*New Course* Fall 2024 Instructor: Kim Kittredge Kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 credits/45 hrs in service How do we as educators deal with students that cheat? It’s a difficult problem to solve. In today’s world of cell phones, Chat GBT and classroom laptops, unfortunately access to cheating is right at our students fingertips. Students have also gotten pretty good at it! As teachers, we have to realize that although we don’t want cheating to happen, it is still going to happen and will still go on around us. In this course educators will explore methods on how to recognize and deal with students that cheat, and what punishments should be given for academic dishonestly. This course is a must for educators grades K-12.

*New Course* Fall 2024 Instructor: Kim Kittredge Kkittredgeliips@gmail.com 3 credits/45 hrs in service Finding the right balanced in your classroom can be difficult at times. As an educator we try to be positive with our students. We aim to balance our teaching material, our time management, our organization, differentiation, grading, structure and all while trying keeping a positive attitude. Maintaining balance is an art form for educators. In this course teachers will explore several of the strategies for balancing your teaching every day in order to create a positive classroom. This course is a must for educators grades K-12.

Winter 2025 – December 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,10,11,12 Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com There is no single, correct way for a child’s brain to function. All individuals process information in diverse ways. Someone who is neurotypical develops brain functions, like social and organizational skills at similar rates as others their age. Neurodivergent individuals process information in ways that are not typical for their age, simply meaning that the brain works differently than what is considered typical. About 15% to 20% of the world’s population shows signs of neurodivergence. It is the educator’s responsibility to instruct all individuals in their classes with care and with sensitivity. This course will enable educators to have an awareness of the symptoms of neurodivergence and subsequently find the modalities that make all students successful. Topics covered include anxiety, sensitivity, managing positive outcomes, and problem solving. *A must for K-12 educators!!!

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com In-service Course – 3 Credits / 45 Hours Course Description: Creating a positive school environment begins with developing and implementing stellar character education, beginning with lessons on morality, responsibility, respect, peer to peer interactions. This course will enable teachers to glean the ways in which to infuse the ideas of moral understanding, psychological literature, and scientific methodology into their everyday encounters with students. Modeling and community outreach suggestions will intertwine with the course material to create a superb character education program for our students. *A must for K-12 educators*

  Course Description: This course will examine the role that homework plays in our school culture.  Homework is extremely important to all students in one aspect or another.  How do we assign effective and appropriate homework?  Ensure students complete it so that coursework can continue in class.  Educators will explore what different research and educators’ tell us about homework and its impact on the overall learning process.  This course is a must for all educators levels K-12. (updated course to include Post-Covid thinking and concepts)

Course Description: Participants in the course will learn how to implement all facets of effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to help your students create an environment of trust and responsibility. Educators will learn how to encourage, redirect, engage, and challenge students in successful discussions that will enhance student learning. Educators will be able to apply these strategies to all grade levels and content areas. Participants will gain a clear understanding of where to begin with discussions in your classroom, and see where it will lead you. This course is designed to enable educators K-12 to understand the relationship that discussion plays in our Next Generation Standards and effectively help your students meet them. Great for all educators K-12!

In this course, teachers will learn how to implement the flipped learning model in their classrooms. Teachers will learn how to create a learner-centered classroom by moving instruction to the home. Teachers are provided with tips and strategies on how to find and create engaging instructional videos and develop interactive, collaborative, and hands-on classroom activities. This course provides information on how to flip each of the four main content areas, plan/organize technology into lessons, and assessment strategies. Suitable for ALL educators K-12 ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service 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!!!!

3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only Instructor: Dr. Christopher Korolczuk Email: DrK.lips@gmail.com Course Description: This course offers a comprehensive view on tackling the mental health crisis in public schools, highlighting the importance of balancing emotional safety with resilience, addressing digital distractions, and navigating the complexities of social media and self-perception. It underscores the effects of COVID-19 on students, emphasizing the need for reconnection and support post-isolation. Further, it delves into the rise of medication for mental health issues among children, advocating for mindfulness and alternative strategies. The analysis of increasing anxiety and depression, the rethinking of ADHD approaches, and the role of parental boundaries in child development are crucial for understanding the multifaceted nature of students’ mental health challenges. Lastly, the discussion on engaging yet rigorous education offers insights into maintaining students’ interest without compromising academic standards. For school personnel, learning about these topics is vital post-COVID-19, as it equips them with the tools to support students’ mental well-being and adapt to the changing educational landscape, ensuring a holistic approach to student development and learning. NEW! This self-paced course uses an online learning platform called Canvas. All videos, reading materials, and assignments can be found in one online location. Also, you can simply type your assignments into the website and hit the “submit.” button. This new feature makes the course easier to navigate and more user-friendly than other courses.

  Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia – gaylelumia@yahoo.com 3 Credits (45 hours) In-Service Credit Only Course Description: In a world of constant change, a unified vision of learning is essential, in order to ensure that our students are successful and prepared for the world ahead. Defining and Illustrating the depth of 21st century learning is the crux of this course which deeply delves into 21st century student outcomes and successes. Participants will learn to build on this critical foundation of learning via standards, assessments, curriculum, and instruction, and learn to engage their students more critically and profoundly. A wealth of literacies will be focused on including informational, global, civic, and problem solving, all of which guides our learners and fully prepares them for their future.  *A must for all K-12 educators in all disciplines!!!

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.

  Initiating an on-line instructional platform can be difficult for teachers and students alike. Assisting our students with achieving their maximum potential, discovering the wonder of learning, and immersing themselves in creative activities will be at the forefront of the course. Strategies for reluctant learners will be focused on as well as lesson creations that are relevant to students’ cultures. A variety of ideas for multiple subject matters will be taught, including award winning books, mathematical strategies, and historical games. Teachers will emerge with lessons that show how to value quality over quantity and teach effectively.. All grade levels and subjects welcome. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

Giving Students Voice: Teaching them to Debate, Discuss and Argue with Authority and Power

*New Course Spring 2025

In our society today student need to be taught how to use their voice more than ever.  This course will provide educators with ways to add more discussion and debating in the classroom.  Teachers will also work on creating better opportunities for students to converse and discuss. Students will also be exposed to written arguments, as well as evaluating the debate skills of others.  Students will eventually learn how to teach debate, discussion, and argumentative skills.  Educators will emerge from this course with a plethora of skills on all aspects of voice, debate and discussion in their classrooms.  Once students feel the power of their voice, they will realize the authority it gives them.  This course is a must for educators K-12.

Instructor:  Kim Kittredge

kkittredgeliips@gmail.com

3 Credits In Service Course (45 Hours)

Embedding a multitude of learning experiences for students is critical. The ability to enhance their learning and growth is developed strategically via the usage of graphic organizers that stimulate learning and instruction. Students will be captivated by rich material that strategically inculcates all aspects of subject matter. A plethora of common core graphic organizers will be included and students’ worlds will be enriched. *A must for K-12 educators!!!!! ONLINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

*New Course Summer 2025

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com

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*

“Guided reading is a teaching approach used with all readers, struggling or independent, that has three fundamental purposes: to meet the varying instructional needs of all the students in the classroom, enabling them to greatly expand their reading powers; to teach students to read increasingly difficult texts with understanding and fluency; to construct meaning while using problem solving strategies to figure out unfamiliar words that deal with complex sentence structures, and understand concepts or ideas not previously encountered. Guided reading is the place where every child, every day, has the opportunity to learn by reading a book that is just right.” – Fountas & Pinnell, 2001 This course will provide a detailed explanation of the philosophy of guided reading. Various components of guided reading will be explored including: management, teacher and student roles, assessment, flexible grouping, strategy and skill lessons, etc. Participants in the course will research the history of small group instruction and compare/contrast guided reading with more traditional instructional approaches. In addition, participants will learn the benefits of guided reading and be given the resources and information to implement guided reading within his/her own classroom. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only

*New Course Summer 2025

Instructor: Gayle Meinkes-Lumia- gaylelumia@yahoo.com

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: Writing can be complex and difficult activity for students of all ages. Writing is more than just a skill or taleant, it is a means of investigation and expression for learning. This course explores writing for learning in all grades and disciplines. In this course we will expose educators to effective approaches and best practices for helping students learn to write. Educators will discuss how ideas about how and wh to teach writing have progressed dramatically in recent years. Then teachers can work towads providiing the appropriate writiing activities for their students. A must for all educators grades K – 12.

Credits: (3 credits/45 hours) in-service credit only Instructor: Dr. Christopher Korolczuk    Email: DrK.liips@gmail.com Course Description: Do you find it challenging to help students navigate the complex, volatile, and emotionally charged events of our world? Are you unsure how to guide them in understanding the truth, processing their emotions, and responding thoughtfully to global issues? This professional development course is designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies needed to support students in analyzing current events critically and empathetically. Participants will explore topics such as media literacy, historical context, emotional resilience, cultural perspectives, and civic engagement. The asynchronous format allows teachers to learn at their own pace, making it a practical option for their busy schedules. Topics include identifying credible sources, managing classroom discussions, addressing bias, fostering hope, and promoting advocacy. By the end of this course, educators will be prepared to create safe, thoughtful, and engaging learning environments where students can explore challenging topics with confidence and empathy, developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives. NEW! This self-paced course uses an online learning platform called Canvas. All videos, reading materials, and assignments can be found in one online location. Also, you can simply type your assignments into the website and hit the “submit.” button. This new feature makes the course easier to navigate and more user-friendly than other courses. The course consists of three main components: 1. Asynchronous Learning: Navigate through the course’s content at your own pace on the online platform. The main topics for this engaging course include:

• Media Literacy and Critical Thinking
• Historical and Cultural Context
• Emotional Resilience and Empathy
• Civic Engagement and Advocacy

1. Assignments: Participants are responsible for submitting 10 written assignments that connect the course content, professional experiences, and personal views.
2. Required Reading and Videos: Various professional articles and videos are embedded in the course.

* Participants will need to create a free “student” account with CANVAS to begin the course. The link to sign up for the course in CANVAS will be emailed to course participants once they are signed up and paid through LIIPS. This engaging course is appropriate for general and special education teachers, school psychologists, occupational therapists, speech therapists/ teachers, physical therapists, social workers, guidance counselors, and any other professionals who interact with children regularly. This course will fulfill CTLE requirements.