Events and Workshops

MTCNE Alumni Webinar Series

ONGOING REGISTRATION - "The Keys to Reading: A Deep Dive Into Phonological Awareness and the Sounds of English" Webinar. Why is it that some children struggle to read and what can we do about it? For many children, the missing link to total reading is the awareness of sounds in our language. In this presentation Justin Chapian will take a close look at why phonemic awareness is so important, how it is different from phonics, and practical suggestions for instruction in the Montessori classroom. We will touch on how Montessori’s approach of writing before reading aligns with the science of reading and we will then take a deep dive into the sounds of our language and the connection between the children’s spelling and their awareness of sound. NOTE: The scheduled time and date are for registration purposes only. Once payment is received, you will receive a link to the pre-recorded webinar that will be active for one week. Accepting credit cards only.

TEAM Module 5

Module 5 will introduce beginning teachers to the Code of Professional Responsibility for Educators and is designed to educate and raise awareness about the multitude of ethical and professional dilemmas faced by educators today. The focus of Module 5 is to raise a level of awareness about the Code of Professional Responsibilities and to discuss your professional obligations and the potential consequences of misconduct. This is a TEAM training and is unpaid.

English Language Learners Council (Title III)

English Language Learner district coordinators in the CREC region are invited to attend meetings to share best practices, emerging research on improving outcomes for EL students, and to proactively respond to the instructional shifts demanded by the Connecticut Common Core State Standards (CCSS), assessments, and the Connecticut English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards. Members will engage in new thinking about instructional practices and collaborate to proactively respond to EL needs in their district. No cost to attend.

Better Hearing & Speech Month Learning Series - Rolling Enrollment

CREC Soundbridge Audiologists are presenting a series of four (4) learning workshops for Better Hearing and Speech Month. These include: 5/13-Hearing Aid/Cochlear Implant Basics and Troubleshooting; 5/20-Benefits of FM/DM Systems & Educational Recommendations; 5/27-Auditory Processing; and 6/3-Audiogram Basics. Attend any or all sessions for $20.00.

Math Council

CREC’s Mathematics Council provides new thinking about mathematics instruction for K-12 math teachers, coaches, and district leaders in an open forum type setting. Agenda topics are determined by district participants in order to serve the group’s needs. No cost to attend this event.

MTCNE Alumni Webinar Series

Veronica Burbano will discuss the concept of resilience and how is fostered in the Montessori environment. She will answer the following questions:• What is resilience?• What are the characteristics of a resilient individual?• How does the Montessori Environment support the development of a resilient individual?

CTE: The UN-Conference

Join us for this two-day conference focused on improving your CTE programs. On 5/19/21, we will offer an overview of the NC3T Pathways Initiative. For the past year, the National Center for College and Career Transitions (NC3T) has been working together with SDE to help interested schools design and implement College and Career Pathways. Twenty-three schools are currently in various stages of development. In this session, you will hear from three high schools participating in the initiative. Enfield, East Haven, and Tourtellotte High Schools will discuss their journey towards Pathways and their plans for moving forward. On 5/26/21, Hans Meeder, President of the National Center for College and Career Readiness, will lead a practical, hands –on workshop that will help districts to plan specific strategies for improvement. You will have access to planning templates and suggested strategies. The CT Science Center will share information about teacher internships on Day 2, 5/26/21. Your registration will allow you access to both days. A ZOOM link will be sent to all registrants a few days prior to the event.

Science Council

CREC region science teachers and district coordinators are invited to attend monthly council meetings to share best practices, engage in new thinking about science education, and continue to proactively respond to the demands of the Next Generation Science Standards. In addition, input from participants regarding additional topic selections will be encouraged in order to best meet the needs of the council membership. No cost to attend this event.

Open House Informational Session - Advanced Specialty Certification for Teachers of the Blind and Visually Impaired (055,059)

This is an advanced certification for special educators who hold a current 065 or 165 certification. Qualifications are current special education teaching certificate; three years of teaching experience and a desire to work with visually impaired students.

ETS® ParaPro Assessment Testing

CREC is now a testing site for the ETS® ParaPro Assessment. ETS developed the ParaPro Assessment as a way to satisfy the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires that Para educators serving in an instruction capacity: 1) Have an associate of arts degree. 2) Have completed two years of college. 3) Have demonstrated, through an academic assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics.

Assistive Technology (AT) Focus for access to the curriculum

In this Community of Practice (CoP) we will discuss the use of assistive technology in CT schools and how to determine when educational technology can be used and when there is a need for enhanced Assistive Technology supports. The CoP model will allow district staff to share ideas around various topics related to assistive technology. No cost to attend.

CREC Coaches Council

Instructional Coaches in the CREC region are invited to attend bi-monthly council meetings to share best practices and engage in new thinking about coaching. Topics will be determined based on participant interests. No cost to attend this workshop.

ETS® ParaPro Assessment Testing

CREC is now a testing site for the ETS® ParaPro Assessment. ETS developed the ParaPro Assessment as a way to satisfy the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires that Para educators serving in an instruction capacity: 1) Have an associate of arts degree. 2) Have completed two years of college. 3) Have demonstrated, through an academic assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics.

Illustrative Mathematics High School Curriculum Overview

In this virtual workshop, we will take an initial dive into the Illustrative Mathematics High School Curriculum. First, we will discuss the philosophy and instructional shifts behind the Illustrative Mathematics Curriculum and Problem-Based Learning. Then we will breakdown the structure of lessons and assessments and the purpose of each component. We will explain the importance of math content routines and math language routines and how these practices support effective implementation, observation, and collaborative planning. We will also explore the resources available in the curriculum to support teachers, students, and families and how to use these resources the most effectively.

ETS® ParaPro Assessment Testing

CREC is now a testing site for the ETS® ParaPro Assessment. ETS developed the ParaPro Assessment as a way to satisfy the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires that Para educators serving in an instruction capacity: 1) Have an associate of arts degree. 2) Have completed two years of college. 3) Have demonstrated, through an academic assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics.

Teach and Learn with Illustrative Mathematics 6-8

Illustrative Mathematics (IM) is a problem-based core mathematics curriculum that develops students' mathematical thinking skills through questioning, discussion, and real-world contexts and connections. During this two-day virtual event, teachers will take part in synchronous and asynchronous activities and be guided through the IM 6-8 curricula by an IM Certified facilitator. Following the training participants will understand: The structure of an IM lesson. Available assessment resources and their purposes. How to establish instructional routines How to support English Language Learners and students with disabilities. The 5 Practices for Orchestrating Mathematical Discussion How to organize and plan for Unit 1 Techniques for setting classroom norms that support problem-based learning.

ETS® ParaPro Assessment Testing

CREC is now a testing site for the ETS® ParaPro Assessment. ETS developed the ParaPro Assessment as a way to satisfy the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires that Para educators serving in an instruction capacity: 1) Have an associate of arts degree. 2) Have completed two years of college. 3) Have demonstrated, through an academic assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics.

ETS® ParaPro Assessment Testing

CREC is now a testing site for the ETS® ParaPro Assessment. ETS developed the ParaPro Assessment as a way to satisfy the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires that Para educators serving in an instruction capacity: 1) Have an associate of arts degree. 2) Have completed two years of college. 3) Have demonstrated, through an academic assessment, the knowledge and ability to assist in the instruction of reading, writing, and mathematics.

New to Instructional Coaching? Starting the Year off Right

This two day professional learning series is for new Instructional Coaches who have been recently hired for their role in the upcoming school year. Identify the skills and techniques required to transition from teacher to instructional coach. Participants will have the opportunity to explore different coaching models, learn about coaching cycles, how to work with adults, and strategies to be successful in this new role over the course of a school year. This two day professional development is for brand new coaches with limited experience in the role.