Individualized Instruction

Enhancing one’s students to be motivated and think critically about the world around them is tantamount to the Common Core standards of learning in all subject areas. The study of the philosophy behind learning captivates students and infuses morality and integrity into their worlds. In this course, teachers will be exposed to a plethora of ideas that enable them to critically analyze, judge, delineate, and closely comprehend content area ideas and genre in order to create pertinent lessons for their students. Teachers will walk away with a multitude of interdisciplinary lessons for their classrooms. Materials include: picture books, non-fiction articles, creative techniques that enhance any classroom and empower everyone. • A must for K-12 educators!!!! ONLINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

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

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

  Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – (gaylelumia@yahoo.com) Tackling controversial topics and embracing cultural differences can be challenging for teachers and students alike. This course will provide teachers with ways in which to apply cultural understanding to their pedagogy as well as empower students with courageous discussions about tough topics as poverty, racism, LGBTQ+ issues, violence, bullying, etc. A myriad of ideas and activities will be utilized including evidence-based writing assignments, civic learning activities, project-based learning, as well as essential communication tactics. All disciplines are welcome! A must for all K-12 Teachers!!!!

  Course Description: This course will explore the difference between having your students learn independently and having them learn in groups.  Educators will discuss which way is more effective; or is a combination of both?  Teachers will discuss strategies for effective cooperative learning, student centered learning and Reciprocal learning, as well as individual task learning such as reading comprehension, silent reading or vocabulary analysis.  A series of Pair/Share lessons will be discussed as well as student-centered lessons.  Educators will share lessons to facilitate in their own classrooms.  A plethora of activities will be discussed for teachers to bring back and utilize.  This course is a must for teacher of grades K-12.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire” – William Butler Yeats A teacher that ignites the fire in his/her students and fuels their thirst for knowledge and curiosity is the key to success. In this course, teachers will learn to inspire students, motivate them, impact their learning. They will be able to fuel the passion and engage their students through creative activities and ideas. A myriad of techniques and strategies will be explored as well as collaborative means and activities to fully engage learners. A conflagration of ideas shall ignite within all! 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 In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Dates: March 17,18,19,20,21,24,25,26,27,28th (2025) East Meadow Location – 4:15 -8:15 pm 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*

  Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Our special education students require our utmost care and attention in their learning. Providing unique types of instruction that engage our population is tantamount to their success. Within this course, participants will learn effective strategies needed for students with disabilities. Specially designed instruction and the ways to implement will be addressed – including: student accommodations, diverse learning, various differentiated techniques, and unique learning environments for supporting students. Distinct instruction on creating modifications will be given as well as achieving the utmost proficiency in IEP goals and objectives within the classroom environment. *A must for K-12 educators

  Course Description: The three P’s of instruction are the driving forces for students’ successes. Ingraining this mindset in our learners creates lifelong skills. This course will explore the vast array of connections that teachers must foster in the classroom, including interdisciplinary ideals as: text to self, text to world, text to text. Teachers will be able to engage their learners in every discipline and bestow enlivened lessons into their worlds. Topics include creative writing, exploratory science, oral histories, mathematical manipulatives. All Next Generation standards will be covered. A must for K-12 Educators!!! (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: Spring Break Course – April 14th-18th  (2025) East Meadow Location – 8-5 pm Course Description: Promoting social unity and bridging cultural divides are concepts that need to be centered in every classroom. Within this course, educators will work collaboratively to plan, teach, observe, and explore student engagement. Strategies for rigorous learning and creations of inclusive classroom culture is what the focus will be. Educators will inculcate student cultures and values as well as explore the ways in which learning occurs equitably. Lessons will be taught that center around every discipline and grade level, as well as various types of assessment and prompts that promote student interaction. *A Must for K-12 Educators

  Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Developing a wide range of critical and reflective thinking skills is tantamount to student success. As information becomes available readily and modern society is changing more rapidly, students need to constantly rethink and change their problem-solving activities. This course will provide participants with a wealth of reflective thinking skills that guide students’ thought processes and hones in on their distinct learning abilities. Activities include : reflective journal writing, small group activities, explorations, web activities, and concrete learning skills. *A must for K-12 Educators*

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Establishing a meaningful rapport with learners is tantamount for teachers. Encouraging students to get to know one another is crucial. This course will demonstrate the ways in which teachers can create rapport with their learners. Activities include - showing a sense of humor, encouraging class discussion, sharing personal insights and experiences, developing long and short-term aspirations. Participants will comprehend the multitude of ways in which rapport improves student motivation, feedback, student learning, and communication. *A must for K-12 educators*

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Course – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Course Description: Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of cooperative learning in one’s classroom leads to effective classroom instruction. Raising student self-confidence and awareness, motivating them to learn, and implementing a myriad of strategies for cooperation is the key to success. Participants in the course will conduct their own cooperative learning assignments and engage their students in self-directed projects and lifelong routines. *A must for K-12 educators*

*New Course Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-Service Class – 3 Credits – 45 Hours Dates : May 5,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15,16th (2025) East Meadow Location – 4:15 - 8:15 pm Course Description: Effective discourse is integral for students today. Encouraging the utilization of higher thinking skills in students and encouraging them to speak their minds is what freedom of education is all about. This course will explore depth of knowledge and create questions that enhance the development of critical thinking skills. Additionally, building background knowledge around a wealth of student centered topics will be addressed and deepening comprehension and vocabulary will lead to greater student discussion and conversations. Participants will emerge with a wealth of ideas to implement immediately. *A Must for K-12 Educators

*New Course

Instructor:  Kim Kittredge  kkittredgeliips@gmail.com

3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours)

Dates: Summer 2025 - July 28^th-Aug 1^st

Course Description:

A creative teacher is a teacher that students remember.  This type of teacher is a pleasure to be around, makes you laugh and makes you want to come to class every day.  This course will arm educators with the positive and fun strategies they will need to be the creative teacher they want to be.  Strategies such as games in the classroom, exciting cooperative learning activities, and how to build positive and strong relationships that inspire your students will be discussed.  By the end of this course educators will feel that they have enough strategies to inspire their students for free exploration and an open atmosphere in the classroom.  This course is a must for all educators grades K-12.