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.
From Beginner to Builder: Architecting NYSSLS Curriculum with AI Prompts
Ready to harness the power of AI but not sure where to start? This beginner-friendly asynchronous course introduces K–12 science educators to effective prompt writing using the R.I.C.E. Framework. Learn to create reusable "Master Prompts" that save time while generating phenomenon-driven lessons, NYSSLS-aligned assessments, and differentiated instructional supports…
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…
The Mega Book of Fluency: Building Fluent, Confident Readers
This five-week asynchronous professional learning course is designed to help educators strengthen their understanding and instruction of reading fluency using The Mega Book of Fluency as the primary professional learning resource. Participants will explore practical, research-informed approaches for developing students' accuracy, automaticity, rate, phrasing, and expression while building a classroom culture that supports confident, engaged readers…
Thinking Forward
In this 15-hour asynchronous course, middle and high school educators across all content areas will learn to combine the Modern Classrooms Project's self-paced, mastery-based instructional model with the research-backed classroom culture practices from Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use unit plan, practical strategies for fostering student collaboration and deep thinking, and a sustainable daily framework that works for all learners…
New Mentor Training - Online and Asynchronous
This rigorous course guides veteran teachers through the analysis of the knowledge and attributes critical to teacher mentoring as well as fundamental instructional practices. Participants will practice primary mentor actions including listening, observing, monitoring and coaching while continually reflecting on their own growth as measured by the NYSED standards for mentoring…
NYSSLS Chemistry Storyline Collaborative
Reimagine your chemistry curriculum through the power of storylines, phenomena, and student sensemaking. In this 2026-2027 collaborative PLC, you'll develop NYSSLS-aligned instructional materials that engage students while strengthening their scientific reasoning…
Book Study: The Artificial Intelligence Playbook
This book study explores The Artificial Intelligence Playbook, focusing on how AI can serve as a virtual administrative assistant for educators. Participants will learn practical applications of AI tools to reduce administrative workload and create more time for meaningful student interactions…
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…
Transform Your Teaching: Mastering High-Leverage Practices for Inclusive Success
Strengthen your inclusive teaching practices through this 15-hour professional learning course centered on High-Leverage Practices for Inclusive Classrooms. Participants will explore evidence-based Tier 1 and Tier 2 strategies, collaborate with colleagues, and apply new learning directly to their own classrooms through weekly online activities, guided feedback, and practical goal setting. Whether participating individually or as part of a team, educators will leave with actionable tools to better support all learners…
A Deeper Dive: Using MagicSchool, Canva, and ChatGPT to Create Engaging Lessons You Can Use Tomorrow
Ready to take your instructional design skills to the next level? In this deeper-dive professional learning course, you'll choose one platform - MagicSchool, Canva, or ChatGPT (or other Chatbots)- and work with it throughout the entire experience…
Cultivating Wonder: Nature-Based Renewal for Educators
Cultivating Wonder is designed not just to give you new teaching strategies, but to reinvigorate you. This course operates on a simple premise: You cannot share what you do not possess. To spark a love of nature and curiosity in students, a teacher must first rekindle their own sense of wonder. Whether you are an outdoor education veteran or a teacher who prefers the indoors, this course will help you use the natural world as a battery to recharge your teaching practice and model lifelong curiosity for your students…
Gemini Notebook for Educators: AI-Powered Teaching, Learning, and Productivity
Discover how to harness Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM), Google's AI-powered research and organization tool, to enhance teaching, learning, and professional productivity. In this fully asynchronous 5-week course, educators will explore the tool, apply it to real instructional or professional tasks, and reflect on its impact…
MagicSchool AI: Tools for Teachers and Students
This course moves beyond the basics of MagicSchool AI to help teachers deepen and expand their practice - both on the teacher side and the student side. Building on the basics on MagicSchool, participants will move into more advanced, classroom-embedded uses: designing custom tools, running supervised student AI experiences, and using formative data to adjust instruction in real time…
Reflective Practices for Teacher Resilience and Excellence
Build a more resilient, responsive teaching practice through structured critical reflection. In this 15-hour, facilitator-paced asynchronous course, educators explore four field-tested reflection models, learn to uncover the assumptions behind recurring classroom challenges, and practice meaningful reflective dialogue with colleagues—all on their own schedule. Walk away with practical strategies and a personalized Reflective Practice Plan to make reflection a lasting part of your professional practice…
Uniquely Human - Following Dr. Barry's Autism Podcast
Explore Barry Prizant’s compassionate, affirming approach to autism through his ongoing podcast. This five-module asynchronous learning community will follow biweekly episodes from October through December, with opportunities to reflect, share, and connect with colleagues on Google Classroom. No previous participation required…
Mixed Up Meter and Fall Fun
Katie Traxler has been teaching PK-5th grade music, orff and recorder ensembles, chorus, piano, ukulele, and guitar classes in public schools for over 20 years. She has taught in New York City, Nashville, TN, and is now building a brand new program in Plaquemines Parish Schools in Louisiana. She teaches Basic Pedagogy Levels I and II for AOSA Education courses, serves on The Orff Echo Editorial Board, and leads PD for Orff chapters, school districts, and conferences across the country…
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…