Core Connection Course Catalog
Financial Literacy
The GCRTC continues to look for teachers to collaborate and stay ahead of the implementation curve as New York begins to include financial literacy in the curriculum. NYSED's next steps will be to form a workgroup to identify principles, and comprehensive guidance to support implementation, highlighting schools who are already doing this work. We've been invited to participate and I would love for our group members, past and new, to be part of this sharing and planning. Join our year-long, fully-asynchronous, Financial Literacy PLC!
Lessons From the June High School Science Exams: Moving Towards Cluster Questions
We will take a deep dive into the June Biology and Earth and Space Science exams to reflect on our practice and determine how to best help our students moving forward. Using the NYSSLS Standards and Performance Level Descriptions (PLDs) we will analyze the exams and apply this knowledge to develop effective cluster-type questions…
IEP Planning PLC 2025-26
The IEP is the cornerstone of our practice - and so many of us have developed strategies to streamline our tasks - let's share those with each other! We'll talk about IEPs and AI, data gathering, goals and progress monitoring…
Authentic Literacy Experiences in Early Childhood: Balancing Fundations and Heggerty - Part 2
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. In part 2, we will explore 6 instructional practices that align with the NYS literacy briefs and that differ from those employed in part 1…
Harnessing The Science of Learning Book Study
This book study will introduce educators to real-world school case studies and effective teaching practices while providing a clear roadmap for meaningful change. Harnessing the Science of Learning highlights how even small changes can lead to significant improvement. This practical guide bridges classroom practices, school leadership and educational research to support school improvement…
Students Taking Action Together - 5 Teaching Techniques to Cultivate Social Emotional Learning, Civic Engagement, and a Healthy Democracy
By incorporating principles of democratic participation, we help students develop the skills to manage conflict productively, engage respectfully across differences, and persist in working toward community-based solutions. This book study is designed for teachers of all subject areas in grades 5-12…
North Country/Adirondack World Language Teachers PLC
This PLC offers an opportunity for World Language teachers to come together to collaborate, support one another and dive into current topics in World Language teaching…
Embracing Uncertainty in the Science Classroom
In this completely asynchronous, online course we will collaborate to explore different types of uncertainty that arise in science and how to apply them to you teaching. We will explore strategies and tools to help build your students' resilience and make uncertainty part of the learning experience…
Strengthening Home-School Partnerships: Strategies for General Classroom Teachers
This 6-week, 15-hour professional learning course is designed to equip general classroom teachers with the knowledge, tools, and strategies necessary to build and sustain meaningful family engagement in K-12 classrooms…
Building Thinking Classrooms in Action
Join us for a deeper dive into Peter Liljedahl's fourteen practices outlined in his Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics text. Throughout this class we will be working through 4 Toolkits. Some of the practices we will focus on are: random grouping, non curricular thinking tasks, curricular tasks and thin-slicing. Participants will employ practices that support the curriculum in their contexts and develop teacher moves to support this pedagogy…
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…
Virtual World Language Support Network and PLC
The 2025-26 Virtual World Language PLC will continue its tradition of collaboration and innovation in the World Language Classroom. We are also excited to continue our collaboration with the North Country World Language PLC to expand our abilities as language educators…
Grading with Purpose: Mastering Standards-Referenced Grading
This session will explain how teachers can use the SRG method of assessing student learning while fitting the practice into the traditional grading system utilized by most schools. Students will learn to take ownership of the learning process and how they demonstrate their understanding…
Music is the Language of Awesome!
This BHVAOSA workshop focuses on creative music and movement activities for preschool, primary and intermediate children. Music and movement foster a sense of wonder and joy in, creating a safe space for early learners to explore, to play, and to understand as they give themselves to new adventures. Come join us for a day of looking at the world around us through children's eyes…
Book Study: Math Running Records in Action
In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore Dr. Nicki Newton's book Math Running Records in Action (1st Edition). Participants will learn how to use Math Running Records to assess fact fluency and increase student achievement…
Phonics From A to Z (4th Edition) Book Study
In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore Wiley Blevins' book Phonics from A to Z (4th Edition). This edition has been updated to include the latest in phonics and the science of reading. The book also explores topics including handwriting, phonemic awareness, sound walls, decodable texts, strategies for differentiation, and more…
Resilient Lesson Planning - Fall 2025
Resilient Lesson Planning is designed to empower educators with the skills and strategies needed to create flexible, equity-centered lessons that thrive across varied learning environments. Grounded in the principles of resilient pedagogy, this course helps participants design instruction that is responsive to diverse student needs, adaptable to changing circumstances, and deeply rooted in engagement and inclusivity…
Specially Designed Instruction Book Study
In this 15-hour asynchronous course, participants will explore Anne M. Beninghof's book, Specially Designed Instruction (1st Edition). This book will equip teachers to provide specially designed instruction to meet the needs of all learners across any classroom…
The Magic Continues - Intermediate Magic School AI
In this course participants will learn next-level skills to enhance student learning with Magic School AI…
The Need to Read Part 4: Award Winning Graphic Novels
This self-paced course will expose participants to various award-winning books and discuss how they can be shared with students. We put together this list of graphic novels that have won various awards. We will analyze these winners, the awards they received and who are the readers for these books…