that can transform student learning and enable future success.
*A must for K-12 educators* | |
 | Course Description:
This course is designed to equip educators with proper tools to help your students develop great study habits. You will be able to arm your students with organizational skills, ideas that work, tools for them to memorize text and concepts, and lots more. This course will explore how to help your classes with note-taking techniques and/or merely developing good study habits in general. Your students will learn to utilize these study habits and will benefit from them daily. Participants will share their own techniques as well as developing new ones. This course is a must for educators K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | Course Description: How do we teach respect? Respect from our students is one of the greatest issues educators face day to day when trying to educate our students. Has respect been lost, or do children just need to be reminded of it from time to time? This course will look into this phenomenon. As educators we need to work on this generation of students and their idea of respect and the culture behind it. In this course we will discuss how crucial respect is to achieving success in the classroom and in life. In this course, educators will explore the impact of cultural values, work ethic, family life and various other factors that influence students inside and outside of our schools. This course will incorporate the many factors that go into teaching students respect. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | Course Description: This course is for those educators who want to balance it all; your teaching and the behavior your students. We will discuss how to balance teaching such as our policies and penalties for misconduct. Are we strict? How do we deal with those students that don’t follow our rules? Then, how do we balance our teaching? All educators want to create a classroom that supports positive and comfortable education. We will discuss strategies for helping our students feel productive and safe in our classrooms every day. Educators will examine various practices for creating a balanced and positive climate for all students of any age or grade level.
This course is for educators levels K-12 of all subjects.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | The Effects of School Gardening Activities on Academics, Social/Emotional and Life Skill Development 3 Credits – In service Course (45 Hours)
Instructor: Denise J. Ribarich OTR/L dribarichliips@gmail.com
This course is designed for professionals/educators/therapists working directly with elementary, middle/high schoolers and young adults. In this online course you will learn the multiple benefits that can be achieved during the process of cultivating and beautifying a small garden space in and around your school or community. These include academic improvement as well as social, psychological, emotional, as well as improved verbal expression and essential life skills. You will learn skills developed such as responsibility, self-confidence, decision making, teamwork, organization and working together towards an ultimate goal. Besides the educational improvement in math and science , many students have improved sensory processing capabilities which frees these students to more easily learn and integrate new skills that they were unable to do before.
Working together with your students on designing a simple garden will provide enjoyment and satisfaction and will have long-lasting memories with development of meaningful vocational applications for the future.
This course is important for all educators including School Psychologists, Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, Speech/Language teachers and Occupational and Physical Therapists. The knowledge you will learn will have a direct impact on your students and will affect all aspects of their lives as well as yours.
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| Course Description: This course will focus on the geography of education and how to teach your students; no matter who they are or where they come from. Geography by definition is to study the physical features and activity of a society, and how this affects and is affected by those around it. So, why not apply it to education! This course will examine the features of education and how we use it to teach our students better on a daily basis. Teachers will discuss our learning activities and atmospheres. We will discuss our populations in our schools, they areas in which we teach, and the resources we receive to benefit these populations. Educators will work on techniques and strategies for the ultimate goal of success with the geography of learning and educating all students no matter the area they live or how they learn. This course is a must for all educators levels K-12.
(3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | *New Course Spring 2025
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Course Description:How do student feel when they are labeled or stereotyped? What is the impact it has on the youth of today? This course will explore the different labels and stereotypes students are given and live with daily. Educators will examine the role that labels play on students. We will discuss whether or not labeling hurts or helps a student get by. Educators will examine the effect labeling or stereotyping plays on all children with all needs and all backgrounds. This course is a must for educators K-12. | |
 | 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 | |
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Course Description: Creating a successful learning environment is interconnected to a myriad of ideas and a stirring vision. Having support and high- quality resources creates a landscape for learning that students desire and require. An instructional pedagogical playbook provides a tool for coaches and teachers alike, one that utilizes research-based strategies and matches learning goals. In the end, a deeper understanding of curriculum will emerge that increases student motivational levels and transforms learning in any classroom setting. Innovative lessons will be addressed, as well as powerful tools that help students pursue intellectual passions. A must for all K-12 educators!!!!!
(3 credits/45 hours) – In-Service Credit | |
| *New Course Spring 2025
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Course Description:The power of positive thinking can help us as teachers and can help our students get through the day. This positivity is a strategy that will help us all our lives. This course is designed to dig deep into the impact that positive thoughts can have on our lives. Both students and teachers will explore how to harness the potential of a positive and optimistic mindset. Educators will explore how to help your students obtain a positive psychological viewpoint and refrain from negative thoughts. Strategies will be shared on resilience, gratitude, transformation and compassion. Educators will end up with a plethora of tools on overall positive thinking and living and how to emotionally transform your classroom. This course is a must for educators K-12. | |
 | In service only (3 credits/45 hours) Instructor: Bryan Horrmann Bhorrmannliips@gmail.com Class Description: In education, mindset is everything. The Power of Yet is an enticing professional development course designed to help teachers cultivate a growth mindset in themselves and their students. Through reflection, hands-on activities, and intentional practice, educators will learn how to shift from a fixed mindset to an optimistic, solutions-focused approach. This course will provide strategies to encourage resilience, persistence, and a love of learning in students while fostering a more positive, engaged, and adaptable teaching mindset. Participants will explore the science behind growth mindset, practice mindfulness techniques, analyze real-world classroom scenarios, and apply their learning through practical exercises. By the end of this course, teachers will have the tools to transform challenges into opportunities, empower students to embrace mistakes, and create a more positive, supportive learning environment. Suitable all educators K-12. | |
| Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: Developing an understanding of student behavior is tantamount in terms of adequate instruction and learner success. Educating today’s students requires a wealth of strategies, including critical and analytical thinking skills. Having our learners retain information more effectively, become active rather than passive participants in learning, and being able to comprehend information are the only methods of sustained success. This course will train teachers to find ways to assist students in their unique working styles and respective behaviors. Topics being addressed include proactive, preventative strategies, responsive consequences, etc. A multitude of teacher instructional styles and coping mechanisms will be focused on.
*A must for K-12 educators!!!! | |
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Course Description:
As an educator, do you ever feel that you just don’t have enough time in the day to get all your things done? Do you feel like you just don’t want to take your paperwork and grading home? Well, this course is designed to help educators with proper time management strategies. Tips from planning lessons, to contacting parents, to grading will be discussed. Together we will examine how to prioritize your tasks, use your time more effectively, and stop procrastinating! You’ll also learn how to teach your students the skills to do it as well. Teachers will discuss the importance of time management skills and planning, and how this is a skill we will use for life. This course is a must for all educators levels K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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Being able to challenge our students and enhance their learning is dire. Identifying the ways in which students critically think can greatly increase their comprehension. Modifying and addressing various scenarios of learning is tantamount to our students’ success. In this course, participants will be introduced to a wealth of ideas and current trends that maximize the learning for their classroom. They will learn to identify and create activities that enhance students’ comprehension and subsequently engage in strategies that fully indoctrinate the learner into any classroom atmosphere. A must for K-12 educators!!!!!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
 | *New Course
Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – June 30th-July 5th, no class July 4th Course Credits – 3 Credits/45 Hours Course Description: Students go through the course of their days absentmindedly listening to teachers, abiding by rote rules of instruction, and mindlessly completing work. This course will instruct participants on leveraging their students’ ability to discover and reach their learning goals via self-awareness, goal setting, metacognition, and task analysis. Strategic learning behaviors will be analyzed for best practices, as well as learning to utilize the learning environment for students’ optimum success. *A Must for K-12 Educators* |