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.
The Need to Read Book Series - Part 7
Historical fiction is a genre that has engaged readers for decades. It offers possible cross-curricular work as well as ripe classroom discussion. This completely asynchronous online course will look at some outstanding historical fiction, spanning grade levels, and analyze how they have aged over time and if they are still must-teach books…
Book Study: Untethered by Doug Bolton Ph.D.
Untethered by Doug Bolton, Ph.D., offers insight on the devastating and lasting impact of trauma on students and how educators can combat it through the power of community. The goal of this course is full implementation of the practical strategies outlined within this book to maximize student impact…
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…
Loving the Littles - Imagination at Play
Explore, create and experience how to engage the littlest learners through games, manipulatives, literature, non-traditional instruments and rhythmic building blocks…
Making Thinking Visible: Transforming Content-Area Instruction with Thinking Routines (Grades 7-12)
This asynchronous professional learning course guides middle and high school content-area teachers through research-based approaches to teaching thinking, and practical implementation of thinking routines based on Ron Ritchhart and Mark Church's influential work, The Power of Making Thinking Visible…
Designing AI-Resilient Science Lessons
Artificial intelligence is transforming education, creating new opportunities and new challenges for science teachers. Learn how to design NYSSLS-aligned, AI-resilient lessons that keep student reasoning, sensemaking, and scientific thinking at the heart of learning…
Developing Mathematical Reasoning: A Book Study of Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms (K–12)
Move beyond teaching procedures to help students develop deep mathematical understanding and flexible problem-solving skills. In this K–12 book study of Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms by Pamela Weber Harris, you'll explore practical strategies for building mathematical reasoning that students can apply across concepts and grade levels…
Developing Mathematical Reasoning: Strategies, Models, and Lessons for Grades 6–8 (Book Study)
Discover how to help students in grades 6–8 build lasting mathematical understanding by replacing memorized procedures with reasoning-based strategies that promote deep thinking and sense-making. In this book study of Developing Mathematical Reasoning: The Strategies, Models, and Lessons to Teach the Big Ideas in Grades 6–8, participants will explore practical routines and instructional tools they can immediately apply to strengthen students' mathematical reasoning…
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…
VEX IQ Robotics - Support Group for Classroom Use and Competition
This course helps teachers integrate VEX IQ robotics into their STEM curriculum and gives them the tools to launch or grow a competition team. Participants will share and build on best practices for classroom use, and walk away with a practical plan for getting a competition team up and running…
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…
World Language Proficiency-Based Instruction: Teaching Grammar for Proficiency (Book Study)
This asynchronous book study of Proficiency-Based Instruction explores how World Language teachers can embed grammar into instruction through proficiency-based techniques in the classroom…
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…
Council for Exceptional Children NY Annual Conference - Stronger Together: The Portrait of a Collaborative Special Education Professional
Hosted by the New York State Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Stronger Together: The Portrait of a Collaborative Special Education Professional, brings together special education professionals, leaders, families, and advocates for an engaging and collaborative learning experience. Whether you're here to deepen your knowledge, connect with colleagues, or discover new tools and strategies, we're excited to have you join us…
Seen, Heard, Valued, CRSE Practices for Teaching Assistants and Aides
The New York State Council for Exceptional Children and Greater Capital Region Teacher Center invite Teaching Assistants and Aides to this free in-person training on the Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education Frameworks.
This pre-conference workshop* takes place on the campus of Le Moyne College in Syracuse on Friday, October 2 from 4pm-5:30pm. Join with colleagues from the region, who work in similar roles, as we work together to practice strategies for creating a welcoming environment and strategies that foster high expectations for diverse student populations. This is an opportunity to share what's working in your school and practice new approaches!
Beyond AI-Proof: Designing Assignments That Require Real Thinking
AI can write it. So how do we design work that students can't fake? In this course, you'll rethink assignments to require real thinking, real process, and real student voice-so learning still matters in an AI world…
Scaffolding for Success: Part 1
Build the knowledge and confidence to support English language learners in any classroom. This course introduces the stages of language development, practical scaffolding strategies, and effective instructional approaches that make grade-level content accessible while promoting language growth. Participants will also explore how AI can be used to better understand multilingual learners' needs and create appropriate instructional supports. Through readings, discussions, and hands-on lesson design, teachers will leave with practical tools they can apply immediately to help every student succeed…
Book Study - 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People
This asynchronous book study explores the cutting-edge research from psychologist David Yeager, as detailed in his book 10 to 25. We will explore the neuroscience of the adolescent brain, focusing on how puberty sparks a deep need for social respect and an aversion to shame that lasts into the mid-twenties. Participants will develop effective and easy-to-learn practices to reduce a wide variety of behavior problems, including school dropout, stress, and mental health struggles…
Children’s Literacy: Encouraging Identity Awareness Through Conversation and Composing
Let's dive into children's literature and explore possibilities that promote identity building and encourage children to develop a love and a passion for writing. We'll explore several different authors' such as Peter Reynolds, Grace Byers and Wendy Ewald to name a few. We'll discover and come to know more deeply who these authors are as individuals and as writers, as we analyze their craft…