Advancement Courses teach Team: a look at our events

Estimated reading time: 14 minutes

What an incredible year it has been for the Advancement Courses’ teACh Team!

The team has been super busy, and over the past few months, we have covered a variety of topics that are super relevant to teachers.

We have discussed:

• what makes Professional Development most effective;
• school administrators and teachers leading post-pandemic;
• our current top picks for children’s books;
• supporting students who have experienced trauma;
• culturally responsive classrooms and components of special education;
• school and district-wide Professional Development options with Advancement Courses.

Let’s take a closer look at each of the events from this past year.

teACh Team Kick-Off — Facebook Live, March 22

Focus: Professional Development for educators

We talked about the teACh Team and what Juan, Kayla, Todd, and I have been up to, but we also covered some pretty important things like what we love about Advancement Courses:

• That Advancement Courses designs Professional Development for busy, hardworking teachers;
• Credit options can include graduate credit with a university partner (so you’ll receive a transcript) or continuing education based on your state/district requirements (where you will receive a letter of completion);
• There are now 1, 2 and 3 graduate credit courses available;
• Now Advancement Courses offers over 280 graduate-level courses in 20 different subject areas, including: Subject-specific (ELA, math, science, special needs, etc.), Technology, Classroom management, Social-emotional learning, Teacher wellness
• Courses are self-paced with up to six months to complete;
• Course prices include all materials and shipping;
• Feedback and facilitation is provided by experienced instructors;
• Courses focus on developing practical tools that are immediately applicable to your classroom;
• Resources for teachers to use in their classrooms, including downloadable lesson plans, articles and infographics!

Who was there:

• Kayla Dornfeld of Top Dog Teaching Inc
• Juan Edgar Gonzalez Jr. of Teaching 3rd with Mr G
• Todd Nesloney of Todd Nesloney
• and me!

.

Catch the video replay here: teACh Team Kick-Off

We talked about what we loved most about our experience taking Advancement Courses’ PD, and we shared some highlights from our recent classes.

Find all of the courses here.

Find all of the courses here, and be sure to use code MAMA20 for 20% off of your order!

Events in April

Leading Post-Pandemic — Facebook live, april 6

Focus: Leading Post Pandemic: How does school leadership look different?

We talked about:

• The changes Todd has noticed in students/ teachers / schools where he lives and how will school leadership need to change or adapt to these changes? 
• What do school leaders want teachers / families to know? 
• What do school leaders need most right now? 
• How can families / communities best support them?
• How can schools benefit from a ‘re-do’? What changes would you like to see happen?

Who was there: Todd Nesloney & Amy Mascott

Catch the video replay here: Leading Post-Pandemic

Courses we highlighted: 

• NEW: The Art of Delegation (3)-> By EOC, you’ll be able to delegate in a way that both empowers your staff and propels you toward becoming a more successful leader
• NEW: Communication Essentials for School Leaders (3)-> EOC, you’ll have a communication plan tailored to your leadership style and your school community’s needs.
• NEW: Leadership in Special Education (3)-> current school leaders will learn how to evaluate and coach special ed teachers , how to guide best practices, & the law and legal cases that are impacting sped.
• NEW: 7 Domains of Teacher Leadership (2)-> EOC, you will be equipped to make a meaningful impact on your school’s improvement efforts and create more equitable learning environ. For your students.
• NEW: Networking to Strengthen School Leaders (1) -> EOC, Professional Learning Network. Using techniques from the course, you’ll be able to build a network of fellow educators who will strengthen your leadership skills and reawaken your passion for your job.

Work-Life Harmony in Teaching — INSTAGRAM Live, APRIL 19

Focus: Work-Life Harmony in Teaching

We talked about:

1. How this year of teaching compared to others.
2. The hardest thing about maintaining balance for Kayla.
3. What components of teaching are most stressful for educators and how families and communities can best support them.

Who was there: Kayla Dornfeld, Rivyn Dornfeld (for a few minutes!), and Amy Mascott

Catch the video replay here: Work-Life Harmony in Teaching

Courses we highlighted:

• NEW: Achieving Work-Life Harmony in Teaching (3)-> By the end of the course, re-thinking work-life balance and instead looking to mesh the two spheres. . . looking at energy in our lives, stress/ trauma/ etc.
• NEW: Self-Care Strategies for Teachers (3)-> By the end of the course, strategies for managing challenging situations, avoiding absorbing stressors, building long-term self-care strategies for all aspects of your life.
• Beyond Survival Mode: Maintaining Your Passion Throughout your Teaching Career (3)-> By the end of the course, looking back at your motivation for joining the profession and help you reawaken your passion which will sustain you throughout your career.
• From Burnout to Creativity: Creating a Path for Teacher Wellness (3)-> By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to manage the stressors inherent to life as an educator to create a path to sustainable wellness
• FEATURED: Stress Reduction for Better Teaching (3) -> By the end of the course, learners will have developed a personal stress profile and stress management portfolio which will help you fully enjoy the greatest job on earth and be healthier for yourself and completely present for your students.

---

---

Helping Students Overcome Trauma — FACEBOOK LIVE, APRIL 26

Focus: Helping Students Overcome Trauma with expert Lina Acosta Sandaal

What we talked about:

• How recent events (pandemic/ US politics/ world events) may have impacted Lina’s therapy practice and kids today
• Types of behaviors might parents or teachers observe in students who are struggling
• Strategies that teachers/ schools can use for successfully reaching kids who are dealing with or who have overcome some sort of trauma
• Strategies that families can use for successfully reaching kids who are struggling

Who was there: Lina Acosta Sandaal of Stop Parenting Alone & me

Catch the video replay here: Helping Students Overcome Trauma

Course we highlighted:

• Helping Students Overcome Trauma (3) -> In this course, you will explore the different types of trauma and how they affect students’ behavior and academic performance. You’ll learn how to identify conditions such as PTSD and how to help students through natural and healthy grieving processes. In addition, you’ll explore strategies for proactively coping with trauma, including creating student-led support groups and peer counseling programs, getting students involved with community outreach programs, and partnering with local and national organizations focused on processing trauma. With the resources and techniques from this course, you will be equipped to create a program that helps your students heal and thrive in spite of life’s hardest griefs and tragedies.

---

6 Must-Have Books for the Elementary Classroom — INSTAGRAM Live, May 9

Focus: Juan and Amy each share 3 of their current favorite books for the elementary classroom

What we talked about:

• Juan’s recommended books: You Have A Voice, by Vera Ahiyya and illustrated by Fabiana Falallo; I Want My Hat Back / We Found A Hat / This is Not My Hat, all by Jon Klassen; After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again), by Dan Santat
• Amy’s recommended books: Always Anjali, by Sheetal Sheth and illustrated by Jessica Blank / Bravo Anjali, by Sheetal Sheth and illustrated by Lucia Soto; Everybody Eats, by Jasmine Crowe; Change Sings, by Amanda Gorman and illustrated by Loren Long

Catch the video replay here: Juan & Amy’s Top Children’s Book Picks

Courses highlighted:

• NEW: Using Diagnostic Assessments to Differentiate Literacy Instruction (3)-> By the end of the course, you will be able to create an equitable reading program that supports students of every background and skill level, including those with learning, memory, and attention difficulties.
• NEW: Culturally Sustaining Literature (1)-> By the end of the course, you’ll be able to diversify your classroom literature to broaden your students’ understanding of this great big world.
• POPULAR: Understanding Dyslexia (3) -> By the end of the course, you will be able to help meet the unique needs of students who have dyslexia, and also teach them how to channel their strengths for a positive, dynamic learning experience.
• POPULAR: Phonics: Foundations of Literacy (3) -> By the end of the course, learners will be equipped to create highly effective and engaging lessons in basic, intermediate, and advanced phonics to prepare students to be excellent readers and communicators.

The Future of Education– Facebook Live, May 31

Focus: Where do we go from here? What do teachers need in order to stay in this profession?

What we talked about:

• The biggest change you have noticed in students in the past two years;
• How parents and families have changed in the last two years; 
• Changes you’ve noticed in your colleagues;
• What needs to happen to keep people in this profession;
• What can be done to best support educators and what little steps can families and communities take to help.

Catch the video replay here: Future of Education Replay

Courses we highlighted:

• NEW: Forming Community Partnerships to Access Educational Resources (1 grad credit)-> By the end of the course, you’ll have a practical plan to drive more educational opportunities for your students through the power of community partnerships
• FEATURED: Stress Reduction for Better Teaching (3)-> By the end of the course, you will be able to fully enjoy the greatest job on earth and be healthier for yourself and completely present for your students.
• NEW: Maximizing Teacher Success Through Small Group Collaboration (1) -> By the end of the course, you will explore the value of professional learning communities (PLCs) for teacher improvement and student learning. You will investigate how to cultivate and manage these communities and also examine strategies for improving communication and dealing with confrontation if it arises. Finally, you will explore how to effectively leverage the online space for flipped professional development (PD) in small groups in order to maximize your teacher development.
• POPULAR: Motivating Unmotivated Students (Research and Practice)(3) -> By the end of the course, examine learning approaches, the concepts of growth mind-set and grit, and the importance of encouraging academic risk. In addition, you’ll learn how to set up your classroom physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually so the environment itself is motivating to your students..

Cultural Competency in Special Education — Facebook Live, June 6

Focus: Amy and guest experts Lisa Quinonez & Lisa Lightner talk about Cultural Competency in Special Education

What we talked about:

• Before we get into culturally responsive special education classrooms, let’s talk about some essential components in the special education classroom. Lisa L can you share some things you look for in special ed classrooms? // Lisa Q what else might you add to this list?
• What can—or should—families notice that their student’s classroom is missing one of these elements? 
• Now let’s move into clarifying what culturally responsive teaching is. We know that CRT is research-based approach to teaching that connects students’ cultures, languages, and life experiences with what they learn in school. These connections help kids develop higher-level academic skills and overall more rigorous curriculum.
• How do we make sure that our special education classrooms and curriculum are culturally responsive? What elements need to be present? 
• Again, what are some things that families can do if they notice that these components are not present?  

Catch the video replay: Cultural Competency in Special Education

Courses Highlighted:

• NEW: Cultural Competency in Special Education (3)-> By the end of the course, you will have the self-reflection and pedagogical skills you need to continually grow and respond to the needs of your special education students.
• FEATURED: Implementing Culturally Responsive Teaching Strategies (3)-> By the end of the course, you will have the self-reflection and pedagogical skills you need to continually grow and respond to the needs of your special education student.
• NEW: Addressing Ableism in Schools (1) -> We’ve come a long way in ensuring students with disabilities receive the education they deserve. Advances in research, regulation, and funding have led to increased awareness and resources for K–12 classrooms across the country. However, many educators aren’t aware of the ongoing issue of ableism: that is, the discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that people with typical abilities are superior. Using the tools from this course, you will be able to create a classroom culture of respect, rapport, and inclusivity, and ensure your students are more culturally competent classmates and citizens.

Growth for School Leaders — Facebook Live, June 21

Focus: Todd and Brad Clark, Senior Director of Advancement Courses, discuss how school leaders can focus on continuing their own growth while also growing their teams.

Catch the video replay: Growth for School Leaders

Resources highlighted:

• Online Professional Development for Schools and Districts: Education has changed, perhaps forever. With a suite of 100% online professional development courses, Advancement Courses is here to help you face the challenges, from teacher training and retention to improving online instruction.

You can score 20% off of your order from advancement courses!

Now is a great time to learn something new.

Find all of the courses here.

More Work With Advancement Courses:

Click the image to read the post!

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.