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.
Intended for any teachers looking for suggestions for their summer reading lists. Attendees will experience first hand the power of book talks and tastings and will be encouraged to partner with their school librarians to implement these activities to help kindle the joy of reading in our students.
This session is design to foster a deeper understanding of the critical importance of inclusion and the most effective strategies for successful implementation. The session is informed by real feedback from real teachers and addresses the real-life barriers to inclusion faced by educators in the classroom.
Participants will discover a variety of activities that integrate movement and music to improve focus, increase retention, support academic goals, foster social-emotional development, and address diverse learning styles to promote a positive classroom environment.
Transform student observations into meaningful action by leveraging local maps, history, and nature exploration. Learn strategies to guide students in analyzing their environment, making data-driven predictions, and connecting past to present. This cross-disciplinary approach empowers students to become curious investigators and innovative change-makers in their community
K-5 elementary teachers will explore how to incorporate Project Learning Tree (PLT) resources to enhance science instruction. PLT provides hands-on, interdisciplinary activities that connect students to nature and promote critical thinking about environmental topics. Teachers will engage in sample activities, learn strategies to adapt them for various grade levels, and explore how PLT aligns with science standards and integrates with other subjects. Participants will leave with practical tools and ideas to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and foster environmental stewardship in their classrooms.
This session will cover strategies for building relationships between colleagues who work with the same students, i.e. teacher to reading specialist, teacher to sped teacher, teacher to instructional aid, etc. in order to have effective instruction during push in.
Embroidery with thread- decorative form embellishes Sashiko with thread- strengthens Learn both forms of needlework. A calm and soothing activity for teachers and students.
The benefits of sashiko - from saving money on clothes and reducing demand for fast fashion to creating stronger connections to our garments and finding peace of mind.
You will learn basic decorative embroidery stitches and Sashiko patterns. The main purpose of Sashiko is a bit different from the other types of hand-stitching. It is to make the fabric stronger and instead of patching or connecting two fabrics so-called patchworking or tailoring. These repairs soon turned into patterns and made it more interesting and beautiful.
With classrooms full of digital natives we tend to take for granted the skills and knowledge that our students may not possess. This class will cover the following topics: Basic Computer Skills, Digital Communication, Cybersecurity, Media Literacy, Digital Citizenship, Research/Data Analysis, Problem-Solving and Creativity. You will leave with some practical ideas and activities that you can integrate into your classroom in order to build a strong foundation for your students.
This session is for English, history, science, and health teachers who are looking to effectively incorporate reading and writing across their curriculum. Teachers will practice with strategies that support cross-curricular connections and provide a common language for teachers and students across the content areas.
Social Studies teachers wanting information on using data and analytics to showcase narratives and foster discussion in the history classroom should attend.
This workshop digs deeper into what high quality math instruction looks like for all students and develops leaders' background knowledge in the components of effective math instruction.
Do you aspire to be a school administrator? Join division leadership for an engaging session focused on the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in educational leadership. This session will also provide a framework for professional growth and explore key areas of leadership. Individuals who have completed or are currently in an administrative degree program are encouraged to attend.
For all individuals that would like to learn new skills on how to communicate with parents/guardians that can be difficult in nature as well as having a difficult conversations with them.
Educators will enhance their behavior management and relationship building with students by becoming more knowledgeable about trauma and how it impacts students in school.
Join us for an engaging professional learning session designed exclusively for science teachers eager to enhance their students' grasp of science concepts and skills focused on graphing, A tools for differentiation, and gain more resources specific to Virginia Standards of Learning . In this session, we explore numerous online resources to seamlessly insert and align to your science curriculum and instruction to increase student engagement.
We often go through our day-to-day lives on autopilot, rarely reflecting on what habits we have formed, what truly makes us happy, who we are and who we want to be. To be the best teacher we can possibly be, we must form habits that allow us to be happy and healthy both in and out of the classroom. This session is designed to allow participants to reflect on where they are and to make small, and to some extent, necessary changes for a healthier and more balanced life.
Understanding the effect of trauma on a brain is a powerful step in teaching students who have experienced trauma. Discover areas that you may not have previously realized cause trauma, how the brain is effected, as well as actionable steps to reach and teach those students.
Do you ever wish that you could better communicate with your Spanish speaking students and families? This is the session for you! All Spanish knowledge and backgrounds are welcome!
Upper elementary and middle school teachers can immerse themselves in a “Wild†book club experience while generating book club ideas of their own (or take our curated one) to take back to their school.
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.
This session introduces elementary teachers to the engaging and standards-aligned resources Ag in the Classroom offers. Participants will explore hands-on lessons, activities, and multimedia tools designed to connect students to agriculture while enhancing core content areas such as science and social studies. Teachers will learn how to incorporate these resources into their classrooms to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and a deeper understanding of how agriculture impacts daily life. The session will include time for teachers to explore resources by grade level, plan for integration, and create meaningful connections for students.
Elementary school teachers who want to help support SPED/ELL should attend -help close gaps in achievement for SPED/ELL students in your classrooms -help students thrive in the general education classroom
Come have some fun with the Theatre Directors from BHS & RHS. Learn the basics and benefits of improvisation and ways it can be incorporated into the middle or high school classroom. "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Neale Donald Walsch
Feeling overwhelmed by your first year? This session equips you with practical strategies for classroom management, creating a positive environment, and time management. Learn action planning for the semester, self-care tips, and how to build a supportive network. You've got this!
This professional learning session will equip educators with practical, research-based strategies to integrate literacy instruction into content area teaching, focusing on supporting English Language Learners (ELLs). Participants will explore the unique challenges faced by ELs, understand the importance of academic language development, and engage in activities that demonstrate how to implement high-impact literacy strategies across disciplines.
Art Therapy though Paint and Sip, Sharp Top Mountin! Teachers will get to experience what it is like to be back in the middle school art classroom. Teachers will experience a guided, step by step, painting of our beloved Sharp Top mountin. The painting will feature several different painting techniques including a variety of brushes and tool to achieve them. Getting lost in a painting, and letting go of the work related stresses is Art Therapy at it's finest!
This session will discuss the problems associated with fast fashion and its effects on our environment. Attendees will develop a plan where, instead of a textile heading to the landfill, will be upcycled, and re-used. This session allows attendees to gain knowledge about this growing problem and pass the information and activity along to their students.
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.
This session will introduce a variety of innovative PE games that will include skills taught in your traditional physical education classes. These games are designed to build on previously taught skills in class. These games include modifications of traditional games with a variety of skill sets.
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.
This session will instruct teachers on how to create systems at the start of the school year to prevent behavior including escalating consequences, procedures, and positive reinforcement, how to respond to challenging behavior within the classroom, and recognizing multicultural concerns.
With a growing population of English language learners, many teachers often wonder what strategies and scaffolds they can put in place to help their students succeed in the general education classroom. Join us as we share evidence-based practices that can easily be incorporated into your classroom right away.
This session is designed for middle school science curriculum teams to review and refine our division science curriculum collaboratively. Participants will evaluate pacing guides, adjust shared classroom experiences, fine-tune resources and assessments, and ensure alignment with state standards and division goals. Teachers will explore ways to enhance instructional practices, foster collaboration, and create meaningful learning experiences for students.
This session is designed for secondary teachers who want to include more hands-on learning in their classroom. We will discuss and practice a variety of activities that encourage student engagement.
We will share with you how to make some boring and sometimes difficult tasks easier and simpler. We will discuss programs such as OneNote, how to use Canvas Quizzes more effectively, and how we can still use paper material effectively without driving ourselves crazy.
This seminar introduces educators to the innovative principles outlined in Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics. Participants will explore practical strategies to foster student engagement, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. The seminar blends hands-on experience with research-based insights into creating dynamic, student-centered learning environments. Attendees will learn about the 14 key strategies Liljedahl identifies to transform their classrooms and take away actionable steps for implementation.
Join us for an engaging professional learning session where you’ll experience the power of inquiry-based instruction firsthand! Using the Inquiry Design Model (IDM), you’ll step into the role of a student as you work through key components of an inquiry, including staging, unpacking compelling and supporting questions, analyzing sources, preparing for the summative task, and taking informed action.
You’ll leave this session with a strong understanding of how to read and use a teacher-facing inquiry blueprint to design engaging and meaningful social studies lessons. In addition to hands-on experience, you’ll gain access to a bank of ready-to-use inquiries to implement immediately in your classroom.
In this session, learn the practical steps to planning effective Specially Designed Instruction. These steps will include exploring how SDI is different from the general education curriculum, intentionally thought out, and rooted in teaching methods. This session will also provide usable tools that can be easily implemented in the classroom to improve SDI. This session is inspired by Dr. Anne M. Beninghof’s book, Specially Designed Instruction.
