22 Professional Learning Opportunities - All Free of Charge

To register for a course, please click on the course name.

You must use a personal email address to avoid  blocked emails.

The instructor will email you prior to the class start date. 

Once your instructor confirms you have completed the requirements for each course, a CTLE certificate of completion will be emailed to you. The email will be sent from kariannitrc@gmail.com. Please add this address to your contact list to prevent our emails from going to spam.  

For those wishing to earn in-service credit, prior approval from your district is required.

1. Supporting English Language Learners: Mastering NYS Standards & Effective Instructional Strategies 

Instructor: Veronica Frullo (15 CTLE hours)

1/5/26 - 2/2/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request. 

This course is designed to provide educators with a deep understanding of the New York State (NYS) Standards for English Language Learners (ELLs), focusing on language acquisition, instructional strategies, cultural responsiveness, and assessment practices.

2. Virtual Field Trips

Instructor: Rachel Kench  (15 CTLE hours)

1/7/26 - 2/4/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request. 

This course will explore the benefits of virtual field trips and will also explore various virtual field trip platforms and tools available across grade levels and curricula. Participants will leave this course with three virtual field trips tailor-made for their own classroom application.

3. Self-Regulation and Sensory Systems in the Classroom

Instructor: Todd Zuckerwise  (15 CTLE hours)

1/12/26 - 2/9/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request.

This course is designed to help educators integrate self-regulation practices with sensory-based strategies to support students in managing their emotions and behaviors. Participants will learn about the connection between sensory systems and self-regulation and how to create inclusive environments that cater to diverse sensory needs.

4. Nurturing the Educator's Soul: A Journey into Teacher Self-Care 

Instructor: Jessica Ciardullo  (15 CTLE hours)

1/14/26 - 2/11/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

This course is designed exclusively for educators who are dedicated to their students but often forget to prioritize their own well-being. In the demanding world of education, it's crucial for teachers to cultivate a strong foundation of self-care to navigate the challenges with resilience and joy. This transformative course is a sanctuary for educators, providing a guided exploration into the realms of self-care, mindfulness, and well-being. Join us on a journey where you will discover practical strategies, insightful reflections, and a supportive community to help you thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.

5. Level Up! Student Achievement Through Game-Based Learning 

Instructor: Meghan Correira (15 CTLE hours)

1/20/26 - 2/17/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Level Up! We all know children love games, so let’s implement them into your classroom. Increase your student achievement by creating and selecting educational games to target current academic topics. In this course, you will learn different games that target a variety of skills: motor skills, critical thinking, language, waiting, turn-taking, and losing. Allow your students to be engaged and have fun, all while learning.

6. Unlock the Power of AI: Using Google Gemini to Transform Your Classroom

Instructor: Mark Hanes (15 CTLE hours)

1/21/26 - 2/18/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Navigate and utilize Gemini's functionalities. Students will be able to use different methods to interact with Gemini, including understanding the role of prompts, identifying available functionalities, and applying appropriate commands or techniques to achieve desired outcomes, as well as articulate clear and concise prompts that leverage Gemini's capabilities to generate different creative text formats, translate languages, or answer questions in an informative way. 

7. The Role, Purpose, and Impact of Homework

Instructor: William Scampoli (15 CTLE hours)

1/26/26 - 2/23/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Is homework helping or hurting your students? In this course, we will take a close look at how homework impacts learning, well-being, and family life. Educators will discover practical ways to create meaningful and manageable assignments, while ensuring they support learning without overwhelming students. We will also explore equity issues and flipped classrooms, designing homework policies that truly work for today’s kids and families. https://forms.gle/L6kHe4ysmcWTvQ4V7

8. Exploring the World of Autism and Understanding Autism in Children 

Instructor: Kim Davis (15 CTLE hours)

1/28/26 - 2/25/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Teachers will learn the many facets of understanding children with autism. Topics will include: sensory issues, social interaction challenges, communication difficulties, and behavioral struggles, as well as how to share best practices with parents.

9. Supporting Struggling Readers Through Multi-Sensory Techniques

Instructor: Jenna Korte (15 CTLE hours)

2/2/26 - 3/2/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

A multi-sensory approach is one that integrates sensory activities where students see, hear, and touch. It incorporates the learning styles for visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learners using all  senses, as students engage with materials in a variety of ways. Educators will  identify strategies and activities to help support struggling readers, K-12.

10. Making Connections for Better Classroom Management

Instructor: Kevin Trentowski (15 CTLE hours)

2/4/26 - 3/4/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Participants will gain practical insights and actionable strategies to enhance their classroom management skills and create a positive and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. Join us on this transformative journey towards making meaningful connections for better classroom management.

11. Evidence-Based Practices for Diverse Learners

Instructor: Caitlin Morrell (15 CTLE hours)

2/9/26 - 3/9/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

This class will equip special education teachers with practical, research-backed strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners. We will explore proven instructional methods, such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, and positive behavioral supports. We will  focus on data-driven decision-making and adapting interventions to ensure all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Are you seeking actionable tools to create inclusive and effective learning environments? If so, this course is for you.

12. Prompt Engineering for K-12 Educators

Instructor: Barbara Knab (15 CTLE hours)

2/11/26 - 3/11/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Educators will be equipped with the essential skills of prompt engineering. In the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, this course will empower teachers to craft effective prompts that guide AI to produce desired outputs. Participants will learn to create prompts with clear context, defined results, detailed explanations, specified audience, and appropriate tone. We will also explore the ethical integration of AI tools into content creation, ensuring their use is both effective and responsible.

13. Suicide Awareness and Prevention Tools for Educators

Instructor: Jessica Ciardullo (15 CTLE hours)

2/23/26 - 3/23/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Participants will understand the prevalence of suicide among school-aged children,  higher risk groups and cultures, and the impact suicide can have on a community. Educators will be introduced to the warning signs that indicate suicidal risk, and how to respond when those signs are evident. Participants will also learn direct and indirect ways to create a safe and supportive environment to support students’ social and emotional needs while gaining knowledge of mental health resources across Long Island.

14.  Empowering Readers: Practical Strategies for Teaching Reading Comprehension

Instructor: Rachel Kench (15 CTLE hours)

2/25/26 - 3/25/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Participants in this course will return to the basics of teaching reading comprehension.  Together, we will evaluate the difficulties of teaching reading in a post-pandemic society, and we will create student-centered lessons that help bridge learning gaps in students' reading comprehension skills. 

15. The Basics are Back!

Instructors: Lisa Ihne, Ed.D. & Nicole Baryk  (15 CTLE hours)

3/2/26 - 3/30/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

In a world that is constantly moving and dominated by technology, it is easy to lose sight of what matters most. This class provides an opportunity to take a step back, strip away the noise, and reconnect with the essentials. Whether you are looking to rebuild routines, restore clarity, or simply start fresh, this course is about rediscovering the simple practices that support growth, character building, relationships, and intentional living to help you reset the mind, body, and spirit. Let's pause, reflect, and reconnect!

16.  Explore a Variety of Ways to Engage Students When it Comes to Creative Writing K-12

Instructor: Tracey Trentoewski  (15 CTLE hours)

3/9/26 - 4/6/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

We spend so much effort in education focusing on meeting requirements for standardized testing that students are often losing out on opportunities to express themselves creatively. Whether you are looking to occasionally incorporate additional creative writing assignments or you are teaching a creative writing elective, this course will provide you with effective strategies, engaging activities, and practical approaches for inspiring and nurturing creative thinking for students at any age. Participants will explore various aspects of the creative writing process, including brainstorming techniques, character development, plot structure, and use of literary devices. Educators will learn how to create a supportive and stimulating environment where students feel comfortable and empowered to express themselves through writing and will gain practical insights, strategies, and worksheets to immediately use or adapt in their own classroom.

17. Making Lessons More Accessible to ELLs

Instructor: Veronica Frullo  (15 CTLE hours)

3/11/26 - 4/8/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

After a brief overview of the five English proficiency levels, we will discuss what to expect of students at each level of proficiency and how to implement activities and protocols that can be used in all content areas. Participants will learn activities and protocols that can be easily integrated into lessons to make those lessons more accessible to ELLs. 

18.  Poetry…OH NO!

Instructor: Douglas Shaw  (15 CTLE hours)

3/16/26 - 4/13/26  Hybrid class, asynchronous learning with options for participation in Google Meets: remote office hours are available upon request

Too often poetry is seen as one of two things: a mysterious language known by few select people with "inside knowledge," or the gravy on the meat of the ELA curriculum that we might get to in the spring, if we have time. It is neither, but fully understanding and appreciating poetry does require a specific set of very teachable skills. Join us to read and learn about some well-known, some misunderstood,  and some just plain beautiful poetry, and figure out if there really is a "road not taken."

19. Canva for Educators: Design Engaging Learning Experiences

Instructor: Mia LaFata  (15 CTLE hours)

3/23/26 - 4/20/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Elevate your K-12 classroom with Canva! This course will equip all disciplines to design engaging visual materials like presentations, worksheets, and infographics. Learn to leverage Canva's intuitive tools and templates to enhance student learning, streamline classroom management, and cultivate creativity. By the end, you'll confidently create visually rich resources that captivate students and elevate your teaching.

20.  Brain Builders: Fostering a Growth Mindset in Students

Instructor: Meredith Murolo  (15 CTLE hours)

3/30/26 - 4/27/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

This professional development course will equip educators with the knowledge and practical strategies to foster a growth mindset in their students. We will explore the core principles of growth mindset theory, including the understanding that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. 

21.  AI Meets SEL: Empowering Educators to Connect Social-Emotional Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Instructor: Jessica Ciardullo  (15 CTLE hours)

4/1/26 - 4/29/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

This  course equips educators with the knowledge and tools to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into social-emotional learning (SEL) practices, enhancing both teaching strategies and student outcomes. Participants will explore how AI can support personalized learning, foster emotional intelligence, and strengthen classroom relationships while maintaining ethical considerations. Through practical application, reflection, and collaboration, educators will develop strategies to leverage AI for building more compassionate, inclusive, and emotionally aware learning environments.

22.  Engaging Elementary Students in Math: Hands-On and Interactive Approaches

Instructor: Meghan Correira  (15 CTLE hours)

4/2/26 - 4/30/26  Asynchronous: remote office hours are available upon request

Teachers will learn effective, hands-on strategies to engage elementary students in math through interactive activities, manipulatives, and real-world applications. They will explore ways to incorporate technology, promote active learning, and differentiate instruction to meet diverse student needs. Educators  will be equipped with practical tools to make math both enjoyable and meaningful for their students.