Teacher: Calendar Event

Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Students to Engage the World

• LIVE 12/03/25
• 7 Hours
  

About this session: Exploring and engaging with global issues and perspectives can benefit all students regardless of the content area. Through numerous examples of lessons from multiple grade levels and subject areas, authors Veronica Boix Mansilla & Anthony W. Jackson provide practical strategies for incorporating intercultural themes that support curricula and the interests of young people. 

Learning Hours: Those who complete this course will earn 7 Act 48 hours or a certificate of completion that may be submitted for possible Chapter 14 hours. The 7 hours for course completion includes 5 hours to read the book, 1 hour to complete the Reflection Guide, and 1 hour to complete the discussion.

Instructor: Mike Bogdan, MA, NBCT 

Teacher: Calendar Event

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally

• LIVE 11/05/25
• 6.5 Hours
  

About this session: Demystifying Disability is a practical, accessible guide to understanding disability and becoming a better ally to the disability community. Written by disability rights advocate Emily Ladau, the book offers clear, actionable advice for how to engage respectfully and inclusively with disabled people. With a conversational tone and real-world relevance, Demystifying Disability serves as a much-needed resource for anyone who wants to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable world. Whether you're new to disability awareness or looking to deepen your understanding, this book offers insight, guidance, and a call to action. 

Learning Hours: Those who complete this course will earn 6.5 Act 48 hours or a certificate of completion that may be submitted for possible Chapter 14 hours. The 6.5 hours for course completion includes 4.5 hours to read the book, 1 hour to complete the Reflection Guide, and 1 hour to complete the discussion.

Instructor: Pamela Watts, MA 

Teacher: Calendar Event

Spooky Stories to Read in the Classroom

• LIVE 10/29/25
• 6.5 Hours
  

About this session: 

Looking for some great Halloween reads? Join Dr. Gina Gullo for a celebration of spooky children’s literature in this Halloween-themed book study. Read Alvin Schwartz’s classic, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and your choice of any three (3) of the following:

• 2X2=Boo! A Set of Spooky Multiplication Stories by Loreen Leedy
  
• Crankenstein by Samantha Berger 
• Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
• Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire by Flavia Z. Drago

Learning Hours: Members who complete this course receive 6.5 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 6.5 hours for this course include 4 hours to read, 1.5 hours for the Reflection Guide and Planning Databases, and 1 hour to complete the discussion.

Facilitator: Dr. Gina L. Gullo, Ed.D.

Your AI Assistant: Using AI in Planning & Preparation

• 1.5 Hours
• LIVE Session: 

About this session: July 29, 2025 from 10-11:30 AM

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not only a tool for students but can offer educators assistance in their instructional planning. In this hands-on, interactive session, you will explore ways to use your AI of choice so that you have more time to refine your plans and be the best teacher you can be. With a few targeted AI prompts, you can have your AI assistant search the web for lesson plan ideas, report on the latest evidence-based strategies to address students’ needs, suggest customized assessment items that align with state standards and assessment benchmarks, and more. Come to this session ready to use your preferred AI platform.

Parts of this session may be recorded for use in a future PEARL course. By enrolling, you consent to be recorded and understand that the recording may be viewed by others.

Instructor: Dr. Gina Laura Gullo, Ed.D.

Teacher: Calendar Event

The Body Keeps the Score – Book Study

• 16.5 Hours

Course Description: 

The impacts of trauma are everywhere but can be difficult to recognize and even more challenging to address. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score has been called “the modern user’s guide to understanding trauma” and offers readers a toolkit to support them as they navigate the profound and lasting impacts of trauma on mental and physical well-being. Designed for educators and support professionals that work with students who have experienced trauma, this interactive book study provides participants with structured reflection and meaningful discussion. Join your PSEA siblings and facilitator, Dr. Gina Gullo, on a reading journey that will help you to support students who have experienced trauma and to foster self-awareness and healing in your own life.

Learning Hours: Members who complete this course receive 16.5 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. These hours breakdown as follows:

Hours breakdown:

Tech for Teacher Wellness - Book Study

• 5 Hours

Course Description: 

This text by Meredith Masar Boullion provides practical strategies for using technology to make positive changes in your life, in the classroom, and on campus. Also, it covers techniques for using technology to support effective family and student communication as well as to promote efficiency in planning and assessment.

Learning Hours: Members who complete this course receive 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. These hours breakdown as follows:

Hours breakdown:

Beautiful Child - Book Study

• 15 Hours

Course Description: 

Join us as we explore Beautiful Child, a powerful true story by renowned special education teacher and author Torey Hayden. This unforgettable book follows Torey's efforts to reach Venus, a seven-year-old girl who refuses to speak and shows no signs of emotional connection. As layers of trauma begin to surface, Torey’s dedication and compassion are put to the test. Beautiful Child is a deeply moving journey into resilience, healing, and the power of human connection. Perfect for readers who appreciate emotional depth, real-life stories, and the triumph of empathy.

Learning Hours: Members who complete this course receive 15 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. These hours breakdown as follows:

The Missing Link to Help Them Think: Connecting Executive Function and SEL Skills to Boost Student Achievement - Book Study

• 5.5 Hours

Course Description: 

This text by Marilee Sprenger provides practical strategies for developing executive function skills, emphasizing social-emotional learning. Each chapter focuses on a specific skill, offering research-based classroom activities designed for both younger and older students. The goal is to support students who face academic challenges related to impulsivity, inattention, or disorganization.

Learning Hours: Members who complete this course receive 5.5 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 Mindful Teacher's Toolkit - Book Discussion

• 6.5 Hours

Course Description: Kevin Hawkins and Amy Burke provide readers with clear directions to help students (and educators) develop mindful practices and build their social and emotional skills in this interactive book. With detailed guidance on how to work with different age groups and applications for different professional roles, the authors share activities that educators can easily adapt to meet their unique school context and begin using immediately. 

Due to the nature of this book, participants may limit their reading of some sections to those that are most relevant to their work. Participants may limit their reading of Chapters 1-4 to any of ONE of the following based on the age group of their students:

Participants may limit their reading of Chapters 6 and 7 to only the chapter that best aligns with their professional role. See “Pick ‘n Mix: Section II” in “How to Use This Book” to help determine which chapter best fits your needs.

Learning Hours: Members who complete this course receive 6.5 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. These hours breakdown as follows:

Hours breakdown: 4 hours to read and enjoy the book, 90 minutes to complete the discussion guide (and related activities), 60 minutes for participation in the live or asynchronous discussion ; for a total of 6.5 hours of Act 48 or a certificate of completion. 

Teacher: PEARL Center for Professional Learning

Social and Emotional Learning with Dr. Seuss

• 6 Hours

Course Description: 

The collection of children’s books by Dr. Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss) holds a special place in the childhood and adulthood of many educators. In this hybrid book discussion, participants will (re-)read a selection of these classics considering a different competency of social and emotional learning for each: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Reading one book for each component, participants will take a deeper dive into the books as they complete a guided reflection and planning tool through PEARL. This tool will help facilitate a asynchronous discussions through PEARL forums focused on how the different books can be used with students of all ages to teach social and emotional skills through literature and art.

Learning Hours: Those who read one of the book options for each social and emotional learning competency, complete the guided reflection and planning guides for each competency/book, and respond to and reply to all Discussion Forums will receive a total of 6 hours of Act 48 or a certificate of completion. This includes 60 minutes per book for reading and completing activities before the discussion forums (5 hours total) and an additional 60 minutes to complete the discussion activities.

The Classroom Community Collection - Book Series Study

• 4 Hours
  

Course Description: In  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

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

How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Course Description: In this asynchronous, online book study, participants will prepare for, read, and discuss Ibram X. Kendi’s How To Be An Antiracist for a total of 15 Act 48 hours or a certificate to submit for 15 Chapter 14 hours (per district approval). The New York Times called this book “a groundbreaking approach to understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society—and in ourselves.” During the Prereading activities, participants will learn about the book and author. Then, they will explore strategies for critical reading from their lens as an educator. Then they will engage in two activities i: one focused on identifying perspectives and another on applying this practice to students.  During the actual reading, participants should read the book critically and complete chapter-by-chapter reflection prompts throughout their reading journey (not just at the end) to help them remember key points in the text. During the Postreading activities, participants will engage in forum-based dialogues about their reactions, learning, and applications for the material in the school setting. Participants will leave this session with knowledge and resources to apply what they read with students at any level.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 15 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 10 hours for reading, 1.5 hours for pre-reading activities 2 hours for reflection prompts 1.5 hours for post-reading activitis Total: 15 hours

• 15 Hours

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

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

The Questioneers Book Study

Course Description: The Questioneers by Andrea Beaty (author) and David Roberts (illustrator) is a series of picture books and early-reader chapter books written between 420 and 820 Lexiles. Each picture book introduces a new ‘questioneer’ as they come to realize their own strengths including Ada Twist (Scientist), Rosie Revere (Engineer), Iggy Peck (Architect), Sofia Valdez (Future Prez), and Aaron Slater (Illustrator). The chapter books take their stories deeper and allow students to follow the students as their growth mindsets take them further into their passions. These books may be elementary focused, but the lessons learned are valuable for learners at any level! In this book discussion, you may read any 1 picture book and any 1 chapter book in the series for a total of 2 books. These two books will require 2 ½ hours of reading time with 2 hours of complementary PEARL-based content (1.5 hours for the discussion questions and 0.5 hours for reflection items) for a total of 4 ½ total hours of learning.

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 activities 0.5 hours for reflection prompts.

• 4.5 Hours

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

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

Author Studies

Course Description: This course explores the purpose of author studies to get students reading and provide differentiation through leveled texts. Author Studies provide an opportunity to connect readers to a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction.  Author studies can be used to enhance the curriculum, explore types of writing or simply get students reading great texts!  Author studies get your students reading and writing.  It provides the teacher with an engaging tool to differentiate instruction and teach high interest text.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR 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 Hour

Wonder Women: The Importance of Strong Females in Children’s Books

Extended Course Name: Wonder Women: The Importance of Strong Female Characters, Everyday Heroes, and Making Connections to Children’s Books

Course Description: Children’s books have always included spunky, feisty female characters like Ramona and Beezus Quimby, Matilda, and Harriet the Spy. But is spunky and feisty enough? The blockbuster success of the 2017 Wonder Woman movie and 2018’s Black Panther indicates there is room for much more - in movie theaters and children’s books. Female characters that overcome obstacles, solve problems, break stereotypes, and empower others have great appeal to both boys and girls. This class focuses on choosing books for our classrooms and libraries that affirm positive roles for girls and boys. Ms. Bissonette discuss the assumptions we make when we think in terms of “girl books” and “boy books”; the effect gender stereotypes have on young readers (and the publishing industry’s puzzling role in perpetuating those stereotypes); and the role children’s books have in developing empathy among young readers (which can lead to reduced bullying among other things). Partiticpants explore the evolving theory about children’s books as "mirrors, windows, and sliding doors" and how reading the right books helps students rehearse for and succeed in real life situations. Finally, children's author Aimee Bissonette talks about the reactions and responses she's gotten from girls and boys with whom she has shared her own “strong women” books

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

Culturally Responsive Literature in the Classroom

Course Description:  This session, presented by NEA members and Chrissy Waldhoer (Oklahoma Elementary Teacher)  and Elizabeth Luis (Michigan Secondary ELA Teacher), was captured from a live PSEA CPL webinar broadcast on July 15, 2021, and it presents ideas for implementation of culture into all literature and standards for reading/writing in the classroom. In this course, participants learn about approaches to learning in the classroom that use cultures and backgrounds to connect students to the literature, particularly at the elementary level. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Using Communication Skills to Stay Calm and De-Escalate Conflict

• 1.5 Hours

Course Description: This course draws upon the training of Dr. Kelbish, as well as two decades of experience, to provide strategies to engage when communicating with others, in order to de-escalate conflict and remain calm while doing so.

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.

Best Practices for Effective Distance Learning and Instruction

Course Description: This session by PSEA's Dr. Christopher M. Clayton helps educators think through shifting their instructional practices to more effectively align with current research and best practices for creating more engaging distance-learning experiences for students. Delivering effective remote instruction for educators and distance learning for students and families present different challenges from face-to-face instruction, and drawing on the work of experts such as Jennifer Gonzalez, AJ Juliani, Caitlyn Tucker, and many more, this session helps members learn about and explore these shifting educational paradigms of instruction and presents attendees with immediately actionable information, tips, strategies, and “take-away” tools and resources that educators can immediately use in their practice, including an introduction to the powerful DAT (Device Agnostic Technology) resource, NearPod.

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 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

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!

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

Building Routines for Student Success in a Virtual Space

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 teach students necessary skills to confidently navigate virtual learning communities and also help students transition to virtual/remote learning that seems familiar to face-to-face instruction.

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

Curating & Implementing Free Resources to Support the Elementary Classroom

Course Description: In this recorded conversation, two experienced teachers discuss the use of various free resources to support the elementary classroom curriculum. They review a variety of sites for finding these sources to enhance standards-based lessons in Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA. After watching the video, participants will find and share other possible resources as well as reflect on the best use of them in the courses that they teach or plan to teach.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours.

• 1 Hour

Differentiating and Team Teaching: Distance Learning Edition

Course Description: Tools like Seesaw, Flipgrid and Google Classroom can be used to serve our students with direct, targeted assignments via enrollment in multiple classes or with the use of Co-Teachers. Entire grade levels may benefit from a shared space, and special area teachers and support staff can be linked to their students more easily. Get some strategies to maintain multiple groups of students in classes or getting yourself included in pre-existing ones!

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

Distance Learning Pro Tips

Course Description: This professional learning session, presented by NEA members and current Michigan classroom teachers Chris Thomas and Ellen Brooks, was captured from a live PSEA CPL webinar broadcast May 26, 2020 and provides tips and strategies to up your remote instruction game and allow you to reflect on your distance learning experiences. Participants learn about identifying key tech tools and tips for planning and delivering more effective remote instruction and distance learning experience for 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

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

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

Math at a Distance: Best Practices

Course Description: How can I use common Google and ed-tech tools to support collaborative math practice and discussion at a distance? In this recorded webinar from 2020, participants explore one learning cycle and deeply engage in the design thinking behind the how the ed-tech selected supports student engagement, virtual discourse and opportunities for elaboration and student evaluation.

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

Multi-Sensory Learning Using Arts Integration

Course Description: When students are exposed to the same content in different subjects and through multiple senses, they are able to make connections across the disciplines and from home to school. In this session, participants will see examples of cross-curricular lessons that incorporate science, writing, social studies, music, and visual arts. Participants will see and hear examples from the classroom, and they will have an opportunity to immediately apply what they've learned.

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

Phenomena-Centered Science in Your (Virtual) Classroom

Course Description: Centering your K-12 science instruction around phenomena can build student engagement and understanding, even in a virtual or blended classroom environment. In this course participants explore key aspects of science instruction, share NGSS-aligned resources for the new school year, and consider strategies (like Driving Question Boards) that support science in K-12 (possibly virtual) classrooms.

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

Rethinking Grading

Course Description: NEA's Kristal Jaaskelainen and Jeffrey Austin lead this recorded presentation (from July 27, 2021) helping educators see beyond the traditional grading practices that often go unexamined despite their potential for harm. This webinar is designed to critically examine assumptions about grading, look at current grading practices, and imagine alternatives to the status quo. 

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

Educator Evaluation: Understanding the Policy

• 1.5 Hours

Presenter: Michael Bogdan (mbogdan@psea.org)
NOTE: This course was previous named "Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy" and was changed to "Educator Evaluation: Understanding the Policy" on 04/15/2025. This ASYNCHRONOUS course differs slightly from the LIVE version of the course (Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy) but includes much of the same content.

Course Description: Take a deep dive into the policy behind Pennsylvania’s Educator Effectiveness System to understand better how evaluations are conducted. This session will cover the rating components for tenured and non-tenured educators, classroom teachers and non-teaching professionals, as well as those with and without state assessment data. Additionally, an overview of classroom observations and the calculation of performance ratings will be included. Resources will be shared to help participants find answers to common questions and access more detailed information on the topics addressed.

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. 

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Explain the provisions of Pennsylvania’s Educator Effectiveness System.
• Summarize how they will be evaluated.

Course Completion Criteria: To complete this course, participants watch both parts of the webinar in their entirety, answer comprehension questions embedded in each recording, and complete a reflection activity. Please note that in order to meet our obligation to PDE as an Act 48 provider, PSEA must gather information to confirm course completion. To help PSEA meet this obligation, participants must complete a brief Confirmation of Completion at the conclusion of this course. 

Mandatory Reporting Obligations of School Employees under the Child Protective Services Law and the Educator Discipline Act

Course Description: This course reviews the mandatory reporting obligations that school employees have under the Child Protective Services Law and the Educator Discipline Act. Learners will also learn about the procedure for filing reports and will consider various hypothetical scenarios in determining whether a report would be required.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours.

• 1 Hour

Touching on the Tools of Act 13 - SPM Templates and Revised Frameworks

Course Description: In this online course, participants will gain a surface level understanding of the tools for use with Act 13’s revised Educator Effectiveness Evaluation System. The first part of the course explores the Student Performance Measures templates, which PDE issued as optional tools to assist LEAs for the documentation of LEA-Selected Measures and IEP Goals Progress data. The second part of the course reviews the revised Danielson Frameworks as issued by PDE in Summer 2021. The third and final part of the course engages participants in a self-led reflection on how each new tool can help them inform their professional practice in the coming school year.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course will be eligible to recieve 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 credit and/or a certificate for Chapter 14 hours. Chapter 14 acceptance is at the full discretion of your employer.

• 1.5 Hours

Teacher: Carla Claycomb

Growing Empathy and Compassion without Burning Out: For Ourselves and Our Students

Course Description: Empathy and compassion are important skills and orientations for every educator. Learning how to practice these skills with our students without burning out is an important way to take care of ourselves and our students. 
In this course, participants learn:

1. The definitions of empathy and compassion and how they relate to one another
2. The ways we can use empathy and compassion to support others
3. The ways we can increase out ability to have empathy and compassion for others without burning out.

Course Completion Criteria: In this course, participants review several videos and complete several related activities, which are described in each section of the course. Please note that as a requirement to maintain our Act 48 approved provider status, PSEA is obligated to gather information to confirm course completion and gather feedback on each course. To help PSEA meet these obligations, participants must complete a brief Confirmation of Completion and a brief Feedback activity at the end of this course.  

Course Developers: CREATE for Education and PSEA Education Services Staff. ProfessionalLearning@psea.org

Learning 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. 

Cultivating Gratitude among Students

• 2 Hours

Course Description:
In this 2-hour course, learners explore the definition of gratitude, examine research on gratitude, explore ways to cultivate gratitude, consider students' families and their various approaches to gratitude, and develop strategies to develop gratitude with students in the classroom.

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.

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

Breathing Outside the Box

Course Description: Every day, educators put their students’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being first. We also consistently encourage our students to think “outside the box” and adapt new perspectives focused on growth and resilience. Educators, too, can benefit from stepping "outside the box" when it comes to our own well-being, and we can build new ways to help our students understand the relationship between wellness and learning. This session introduces PSEA members to simple mindful practices. Participants will gain knowledge, tools, and techniques for creating an at-home mindfulness practice and also be provided resources to share with students of all ages.

Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR 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 Hour

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

Finding Calm in Chaos

Course Description: Each of us feels personal and professional stress that impacts our home and work lives. The good news is that there are things we can do to help us find calm in chaos, cultivate compassion, and engage in compassionate self-care to protect our brains and bodies from the negative health effects of stress and uncertainty. In this class, participants are introduced to mindfulness practices and the basic science behind their impact on our bodies. These healthy life skills and knowledge can help each of us thrive personally and help our students find calm, too. This class is part of PSEA's ongoing commitment to provide supports to members for personal and professional success. 

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