Virtual Summer PD 2024
We invite AFT members to join the AFT Professional Learning team for a series of virtual workshops in July. We hope these offerings will help you stay engaged over the summer and provide just-in-time strategies as you prepare for the next school year. With more than 10 workshops available—on topics ranging from working with families and meeting students where they are, to civics and writing—we are sure there is a workshop suitable for everyone!
Note: These workshops will take place on Zoom. Please plan to join through a device that accommodates Zoom interaction.
Space is limited, so be sure to secure your spots! Learn more and register below.
July 2
Trauma-Informed Strategies to Help Students Heal
National trainers will host this graduate-level, interactive professional learning on Tuesdays in July (2, 9, 16, 23 and 30), in three-hour blocks from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT. Participants will learn and practice 10 research-based trauma-informed practices to boost student resilience as well as to gain a deeper understanding of how adversity can impact children’s developing brains, bodies and behaviors. They will also explore universal primary prevention (Tier 1) strategies that promote healing after various traumatic events. This is not a training of trainers.
Participants engage course content in three ways: real-time sessions via Zoom each week for five consecutive weeks; an aligned AFT eLearning community webpage where "Home Play" assignments are mostly readings and paired discussion questions; and a workbook and select other resources that AFT ships for participants to keep. The course concludes with a Capstone assessment of 20 questions on eLearning. Altogether, the union estimates a 20-hour commitment and issues certificates to participants who complete the course. Participants also have the opportunity to pursue continuing education graduate credit through Trinity College. See the attached course overview for more information.
Facilitators: Jim Arey and Kimberly Harmon Welch
Maximum Capacity: 35
Dates and Times: July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
July 8
Students with Challenges
In education, currency is a medium of exchange, and any behavior students use to acquire knowledge and skills functions as currency. However, students who are “wired” differently or face traumatic experiences may not possess this currency. This session demonstrates how to meet students where they are to ensure success.
Facilitators: Jerelle Hendon, Lois Lofton-Doniver and Tina Hernandez
Maximum Capacity: 35
Date and Time: July 8, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
July 9
Feedback for Deeper Learning
Cultivating a safe, equitable classroom culture of giving and receiving effective feedback is essential for student learning and educator growth. It guides instruction and supports successful outcomes. Feedback for Deeper Learning explores a variety of methods for giving situation-specific feedback based on individual student’s performance needs and other forms of communication in the classroom. Participants will practice using questioning techniques to deepen learning, and they will walk away with strategies to obtain student-teacher feedback to elevate student voice and agency.
Intended audience: PreK-12 teachers, instructional paraprofessionals, mentors, coaches, and anyone who's responsible for educator growth and development.
Facilitators: Kimberly Skukalek and Danielle Troullier
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 9, 9 a.m. – noon EDT
* Offered again on July 16, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
Addressing Deficit Thinking and Language in a Learning Community
Words matter. They deeply impact (and are impacted by) our views, particularly our unconscious bias. We must change our words if we are to disrupt a system that implicitly accepts dominant white norms and perpetuates systemic racism and marginalization. Educators make hundreds of split-second decisions each day, all of which are influenced by our biases. This can lead to the continued marginalization of students, and our inaction will continue to uphold a system that does not affirm and serve all students. This practical module is designed for all members of a school community or organization to work collectively in recognizing, reframing and rephrasing deficit thinking and language to increase cultural proficiency as well as social and emotional awareness.
Intended audience: PreK-12 educators, paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel, equity teams, organizations, leadership teams.
Facilitators: Audra McPhillips and Melanie Hobbs
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 9, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT
Engaging Families
We need to communicate with our students’ families, but how do we do it successfully? How do we develop an empowering partnership that works to help our students reach their highest potential? Research can provide us with answers. This Strategies for Student Success module outlines how and when to talk most effectively with families; the kind of school climate that fosters a positive learning and working environment; and what teachers can do to help families discover how to effectively support student learning at home.
Facilitators: Tammy Jackson, Tricia Randall and Rebecca Blanco
Maximum Capacity: 35
Date and Time: July 9, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
July 10
Writing Grades 6-12
The ability to express thoughts, ideas and understanding through writing is a life skill and a critical component of writing within content-area standards. In all content areas, students are expected to learn to produce clear and coherent writing appropriate to purpose, task and audience. The writing standards address the expectations of content-area writing as students progress through the secondary grades. Participants will learn about the research on effective writing instruction that addresses the importance of the recursive nature of writing. Participants will practice strategies that incorporate the interdependence of writing to learn and learning to write.
Facilitators: Dr. Thalassa Tonks, Maureen O'Connell and Carey Smith
Maximum Capacity: 35
Date and Time: July 10, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
July 11
Differentiating Instruction
Despite the fact that students learn at different rates and have different interests and levels of motivation, many instructors overlook these differences and treat students as if they are all alike. This Strategies for Student Success module will examine three models of differentiated instruction: Tomlinson’s tiered lessons, Conklin’s choice boards and Sternberg’s triarchic model.
Facilitators: Deanna Woods, Carol Villarreal and Matt Burns
Maximum Capacity: 35
Date and Time: July 11, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
July 15
Identity Affirming Classrooms Thought-Partner Series Listening Club
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to listen and exchange ideas with members of the AFT Identity-Affirming Classrooms team. Club members will listen to segments of Episode 1 of the podcast series, "Identity-Safe Homes and Schools: Partnering to Overcome Inequities” and engage in reflection, rich discussion, and action planning based on the real solutions shared by the authors and others who are doing this work. Topics covered include identity safety and colorblind teaching, creating a culture of caring, engaging LGBTQIA+ students and families, and partnering with parents.
​
Intended audience: PreK-12 educators, paraprofessionals, specialized instructional support personnel, equity teams, partner organizations, leadership teams.
Facilitators: Monique Boone, Dr. Becki Cohn-Vargas, Melanie Hobbs and Audra McPhillips
Maximum Capacity: 50
Date and Time: July 15, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. EDT
Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (Parts 1 and 2)
Research suggests that students from diverse cultures may need to be engaged differently in ways that support their self-efficacy, confidence, self-determination and their learning. In this Strategies for Student Success module, we will establish the connection between culture and learning, and explore research-based strategies, such as cultural competency, high expectations and critical consciousness.
Facilitators: Lisa Beck, Dr. Don Thompson and Bri Miller
Maximum Capacity: 35
Dates and Times: July 15 and 16, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
* Please note that by registering for this two-part course, you are committing to attend both sessions, on July 15 and July 16 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. each night.
July 16
Civics 101
Join two AFT National Civics trainers for a virtual professional development session on “Civics 101”. We’ll dive into the core tenets of civics education, the pillars of democracy and address the question: “What Is Truth?” Be prepared to engage with other members in discerning misinformation from disinformation as we equip you with the tools and strategies to be informed digital citizens. You will walk away with strategies that you can implement the next day in your classroom, work site and in daily life. Each session is 2.5 hours. Please plan to attend the session on a device that will allow you to fully maximize participation as we will be in breakout rooms at various points throughout our time together.
Facilitators: Tia Costello and Tim Krueger
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 16, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT
*Offered again on July 18, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT
Shaping Academic Identities: Belonging in STEM
Our academic stories matter and have a huge impact on who we are as learners and educators. This interactive, thought-provoking session explores the core tensions related to creating and sustaining identity-safe and affirming classrooms and provides important insight into the intersectionality between our academic, personal and social identities. Participants will reflect on their academic stories and learn ways to support students in telling their stories to nurture identity growth and agency. The central focus of this module is to bring awareness to the lack of representation and use of culturally responsive instructional practices to support and affirm positive STEM identities for students of color. Attendees will walk away with a variety of evidence-based strategies and resources to apply in their own practice and continue the conversation with colleagues.
Intended audience: PreK-12 Science and Math educators, instructional coaches, all grade levels.
Facilitators: Audra McPhillips and Melanie Hobbs
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 16, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EDT
Teacher Efficacy and Agency
School’s out for the summer but as educators you know the work doesn’t stop. Efficacious educators use this time to re-ignite their passion for teaching and learning and focus on their own professional growth and agency. This session does just that! Participants will get a chance to reflect upon their own efficacy, identify personal and professional experiences that hinder maximum performance and strategize ways to work collectively with other stakeholders to strengthen and improve staff effectiveness and services for students and families.
Intended audience: PreK-12 teachers, instructional paraprofessionals, mentors, coaches, and anyone who's responsible for educator growth and development.
Facilitators: Katherine Dorman and Bridget McCoy
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 16, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. EDT
* Offered again on July 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
Feedback for Deeper Learning
Cultivating a safe, equitable classroom culture of giving and receiving effective feedback is essential for student learning and educator growth. It guides instruction and supports successful outcomes. Feedback for Deeper Learning explores a variety of methods for giving situation-specific feedback based on individual student’s performance needs and other forms of communication in the classroom. Participants will practice using questioning techniques to deepen learning, and they will walk away with strategies to obtain student-teacher feedback to elevate student voice and agency.
​
Intended audience: PreK-12 teachers, instructional paraprofessionals, mentors, coaches, and anyone who's responsible for educator growth and development.
Facilitators: Kimberly Skukalek and Danielle Troullier
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 16, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. EDT
* Offered again on July 9, 9 a.m. – noon EDT
July 17
Teacher Efficacy and Agency
School’s out for the summer but as educators you know the work doesn’t stop. Efficacious educators use this time to re-ignite their passion for teaching and learning and focus on their own professional growth and agency. This session does just that! Participants will get a chance to reflect upon their own efficacy, identify personal and professional experiences that hinder maximum performance and strategize ways to work collectively with other stakeholders to strengthen and improve staff effectiveness and services for students and families.
Intended audience: PreK-12 teachers, instructional paraprofessionals, mentors, coaches, and anyone who's responsible for educator growth and development.
Facilitators: Katherine Dorman and Bridget McCoy
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. EDT
* Offered again on July 16, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. EDT
July 18
Civics 101
Join two AFT National Civics trainers for a virtual professional development session on “Civics 101”. We’ll dive into the core tenets of civics education, the pillars of democracy and address the question: “What Is Truth?” Be prepared to engage with other members in discerning misinformation from disinformation as we equip you with the tools and strategies to be informed digital citizens. You will walk away with strategies that you can implement the next day in your classroom, work site and in daily life. Each session is 2.5 hours. Please plan to attend the session on a device that will allow you to fully maximize participation as we will be in breakout rooms at various points throughout our time together.
Facilitators: Tia Costello and Tim Krueger
Maximum Capacity: 30
Date and Time: July 18, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT
* Offered again on July 16, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDT