The biggest fear among American adults is public speaking. Do you want to learn techniques for managing your nerves, writing a memorable speech, and connecting to your audience? This class is for you! We will explore the basics of public speaking and practical ways to be more confident speaking in front of a group.
Expand your horizons and travel beyond the borders of your comfort zone with activities that will lead to personal growth. Using a variety of instruments, games and techniques teachers will increase their brain health through music and rhythmic activities. All levels of coordination and musicality are encouraged to join!
Turn your content reviews into exciting, interactive experiences with gamified station reviews! This session will provide practical examples, including highlights from science, to inspire your teaching across all subject areas. Learn effective planning and grouping strategies to streamline station implementation, ensure student engagement, and differentiate for diverse learners. Participants will experience gamified station examples, collaborate to brainstorm ideas, and design their stations with intentional grouping techniques and a solid planning structure. Leave equipped with creative tools and strategies to level up your review sessions!
This session will provide practical cognitive-physical activities that can be easily implemented in the classroom to help all students increase the necessary executive functioning skills to be successful and independent both in the classroom and in post-graduate endeavors. This session is inspired by Dr. Lynne Kenney’s Executive Functioning Skills for Children & Adolescents: Advanced Course.
Gain strategies for simplifying life in and out of the classroom. Learn how to prep efficiently, recharge effectively, build routines, and foster meaningful connections to make your teaching journey easier and more enjoyable.
In this presentation, elementary educators will explore innovative strategies to make learning more exciting, interactive, and impactful—all while staying aligned with curriculum standards and pacing guidelines. By thinking outside the box, we can transform traditional lessons into memorable experiences that captivate students and encourage deeper engagement. From incorporating hands-on activities and technology to complete room transformations, we will discuss creative ways to foster curiosity and motivation in the classroom. Whether you're looking to refresh your teaching style or revamp your lesson plans, this session will provide practical ideas and inspiration to make learning fun and meaningful for all students.
This session is tailored for secondary educators seeking to integrate eMediaVA’s comprehensive library of digital resources into their teaching. Participants will learn how to navigate the platform to find lessons, videos, and activities that enrich instruction across all content areas, including science, English, history, and math. The session will highlight strategies for incorporating multimedia into lessons, engaging students in critical thinking, and aligning resources to standards. Teachers will have time to explore the platform and identify resources that meet their classroom needs.
This session will introduce educators to the vast array of free NASA educator resources, programs, and opportunities available through the Virginia Space Grant Consortium. Participants will explore hands-on STEM activities, instructional materials, and funding opportunities that enhance classroom learning and foster student engagement in space and aerospace topics. Attendees will leave with ready-to-implement lessons and strategies that align with state standards.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of paper marbling! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the ancient technique of floating paint on water to create stunning marbled patterns, which are then transferred to paper. Discover the rich history of this art form, used in bookbinding, wallpaper, and stationery, and leave with your own one-of-a-kind marbled paper. Throughout the session, you’ll explore how this tactile, creative process enhances fine motor skills, fosters creativity, and helps students understand cause and effect. Plus, you'll brainstorm ways to bring this dynamic project into your classroom to inspire your students.
An informative and interactive session for middle and high school math and personal finance teachers about the growing trend of online gambling in our society today. This session will provide teachers with critical information about the risks and perceived payouts of online gambling. Teachers will have a better understanding of how to teach students about how online gambling algorithms are designed to create addiction as well as the financial risk that could impact their future financial well being.
Sphere aims to restore a spirit of civil, constructive, and respectful discourse and engagement and to return facts, analysis, and research to primacy as the vehicles for discussion and debate.
Unlock the power of creativity with stop-motion animation! In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to bring picture books or other academic concepts to life using miniature figurines, playdough, and simple USB cameras. Explore the basics of stop-motion filmmaking, from storyboarding to editing, and discover how this fun, interactive technique can enhance storytelling and digital literacy in your classroom. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned pro, you'll leave with the skills to create captivating animations that inspire students to tell their own stories in dynamic, engaging ways.
In this session, teachers will be able to be in the shoes of students and get to join in on the different common experiences they completed during the school year in all science classes across the county. This will also give way to teachers who may need extra support in the understanding of common experiences and the positive impacts it has. Teachers will also learn ways to extend common experiences for students who love a challenge as well for lower students who have more accommodations.
Teachers will learn about different Virginia Codes and Supreme Court decisions related to education and compare/contrast these with School Board policies to understand the "why" behind how we operate
Trauma impacts children’s brains, behavior and socialization skills, making it more difficult for them to focus, follow directions or trust others. Traditional teaching methods simply don’t work for kids who have suffered chronic trauma like abuse, neglect or abandonment, which the CDC estimates is one out of two kids! This session will explain the effects of trauma on a child's brain and suggest how teachers approach children who have experienced trauma. Before coming to CCPS, I worked with Trauma-Free World, a non-profit training organization that teaches adoptive parents, caregivers, and educators, a trauma-informed approach to life and work. They have trained people from over 70 countries and 1000 organizations. During this time, I helped them edit curriculum specifically designed for teachers. I also went through the entire program and completed several classes on the subject. I have maintained a close friendship with the president of TFW, Julie Cooper, who has agreed to let me use the TFW for Educators curriculum (short videos and discussion materials) at no charge during TLA. For more information about the program, please go to their website: https://traumafreeworld.org/educators/.
We will discuss how to have pivotal conversations with parents regarding transitions with special education students in both general and special education settings. We will discuss from a Education perspective and a parent's perspective.
This session will guide principals in creating a structured coaching framework to effectively support teachers and integrate VLA/VLP literacy initiatives within their schools.
Press play on AI! This training session empowers educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices, fostering a more engaging and personalized student learning experience. Explore popular AI tools and AI features built into products already used in your classroom.
Strengthen classroom and schoolwide communities with strategies inspired by "Find Your Marigold." Learn how to foster collaboration, support peers, and empower students to thrive in positive, connected environments. Participants will explore activities, discussions, and actionable ideas for cultivating meaningful relationships and boosting motivation.
This session is designed for elementary educators to explore the diverse and engaging resources available through eMediaVA. Participants will discover how to incorporate videos, interactive lessons, and digital tools into their classrooms to support instruction in all content areas, including literacy, science, social studies, and math. The session will include a guided tour of the platform, practical tips for lesson integration, and time to explore grade-appropriate resources. Teachers will leave equipped with ideas and tools to enhance their teaching and engage their students with high-quality, standards-aligned content.
Elementary teachers wanting to meet their students where they are by becoming informed educators. Learn strategies that revolve around being prepared, promoting relationship building and consistency, and focusing on the positive.
K-2 teachers desiring to learn how to differentiate math lessons while meeting individual needs, increasing math rigor and tailoring strategies in small group instruction.
This session is designed for K-2 elementary science curriculum teams to review their current science pacing guides and resources collaboratively. Participants will explore opportunities to align and extend their science instruction with the Bookworms literacy resource to foster deeper cross-curricular connections. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, educators will evaluate resource alignment, identify extension opportunities, and share strategies to help students engage with science content while thinking critically and creatively. The session will also introduce practical tools and activities to integrate literacy skills into science learning, building a strong foundation for student success.
This session is designed for grades 6-8 and high school environmental science teachers to dive into Project Learning Tree (PLT) resources. Participants will explore how PLT's hands-on, inquiry-based activities can enhance science instruction and engage students in exploring real-world environmental issues. Through sample activities, teachers will learn how to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship. The session will also provide strategies for integrating PLT resources with secondary science standards and developing project-based learning opportunities. Teachers will leave with a toolkit of activities and ideas to inspire students and bring environmental science to life in their classrooms.
This session is for teachers who are looking for ideas for projects. We will discuss the importance of project based learning and thinking through creative assessments: both formative and summative. We will give onsite ideas and help coming up with new ideas and projects for skills, units and will offer website that are useful and creative. This session will focus on secondary and english, but could be for any teacher looking for fresh ideas and a collaborative environment.
If you want to help your students think analytically without the assistance of a computer or AI, this session is for you. Everything will be off-the-grid and in paper bags!
Engage your students from the very beginning of a unit with observable events/situations that spark student curiosity and promote deeper inquiry. Learn how to work these into lessons as a unit long theme to drive learning through real-world observations and investigations. It can be hands-on too!
Sphere aims to restore a spirit of civil, constructive, and respectful discourse and engagement and to return facts, analysis, and research to primacy as the vehicles for discussion and debate.
This session will guide principals in creating a structured coaching framework to effectively support teachers and integrate VLA/VLP literacy initiatives within their schools.
-Enhance learning outcomes by building trusting relationships and seeing beyond the “labelâ€. -Share ideas with teachers on how to modify instruction and accommodate students with disabilities in the general education classroom.
Art Therapy with Clay Mushrooms! Teachers will get to experience what it is like to be back in the middle school art classroom! Teachers will embrace the therapeutic aspects of working with their hands, and creating their own clay pot with a lid. The clay pot will also feature "feet" on the bottom, and the theme of the pot will be the Forest Floor. Mushrooms, plants, flowers, toads, etc. As creative as you'd like to get! Art Therapy at it's finest!
Participate in a basic dance warm-up and learn the choreography to "Dancing Through Life" from the hit musical, WICKED. No dance experience is necessary and all are welcome!
This course will satisfy the Virginia Department of Education requirement for teacher relicensure. Heartsaver First Aid CPR/AED is an instructor led course that will teach participants critical skills needed to respond to and manage a medical emergency until more advanced services arrive. Skills covered in this course include basic first aid for common emergencies, choking relief in adults, children and infants and what to do for sudden cardiac arrest in adults, children and infants.
Special and General Education teachers wanting an overview of what Special Education is and effective strategies for working with students with IEPs that can be implemented in any setting.
Trauma impacts children’s brains, behavior and socialization skills, making it more difficult for them to focus, follow directions or trust others. Traditional teaching methods simply don’t work for kids who have suffered chronic trauma like abuse, neglect or abandonment, which the CDC estimates is one out of two kids! This session will explain the effects of trauma on a child's brain and suggest how teachers approach children who have experienced trauma. Before coming to CCPS, I worked with Trauma-Free World, a non-profit training organization that teaches adoptive parents, caregivers, and educators, a trauma-informed approach to life and work. They have trained people from over 70 countries and 1000 organizations. During this time, I helped them edit curriculum specifically designed for teachers. I also went through the entire program and completed several classes on the subject. I have maintained a close friendship with the president of TFW, Julie Cooper, who has agreed to let me use the TFW for Educators curriculum (short videos and discussion materials) at no charge during TLA. For more information about the program, please go to their website: https://traumafreeworld.org/educators/.
This session will provide teachers with alternate ways to include technology into math instruction. We will use several digital tools including Lumio, Canva, Kami, Interactive Whiteboards, etc.
This session will equip elementary teachers with strategies to enhance the math block through play-based exploration, differentiation, and effective time management. Learn how to build number sense while fostering student accountability, ensuring all learners engage and grow at their own pace. Practical tips will be shared for maximizing classroom success.
This workshop digs deeper into what high quality math instruction looks like for early learners and develops teachers' background knowledge in the components of effective math instruction.
This session invites Grades 3-5 elementary science curriculum teams to review their current pacing guides, instructional resources, and assessment practices collaboratively. Participants will identify opportunities to align and extend science instruction with the Bookworms literacy resource, ensuring students engage in meaningful, cross-curricular learning experiences. A key focus will be reviewing and fine-tuning science assessments to ensure they effectively measure student understanding and foster critical thinking skills.
In this session middle and high school general education teachers will take a look at the essential pieces of an IEP through the IEP at a Glance. We will focus on how to implement IEP accommodations and modifications and programs that can be used (Snap & Read, Kami, Co-writer, etc,.) We will discuss how to provide student progress for an annual IEP. The importance of collaborating with IEP case managers for student success will also be addressed.
The mental load associated with teaching puts teachers at risk for burnout. While wanting to focus on student-centered tasks, teachers often feel bogged down by to-do list items and emails. This session will give teachers practical strategies that can be put into practice today to prioritize and maximize productivity.
Sphere aims to restore a spirit of civil, constructive, and respectful discourse and engagement and to return facts, analysis, and research to primacy as the vehicles for discussion and debate.
