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.
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)…
Best Books of 2026: Spark Joy, Inspire Readers (ACARC)
ACARC invites you to join them for an afternoon of book talks, where three dedicated literacy experts will unveil their premier Children's and Young Adult selections. This curated session is designed to help educators across all grade levels find high-quality titles that reflect student experiences and spark genuine curiosity. Whether you are looking to refresh your library or inspire a reluctant reader, this joyful celebration will provide the tools and titles you need to foster a lifelong love of reading…
Portrait of a Graduate Series: Bringing the Vision to Life in Your Classroom
New York State's Portrait of a Graduate initiative asks a compelling question: What should every student carry with them into their future, and how might educators support their journeys?
This asynchronous, 15 CTLE hour course invites K-12 educators to build a solid understanding of the Portrait of a Graduate components, then translate that vision into classroom practice. Teachers will engage with community-based resources, such as the Hyde Collection, the New York State Museum, or miSci Museum of Innovation and Science, as a means of readying students to think critically, connect globally, communicate effectively, and engage meaningfully in their communities…
Next STEPS in Literacy Instruction: Connecting Assessments to Effective Interventions (Second Edition)
In this book study, participants will explore practical, evidence-based strategies for translating universal screening and diagnostic assessment results into effective Tier 1 instruction and targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions. Through reading, collaborative discussions, and reflective activities, educators will deepen their understanding of how to align assessment data with instructional practices that address students' specific literacy needs. Participants will leave with practical tools and actionable strategies to improve literacy outcomes across diverse classroom settings…
The Teaching Strategy Handbook: 200+ Solutions for Common Classroom Challenges
In this book study of The Teaching Strategy Handbook: 200+ Solutions for Common Classroom Challenges, participants will examine more than 200 research-backed, classroom-tested strategies designed to address the everyday realities of teaching. Through reading, reflection, and collaborative discussion, you will discover practical approaches for increasing student engagement, addressing learning gaps, supporting diverse learners, strengthening family partnerships, rethinking assessment practices, and preventing teacher burnout…
DASA Certification Training
This NYSED-approved DASA training includes 3 hours of self-paced, online instruction and a 3 hour live virtual meeting with an instructor…