Core Connection Course Catalog
Course Learning Levels
Our courses are designed with a specific level of learning and application in mind. Review the descriptions below to find the experience that best aligns with your goals.
Awareness / Foundational Knowledge Building / Collegial Support
Focuses on understanding concepts, researching frameworks, reading/exploring content, introducing new topics/ideas, providing collegial support.
Planning for Continuous Improvement
Focuses on designing, creating plans/units/curricula, building frameworks, or mapping out strategies prior to implementation.
Implementation / Reflection / Revision
Focuses on active classroom trial, execution of new strategies, real-time feedback, evaluating impact on students, and taking action based on data collected during and after initial implementation.
Movement & Sound Meditation Circles: 2026-27 Series
In this year-long course, participants are invited to join a vibrant community of educators in a weekly synchronous virtual Circle. When we take time to replenish ourselves and fill our own cup, we are able to serve others from the overflow. This allows us to show up to our classrooms feeling regulated, sustainable, and impactful for the students we work with everyday…
Beyond the Classroom: Educator Advocacy Through Community Partnership
Educators see need every day - the student without a winter coat, the family choosing between groceries and utilities, the child who needs counseling but has no access to it. Recognizing need is only the first step; this course equips educators with the skills, frameworks, and practical tools to act on it…
Continuing Our Search for Texts that Change Readers: A Year-Long Study Group of New and Noteworthy Fiction (ACARC)
There is nothing more rewarding than to see a student become an avid reader! This year-long program, offering by ACARC at Cairo-Durham CSD, will explore new and noteworthy fiction that can be shared with students…
Personal Finance Instructional Planning
Join our year-long, asynchronous professional sharing community. Available in 3 grade band levels. Hear and discuss news from NYSED on standards and compliance. Be part of sharing resources, lessons, activities, and opportunities. Add to the existing resource-hub, and work with Broadview Federal Credit Union's Financial Wellness education team to learn about implementing prepared activities, receive assistance from their staff, and create or work toward implementation plans for personal Finance…
High School Mathematics PLC
Join this popular, monthly, asynchronous sharing community and stay connected with colleagues across the region. Don't work in isolation! Be part of a regional math department. Each month throughout the school year, we'll share lessons, discuss asynchronously, and meet for a short Zoom meeting…
Continuing Our Search for Texts that Change Readers: A Year-Long Study Group of New and Noteworthy Fiction (ACARC)
There is nothing more rewarding than to see a student become an avid reader! This year-long program, offering by ACARC at Forest Park Elementary in S.Colonie CSD, will explore new and noteworthy fiction that can be shared with students…
A Teacher's Guide to Math Workshop Book Study
This book study will give you the tools to take your current math curriculum and turn it into a successful math workshop. The chapters of this book provide overviews of components of math workshop, beliefs vs. actions, keys to success, read aloud books that go along with the components/concepts, and online tools and videos to support implementing math workshop. Are you ready to create the math classroom you've always dreamed of?
Empowering Educators Series: Integrating AI Tools
By the end of this workshop, participants will not only have a solid understanding of AI in education but will also be equipped with practical skills to integrate AI tools effectively into their teaching practices. We will explore ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Notebook LM, MagicSchool, and many other AI tools that can enhance your classroom learning experiences…
Speech to Print: Language Essentials for Teachers
Explore Louisa Cook Moats’ Speech to Print in this 15-hour asynchronous course designed to help K–12 educators understand how language works and how it supports effective structured literacy instruction. Through practical activities, case studies, and student work analysis, participants will deepen their understanding of phonology, morphology, syntax, and meaning—and gain strategies to support diverse learners…
Uncovering The Logic of English: A Common-Sense Approach to Reading, Spelling and Literacy
Explore the patterns behind 98% of English words in this 15-hour asynchronous course based on Denise Eide’s Uncovering the Logic of English. Participants will discover the reasoning behind common spelling patterns and gain practical insights for strengthening literacy instruction…
ACARC’S Literacy Trivia Event 2026
Join the Albany City Area Reading Council (ACARC) for an exciting afternoon of food, fun, and friendly competition! Our Literacy Trivia Event combines a game-based approach to professional learning with genuine collegial connection. Collaborate with fellow educators, expand your literacy network, and take home fresh book titles, trivia, and classroom-ready strategies you can use the very next day…
Virtual World Language Support Network and PLC
For the 2026-2027 school year, the Albany/Saratoga Virtual World Language PLC will merge with the North Country PLC, to continue the tradition of collaboration and innovation in the World Language Classroom…
Essential Methods for Managing Disruptive Students with Complex Trauma
This 5-week asynchronous book study of Help for Billy, by Heather T. Forbes, will guide you in effectively incorporating proven strategies in your classroom for trauma-impacted students who struggle with self-regulation…
AI Thought Leaders: Centering Our Creative Voices
Explore how generative AI can support - not replace - students’ creative thinking and artistic judgment. This course introduces the Decision Point Framework, a practical tool for redesigning assignments so students can use AI while keeping their creative decisions visible and meaningful. Participants will leave with a classroom-ready assignment redesigned for thoughtful, purposeful AI use…
Digital Art in Motion with Scratch
Bring digital art, animation, and interactive storytelling to life with Scratch. Through playful, project-based learning, participants will explore digital illustration, motion, and block-based coding while creating engaging, interactive projects. Leave with a collection of Scratch creations and practical strategies for bringing creative coding into your classroom…
Thinking Outside the Box
Based on the popular Inspiration Dice concept, this course invites you to design your own set of instructional dice while exploring the classroom management strategies and creative thinking practices behind them. This project doubles as both a hands-on making experience and a practical teaching tool, helping you promote resourcefulness, critical thinking, and creativity among your students…
Quiet Wisdom: Continuing our Exploration of Contemplative Practices in Teaching
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…
Book Study on A Year for the Books by Katie Walther and Maria Walther
Explore practical strategies from A Year for the Books by Katie Walther and Maria Walther for embedding literacy across content areas while creating student-centered reading communities that foster a lasting love of reading. Through asynchronous discussion, reflection, and collaboration, participants will connect the book’s strategies to their own instruction, identify areas for growth, and develop approaches they can immediately implement in their classrooms…
Book Study on The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Katherine Evans and Dorothy Vaandering
The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education: Fostering Responsibility, Healing, and Hope in Schools by Katherine Evans and Dorothy Vaandering offers insight on how principles from this ancient wisdom can empower educators and school leaders to create just and equitable learning environments, help students build and maintain healthy relationships, heal harm, and transform conflict. The goal of this course is full implementation of the practical strategies outlined within this book to maximize student impact…
Everyday Teaching Activities for Social Emotional Learning
This 5-week asynchronous book study of Nurturing Students’ Character - Everyday Teaching Activities for Social-Emotional Learning will guide you in understanding the components of social, emotional learning (SEL) and character development (SECD)…