PD Highlights - February 28, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Discovery Education: Read Across America Day
Discovery Education will be hosting a Virtual Read Aloud event on March 2, 2022 featuring Alice Walker and her book, Sweet People Are Everywhere. Registration is OPEN! Please share with your colleagues, we can’t wait! https://www.discoveryeducation.com/learn/read-across-america/
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now HERE for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual spring professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
- English Language Learners 101 (starts 3/5)
- Instructional Strategies (starts 3/5)
- Reading Comprehension (starts 3/5)
- Reclaiming Assessments (starts 3/5)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
- IMPACT PD Workshop on EP’s 3-5 (3/5)
- Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 parts: 3/5 and 3/12)
- Flagway Math League (next session 3/7)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Ignite My Future Spring Global Innovations Project
This spring our Global Innovations Project will focus on Green Infrastructure using the Ignite My Future lesson Resilient Cities as a basis for the project. Students will use computational thinking to design solutions to enhance their communities leveraging green infrastructure. Please reach out if you have any questions. More details and info session meeting links will be shared with teachers that register for the project.
- (Optional) Info sessions - March 10th and March 16th
- Kickoff Meeting for Teachers- March 22nd
- If you're interested in joining us for this project please register here
PD Highlights - February 22, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now HERE for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual spring professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
- English Language Learners 101 (starts 3/5)
- Instructional Strategies (starts 3/5)
- Reading Comprehension (starts 3/5)
- Reclaiming Assessments (starts 3/5)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
- IMPACT PD Workshop on EP’s 3-5 (3/5)
- Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 parts: 3/5 and 3/12)
- Flagway Math League (next session 3/7)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Read about AFT National trainer & WTU Teacher Leader Donald Thompson Jr.'s MindPrint action research project Case Study: Teacher Engagement for Formative Assessment
Click here: https://mindprintlearning.com/case-studies/teacher-engagement
Wellness Series with Aetna (all sessions are virtual @ 7:00pm-8:00pm)
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self-care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care. Use this link to register for all or some of the four sessions: https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- March 2 - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6 - Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4 - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8 - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
Read more
PD Highlights - February 14, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
AFT Civics Design Team
Shout out to the following WTU members who were selected to be on the AFT Civics Design Team:
So proud of you and your contributions to this critical work!!
Educator Panel hosted by Keishia Thorpe, former WTU Teacher Leader and Winner of the 2021 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022@ 5:00 PM EST
Studies show that when students can see themselves in their teachers, it leads to better academic performance and lower behavioral issues. That said, we have a long way to go when it comes to creating diverse classrooms. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18% of teachers aren’t white, even though half of all public school students are POC. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss how we can diversify our teacher force by creating more inclusive schools.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Recruitment and teacher retention
- Benefits of teacher diversity, including male teachers in education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace
- Making teacher training accessible for everyone
Participate by registering at this LINK and viewing the monthly sessions or watching previous recordings.
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now HERE for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual spring professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
Educating Low Vision Students (started 2/7; spaces still available!)
Managing Behavior in School Communities (started 2/2; spaces still available!)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
Strategies for Student Success (Next session Teach Them to Think on 2/19)
The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Wellness Series with Aetna (all sessions are virtual @ 7:00pm-8:00pm)
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care.
Use this link to register for all or some of the four sessions:
https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- March 2 - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6 - Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4 - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8 - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
Read more
PD Highlights - February 7, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Crowdsourcing a WTU Guide Best Practices for Teaching in a Socially Distant Classroom
Please contribute your best practices via this link as we create a guide to share with all our members. Feel free to also mail [email protected] if you have any questions or specific resources/suggestions to share.
The Importance of Teacher Force Diversity
Educator Panel hosted by Keishia Thorpe, former WTU Teacher Leader and
Winner of the 2021 Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize
Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022@ 5:00 PM EST
Studies show that when students can see themselves in their teachers, it leads to better academic performance and lower behavioral issues. That said, we have a long way to go when it comes to creating diverse classrooms. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 18% of teachers aren’t white, even though half of all public school students are POC. During this panel, PGCPS teachers will discuss how we can diversify our teacher force by creating more inclusive schools.
Topics to be discussed include:
- Recruitment and teacher retention
- Benefits of teacher diversity, including male teachers in education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace
- Making teacher training accessible for everyone
Participate by registering at this LINK and viewing the monthly sessions or watching previous recordings.
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now HERE for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual spring professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
- Educating Low Vision Students (starts TODAY 2/7)
- Managing Behavior in School Communities (started 2/2; still spaces available!)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
- The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
- Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Wellness Series with Aetna (all sessions are virtual @ 7:00pm-8:00pm)
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care.
Use this link to register for all or some of the four sessions:
https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- March 2nd - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6th - Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4th - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8th - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
Read more
PD Highlights - January 31, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Kudos to Nadia Torney who facilitated an AFT national training on Universal Design for Learning this past weekend at the AFT Winter Academy.
Wellness Series with Aetna
Each session below is a one-hour “gift of self care” with unique perspectives and tools. Participants will find value in attending one, a few, or all the sessions to support yourself in creating a robust practice of Self Care. Starts Wed. 2/2; all sessions @ 6:30pm-7:30pm.
Each session includes different sets of:
- Powerful physiological tools of the breath that can be incorporated into one’s day to instantly reduce tension;
- Guided relaxation for deep restoration and quieting of the thoughts in the mind;
- Cognitive tools for navigating thoughts and emotions as they arise.
Use this link to register for all or some of the five sessions: https://artofliving.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYkf-mgrD0qEtfZQOKQy_UwiRpBfShnBeLC
- February 2nd - Working Through Change & Uncertainty
- March 2nd - Energy and Breath: Powerful Tools to Increase Your Resilience
- April 6th Supporting Your Mental Health and Preventing Burnout
- May 4th - Making the Impossible, Possible - Setting and Achieving Your Goals
- June 8th - Courageous Conversations: Healing Conversations about Systemic Racism
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
Educating Low Vision Students (starts 2/7)
Managing Behavior in School Communities (starts 2/2)
FREE WTU Workshops
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 2/5 and 2/12)
The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
Learn more and register for ALL WTU Spring classes HERE.
Black Live Matter at School Week of Action is THIS WEEK!!!
The fifth annual Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is January 31st - February 4th, 2022. Learn more and sign up to participate, here.
Thank You, Teaching for Change!!!
Read more
PD Highlights - January 24, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these upcoming classes (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
Educating Low Vision Students (starts 2/7)
Managing Behavior in School Communities (starts 2/2)
FREE WTU Workshops starting soon:
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 2/12)
IMPACT PD Workshop (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 3/5)
The Social Practice of Literacy in Special Education [High School SpEd Educators ONLY] (Orientation on 2/16)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Black Live Matter at School Week of Action
The fifth annual Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is January 31st - February 4th, 2022. Learn more and sign up to participate, here. Thank you Teaching for Change!!!
Other PD
Next Generation Personal Finance Virtual Conference: Innovate to Educate (Virtual Conference Date: 1/29/2022)
Fund for Teachers Grant (Extended Deadline: 2/24/22)
Individuals may apply for up to $5,000 and teams may apply for up to $10,000 (while team members may be from different schools, districts or states, all members must meet the eligibility criteria). Upon award, Fellows will receive 90 percent of their grant, the remaining 10 percent to be disbursed upon completion of post-fellowship requirements.
White House History Institute (Deadline: 2/27/22)
Air Camp (applications open 3/1/22)
Constitution Center Summer Educator Institutes
Air & Space Museum Summer STEAM Innovator Educator Institute [educators in grades 5-8] (Deadline: 2/15/2022)
Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (applications opened 1/12/22)
Tulane University Stone Center Summer Teacher Institute in Panama (Deadline: 4/4/2022)
Read more
PD Highlights - January 18, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Martin Luther King Day Resources
Monday, Jan. 17th, we celebrated Martin Luther King Junior day in recognition of the civil rights icon’s contributions to American society. See below for resources from DCPS Social Studies Department’s Scott Abbott to support teaching students about Martin Luther King well beyond the holiday.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Zinn Education Project resources for teaching beyond the “I Have A Dream” speech about Martin Luther King Jr.
- Liberation Curriculum: Classroom Resources: Stanford Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute Liberation Curriculum provides document-based lessons, online education and historical materials about the African American Freedom Struggle and Dr. King’s vision for a just and peaceful world.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Resources: The best of Martin Luther King Jr. Resources curated by Learning for Justice.
- On This Day: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Life, Death, Legacy: 6 video clips and lesson guidance from C-SPAN Classrooms
- Doing Justice to Martin Luther King Jr. Day with Young Children: A short article offering ideas for early childhood educators to honor King in a historically accurate and developmentally appropriate way.
- Examining Nonviolence in Context: The National Endowment for the Humanities offers a multi-part lesson plan for discovering the influences and impact of King’s nonviolent social activism. The site also offers lessons for younger students, including Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Grades 3–5) and Dr. King’s Dream (Grades K–2).
- Civil Rights Teaching Booklists: Curated booklists to teach diverse civil rights histories with book titles for children to young adults.
WTU Educators’ Guide to Best Practices in Socially Distant Teaching
Please take 5 minutes to provide suggestions and resources HERE to be added to a WTU guide for what really works pedagogically in a socially distant classroom. Or simply email me any materials, websites, or ideas that have worked for you at [email protected].
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these classes which start this month (1 FREE class for new WTU members):
English Language Learners 101 (Starts 1/22)
FREE WTU Workshops starting this month:
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 2/12)
Dimensions of Wellness (1/22)
IMPACT PD Workshop (2 Part Series: 1/29 and 3/5)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.
Read more
PD Highlights - January 10, 2022
Professional Development
Additional PD highlights are posted to the PD Blog at https://www.wtulocal6.net/pdblog
Upcoming Certification Deadline???
Many educators received an extension to March 2022 to submit recertification materials. Please begin the process now. Attached is an infographic that can help guide you.
Also, there is an upcoming tech support session on 1/19.
WTU Educators’ Guide to Best Practices in Socially Distant Teaching
Please take 5 minutes to provide suggestions and resources HERE to be added to a WTU guide for what really works pedagogically in a socially distant classroom.
WTU Professional Learning - SPRING 2022 Course Offerings
Sign up now for amazing, engaging, and informative virtual fall professional development with the WTU including these classes which start this month ($125 early bird registration fee through 1/12/21; 1 FREE class for new WTU members):
English Language Learners 101 (Started 1/8)
BRAND NEW: Reclaiming Assessments: Using a Balanced Classroom Assessment System to Strengthen Student Learning (starts 1/15)
Thinking Mathematics, Grades K-2 (starts 1/15)
FREE WTU Workshops starting this month:
10 Trauma-Informed Strategies to Help Students Heal (starts 1/15)
Conversational Spanish (starts 1/19)
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (2 Part Series: 1/25 and 2/12)
Dimensions of Wellness (1/22)
Flagway Math League (continues TODAY 1/10)
IMPACT PD Workshop (2 Part Series: 1/29 and ⅗)
Strategies for Student Success (starts 1/15)
Learn more and Register for all classes HERE.