Core Connection Course Catalog
We Belong Book Study Follow up
Through structured reflection, discussion, and goal-setting, participants will analyze their experiences, refine their approaches, and create a plan for sustaining and enhancing a culture of belonging in their classrooms and schools. *This course is designed for educators who have previously explored and implemented the strategies in WE BELONG…
Orff Winter "Test Kitchen"
Think of this as a musical potluck: no prep required, no fancy plating, just good ingredients and lots of tasting along the way. We're gathering to try out some of our favorite recipes from the Orff-Keetman volumes of "Music For Children" and other publications. We will experiment together and make music in a low-pressure, collaborative space…
Mentor Support Network
Mentor teachers, teachers training to mentor, and mentor coordinators are invited to participate in this monthly collegial gathering. We'll discuss current trends in mentoring, grapple with challenging scenarios and celebrate successes. This is an opportunity to extend your coaching strategies, as well as ask and answer questions with other teacher-leaders…
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…
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…
Scaffolding for Success
This course is appropriate for those new to working with multilingual learners and for teachers looking to refine their approach. Teachers will gain actionable tools to help every student succeed..
BOOK STUDY: Distracted: Why Students Can't Focus and What You Can Do About It
In today's classrooms, student attention is more fragmented than ever, and traditional teaching strategies often struggle to compete with digital distractions. How do we regain students' attention and foster effective communities in the new cell phone free classroom? In this engaging book study, we will explore Distracted by James M. Lang, a practical guide for understanding why students struggle to focus and what educators can do to reclaim their attention…
History is Herstory Too: Part Three
In History is Herstory Too: Part Three, educators will deepen their understanding of the pivotal role women have played throughout history, with a focus on women in our lives and communities. Building on the foundation laid in Parts One and Two, this course explores the intersectionality of gender, race, class, and culture in shaping historical events and societal change…
High School Geometry 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…
Math 6-8 Support Network: Numeracy Briefs Series
NYSED has launched a Numeracy Initiative, which will continue through the 2025-26 school year. This Initiative will provide information and resources to support high-quality, culturally responsive mathematics instruction designed to help students to advance their numeracy skills and achieve the expectations of the mathematics learning standards. This session is Brief 5: Mathematics Assessment of and for Student Learning…
RISE: The Kripalu Approach to Resilience for Educators
The RISE Kripalu Program teaches practitioners how to achieve greater clarity and resilience, improved situational awareness and better decision-making and work/life balance through mindfulness techniques…
AI-Powered Assessment Design: Creating Standards-Aligned Test Questions with MagicSchool AI
This professional learning course empowers educators to leverage MagicSchool AI's advanced tools to create high-quality, standards-aligned assessments that meet New York State learning requirements…
Cultivating Mathematical Hearts: Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching in Elementary Classrooms Book Study
Cultivating Mathematical Hearts positions mathematics as a humanizing, joyful, and culturally grounded learning experience. The book introduces a framework and the Culturally Responsive Mathematics Teaching Tool (CRMT²) designed to help teachers create inclusive, student-centered math classrooms. Through this model, educators learn how to honor students' cultural backgrounds, elevate diverse mathematical ideas, ensure equitable access to rigorous learning, and foster agency, engagement, and curiosity…
Empowering Educators: Integrating AI Tools in the Classroom
In this course, we will explore ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Notebook LM, MagicSchool, and many other AI tools that can enhance your classroom learning experiences. Join us on this exciting journey towards reshaping the future of education through the thoughtful and purposeful integration of AI in the classroom…
Level Up Your Teaching with NotebookLM
Discover how to harness NotebookLM, an AI-powered 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…
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…
Book Study: 100% Engagement by Brian Sztbanik and Susan Barber
This asynchronous book study of 100% Engagement offers practical lessons and strategies for English teachers to use in their classroom. It will help increase student engagement, motivation and success…
Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom Grades 6-12 Book Study
Join us for a study of Mathematics Tasks for the Thinking Classroom Grades6-12 by Peter Liljedahl and Kyle Webb. This text serves as a practical companion to the foundational Building Thinking Classrooms framework, specifically focusing on task selection and implementation to transform mathematics instruction. Teachers will find concrete guidance on how to choose appropriate tasks for their specific standards and learning goals, along with detailed implementation strategies that include task setup, facilitation techniques, and assessment approaches…
Outdoor Minds: Connecting Students with Nature Through Innovative Outdoor Education
Reimagine learning beyond the classroom walls as you explore how nature-based inquiry can transform teaching and deepen student engagement. This course equips educators with practical strategies and collaborative support to bring the natural world into everyday instruction…
65th Annual Hudson-Mohawk Valley Area Mathematics Conference (HMVAMC)
For more than six decades, the Hudson-Mohawk Valley Area Mathematics Conference has stood as the region's premier gathering for mathematics educators bringing together inspired teachers, thoughtful leaders, and passionate advocates for student success. This year’s conference will be held on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at Bethlehem CSD. Grade K-8 teachers are especially encouraged to attend, as all three sessions will feature nationally renowned educator and curriculum developer Greg Tang…