Engagement
 | 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. | |
 | In March of 2020, educators entered the “unchartered waters” of remote instruction quickly adapting curriculum and instruction to virtual classrooms and a variety of online platforms. But what about behavior and classroom management systems? How did classroom routines and reinforcement systems work virtually?
As time marched on, educators expressed ongoing challenges with keeping their students actively engaged and behaving appropriately during remote instruction. Educators sought to implement classroom procedures in the virtual classroom and many quickly realized that maintaining attention or compliance remotely is not the same as when you are face to face.
This course will provide participants the opportunity to reflect on their current in school behavior and classroom management practices and learn how to extend them to a virtual learning environment.
Participants will learn what is considered best practice when managing behavior remotely with a focus on creating systems and plans that are consistent in both learning environments.
Participants will plan to pivot seamlessly between in person and remote instruction as needed.
Participants will learn all about digital resources designed for behavior and classroom and will consider and make decisions about what may work best for them
This course is relevant for all who work in schools with children ages 5-21 in both General and Special Education settings including (but not limited to) classroom and resource room teachers, related service providers (Speech/Language therapist, OT, PT), Special area teachers (e.g. Gym, Art, Music, Health) and all members of PPS (School Psychologists, Guidance Counselors, School Social Workers) and School Administrators.
ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only | |
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3 Credits – In-Service Course (45 Hours)
Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
Course Description: Keeping students engaged and invigorated in their learning is the task of all educators far and wide. Offering new and innovative material, deepening students’ skills, and involving them in the learning process are the optimum tools for success. In this course, participants will immerse themselves in the learning process- researching their audience, embracing their students’ worlds, altering their mindsets. They will receive a plethora of information on creating unique lessons, ones that traverse learners’ lives and transcend their mindsets. Boredom shall never occur again at the culmination of the course!
**A must for K-12 educators in all disciplines | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours) Dates: Summer 2025 - August 4th-8th Course Description: The learning process takes a village. It’s not just important to have the teachers, guidance and administrators on your side, but you must have a supportive family behind you. This course will work with educators and their families to build important relationships. Educators will work on strategies that connect all students to learning and to the learning process. Teachers will be able to share the importance of learning, mindset, communication and more. Educators will work on daily routines to build support with their students. Practices will also be shared that can be brought home and worked on with your family. By the end of this course, educators and families will realize how important it is to make and keep these positive connections for the sake of the students, the family relationships and the learning process. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12. | |
 | In-Service Course
3 Credits; 45 Hours
Instructor: Valerie Gompers
Instructor Email: VGompersLIIPS@Gmail.com
Course Description:
Teaching high school and middle school students can be difficult when they constantly challenge you. They teeter between being children who still need guidance and young adults who want their independence and freedom. By understanding the unique perspectives, interests, and challenges of today's youth, instructors will learn to foster a supportive and engaging learning environment that promotes student success. This course is a must for all 6-12 educators! | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – July 7th-11th Course Credits: – 3 credits/45 Hours Course Description: Culturally responsive classroom education is at the forefront of teaching in the 21st Century. Students need to learn how to take educational risks and assume the responsibilities of independent work and collaboration. They need to be able to identify inequities and advocate for diversity within the classroom environment. In this course, participants will be able to learn how to create a classroom environment that represents and values all cultural backgrounds within the confines of their classroom. They will learn how to inculcate various perspectives throughout their respective disciplines and address ways in which empathy, conversations, backgrounds, and perspectives play a part in learning. The class will address the ways that students take ownership in their learning and view mistakes as ways to be constructive. *A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
 | *New Course Spring 2025
Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description:
The importance of continual growth in one’s classroom cannot be emphasized enough. Creating expectations for students and creative assignments teeming with energy is the key to their successful mindset. This course will discuss the ways in which learners guide their students’ growth mindset and excitement to grow. Teachers will read a wealth of articles in this course that stress refinement and reflection. They will hone in on student productivity and the ways to create a work environment filled with spice. Technological activities and components of every discipline will be covered. In the end, the learning will never end.
*A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
 | Course Description:
This course is designed to arm educators of all subject areas and levels to bring meaning to your classroom. Meaningful hands-on lessons will be discussed. Interactive conversation topics, brain games, puzzles and comics will also be shared. These types of activities will get the discussions started and your students’ minds working overtime. So, create meaning for your students every day by creating experiences for them.
This course is a must for educators grades K-12.
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 – August 11th-15th Course Description: Using creative writing in all subjects will provide our students with the capacity to better read, research, reflect and more. Educators will discuss interdisciplinary writing rules, the 7 different types of writing, creative writing assignments and how to better reflect as we write. Educators will work on strategies for structuring creative writing no matter what the subject. Activities will also be shared for how to strengthen the writing of all students in all areas. A plethora of creative writing prompts will be shared for all subjects and areas of teaching. By the end of this course students will learn how to open their minds, be imaginative and work towards the goal of clarity, completeness and creativity. This course is a must for all educators grades K-12. | |
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Course Description: Reflecting and analyzing our practices as educators is critical. Creating learners that possess both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is transformative. This course focuses on a plethora of ways that students and teachers alike can cultivate and systematically address their learners. A myriad of ideas and lessons will be shared that challenge and guide students towards success. Lessons include literary studies, critical thinking exercises, poetry snippets, dramatic dialogues, Sample mini-lessons, activities, and strategies will be provided. A must for all K-12 instructors!!!!!!
(3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only | |
| *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – August 25th- August 29th Course Credits – 3 credits/45 Hours Course Description: Having the means to successfully maintain a positive classroom environment teeming with intrinsic motivation, enthusiastic students, minimal disruptions, and impactful lessons can be achievable via this new course. Participants will be able to identify the modalities in which students learn most efficiently – differentiated instruction, cooperative learning, guided research. Participants will be equipped perfectly and learn to manage and create optimum learning environments. *A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
| Course Description:
This course is designed to assist educators in getting their students to become engaged and motivated. We will discuss how to get your classroom interested and involved in the learning process. Students who may have become bored or tired of the same day by day learning styles can become engaged again with the right strategies. A variety of practical and simple strategies will be shared. A multitude of materials will be discussed and distributed on how to motivate and engage your students again. Educators will learn to implement creative techniques to get your students to motivate themselves both physically and mentally and get involved once again. Educational articles and research in this area will also be studied. This 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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 | Course Description:
This course will work with educators to help engage your students in learning. When students tune out, teachers need to be armed with the tools to keep their classes engaged and ready to learn. This course will share techniques and a plethora of strategies to keep your students ready to focus and learn. A must for all educators of all levels grades K-12.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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| The ability to engage our learners is a technique all educators must possess. Formulating ideas and strategies to springboard discussions are tantamount for students today. Recognizing the need to enhance the learning environment will lead students towards success. In this course, participants will explore a myriad of strategies to assist them in the questioning process. Text dependent questions will be at the forefront as well as strategies from Fountas & Pinnell, differentiation techniques, student centered lessons, technological ideas, web components, and so much more. Teachers will completely enhance their students’ thinking. A must for all educators in the K-12 Classroom!!!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in service credit only | |
 | Course Description:
This course will focus on how to engage parents and students as your partners in learning. Educators will work to learn the skills that will empower your students to achieve and become successful. 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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| Schools experience a wide variety of crises that have the potential to harm the mental and physical health, learning environment, and safety of students and educators. A school crisis is any traumatic event that seriously disrupts coping and problem-solving abilities of students and school staff. It is typically sudden, unexpected, dramatic and forceful and may even threaten survival. A crisis can cause a drastic and tragic change to the environment. This change is generally overwhelming and uncontrollable as well as unwanted and frightening. It may create a sense of helplessness, hopelessness, and vulnerability combined with a loss of safety.
This course will provide resources, tools, recommendations, and evidence-based practices for incorporating best practices in school mental health into school crisis plans. Different types of crisis will be discussed and strategies will be developed for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only | |
| Learning is a lot like bike riding. Once you have the knack, you never really forget the skill. Nor do you forget the thrill of learning a new ability or understanding a complex idea. You are a lifelong learner and you love it.
Why have so many students never discovered this thrill? Why are they coasting when they could be racing along in the educational Tour de France with their peers? What can teachers do to engage the disengaged student?
This course will help teachers keep students highly engaged throughout an entire lesson and encourage students to contribute their ideas and insights as a way of enhancing their own and other students’ learning.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Expect students to help define topics and determine how they can be studied
2. Link content to students’ prior knowledge and experience.
3. Ensure that students are mentally engaged in all activities and assignments
4. Allow students to initiate and adapt learning activities and projects.
5. Form instructional groups that work to achieve learning goals.
6. Choose suitable instructional materials for lessons and encourage students to select resources that will help them learn
7. Teach highly coherent, well-planned, and well-paced lessons that include time for student reflection
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only | |
 | *New Course* Fall 2024
Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com
In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours
Course Description: Since the onset of the pandemic, so many students and families have become disconnected from school and absenteeism has skyrocketed. Re-engaging our students is essential for their success. Teachers have tremendous power to influence student attendance. In this course teachers will learn about the importance of using supportive rather than punitive language surrounding absenteeism, building meaningful relationships with families to support student attendance, engaging learners utilizing curiosity and wonder, and working strategically to bridge the gap between home and school.
*A must for K-12 Educators* | |
 | Course Description:
This course will explore the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mechanics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Mechanics). We will define how you can begin a STEM or STEAM program, and how you could enrich your classroom with activities and hands-on learning. In this course you will create your own lessons as well as discover new ways to add knowledge and fun to your classroom.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only
Instructor: Kim Kittredge kkittredgeliips@gmail.com
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 | Giving Students More Authority – Facilitating Meaningful Classroom Discussions in the K-12 Classroom PDLI 9130 (45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS) Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.comCourse Description: Providing students with high quality discussions that promote learning and engagement is tantamount to teaching. High quality discussions include content-specific ideas that spark students to express different points of view, reflect on their own opinions, varying perspectives, and engage in democratic dialogues. Education that develops deep reasoning, critical thinking, and conceptual and practical tools for inculcating knowledge is tantamount for students today. Teaching in this modality empowers our learners and enables them to recognize that proactive engagement is the key to their success. In this course, participants will be instructed on the pedagogical principles that promote student learning and democratic engagement. They will learn the ways in which students themselves facilitate learning and streamline their own thinking. Teachers will be instructed on ways in which to act as mediators and not sages, including the ins and outs of effective questioning. Rich discussion tactics will be integrated as fishbowl techniques, Socratic Seminars, Jigsaws, formative assessments, graphic organizers, gallery walks – all of which engage the learner and provide for optimum efficacy. Goals and Objectives: Upon completion of the course, participants will be better prepared to: • Understand the impact of effective classroom discussions
• Comprehend the respective ways in which teachers can transform their classrooms via classroom dialogues
• Generate meaningful strategies that challenge students
• Develop deep learning outcomes for their classrooms
• Integrate a myriad of learning activities that challenge their learners
• Engage their learners with 21st century tools of instruction | |
| Each and every day in the teaching profession, we are knee deep in adolescence. Teachers wear a multitude of hats as they are faced with creating an atmosphere of challenges, choices, and meaningful experiences for students. The very vulnerability of adolescence makes it a time of tremendous opportunity for emotional, intellectual, and social growth. We can either make or break situations as they arise.
Within this course, participants will complete a myriad of tasks:
• Complete an introspection of themselves and their teaching styles
• Complete research on adolescent growth (social and emotional)
• Share relevant teaching stories that assist everyone in the teaching process
• Cultivate student interest by creating exciting opportunities for growth
• Master different approaches to prepare students for higher thinking
• Execute lessons that enrich student learning
• Walk in someone else’s shoes in terms of learning and comprehending.
Overall, participants will be refreshed as they enhance their classrooms by learning more about themselves!
*A must for all educators!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only | |
| *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – July 14th-July 18th Course Credits- 3 Credits/45 Hours Course Description: The hallmark of high achieving students is the power of grit. Possessing this ability to persevere despite any adversity is something that needs to be instructed to our learners. Participants will learn how to recharge their students through commitment, long-term goal reaching, cultivation of ideas, passion for the disciplines they study, and inner dedication to themselves. A myriad of strategies will be discussed to unlock the mindset of their students, including small passages from historical freedom fighters, analysis of the grit characteristics, and remedies for facing challenges and obstacles. *A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
 | *New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com Summer 2025 Dates – August 4th-August 8th Course Credits- 3 Credits/45 Hours Course Description: High academic achievement can create more opportunities for students indefinitely. The study skills, social skills, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities that students learn at school will support them throughout their entire lives. This course will cover the practical and effective ways to boost students’ academic achievement, as well as the ways in which to develop students’ missions, goals, and core strategies of learning. Participants will delve into the most efficacious ways to instruct their students, including problem-based instruction, differentiated modalities, technological sources, as well as many other creative modalities. *A Must for K-12 Educators* | |
| Course Description:
With all the virtual learning going on, how do we as educators help students learn independently? This course will focus on how to facilitate lessons instead of teaching them as we have always done in the past. With the world changing, we must too. Students must independently create their own learning experiences, and become more active learners. It is our responsibility to teach them the skills to guide them through it. Educators will learn how to encourage students to think creatively and take an independent and active role in their own learning. Teachers will discuss how to first identify what it is to be an active learner, and then how to go beyond that. Teachers will learn how to work with students to stretch their minds to the limits, help students manage time constraints, take effective notes and annotate, and be creative and organize their roles as learners on a daily basis. This is a must for all educators 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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| Course Description:
Do your students feel or become disconnected? Do they often lose the purpose of your lessons due to distractions? Have they zoned out? With all the time and effort you put into your lessons, it often seems that there are so many days we look out at our students’ faces only to see that they are somewhere else. The connection has been lost. This course offers ideas on how to reconnect your disconnected students and bring them back again. Educators will learn a variety of exciting strategies that will “connect” your students to your classroom lessons. These strategies will not only activate engagement, but improve student learning all together. 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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| Forty (or so) minutes go by quite quickly. By the time we get our students seated, take attendance, check homework, explain the objective, and start the lesson, our allotment of time has dwindled considerably. Also considering how often our students are taken out of our classes because of field trips, visits to the nurse, or other various reasons, the clock often seems to be on fast forward. Essentially, we want to get the most out of our class periods. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore the possibilities, variations, and applications of the infamous “Do Now” as a means of engaging students immediately and getting the most out our (and their) time.
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
 | Setting up a classroom that has an atmosphere of cooperation and consideration is crucial for students today. Effective communication is necessary for both teachers and students to be successful. In this course, teachers will:
• Study effective test-taking strategies
• Comprehend the ways to improve standardized test scores
• Learn the ways to creatively implement activities into the classroom
• Understand how to motivate students intrinsically
• Help students recognize their inner potential
• Address a myriad of student needs and perspectives
• Connect the impact of reading and writing across the content areas
• Complete research on academic success in the classroom
• Envision alternatives for their students
Overall, teachers will emerge with a plethora of insight and information that will increase their students’ love of the subject matter!
***A must for all K-12 teachers!
ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only | |
| 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 | |
| *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* |