Core Connection Course Catalog

Art of Connection: Empowering Art Teachers to Create Inclusive, Positive Environments Through Creative Activities
This professional learning opportunity will equip K-12 art educators with creative and effective strategies to foster community, build routines, and cultivate positive relationships during the first weeks of school…

Bright Lights, Stage Fights, and a Dazzling Chorus: An Educator's Guide to Directing Musical Theatre
This course is designed to equip educators with the knowledge, tools, and strategies required to successfully produce and direct a school musical production. By the end of this course, educators will have a better understanding of the many facets required to successfully produce a full-scale musical as well as resources and strategies to overcome obstacles that are certain to pop up along the way…

Designing Place-Based, Data-Rich Science Lessons: Summer 2025
Places are more than just physical locations. They can include different cultures, histories, languages, and stories that create the world where science is done and data is worked with. These connections can be leveraged to create more engaging and authentic learning experiences in any science classroom. In this course, participants will discuss ways to use both primary and secondary data to tell a more coherent story about phenomena…

New Mentor Training July 2025
This course guides veteran teachers through the analysis of the knowledge and attributes critical to teacher mentoring. It will consist of asynchronous assignments with feedback provided by the facilitator weekly…

One Score, All Standards: A Comprehensive Musicianship Approach to Music Teaching
During this course, we will investigate strategies for teaching the full spectrum of NYS Music Standards through the lens of a single music composition. Working with repertoire selected specifically for your students, you will craft a unit of instruction that brings music to life…

Rhythms and Colors: Integrating Hispanic Music and Art Traditions
This professional learning opportunity is designed for art and music educators who seek to deepen their understanding of the rich and diverse traditions of Hispanic art and music. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and multimedia resources, educators will discover the vibrant forms of visual arts, folk music, and contemporary works that have shaped Hispanic cultures…

Writing Workouts Book Study
Join us for an online book study on Rebecca G. Harper's new book, Writing Workouts. This book provides a method for instruction that gives students the fun they want and the targeted skill practice they need. Rebecca G. Harper shows us just how to use the method systematically, so writing is tied to relevant lessons and standards…

The Science of Writing: Differentiated Practices for K-12 Success
Drawing from both cognitive science and classroom experience, The Science of Writing: Differentiated Practices for K-12 Success isn't just about theory - it's about practical, proven strategies you can use tomorrow. Whether you're helping kindergarteners form their first sentences or guiding high school seniors through complex analytical essays, you'll find strategies tailored to your students' needs…

Authentic Literacy Experiences in Early Childhood: Balancing Fundations and Heggerty - Part 1
This professional learning course introduces reading and writing experiences designed to supplement your Fundations and Heggerty teaching by integrating phonics skills with authentic literacy practices, boosting engagement, and fostering a love for reading and writing in early childhood classrooms…

AMTNYS PLC Session 2: AI for the Math Classroom
The session will explore AI tools to help instruct students. We will discuss teachers using tools in their teaching and students using tools in their learning. We will also discuss the ethical and proper use of AI for students.

Cultivating Awareness and Resilience in Education (CARE) for Teachers Retreat CTLE Registration
This innovative in-person training for educators from July 17 to July 20 will introduce an evidence-based set of practical skills, to support wellbeing. These skills will help reduce stress, improve mental concentration and emotional awareness, and facilitate responsiveness. You will be able to apply these in your work so you can consistently be the caring, compassionate educator you are…

Current Trends in Special Education with New York State CEC 2025
We are partnering with the New York State Council for Exceptional Children to offer this free professional learning opportunity to help special educators navigate today's unique challenges. The course opens and closes with live online sessions featuring Q&A and networking opportunities. Between these meetings, participants complete self-paced learning modules for a total of 15 hours of CTLE…

Write Now & Write On Book Study
This book study is designed to help you help your students up their writing game, while making literacy applicable, beneficial, and original. According to Rebecca G. Harper: "Your students may not realize it, but they're already writers. All those informational text messages, Instagram captions, and Facebook posts have given them the skills they can use as a springboard to the formal, content-specific writing they'll need for success in school and college and throughout their careers.”

New Mentor Training August 2025
This course guides veteran teachers through the analysis of the knowledge and attributes critical to teacher mentoring. It will consist of asynchronous assignments with feedback provided by the facilitator weekly…

Quiet Wisdom: In-Person Summer 2025 Session
In this 3-hour in-person session, participants will have the opportunity to explore the practices from the virtual meditation in a live community setting. Practices to be explored include breathwork, movement meditation, silent nature immersion, compassion meditation, live sound bath, and more…

National Board Certification - Introduction and Planning Session
Join GCRTC coach Geoff Bizan for an introduction to the process and benefits of certifying for National Board. Identify free resources and networking opportunities to guide and support your growth in all domains of teaching and learning…

National Board Certification - MOC Maintenance of Certification Introduction and Planning Session
Join GCRTC coach Geoff Bizan for an introduction to the process and benefits of maintaining your current certification. Identify free resources and networking opportunities to guide and support your growth in all domains of teaching and learning…

Study Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation
This book study of The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt's groundbreaking analysis, reveals how social media and modern parenting have created unprecedented mental health challenges for an entire generation. This 20 hour study includes discussion groups and practical applications for all participants…

Quiet Wisdom: Continuing our Exploration of Contemplative Practices in Teaching- Fall 2025 Series
Inspired by Quiet Wisdom: Exploring Contemplative Practices in Teaching, this all new session of Quiet Wisdom will dive deeper into some previously explored contemplative practices for educators, as well as expand our repertoire of self-care for transitions, new seasons, and holidays. Both new and past participants are encouraged to attend…

History of Whaling Teacher Workshop
Hudson: A History of Whaling & Maritime Commerce, an exhibit at the Hudson Area Library, offers a unique opportunity to look at our city, county, state, and national history through the lens of local history. When students learn about their own local history, the streets they walk on, the river they visit, they will be motivated to learn and will be able to better contextualize Social Studies concepts and facts…