Orleans-Niagara Teacher Center

FREE ELL COURSES

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ELL-27 Making Collaborative Teaching Work for ENL/SpEd and More!

Will you be working with another teacher to support ENL or Special Education students? This course could be for you! It includes the 4 stages of the collaborative teaching model. Participants will collaboratively experience and share additional ideas for effective use of 7 co-teaching models, synchronous & asynchronous co-planning ideas, co-assessment, and reflection. Tips and tricks will abound as you learn more about working together to make your life easier while best meeting the needs of your learners! It's suggested that you attend with your co-teaching partner(s).

8/27-12/1/26; required in-person on 8/27 9am-12pm and 3 synchronous 9/29, 10/27, & 12/1: 4-5pm (15 ELL CTLE hours, FREE), Katie Leven

 

ELL-28 Integrated Literacy or Content Area Instruction for Experienced Multilinguals Book Study

This book focuses on integrating language and literacy for grade 4-12 students who have been multilingual learners of English for many years. It integrates the four language domains with key dimensions of academic language. Through content-based units and targeted literacy activities, teachers learn to design instruction that advances experienced multilingual learners beyond survival language, helping them develop the complex communication skills needed for full academic success.

10/5-10/23/26, (15 ELL CTLE hours, FREE), Katie Leven

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IN-PERSON ON AND OFF SITE COURSES

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F26-01: Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Summer Professional Development

Join us for a 3-day professional development experience at the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage. Empower your teaching with immersive tours, including the Freedom Conversation Tour, Cataract House Site Tour, Prophet Isaiah’s Second Coming House, Disease, Dismemberment, and Disaster Tour, and the Bad A** Women of Niagara Tour. Explore historical perspectives and gain valuable classroom resources. $15/day to be donated to the Heritage Center.

7/14, 7/15 & 7/16, 2026; 9am-2pm; May attend as many days as you like! 15 CTLE hours available for full attendance or 5/day. Roberta Faery

 

F26-02 Reclaiming Connection: A Return to Accountability, Care, and Community

It isn’t just you. School has changed, parenting has changed, and the results are increasingly detrimental to all of us. There IS hope, but the path forward not only reintroduces some old values, but shifts the way we “do school.” This day long class will give attendees validation, resources, and inspiration. Attendees will be able to purchase a book at a discounted rate of $20. It is time we take our classrooms back. 7/21/26; 8:30am-2:30pm, (5 CTLE hours, FREE), Amber Chandler (author)

 

F26-03 Balanced Literacy CAN Be Explicit Teaching Too!

This FREE in-person course will include in-depth study of: What we should expect from young (K-5) readers and writers (literacy learners); the planning of Balanced Literacy Lessons/Activities for K-5 using various curriculum materials; assessing young readers/writers; and examples and ideas for a truly Balanced Literacy classroom.

7/29/26; 9am-12pm, (3 CTLE hours, FREE), Michelle Logan

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HYBRID & ONLINE COURSES - NO BOOK REQUIRED

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O26-06 Strengthening Portrait of a Graduate Aligned Instructional Practice (K-12) – SPECIAL OFFERING!

During this program, educators will develop the instructional readiness needed to build the Portrait of a Graduate attributes for students. It includes a 3-hour synchronous workshop, followed by a 2-week self-paced online study focused on BRIGHT (daily, repeatable teaching moves educators need to translate PoG into live classroom experiences); and a culminating reflection component.

7/8-7/30/26; required zoom on 7/8 from 9am-12pm. The rest will be asynchronous online, (15 hours, FREE), Meredith Madden

 

O26-07 Science of Reading - A Playbook for Educators

Participants in this course will engage in an in-depth exploration of the Science of Reading, focusing on the six foundational pillars of literacy: phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, and oral language. Delivered in a hybrid format, the course combines independent study with collaborative discussions that examine both the theoretical frameworks and practical applications of the Science of Reading. Participants will utilize a digital playbook to document learning outcomes, classroom applications, and reflective insights, fostering meaningful integration of evidence-based literacy practices.

Required in-person on 7/7 1-4pm; 7/14, 7/21, 7/28, & 7/30 from 1-2pm via Zoom. All other work done asynchronously, (15 hours, FREE), Rene Brock

 

O26-08 The S in STEAM: Online Resources to Inspire Science Thinkers 

Let’s nurture our students' science inquiry skills and curiosity as we integrate science into instruction. From video clips to experiments, this course will be an exploration of 45 online resources to inspire science thinkers. Each of the three course parts will be introduced by a TED Talk followed by an exploration of resources. Participants will select their Top 15 course resources/websites to enhance their integration of science inquiry and inspiration in the classroom.

7/29-8/19/26, (15 hours, $45), Jennifer Kibler

 

O26-09 Teach in Minutes: The Power of Microlearning (K-12)

In this course, educators will explore the power of microlearning—short, focused learning experiences designed to boost engagement, retention, and instructional efficiency. 9/23-10/7/26, (15 hours, $45), Mark Hanes

 

O26-10 Creating a Positive and Safe School Environment (K-12)

During this online workshop we will explore practical tools and strategies to create school environments that are physically, emotionally, socially, and psychologically safe. We will look at several evidence-based approaches to school climate, including social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, and proactive behavior supports. Educators will create a plan to strengthen safety, belonging, engagement, and positive relationships within their classrooms and school communities. 10/7-10/26/26, (15 hours, $45), Kathy Halter

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TECH PROGRAMS

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G26-01 Google Vids: Learn how to use Google Vids in the classroom for instruction and collaboration. 7/29-8/4/26, 3 hours, $15

 

G26-02 Google AI for Educators: Learn the basics of Google AI and how to use it in your practice. 8/5-8/11/26, 3 hours, $15

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ONLINE COLLABORATIVE BOOK STUDIES

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SUMMER PROGRAMS:

B26-17 Disruptive Thinking In Our Classrooms (K-12)

This course will explore how to cultivate disruptive thinking to better prepare students for an evolving, technology-driven world that focuses on shifting traditional instructional practices toward innovation, student agency, and real-world problem solving. Participants will examine strategies for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a mindset of continuous improvement through leadership practices, meaningful learning experiences, and classroom approaches that empower learners to think and act beyond conventional boundaries.

7/6-7/22/26, (15 hours, $45), Catherine Loncar

 

B26-18 Take Control of the Noisy Class: Chaos to Calm in 15 Seconds (K-12)

In this course, we will explore Rob Plevin's insightful strategies designed to help educators transform disruptive classroom dynamics into a focused learning environment. Participants will gain practical techniques for quickly regaining control in challenging situations, enabling them to foster an atmosphere conducive to engagement and learning. Through interactive discussions educators will leave equipped with tools to apply immediately in their classrooms.

7/6-7/27/26, (15 hours, $45), Mackenna Daly

 

B26-19 Take Time for You: Self-Care Action Plans for Educators

This course facilitates a deep dive into Thomas C. Murray’s Personal & Authentic, focusing on building meaningful educator-student relationships. Participants will explore strategies to foster student agency, honor the "hidden stories" of learners, and design high-impact, personalized learning environments. Through collaborative reflection and practical application, educators will learn to place the learner at the center of every classroom experience.

7/6-7/27/26, (15 hours, $45), Emily Brook

 

B26-20 Personal and Authentic (K-12)

Using Google Classroom and the text Just Tell Them: The Power of Explanations and Explicit Teaching by Zach Groshell, this book study will have participants explore essential techniques for showing, telling, demonstrating, modeling, and presenting to support daily instruction in their classrooms. This text will help educators gain a deeper understanding of "breaking it down" to discover how a direct and explicit approach to teaching can significantly impact students' learning and their success. 7/6-8/4/26, (15 hours, $45), Dr. Amylynn Benjamin

 

B26-21 AI Playbook: Time Saving Tools for Teachers (K-12)

Busy educators need tools that support their planning and provide them with more time with students. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising solution, it can only help if we’re willing to learn how to use it in ways that improve upon what we already do well. The book by Hargrave, Fisher and Frey, will empower teachers to explore AI’s potential and discover practical ways to implement it to enhance their planning and instruction.

7/6-7/29/26, (15 hours, FREE), Cheryl Herman

 

B26-22 Every Child Deserves a Special Education (K-12)

This book study explores how we can create meaningful, inclusive learning experiences for all students. Using Every Child Deserves a Special Education, we’ll focus on five key mindframes that shift how we think about teaching, learning, and inclusion. Through discussion, real classroom examples, and reflection, we’ll examine our own practices and find ways to better support the diverse needs of every student.

7/13- 8/4/26, (15 hours, $45), Nicole Neri

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B26-23 The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids’ Learning (K-12)

This is a fascinating book that has taken the question that many of us ask. "Does Technology really hurt or hinder growth in education?" It is scientifically researched and does not call to reject technology but rather looks at the data that many of us have been asking for. Drawing on decades of neuroscience and education research, Horvath dismantles the core myths driving the EdTech movement, and offers a practical playbook for putting people -- not programs -- back at the center of education.

7/13-7/28/26, (15 hours, $45), Jason Danielewicz

 

B26-24 Keeping the Wonder (K-12)

This book, by Jenna Cooper, is a resource that guides educators in creating classrooms filled with curiosity, creativity, and joy. Participants engage in reflection, discussion, and practical application of strategies that promote engagement through surprise, freedom, and inspiration. Educators examine ways to adjust lessons and classroom practices to encourage critical thinking and deeper learning while reconnecting with their own sense of wonder and passion for teaching.

7/13-8/7/26, (15 hours, $45), Dena Peterson