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Domain 2

DOMAIN 2: Classroom Environment

Effective teachers organize their classrooms so that all students can learn. Teachers know and value their students’ identities, as well as their academic, social, and emotional strengths and needs. They maximize instructional time and foster respectful interactions with and among students, ensuring that students find the classroom a safe place to take intellectual risks. Students themselves make a substantive contribution to the effective functioning of the class by assisting with classroom procedures, ensuring effective use of instructional space, and supporting and engaging in the learning of classmates. Students and teachers work in ways that demonstrate their belief that rigorous effort will result in higher levels of learning. Student behavior is consistently appropriate, and the teacher’s handling of infractions is subtle, preventive, and respectful of students’ dignity.

DOMAIN 2: Educational Environment

Effective Non-Teaching Professionals (NTPs) assess and enhance the quality of the environment along multiple dimensions toward improved academic, behavioral and social-emotional outcomes. Environmental dimensions include adult-student relationships, staff interactions, security and maintenance, administration, student academic orientation, student behavioral values, student-peer relationships, parent and community-school relationships, instructional and intervention management and student activities.

Courses tagged with "Domain 2"

The Classroom Community Collection  - Book Series Study
Book Studies
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The Classroom Community Collection - Book Series Study

  • 4 Hours

Course DescriptionIn  Shannon Olsen’s 5-book collection of read-aloud picture books, students of all ages can learn how to build community and collaboration while feeling safe, included, and loved. In this book collection discussion, participants will read (or watch a read-aloud of) all five books in the Classroom Community Collection:

  • Our Class is a Family
  • Our School is a Family
  • Collaboration Station
  • A Letter from Your Teacher on the First Day of School
  • A Letter from Your Teacher on the Last Day of School

 Then, join your fellow educators on PEARL to discuss how these books can be used to build a sense of welcome and community among the students you teach. While these books are written for elementary grades, middle and high school educators can also use many of these to engage students in building relationships.

Course Completion Criteria: To complete this course, participants must:
  • Read all five (5) picture books in Shannon Olsen's Classroom Community Series.
  • Complete three (3) discussion forums per book by responding to each prompt in PEARL and commenting (as indicated) on one other posts for a total of fifteen (15) book-specific forum completions. 
  • Complete seven (7) discussion forums for the overall series by responding to each prompt in PEARL (Part 2) and commenting (as indicated) on three (3) other posts.
  • Add at least one (1) resource to the Classroom Community Collection Resources database.
  • Complete the Confirmation of Reading and Completion attestation.
  • Complete the "Feedback to PSEA About this Course" form.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours. 
  • 15 minutes to read each book (75 min), 
  • 18 minutes for completing discussion forums for each book (90 min), 
  • 75 minutes for completing the overall discussion forums and database activity.
Total of 4 hours of Act 48 or a certificate of completion.

The Food Group series by Jory John & Pete Oswald
Book Studies
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The Food Group series by Jory John & Pete Oswald

Course Description: Jory John and Pete Oswald bring “charming and enduring text” and “bold, expressive illustrations” together in their series of books focused on foods and their behaviors. The Food Group series includes well-known, bestselling books including: The Good Egg; The Bad Seed; The Cool Bean; The Couch Potato; The Smart Cookie; and seasonal versions of these stories. In this book discussion, participants explore applications for how these books can be used at all levels to promote social and emotional skill fluency and help prevent bullying during the learning process. Picture book are not just for the elementary kids anymore, so middle and high school educators should consider joining as well.  Participants must access and read at least three Food Group series books to participate in this course.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 4.5 Hours

The Introverted Educator
Book Studies
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The Introverted Educator

Course Description: The Introverted Educator by Dr. Rochelle Green features reflections from six introverted educators on how they incorporate their more reserved learners into their lessons. As these teachers share the positives and negatives of their own childhood educational experiences, they discuss strategies for meeting the needs of a variety of personality types present in the classroom.

Course Hours:  Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

The hours breakdown is:  2.5 hours for reading, 1.5 hours for discussion prompts, and 0.5 hours for reflection. Total of 4.5 hours.

  • 4.5 Hours

Little Legends/Dreamers/Leaders by Vashti Harrison
Book Studies
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Little Legends/Dreamers/Leaders by Vashti Harrison

Course Description: Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) are often under-represented in the standard K-12 curriculum, challenging educators to bring these important histories to students in other ways. Author and illustrator, Vashti Harrison, introduces readers to dozens of influential BIPOC figures in her series of Little Leader Books including: Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History; Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World; and Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History. Participants in this book series study must access and read either one entire book (40 histories) or any combination of 40 histories from all three books to participate in this course.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 4.5 Hours

What You Do Matters series by Kobi Yamada
Book Studies
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What You Do Matters series by Kobi Yamada

Course Description: Children’s literature, including picture books, offer powerful tools to bring learning to students at all levels. In this book series discussion, readers will Kobi Yamada’s three award-winning, New York Times best-selling books as featured in the What You Do Matter boxset: What Do You Do With An Idea?; What Do You Do With A Chance?; and What Do You Do With A Problem? Each of these books offers a unique take on elements that students face daily and are growing to better understand presented through the combination of Mae Besom’s gorgeous illustration and Kobi Yamada’s unique take on symbolic narrative. The course will focus on parallels between these books and social and emotional skills development to facilitate a greater collective knowledge about how to engage students in critical self-reflection and self-management. Participants must access and read all three Kobi Yamada books to participate in this course.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 4.5 Hours

When You Wonder, You're Learning
Book Studies
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Teacher: Gina Gullo

When You Wonder, You're Learning

Course Description: When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski shares the never-before-seen side of America’s favorite neighbor and Pennsylvania native, Mr. Rogers, in his essential work with the “tools for learning” in school, work, and life. “These tools can boost academic performance, social-emotional well-being, and even physical health. They cost almost nothing to develop, and they’re up to ten times more predictive of children’s success than test scores.” Perfect for educators at any point of their career, this book shares a fresh and human-centric approaches to learning for anyone who cares about children.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 10 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.


  • 10 Hours

Curriculum Inclusivity in Action
Educational Equity
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Curriculum Inclusivity in Action

Course Description: In this session, educators receive practical and immediate steps to assess the manner in which their curriculum is providing equitable representation to all students.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 2 Hours

Divided Attention Documentary: Remaining Student-Focused in Trying Times
Educational Equity
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Divided Attention Documentary: Remaining Student-Focused in Trying Times

Course Description: In this course you will watch the 2022 documentary Divided Attention which focuses on the Chester Upland School District during the pandemic. Not only are these educators navigating the challenges of hybrid learning, but they are also trying to address the mental health concerns of their students. Specifically, the film highlights four students and their mindfulness teacher as they participate in activities to face the challenges of returning to the classroom and living in strenuous homes and neighborhoods. On top of this, district schools are under receivership and facing charterization. What can educators do to keep students in school and address their social emotional well-being? While Divided Attention was filmed during the pandemic, the topics addressed (e.g., SEL, school funding, and the school to prison pipeline) are still relevant today.

Following the documentary, participants will complete a written reflection activity and share ideas with PSEA colleagues in a discussion forum.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 2 Hours

NEA's Equity and Challenges for Remote Learning
Educational Equity
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NEA's Equity and Challenges for Remote Learning

Course Description: This is a NEA developed course that focuses on how to keep equity at the forefront during COVID-19 school closures. Participants learn about the digital divide and how it impacts students. The course helps educators understand the components of the digital divide, along with the supports and strategies necessary to assist students who experience it, implement a variety of teaching and learning digital resources with students, and consider other issues students may be facing outside of academics, and their impact on students.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 3 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 3 Hours

Social-Emotional Equitable Learning
Educational Equity
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Social-Emotional Equitable Learning

Course Description: This presentation, taken from a live PSEA Center for Professional Learning Webinar broadcast session on September, 21, 2021 is rooted in relational equity and culturally responsive social emotional learning. Participants will learn about the importance of building authentic relationships with students, families, and staff members and how these essential relationships impact student success, resiliency, and hope. They will learn how relationships are the core to beginning the work of SEL, and once secure relationships are established, SEL tools can be incorporated.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 2 Hours

NEA's Supporting All Students in an Asynchronous Environment
Educational Equity
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NEA's Supporting All Students in an Asynchronous Environment

Course Description: Learn how to meet the needs of English language learners, special needs students, and students who are above or below grade level in reading and writing.  In the course participants will learn how to Identify common accommodations, learning scaffolds and Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) features, understand elements of explicit instruction that support all learners in an asynchronous distance learning environment, and learn how to write learning objectives for asynchronous learning and choose accommodations that are aligned with your objectives.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 3 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 3 Hours

Building and Maintaining a Humanized Classroom
Pedagogy
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Building and Maintaining a Humanized Classroom

Course Description: This session, captured from a live PSEA CPL webinar broadcast by NEA members and current educators Kristal Jaaskelainen & Jeffrey Austin, helps educators think about the importance and process of building and maintaining a "humanized" classroom. While educators know the enduring value of trusting relationships with students, building and maintaining a humanized classroom requires us to rethink our purposes, practices, and pedagogies to ensure our classrooms exist at the intersection of equity and care. This webinar helps educators foster imagination and purposeful action around community, hospitality, and justice.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 2 Hours

Building Background Knowledge
Pedagogy
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Building Background Knowledge

Course Description: For many students, a lack of experiential learning has an impact that negatively impacts learning.  This course explores strategies to build background knowledge so that new learning can be accelerated.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.


  • 2 Hours

Continuous Improvement: Using the Observation Frameworks to Up Your Ed Skills!
Pedagogy
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Continuous Improvement: Using the Observation Frameworks to Up Your Ed Skills!

Course Description: Explore the PDE Frameworks for Observation and Practice as updated in Summer 2021 as tools for continuous improvement in this informative and interactive workshop. Educators will begin by learning about the Continuous Self-Improvement process and related tools followed by and introduction to the Frameworks. Then, educators will dive into a role-specific exploration of the frameworks with a focus on self-evaluation and then self-reflection. These processes will be focused on elements to inform pre-conferences for and to allow educators to engage in a self improvement process using the continuous improvement tools discussed in the first half of the class. Together, each element empowers educators to elevate their skills and better serve students. 

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and a certificate.


  • 2 Hours

Facilitating Quality Practice for Remote Learning
Pedagogy
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Facilitating Quality Practice for Remote Learning

Course Description: This session, captured from a live PSEA CPL Webinar Broadcast by NEA's Sarah Van Loo and Kelly Newton focuses on how quality practice looks, sounds and feels different virtually and focuses on tools that teachers and para-educators can use with students for quality practice in remote learning. Participants learn about best practices for online learning, including instructor presence, learning objectives, real world applications, clear expectations, engaging students, prompt feedback, and netiquette, and it incorporates elements from two primary LMS's, Seesaw and Google Classroom, specifically.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.


  • 1.5 Hours

Implementing & Sustaining Target Language Use in the World Language Classroom
Pedagogy
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Implementing & Sustaining Target Language Use in the World Language Classroom

Course Description: Many world language teachers struggle to maximize target language (TL) use in their class. With ACTFL's Position Statement on TL Use as a base, explore various ways to instruct novice and intermediate learners in the TL and encourage student use of the TL as well. Through visual support, comprehension checks, encouraging spontaneous language, and providing appropriate feedback, you will develop strategies for increasing TL use in your classroom and for building student (and teacher) confidence in speaking.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 1.5 Hours

Building Relationships at a Distance
SEL & Wellness
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Building Relationships at a Distance

Course Description: How can physical classroom routines (submitting work and getting help) be transformed for effective use in virtual spaces? This webinar discusses how to leverage best practices of virtual learning communities to suport face-to-face instruction and student engagment.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 1.5 Hours

Connection Before Curriculum
SEL & Wellness
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Connection Before Curriculum

Course Description: Explore research-based programs that you can use yourself or with your students to set the tone of the classroom. The idea will roughly follow Maslow's idea that we need to all feel safe to be in the proper mindset to teach and learn.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hour

  • 2 Hours

Re-Imagining Relationships
SEL & Wellness
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Re-Imagining Relationships

Course Description: Student engagement remains a top priority for educators as we welcome students back to school. We will use this session to develop or improve on SEL and safe space practices. With an emphasis on communication and practices building empathy, participants will work to improve their EQ within themselves and within their instructional practice. Building relationships and making connections is critical in these unprecedented times, and by doing so we can increase student engagement in rigorous curricular lessons.  

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 2 Hours

Social and Emotional Learning is for Us, Too!
SEL & Wellness
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Social and Emotional Learning is for Us, Too!

Course Description: This course introduces members to some basic tools to regulate our emotions and provides a framework for educators to consider social and emotional learning for ourselves and our students.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.

  • 4 Hours