Courses Offered

Creative Writing in the Classroom
Designed to give you daily activities to use with your students by building writing skills using subject, purpose and audience through the reading/writing connection. Included w will be writing prompts, organizational tools and rubrics. These activities can be used with the Six Traits of Writing Program. Come join us as we create fun, motivating activities that increase students writing skills. Available: Online

Teaching Students to Think Creatively and Critically
Learn how to apply critical and creative thinking to your instruction in any content area. Use critical and creative thinking skills to accelerate learning. Create lesson plan, assessment, and graphic organizer templates in which you can place content, and infuse creative and critical thinking.It may be applied toward the 690 (Gifted & Talented) endorsement for the State of Maine teachers. Available: ONLINE Available: Online

A Celebration of New Childrens Literature

Building a Culture that Curbs Bullying
"The current rules and punishment-based approach that schools are using is not working to address the concerns of bullying in school,� says Nancy Willard, director of Embrace Civility in the Digital Age. �And it certainly will not be effective in addressing hurtful acts via social media, because schools are not making the rules for social media.� Come learn how to work with children so they understand their own behavior and how to change it. We will learn how to introduce social and emotional learning for students and teachers including how to self regulate and handle conflict. Instead of viewing bullying as a character defect, we will look at bullying as a hurtful act that violates shared values. By using a restorative justice model, you will be able to show students how and why what they did was wrong. By understanding how their bullying affects the school culture and building on positive role models, you will be preparing students for life. Available: ONLINE

Bullying and Gender in the Classroom: Teaching Beyond Difference
Why are girls school graduation rates higher than boys? But why do girls also continue to under perform in math and science classes? Why do some children bully other children? This course explores how gender differences in the classroom can contribute to inequities in school performance, and inequities among students that can lead to bullying. The course has three goals: (1) To help educators become aware of how we contribute to gender stereotyping in our classroom through our learning activities and materials. (2) To provide educators with tools and activities to teach boys and girls to contribute to each of their successes. (3) To create a classroom environment that encourages students to value differences. Available: ONLINE

Celebrating the Gifts of Autism Spectrum Students
E Pluribus Unum ~ one from many ~ We live in a world where differences should be appreciated and not considered disorders. This course will give your heart a new vision, a new insight, and an appreciation for the gifts of the Autistic Spectrum Child/Adult. Included will be: The gift of autism, neurological brain studies and sensory integration applications, communication and social skills, different teaching styles for different minds, a variety of audio/visual tools and activities and applied behavior therapy techniques. Being raised by an autistic mother and being on the spectrum herself, Mary Dunn shares with you her gifts in working with children on the spectrum. "The question is not what you look at but what you see." Henry David Thoreau Available: ONLINE

Classroom Diversity: Dealing with Difference, Encouraging Understanding
Our classrooms are increasingly becoming diverse places, where students of different ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds come together to learn. In this online class, we'll explore some of the origins of diversity in the classroom. We'll talk about ways we can approach difference as educators-- e.g. employing a "sociological imagination" to encourage students to learn to see from a variety of perspectives. We'll learn how to foster a classroom environment where students can learn from one another through creative exercises and activities. Taught entirely online, participants will be able to share questions, discussions and resources with one another online at their leisure. The class will be useful to K-12 teachers of any class size and subject area. Available: ONLINE

Critical Thinking Skills for Any Classroom
This course will explore Critical Thinking and its use in the classroom to help students better prepare themselves for success in school, career, and life. Using the Paul-Elder framework, the course will look at definitions of Critical Thinking, the eight elements of thought, the universal standards essential to Critical Thinking, and the resultant intellectual traits developed by improved thinking. Participants should return to their classrooms with the expectation of being able to restructure their lessons to incorporate critical thinking as a means of adding rigor to their teaching. These skills can be tailored for all ages and abilities. Available: Online

Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted and Talented
Practical ideas for writing, implementing, and forming an inclusive curriculum will be the focus of this course. Various theories for identification and programs for the G&T will be covered. By exploring alternate lessons designs such as concept attainment, synectics, and the New Blooms Taxonomy you will create new lessons and activities. This course may be applied toward the 690 (Gifted & Talented) endorsement for the State of Maine teachers. Available: ONLINE

Educating Students with the Gift of ADD/ADHD
This class will concentrate on the ADD/ADHD learner�s challenges and reveal problem-solving solutions for success in school, work and social relationships. Areas of concentration will include: Identifying the ADD/ADHD students� strengths, gifts and passions, teacher�s positive-response methods, classroom structures, teaching/learning techniques, peer pressure solutions, varied assessment ideas that work, and how to establish a well-structured support system for the ADD/ADHD student. Available: ONLINE and as a Guided Independent Study

Educating the Gifted and Talented Student
This introductory course provides foundational information relating to the field of gifted and talented education (i.e. history, laws, etc.), details characteristics of gifted students from various populations, describes how such students are identified and assessed, and presents up-to-date, research-based pedagogy relating to curriculum design and instruction. It may be applied toward the 690 (Gifted & Talented) endorsement for the State of Maine teachers. Available: ONLINE

Experiencing New Children's Literature
This course is designed to give you the latest childrens literature to experience with your students. Participants will be provided with a childrens literature book list with books published within the last 3 years. Model activities and lessons will be provided to use with your students. You will be able to adapt and create your own lessons to use with students. Participants will rate books according to grade level, classroom use and interest. Come join us as we experience and evaluate the newest in Childrens Literature! Available: ONLINE

Federal and Maine Civil Rights and Education Laws
The purpose of this course is for practicing and future educational leaders to understand the legal foundations of educational policy and practices. Students will analyze legal issues and case studies in the State of Maine and the United States, with a particular focus on legal issues of importance to school administrators employed in Maine. School law topics include foundations of public education in the law, student rights, religion in schools, student discipline, bullying, liability and litigation, employment issues, collective bargaining, school finance, and charter schools. The course requires students to make connections between prior legal precedent and current practice, as well as proactive leadership practices that may have the impact of preventing litigation. Available: ONLINE

Helping You Help the Young Learner
Here is the opportunity to learn easy-to-do learning activities for children PK- 2. Increase your classroom repertoire with creative play, imaginative routines and hands on activities that are designed for the young learner. This course will also motivate you for your day in the early childhood classroom. A great amount of emphasis will be placed on practical ways to help you continue to be a successful teacher. When you feel comfortable and are enjoying your day in the classroom, so are your young students. This class includes plenty of resources and ideas for teachers, educational technicians and early childhood workers. This course counts for Early Childhood State Endorsement. Available : ONLINE

New Experiences and Resources with Children's Literature
Reading is a learned skill and enjoying it is a learned behavior. It is simply a matter of practice to become a better and more avid reader. As teachers, we need to create a program that fosters an environment of student "buy in". This comes with integrating reading curriculum, student voice and choice, and home support. This is the focus of the course. Upon completion of this course, teachers will have new resources to glean from that will add meaning to reading classes, new ways to select books, empower student to share the responsibility of learning to read, and ideas to share with parents. Come ready to share your professional knowledge and experiences and leave with a new strategies that will foster a love of reading for your students. The more students love to read, the more they will read. And the more they read, they will be come stronger readers and want to read more! This is the perpetual cycle children need to succeed. Available ONLINE

Organizational Theory and Planning
Examines the field of study of Organizational Behavior and how this approach is applied to the educational leadership setting. Focuses on the principal-as-manager role, teacher behavior, ethical behavior, conflict resolution, fostering creativity and innovation in schools, and how leaders could use models of organizational behavior for effective decision-making.

Remote Instruction for those With and Without Technology
Covid19 changed how we teach overnight. This course is designed to help you now and in the future. Hopefully, we will not need it for Covid19 again but there are other circumstances in which we could need remote instruction. Imagine if you had a packet of information all set to get started in case we had a hurricane or snowstorm. This packet would also be of help to students that have to be out due to illness. I suggest keeping the information in a file for future use. As we go through this time, add your lessons to the file. It will be there if “overnight” it is needed. This course will cover remote teaching concerns, students home learning environments, learning resources, and how to create a lesson for those with or without technology.

Rethinking Behavior Management
"Teaching is the art of assisting discovery." (Mark VanDoren) Children come to our classrooms with a whole range of skills and personalities. It's up to us, as teachers, to help every child to feel safe, secure, and happy. Our environmental setting plays a most crucial part in the full development of a child academically, emotionally, socially and physically. You will be discovering and examining a variety of concrete, effective strategies for a child to develop good behavioral patterns of living and problem solving that will make his/her life in school,home and community a happy one! Special attention will be given for the following behavioral life skills: attachment, belonging, self-regulation, collaboration, contribution, adaptability and service to our community. All children have special needs! We will examine and discover many concrete and successful ways to help any child who needs special understanding with easy-to-do modifications and adaptations. This course will brighten and enlighten your hearts and the hearts of those we teach!

Special Education Law
Special Education is continually impacted by legislation. This course is designed to enhance the educators proficiency in the procedural rules that guide the development and implementation of an appropriate education for students with disabilities. Areas covered include: A history of Special Education, present federal and state laws, privacy guidelines, 504 plans and the IEP (individual Education Plan) referrals, meetings, and goal setting, the Least Restrictive Environment guidelines and specific parental and students rights as per special education law. Available: ONLINE

Supervision and Evaluation of Personnel
Investigation of the importance of supervision and evaluation in the field of education; focuses on fundamental principles and approaches for supervising the teaching and learning environment; discusses the methods for assisting and supporting education personnel in their professional growth; introduces standards for evaluating teaching staff; examines ethical issues and practice related to supervision and evaluation; prepares participants for serving in an evaluative/administrative role in schools. Available: ONLINE

Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing during the Covid19 Pandemic
The pandemic has brought new kinds of stress to our children’s lives. Besides keeping children physically safe, it is important we take care of their emotional health. In this course we will identify the different responses students have due to emotional stress. We will look at practicing the 3 R’s of reassurance, routines and regulation. Emotional and behavioral changes will be identified including identification of students who need professional help. Many resources will be shared to help children and also teachers feel positive, safe and secure.

Teaching Mathematics to Students with Learning Disabilities
This course will be using a field-tested and research-based approach to mathematics instruction for students with learning problems designed to build the confidence and competence of teachers and educational technicians (Pre-K-12). Course goals include: significantly improved teacher and student attitudes about mathematics, increased mathematics content understanding, and professional-level skills in mathematics assessment and instruction. Also addressed are other student learning issues such as language, specific mathematics disabilities, prior experiences, and cognitive and metacognitive factors. Available: ONLINE

Teaching Mathematics to the Gifted and Talented
This course is designed to help teachers provide the stimulating mathematics curricula that will nurture the gifted student�s potential. We will look at research at how gifted students actually think differently from their peers and how they use their learning styles and potential not merely to develop intellectual expertise, but to move beyond expertise to the production of new ideas. Participants will learn and implement teaching strategies to create multiple paths by varying content, learning activities/and/or products so all students are challenged.It may be applied toward the 690 (Gifted & Talented) endorsement for the State of Maine teachers. Available: ONLINE

Teaching Science Using Everyday Household Materials
Science lessons can be exciting for your students but often neglected due to their expense or difficulty in obtaining the materials. School systems are cutting budgets and thus a teacher�s equipment budget is minimal or non-existent. This course will give you a variety of science activities that are low cost or no cost for you and your school system. We will be using a variety of available materials to demonstrate various science concepts . Students will create a science experiment or demonstration using low cost materials for the third class meeting. (lab fee 50.00). Included will be a field trip in the local area. This course may be scheduled on site by calling 1-877-778-2423

Teaching Study Skills in Special Education
Teaching Study Skills in Special Education

Teaching the Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom
Acceptable for initial certification as well as re-certification, This course meets the Maine State Guidelines for the mandated course, Teaching the Exceptional Child in the Regular Classroom and is acceptable for initial certification as well as re-certification, Included will be: characterization of exceptional students, learning styles /instructional styles, measuring outcomes, immediate feedback through self-correction, test construction, classroom management, effective use of support systems, working with parents, and an overview of the current state and federal laws. Available: ONLINE

Tending the Fire: Self-Care for Educators
Teaching is a demanding, stressful vocation, especially in times of societal anxiety and rapid change. This course examines the art of teaching and the value and role of the teacher. Through literature, the arts, film, and a variety of experiential learning experiences participants will develop self care while modeling good balance and healthy boundaries for students.

The Early Childhood Environment
This course explores early childhood organizational plans, procedures, physical facilities and surveys appropriate materials and equipment. Emphasis is placed on the process of designing appropriate learning environments for young children. The course will help students recognize appropriate Early Childhood Learning environments that promote active hands-on learning, respect children as individuals, and allow for the development of the whole child, to equip and supply an early childhood classroom and to plan and organize a child centered environment. This course is approved for towards Early Childhood endorsement. Available: summer 2017 and as Independent Study

The Wonderful World of Whales
The Wonderful World of Whales is an interactive class that ends with a Whale Watch. Included will be echolocation (seeing with sound). Whale communication, whale rope/lengths, game building, creating a school yard chalk whale, books, whaling journals, making whale blubber, a plankton net and a whale feeding activity. The whale watch aboard the Prince of Whales is an additional $45.00 fee. Book early to reserve your space for the whale watch.

Using Abilities for Success
"I was slightly brain damaged at birth, and I want people like me to see that they shouldn't let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness-I want to turn my disability into a ability." (Susan Boyle) Designed for all students, this course will look at ways to label children by their abilities. By looking at photo realistic visual thinkers, pattern thinkers and those with a "word mind', we will help the student discover how they learn best. Participants will be introduced to Paul Tough's non-cognitive skills of perseverance, grit, curiosity and the hidden power of character while building academic skills. Concentration will be on goal setting and how to build self sufficient successful learners. Available ONLINE

Websites for the Classroom
This course is designed to give you websites to enhance the learning of your students within the classroom. You will be directed to specific websites to experience in your classrooms and share with your students. Suggested activities and lesson connections will be provided for you to use with your students. You may adapt or develop your own. After using the website, you and your students will be asked to evaluate the site. Participants will also have the opportunity to share favorite sites with others enrolled in the class. At the completion of the course, you will have a resource of websites to add to your teaching repertoire and enhance the learning experiences of your students. Come and join us as we experience online resources for the classroom! * To make this online course more user friendly, you will receive an instruction sheet and instructor call times. Available: ONLINE

What is New in Childrens Literature
Explore the following genres: fantasy, realistic fiction, folk tales, fables, animal stories, mythology, historical fiction, biography and more. Learn how to identify and select quality literature and how to integrate books into your curriculum. Also included will be ways to present a successful story time, how to actively teach the reading/writing connection and samples of multi-level skill-based activities. Available: ONLINE

Writing Process: Making Writers out of Kids Who Hate to Write
Teaching kids to write -- and to like writing -- has never been easy. And now standard based testing is putting more pressure on the teacher, as well as educational technicians. This course will focus on ways to help students with learning difficulties to become successful writers. Participants will be introduced to pieces of literature to use as models for writing techniques, look at how to analyze, utilize and demonstrate effective strategies in their own writing, create effective writing assessments/rubrics, understand the stages of the writing process and create purposeful writing assignments for all students. The goal in this course is to give students strategies so the will love to write. Available: Online