Professional Learning Courses

Corbin Education Center updates

Get up-to-date information on office and class relocations, contact information and other bulletins related to the Corbin Education Center closing.

Visit wichita.edu/corbin

Wichita State's College of Applied Studies offers Professional Learning Courses (PLC) for educators looking to learn new skills and earn continuing education credit for licensure renewal and/or salary advancement. These are graduate-level courses.

Enrollment Information

Students will complete a Wichita State Non-Degree B Graduate Application and, following confirmation of completion of professional development/training/workshop with the district, be enroll in the course by the College of Applied Studies administration (students will not register themselves due to the need for verification through the district).

If you want to complete the application and enrollment prior to attendance or have other questions about participation, please contact cas@wichita.edu . Click on the accordian immediately below this paragraph to view an overview of the process and video tutorials related to requesting registration and completing the Non-Degree B Graduate Application.

Overview of Steps to Take to Earn Academic Credit

1. Participate in Training

A school district or other educational provider offers a training, workshop, or professional
development. You complete it to their standards.

2. Request Registration

Use the link provided by your school district or other educational provider to fill out the request for
registration form on-line. This lets WSU know you want graduate credit for the training you’ve completed and to proceed with registering you--you won’t register yourself. A video tutorial for this process is included on the next accordian tab.

3. Apply for Admission

If you’re not currently admitted as a non-degree student in the Learning & Instructional Design program, you’ll need to apply for admission to the WSU Graduate School under this program. A video tutorial for this process is included on the last accordian tab below.

If you were admitted to this program and have taken a course in the last two years, you can skip this
step.

4. Make Payment when Notified

It may be several weeks between the time you are notified that your request from registration has been received and registration taking place. When registration has been completed on your behalf, you will be contacted and provided instructions for making payment.

5. Request Transcripts

Instructions will be provided about how to request a transcript when registration is complete. Pay close attention to the date you are told grades will be posted, so the transcript you request has the new credit listed. Skip this step if you don’t need a transcript.

To download a PDF document of these steps for printing or distribution, click here .

Request for Registration Video Tutorial

Each district or organization partnering with the College of Applied Studies has been provided instructions with a link to request registration; new instructions are created each semester. If you did not receive these instructions, please contact the instructor of your professional development or email Grant.Seymour@wichita.edu to obtain a copy; be sure to include with your email the district/organization and when you are completing the professional development.

Non-Degree B Graduate Application Video Tutorial

This link is to the Non-Degree B Graduate Application .

Tip: Be sure to select Learning & Instructional Design as the program department and double check that you are applying for the appropriate semseter, given courses are offered for the semester after the professional development has been completed (see table below for example).

The semester the professional development was completed:	The semester course credit is available:	The semester admission should be requested by new students:
Fall 2023 -->	Spring 2024 -->	Spring 2024
Spring 2024 -->	Summer 2024 -->	Summer 2024
Summer 2024 -->	Fall 2024 -->	Fall 2024

These licensure renewal opportunities are offered at each of the designated WSU partnering districts and some are available to individuals outside of the designated district. To determine the availability of a course, please see the intended audience listed for each course. Please note, out of district attendees may pay a small fee for attendance in addition to the WSU credit hour charges.

Academic credit for professional development completed during the spring of 2024

Andover, USD 385

Courses Offered in Spring 2024 (due to WSU December 1st). CAS 750D Effective Instructional Practice III : May 2024. Each 1 credit hour = a total of 45 clock hours (seat hours, reflection, reading, application) $65.00 per credit hour.

In-person dates:
9/1/2023
11/6/2023
1/18/2024
3/6/2024
5/1/2024

Dates: 9/20/2023
10/25/2023
12/6/2023
2/8/2024
4/11/2024

Course Description: The MTSS Reading Leadership Teams will participate in five in-person professional
learning sessions to learn about the science of reading and effective practices to improving reading outcomes for all students. Team members are responsible for providing professional learning to others in the building. Topics include effective core tier 1 instruction, using data to inform instruction, effective scheduling for core instruction, essential components of core reading instruction, building-wide strategies for middle and high school teachers, and classwide interventions for elementary school
teachers.

Title: EduProtocols

Presenter: Micah Brown

Dates: January 7th - February 25th

Time: 7 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online (Book purchase required- can be hard copy or digital)

Audience: K-12 Teachers

Credit Hours: 1

Course Description: EduProtocols are instructional lesson frames that are designed to engage students in learning through critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. During this self-paced digital course K-12 teachers will use the book The EduProtocol Field Guide, Google Workspace, and other resources to learn about, design, and deliver engaging learning experiences. Application of material and reflection are a required part of this course.

Title: Lead from Where You Are

Presenter: Janelle Tittsworth & Stacey Ryan

Dates: January 12 - February 16

Time: 5 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online (Book purchase required- can be hard copy or digital)

Audience: PK-12 Teachers

Credit Hours: 1

Course Description: During this book study, participants will reflect on and grow their current practice. Lead from Where You Are offers a down-to-earth, implementable approach to rethinking how we build leadership and community in schools. Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a veteran principal and superintendent, contends that our focus must be on growing leadership potential all across the community, from students to teachers to staff. We can do this by reflecting on how we build a sense of intention together, connect with each other, and direct those we lead with compassion and affirmation.

Title: Solving the Mystery of Learning

Presenter: Rachel Meenen

Dates: February 18 - March 30 (1 grad credit)

February 18 - April 27 (2 grad credits)

Time:

6 weeks/1 grad credit, self-paced online
OR
10 weeks/2 grad credits, self-paced online and face-to-face meeting

Location: Online (2nd grad credit coaching cycle will require individual face-to-face meeting)

Audience: K-12 Teachers

Credit Hours Option of 1 or 2 credits

Course Description: Oftentimes learning can seem like a mystery to students. You might hear “Why do I need to know this?” “What are we learning this for?” and if you ask students what they are learning they may respond with “I’m doing a worksheet.” “I’m writing a paper/essay.” “I’m working on these math problems.” What if instead when you (or anyone else) asks “What you are learning?” students respond with “I’m learning how to solve double digit addition problems.” “I’m learning how to include voice in my writing.” or “I’m learning about why ancient civilizations are important.” Throughout this course, we will explore teacher clarity and all of the components that go along with it. Not only will this help you become more clear about the path for your students, it can also help your students become clear about the learning process and help them to take more ownership in their learning.

*This course has an optional 2nd grad credit. Participants will complete a coaching cycle to apply the learning from the first 4 weeks of the course. This will require a video of their teaching, self-reflection, along with a face-to-face meeting with the facilitator.

Title: Teach Like a Champion 3.0 - Part 1

Presenter: Stacey Ryan & Jake Sims

Dates: February 2nd - March 8th

Time: Part 1: 5 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online

Audience: PK-12 Teachers

Credit Hours: 1

Course Description: Teach Like a Champion 3.0 by Doug Lemov explores the craft of teaching and serves
as a comprehensive guide for both new and veteran educators looking to enhance their teaching. The book offers 63 practical ideas and proven techniques supported by research to engage students, manage classrooms effectively, and foster a positive learning environment.

Title: Teach Like a Champion 3.0 - Part 2

Presenter: Stacey Ryan & Jake Sims

Dates: February 2nd - March 8th

Time: Part 2: 5 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online

Audience: PK-12 Teachers

Credit Hours: 1

Dates: January 24th - February 28th (1 grad credit/20 PDC points)
January 24th - February 28th AND February 28th - April 3rd (2 grad credits/40 PDC
points)

Time: 6 weeks/ 1 credit, Hybrid
OR
10 weeks/ 2 credits, hybrid and individual face to face meetings

Course Description: During this 6 week blended course, participants will meet face to face three times to
explore Visible Learning and learn how it blends with the current math curriculum. Teachers will learn through conversations with colleagues and exploration of resources. In between each meeting, there will be online homework that includes classroom application.

2 GRAD CREDIT OPTION - Participants will complete a coaching cycle to apply the learning from the first 6 weeks of the course. This will require a video recording of their teaching, self-reflection, at least

Augusta, USD 402

CAS 750B Effective Instructional Practice II : May 2024 (Summer 2024 pre-session)

PD Session Name: “The Culture Code” Book Study

Name of Presenter: Casie Davis

Location of PD Session: Online/Google Classroom

Dates of PD Session: January 15th - May 6th, 2024

Audience: USD 402 Licensed and Classified Staff and Surrounding District Licensed
and Classified Staff

PD Description: Participants will read through and collaborate with others on the book
The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle. In The Culture Code, Daniel Coyle goes inside
some of the world’s most successful organizations—including the U.S. Navy’s SEAL
Team Six, IDEO, and the San Antonio Spurs—and reveals what makes them tick. He
demystifies the culture-building process by identifying three key skills that generate
cohesion and cooperation and explains how diverse groups learn to function with a
single mind. Coyle offers specific strategies that trigger learning, spark collaboration,
build trust, and drive positive change. Coyle unearths helpful stories of failure that
illustrate what not to do, troubleshoots common pitfalls, and shares advice about
reforming a toxic culture. Combining leading-edge science, on-the-ground insights from
world-class leaders, and practical ideas for action, The Culture Code offers a roadmap
for creating an environment where innovation flourishes, problems get solved, and
expectations are exceeded.

Culture is not something you are—it’s something you do. The Culture Code puts the
power in your hands. No matter the size of your group or your goal, this book can teach
you the principles of cultural chemistry that transform individuals into teams that can
accomplish amazing things together.

Provides an understanding of:
● Key skills that generate cohesion and cooperation
● How diverse groups learn to function with a single mind
● Specific strategies that trigger learning and spark collaboration, build trust and
drive positive change
● Creating an environment where innovation flourishes, problems get solved, and
expectations are exceeded.

# of Credit Hours (1 credit per 45 seat hours): 1 credit

Note: The cost is increasing for all district partnership enrollments beginning in January
2024. There will be a $5 increase, resulting in $65 per credit hour.

Buhler, USD 313

February 5 - March 18 (6 sessions)

Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina (2014)

Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know—like the need for physical activity to get your brain working its best.

How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multitasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge? Is it true that men and women have different brains?

In Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule—what scientists know for sure about how our brains work—and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.

Medina’s fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into brain science. You’ll learn why Michael Jordan was no good at baseball. You’ll peer over a surgeon’s shoulder as he proves that most of us have a Jennifer Aniston neuron. You’ll meet a boy who has an amazing memory for music but can’t tie his own shoes.

You will discover how:

Every brain is wired differently
Exercise improves cognition
We are designed to never stop learning and exploring
Memories are volatile
Sleep is powerfully linked with the ability to learn
Vision trumps all of the other senses
Stress changes the way we learn
In the end, you’ll understand how your brain really works—and how to get the most out of it.

Clearwater, USD 264

Contact: Jason Crist - Email: Jcrist@usd264.org

Course Name: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Classroom
Location: Online via Google Classroom
Dates: 3 Weeks - February 19 - March 10 (Self-Paced)
Credits: 1 Credit Hour
Course Registration: USD 264 Employees = FREE | Non-USD 264 Employees = $65

College Credit Cost: 1 Credit Hour = $65 to Wichita State
Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Classroom guides educators in using and integrating AI in their classrooms. What’s the big deal with AI? Chat GPT? Google Bard? Are my students cheating? Can I use AI to be a more effective teacher and enhance my instruction? Let’s dive into all those questions and more as we look at the implications AI has for your classroom and your students.

Course Name: Get It Together! Be More Efficient with Tech
Location: Online via Google Classroom
Dates: 3 Weeks - March 25 - April 14 (Self-Paced)
Credits: 1 Credit Hour
Course Registration: USD 264 Employees = FREE | Non-USD 264 Employees = $65

College Credit Cost: 1 Credit Hour = $65 to Wichita State

Description: Get It Together! Be More Efficient with Tech encourages communication, collaborative learning, information sharing, creative expression, student engagement, and community building. This course guides educators in using and integrating time saving and efficiency tools and strategies in their classrooms (and everyday lives). In conjunction with Google Drive, we will address advanced topics such as the use of Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, the Chrome Web Browser, Phone Shortcuts and more. Not only will we discuss how to use these tools to support collaboration and creativity, but also how to use them to save time and energy for everyday tasks.

Haysville, USD 261

Love & Logic For Parents (Linda Long) January 20 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Would you like to feel more confident as a parent? Would you like to have more fun parenting? If you answered yes to either question, then this is the workshop for you!

Skills For Managing Anxiety & Cultivating Resilience (Brad Chapin) February 2 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Participants will gain clarity by moving beyond vague advice on how to manage challenges to developing a clear, practical skill set. This will increase the participant's ability to navigate challenges more successfully.

Finish Your Literacy Project (Angie Hilt) February 7 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

The purpose of this class is to give you work time to create books which you may not be able to do during your regular school day. Literacy and books are foundational in educating young learners at a variety of levels and abilities.

Please bring any supplies you may need to put your book(s) together. These could include: construction paper, glue, index cards, yarn, markers, colored pencils, cardstock, poster board, laptop, felt, foam shapes, scissors, Ziploc type bags and any additional craft supplies you will be using or that you might be willing to share with others.

Equipment and materials provided include: paper cutter, 3-hole punch, single-hole punch, stapler, yard stick and hot glue gun. A copier is available at the DJBLC. Please bring colored copies of any images which you intend to use.

If you have something else which relates to literacy which you 'd like to use this time to work on, please feel free to bring it. This can include things such as folder projects, games, flashcards, specially adapted worksheets, etc.

Retirement: Making The Best Chess Moves To Benefit You (Al Hoffman and Keven McDonald) March 6 (12:30-3:30 p.m.)

Retirement is a time to kick back, relax, and reward yourself after your hard work and dedication in helping students achieve their best. Today we hope you learn how to make some long-term Chess moves now that will help you have a bit more financial freedom when your time to retire happens. Today's Workshop will help participants understand how to maximize their retirement benefits to reward themselves in retirement. Participants will walk away understanding their negotiated agreement, the salary schedule, and the opportunities available to maximize their monthly pension through KPERS and other programs. The goal is set up your Chess Match to have the winning moves in understanding that decisions made today impact KPERS benefits in the future.

Google Sites Creation (Rachel Nally ) March 27 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Looking for a way to communicate with students, parents, and your community? We will start with the basics of creating a Google Site. As the day progresses, you will learn how to add images, links, and embed documents such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. You can upload all of your classroom assignments and handouts quickly and easily. Learn how to use buttons, dividers, and other visuals to organize your curriculum.

Brain Aligned Learning 101 (Jennifer Taylor) April 17 (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)

Most things that teachers do work to support social emotional learning. Some things work really well and other things only make minor improvements (Hattie, 2008: Tokuhama-Espinosa, 2014). We want to gear our teaching to those things that we know work well to help all children learn necessary social and emotional skills. We can accomplish this through an interdisciplinary approach, pulling from the broad field of neuroscience. Participants will unpack strategies that work based on what we know from the most up to date science behind the way the brain learns.

Inman, USD 448

Conscious Discipline:

Building Resilient Classrooms

Continuing Education Syllabus

2024 Spring Pre-Session

Instructor: Tamara Cearley

Title: Technology Integrationist

Email:

Telephone: (620)243-3559

Credit Hours: 1

Course Description :

This course/book study will transform teachers with a toolkit which embeds resilience in our classrooms. While reading the book Conscious Discipline: Building Resilient Classrooms, teachers will not only reflect on the strategies introduced in the book, but will also engage in collaborative discussions on how to embrace these concepts into daily learning and teaching experiences. Teachers become the self-disciplined adults who, in turn, teach children how to become self-disciplined.

Course Objectives : At the end of this course, educators will be able to…

Textbook/Materials : Conscious Discipline: Building Resilient Classrooms by Dr. Becky A. Bailey

Tentative Schedule & Content Outline

Session 1: Jan. 8; Book discussion & reflection on Chapters 1-3, Introduction.

Session 2: Jan. 22; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 4, Composure.

Session 3: Feb 5; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 5, Assertiveness.

Session 4: Feb. 12; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 6, Encouragement.

Session 5: Feb. 26; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 7, Choices.

Session 6: March 4; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 8, Empathy.

Session 7: March 18; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 9, Positive Intent.

Session 8: March 25; Book discussion & reflection on Chapter 10, Consequences.

Kansas Leadership Center (KLC)

Title: Introduction to Leadership: When Everyone Leads and Your Leadership Edge

Presenter: Jason Bosch, EdD; Seth Bate, MA, PCC; Tamara Bauer, MS; Julia Fabris McBride, PCC; Tina Khan, MA, MS; Lalo Munoz; Joseph Shephard, MPA, and other qualified Kansas Leadership Center teachers and staff.

Dates:

Create your own schedule:

Choose from among multiple locations, dates, times, and delivery methods for the one-day When Everyone Leads portion of the course. See current list of course options here: Step 1 of the KLC Path.
Choose from among multiple locations, dates, and delivery methods for the two-day Your Leadership Edge portion of the course. See current list of course options here: Step 2 of the KLC Path.

Complete both steps and request credit by

May 24, 2024, to earn summer graduate credit.

Location:

This course is designed to be accessible to every college student and adult learner, with flexible dates, times, and locations for completing the three-day course. The course is offered in-person at the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita, Kansas, and at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It is offered virtually via Zoom.

Audience:

Adults 18 and older

Credit hours: 1

Description:

Learn principles and apply tools from the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC ) Leadership Framework to exercise more leadership and make more impact. This one-credit course features Steps 1 and 2 of the Kansas Leadership Center Path, plus reading and written reflection designed to develop the mindset and skills you need to make more progress on the issues you care about most.

Day one (Step 1 of the KLC Path) is built around the book When Everyone Leads: How the Toughest Challenges Get Seen and Solved. You’ll learn the foundational principles of leadership: Leadership is not about authority and position. Leadership is an activity—small actions taken in moments of opportunity. That means everyone can lead, no matter where they sit in an organization or community. And when more people feel empowered to see and seize their moments to lead, we make more progress on our most important challenges.

By the end the When Everyone Leads portion of the course students will successfully:

Describe the principle “leadership is an activity not a position or authority” and how it applies to your life and work.
Summarize at least two big ideas from day one, When Everyone Leads, and personalize them to your life and work.
Select three ways you will exercise leadership before you come back for the Your Leadership Edge portion of the course.

Days two and three of the course (Step 2 of the KLC Path) are built around the book Your Leadership Edge: Tools and Strategies for When Everyone Leads. It features opportunities to learn and practice core skills and tools from KLC’s powerful leadership framework. Discover new ways to communicate, solve problems and lead more effectively back in your context. Sharpen interpersonal skills, self-awareness and confidence with others. Your Leadership Edge helps you find, test and push to the edge of your comfort zone.

By the end of the Your Leadership Edge portion of the coursestudents will:

Apply the distinction between adaptive challenges and technical problems to your leadership challenges.
Apply the KLC leadership framework to imagine new ways forward on issues you care about most.
Identify key areas where you need to stretch, grow and experiment (i.e. your leadership edge).
Experiment with new ways to manage yourself.
Create a simple plan to experiment with at least three skills and/or tools from Your Leadership Edge to make progress on an important challenge after the course.
Reflect in writing about what you learned and practiced in the classroom and how you have begun to apply leadership principles, skills and tools in your life, work, or community.

Learning Forward Kansas

Title: Sit and Get Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies that Engage the Adult Brain

Presenter: Marcia L. Tate, EdD, is the former Executive Director of Professional Development for the DeKalb County School System, Decatur, Georgia. During the course of her 30-year career with the district, she has also been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, language arts coordinator, and staff development executive director. In 2001, she received Georgia’s Distinguished Staff Developer Award, and her department won the Exemplary Program Award for the state.

Learning Forward Kansas Contacts: Jill Lachenmayr and Traci Holder

Dates: February 7, 2024

Time: 8:30-3:30

Location: Hope Community Church, 1831 E. 21st St., Andover, KS 67002

Audience: This workshop is designed for administrators, staff developers, principals, teacher leaders, trainers, instructional coaches and coordinators, college and university professors, business and community leaders, educational consultants and anyone else who teaches the adult brain.

Credit hours: 1

Description:

Visualize the worst presentation that you have ever been a part of as an adult learner. Now, visualize the best one. No doubt, there is a considerable difference between the two scenarios.

Unfortunately, many of those presenting to adult audiences do not realize that having participants “sit and get” information is not very effective. It’s simply not a good way to ensure that the information will stick to their brains. Adults don’t retain information by passively viewing (or worse – being read) slide after slide…after slide.

Participants will:

Participants in this workshop are engaged the entire time while they learn the answers to the following three basic questions:

What are 20 strategies that I can use to make my professional learning experience unforgettable?
What are techniques that appear to result in sustained adult behavior change?
And, as a bonus: What are 10 things that keep adults living well beyond the age of 80?

These strategies enable all staff development professionals to plan and deliver powerful, memorable presentations that improve teaching practices and increase academic achievement.

Graduate credit requirements:

A learning/application log and reflection will be required for those earning college credit; due May 1, 2024.

Learning Forward Kansas Registration:

Advanced registration on the Learning Forward KS Website is required.

https://learningforwardkansas.org/upcoming-events/

Title: Better Conversations Virtual Book Study

Presenter:

Dr. Kim Knight

Marie Henderson, Learning Forward Kansas

Learning Forward KS Contacts: Jill Lachenmayr and Traci Holder

Dates: April 2, 2024; April 16, 2024; April 30, 2024

Time: 4:00-5:00 PM

Location: Virtual

Audience: Education professionals; preservice educators

Credit hours: 1

Course description:

Think about how many times you’ve walked away from school conversations, sensing they could be more productive, but at a loss for how to improve them. Better Conversations honors our capacity for improving our schools by improving our communication. Asserting that our schools are only as good as the conversations within them, Jim Knight shows us how to adopt the habits essential to transforming the quality of our dialogues.

What makes this virtual book study special? Dr. Jim Knight will kick off the first session for us on April 2nd from 4:00-5:00pm CST. We hope that you will join us for this three part virtual book study as we explore Better Conversations together. The book Better Conversations will be provided.

Graduate credit requirements:

Outside reading, attendance at all three sessions, and a learning reflection are required for college credit.

Learning Forward Kansas Registration:

Advanced registration on the Learning Forward KS Website is required.

https://learningforwardkansas.org/upcoming-events/

Maize, USD 266

Spring 2024 (Summer Pre-Session)
CAS 750E Effective Instructional Practices IV
Dates: January 29-April 26
Time: varies by date
Audience: All educators
Location: Virtual (unless indicated below)
Credit Hours: 1 credit hour for taking the equivalent of four 3-hour courses (12 contact hours)

Instructor: Andrea Palmer Phone: 316-258-9439
Title: Executive Director of Professional Learning
Email: apalmer@usd266.com
PLS website: http://tinyurl.com/266-pls

Course Name: Intentional Neuroplasticity by Dr. Lori Desautels

Session description:

Students are carrying their mental exhaustion to classrooms along with their challenging behaviors. Educator burnout is at an all time high. Intentional Neuroplasticity dives into the plasticity of the brain and the nervous system. This then affects behaviors. Learning to empower and relieve our nervous systems is explored in this book. It is a helpful tool for educators themselves and our students.

Session description:

A framework for explicit writing instruction in all subjects.

Session Description:

Book study via Google Classroom and reflection questions
Target audience: Elementary and secondary ELA

Course objectives:
Participants will . . .
Gain a better understanding of phonograms and 30 spelling rules that explain 98% of English words
Be able to share their new learning with students.
Be able to explain to others, students and adults, the logic behind even the seemingly illogical “exceptions” to those rules.

Book description:
Denise Eide, the author of Uncovering the Logic of English, explains, “It is generally believed that English is a language of exceptions. For many, learning to spell and read is frustrating. For some, it is impossible, especially for the 29% of Americans who are functionally illiterate. But what if the problem is not the language itself, but the rules we were taught? What if we could see the complexity of English as a powerful tool rather than a hindrance?” - This book “challenges the notion that English is illogical by systematically explaining English spelling and answering questions like: Why is there a silent final E in have, large, and house? and Why is discussion spelled with -sion rather than -tion? With easy-to-read examples and anecdotes.

Course Name: Lost at School Book Study

Session Description:

Frequent visits to the principal's office. Detentions. Suspensions. Expulsions. These are the established tools of school discipline for kids who don't abide by school rules, have a hard time getting along with other kids, don't seem to respect authority, don't seem interested in learning, and are disrupting the learning of their classmates. But there's a big problem with these strategies: They are ineffective for most of the students to whom they are applied. It's time for a change in course. In Lost at School, Dr. Ross W. Greene presents an enlightened, clear-cut, and practical alternative. Relying on research from the neurosciences, Dr. Greene offers a new conceptual framework for understanding the difficulties of kids with behavioral challenges and explains why traditional discipline isn't effective at addressing these difficulties. Emphasizing the revolutionarily simple and positive notion that kids do well if they can, he persuasively argues that kids with behavioral challenges are not attention-seeking, manipulative, limit-testing, coercive, or unmotivated, but that they lack the skills to behave adaptively. And when adults recognize the true factors underlying difficult behavior and teach kids the skills in increments they can handle, the results are astounding: The kids overcome their obstacles; the frustration of teachers, parents, and classmates diminishes; and the well-being and learning of all students are enhanced. In Lost at School, Dr. Greene describes how his road-tested, evidence-based approach -- called Collaborative Problem Solving -- can help challenging kids at school.

Course Name: Teach Like a Champion 3.0

Session Description:

This updated version of Teach Like a Champion explores various techniques such as how to Check for Understanding, raise academic expectations, increase the ratio of the cognitive work students do, motivate and engage students, make classrooms more writing-intensive, improve discussions, and anticipate when it is necessary to redirect student behavior so it is positive and productive. There will be companion videos to go along with the techniques we will be reading about in the book.

Course Name: The Balnaced Teacher Path

Session Description:

This book shows how easy it is to give your job everything you’ve got and leave yourself with nothing outside of school—and shows new teachers and veterans alike the self-care techniques they can employ to create work-life balance and prevent burnout. With equal parts humor and wisdom, Justin analyzes four key aspects of every teacher’s life—career, social, physical, and financial—and offers practical advice to bring these areas into sync, reigniting a passion for teaching in the process.

Course Name: The Playful Classroom

Session Description:

The Playful Classroom shows readers how to reconnect with students, parents, and their profession. It is full of research based "how-to's" that one can start implementing immediately.

Wichita, USD 259

EdTech Playoff: Innovating Education through Digital Tools

January 10th through March 3rd

Location: online

1 or 2 credit hours

Presenter: Dyane Smokorowski

Audience: PreK-12 Teachers Employed by Wichita Public Schools

Description: The EdTech Playoff is a focused, professional development opportunity designed for PreK-12 educators to deepen their understanding and use of digital educational tools. Led by Dyane Smokorowski, the 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year, and the USD 259 EdTech Team, this experience offers practical insights into the latest developments in educational technology and effective teaching practices. Participants will be involved in a series of interactive, virtual activities aimed at enhancing their teaching skills and digital literacy. The program emphasizes the importance of educator choice in selecting digital tools, fostering a more personalized and relevant learning experience. This blend of professional development and hands-on application ensures that educators acquire valuable, innovative strategies to enhance their classroom teaching.

Valley Center, USD 262

CAS 750K: Effective Instructional Practices VIII (Summer 2024 Pre-Session)

Name: Adaptive Schools

Presenter: Adelyn Soellner

Location: VCIS Learning Lab/District Office Board Room

Dates: Jan 30, Feb 16, April 19, 29 (DO Board Rm)

Audience: USD 262 Staff

PD Description: This seminar is for people looking to work with groups and be a better group member. Participants will have the opportunity for reflection and skill development in this interactive seminar.

Credit hours: 3

Name: Cognitive Coaching sm Part B

Presenter: Adelyn Soellner

Location: VCIS Learning Lab

Dates: Dec 5, 12, Feb 8, 28

Audience: USD 262 Staff

PD Description: This seminar is for people who are looking to improve their communication with others.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn skills and maps for planning and reflecting.

Credit Hours: 3

Academic credit for professional development completed during the summer of 2024.

Andover, USD 385

Title: Kagan Brain-Friendly Teaching

Presenter: Traci Holder (coordinator); Kagan trainer

Dates: July 29-30

Time: 8:30 - 3:45 (registration begins at 8:00)

Location: Center for Advanced Professional Studies - Andover USD 385

Audience: PK-12 teachers and administrators (no previous Kagan training is required - must be employed with USD 385)

Credit hours: 1

Course Description:

Brain science and research has direct applications to classroom teaching and learning. We ignore the research at the peril of our own success as well as at the success of our students. Teaching with methods that don’t respect brain science is like swimming against the current: teaching is more exhausting, students learn less, and students like class and content less. When we align our teaching with how the brain best learns, we are going with the current.

Students learn more, enjoy class more, and teaching is more effortless and enjoyable for us. In this workshop, learn six core principles of brain-friendly teaching. For each principle, you will come away with Kagan Structures, tools, tips, and techniques to make your teaching more brain compatible and more scientifically sound.

This is a great workshop for teachers who are new to Kagan and for those who have attended other Kagan workshops.

Title: Capturing Kids’ Hearts 1

Presenter: Traci Holder with CKH trainer

Dates: July 22-23

Time: 8:00-4:00

Location: Andover District Office

Audience: Certified staff who work in Capturing Kids’ Hearts buildings (must be employed with USD 385)

Credit hours: 1

Course Description:

Capturing Kids’ Hearts 1 is an immersive, participatory experience. Teachers, staff, and administrators learn and practice skills they will use and model in their classrooms, schools, and districts. The program’s research-based processes improve five key indicators of school performance: fewer discipline referrals, improved attendance, higher student achievement, lower dropout rates, and higher teacher satisfaction. Capturing Kids’ Hearts 1 is the beginning of a transformational, multi-year process for teachers and administrators at the campus or district level.

Title: Book Study - Engaging the Reqired Brain

Presenter: Rachel Meenen and Micah Brown

Dates: June 2nd-30th

Time: 4 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online

Audience: K-12 Teachers (must be employed with USD 385)

Credit hours: 1

Required Materials: Participants are required to purchase a print or digital copy of the book.

Engaging the Reqired Brain by David A. Sousa

2nd Edition - February 2, 2024

ISBN-13: 978-1071923245

Course Description:

“Does the way teachers use technology in instruction improve student achievement?” Students are engaging with new information in different ways, so educators must shift their instructional practice accordingly. In this book study, participants will explore the work of educational neuroscience author, Dr. David Sousa in his book, "Engaging the Rewired Brain”. They will develop a deeper understanding of the types of classrooms that engage the rewired brain, and strategies to determine whether, when, and how to use technology.

Title: Book Study - Lead from Where You Are

Presenter: Janelle Tittsworth & Stacey Ryan

Dates: May 31-June 28

Time: 4 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online

Required Materials: Participants are required to purchase a print or digital copy of the book.

Lead from Where You Are: Building Intention, Connection and Direction in Our Schools by Joe Sanfelippo

ISBN-13: 978-1948334471

Audience: PK-12 Teachers (must be employed with USD 385)

Credit hours: 1

Course Description:

During this book study, participants will reflect on and grow their current practice. Lead from Where You Are offers a down-to-earth, implementable approach to rethinking how we build leadership and community in schools. Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, a veteran principal and superintendent, contends that our focus must be on growing leadership potential all across the community, from students to teachers to staff. We can do this by reflecting on how we build a sense of intention together, connect with each other, and direct those we lead with compassion and affirmation.

Title: Book Study - What Great Teachers Do Differently

Presenter: Stacey Ryan

Dates: June 14-July 12

Time: 4 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online

Required Materials: Participants are required to purchase a print or digital copy of the book.

What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker

3rd Edition - April 22, 2020

ISBN-13: 978-0367344641

Audience: PK-12 Teachers (must be employed with USD 385)

Credit hours: 1

Course Description:

In this book study, participants will reflect on and grow their current teaching practice. The book, by Todd Whitaker, explores 19 components to being effective in the classroom.Teachers will learn and use ideas from the book to enhance student engagement, management, instruction and effectiveness with their current students.

Title: Book study - Healthy Teachers, Happy Classrooms: Twelve Brain-Based Priniciples to Avoid Burnout, Increase Optimism, and Support Physical Well-Being

Presenter: Janelle Tittsworth & Stacey Ryan

Dates: June 14-July 12

Time: 4 weeks, self-paced online

Location: Online

Required Materials: Participants are required to purchase a print or digital copy of the book.

Healthy Teachers, Happy Classrooms: Twelve Brain-Baised Principals to Avoid Burnout, Increase Optimism, and Support Physical Well-Being by Marcia L. Tate

ISBN-13: 978-1952812972

Audience: PK-12 Teachers (must be employed with USD 385)

Credit hours: 1

Course Description:

This book, by Dr. Marcia Tate, provides practical ideas for educators to implement twelve principles of a healthy lifestyle. Participants will explore essential components that lead to longevity in education. Each principle includes brain research, action steps, and connections to the classroom. Educators will reflect on topics from the book and apply self-selected strategies to their own lives and teaching practice.

Arts Partners

Title: Just Add Art Symposium

Augusta, USD 402

Book Study - TBD

Buhler, USD 313

June 3 - July 8 (6 sessions) - Book Study

The Playful Classroom: The Power of Play for All Ages by Jed Dearybury & Julie Jones, PhD (2020)

Research studies show that all students―young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural―benefit immensely from classrooms filled with art, creativity, and laughter. Fun, playfulness, creative thinking, and individual expression reinforce positive experiences, which in turn lead to more engaged students, better classroom environments, and successful learning outcomes. Designed for K-12 educators, The Playful Classroom describes how teachers can develop a playful mindset for giving students meaningful, relevant and fun learning experiences. This unique real-world guide provides you with everything you need to incorporate engaging, hands-on lessons and creative activities, regardless of the level and subject you teach.

Building on contemporary and seminal works on learning theory and play pedagogy, the authors explain how to inspire your students by bringing play. into your classroom. This clear, user-friendly guide supplies practical strategies and effective solutions for adding the missing ingredients to your classroom culture. Access to the authors’ companion website provides videos, learning experiences, and downloadable teaching and learning resources. Packed with relatable humor, proven methods, and valuable insights, this book enables you to:

Provide meaningful experiences that will benefit students both in school and later in life
Combine the principles of PLAY with traditional curricula to encourage creative learning
Promote trust, collaboration, and growth in students
Develop a playful mindset for bringing the arts into every lesson
Foster critical thinking in any school community

The Playful Classroom: The Power of Play for All Ages is a must-have resource for K-12 educators, higher education professionals, and readers looking for education-based professional development and training resources.

Catholic Diocese of Wichita

Summary: The Catholic Diocese of WIchita is holding a summer learning program for their teachers and the following classes can be used to earn college credit from WSU. Dates for the classes will be June 10-13, 2024 held at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (8101 West Central, Wichita, KS). Students will take 4 sessions for 1 credit hour or 8 sessions for 2 credit hours. College Credit will be awarded by Wichita State University in the FALL-Session at the cost of $65 per credit hour.

June 10, 2024 8:30-11:30

Name of Course: Spelling: It All Makes Sense!

Presenter: Allyson Deaver

Date: June 10, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: All Levels

Course Description: The focus of this book discussion will be on morphology (meaning) and etymology (origin) of words. Questions like why is there a W in answer and L in talk will also be answered. No need to read cover to cover. Come ready to share your questions and insights from Beneath the Surface of Words: What English Spelling Reveals & Why It Matters by Sue Scibetta Hegland.

Name of Course: Effective Elementary Classroom Management Strategies

Presenter: Stephanie Warren

Date: June 10, 2024–8:30-11:30

Audience: K-5

Course Description: This session will provide a variety of ideas and resources to help support classroom management and behavior in a positive way. Teachers will leave this session with a toolbox of strategies that could be implemented the next day. We will look at schoolwide, classroom, and individual behavior systems. This session will be helpful for teachers just beginning in their careers or those looking to do something different with their students.

Name of Course: Helping Middle Schoolers Love Writing

Presenter: Lori Doerneman

Date: June 10, 2024–8:30-11:30

Audience: Middle School

Course Description: You will be immersed in the practice of using mentor sentences (from well-known authors) to solidify your understanding of phrases and clauses. Your writing will become stronger and you will learn how to teach this technique to your 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.

Name of Course: Taking Book Reports to the Next Level

Presenter: Mary Carol Greene

Date: June 10, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: Grades 4 - 12

Course Description: First, learn how to create a themed, grade-appropriate reading list for your students to choose a book report book. Then, learn how to ensure that students are reading their books. Next, learn how to use their books as source material for the different types of writing which you need to teach (such as narrative, chronological, expository, persuasive, argumentative, and even poetry writing). Finally, learn how to create presentation guidelines for students to present their work and practice their speaking skills.

June 10, 2024 12:30-3:30

Name of Course: The Neurodivergent Student from the Perspective of Administration and School Counselor

Presenters: Zoe Greenemeyer and Corey Ritter

Date: June 10, 2024–12:30-3:30

Audience: All Levels

Course Description: This session will provide insight into brain development, how trauma impacts this, and the parts of the brain that are triggered in situations and why they may be triggered. This leads to behaviors you may see in and out of the classroom. We will explain the connection between the brain and behaviors. This will move us into classroom management and discipline strategies from the administration and counseling perspective. We will discuss the importance of relationships, staff development, and classroom social and emotional lessons. We will leave you with an understanding of your students through a trauma informed lens and provide strategies that we have used in our school to meet the needs of the students and staff.

Name of Course: Phonics & Reading- How to Teach What I Wasn't Taught

Presenter: Allyson Deaver

Date: June 10, 2024–12:30-3:30

Audience: K-5

Course Description: This session will take an in-depth focus on the 6 syllable types learning how to apply them in decoding unknown or higher level words. We will also focus on syllable division rules to be able to give teachers the knowledge of how to identify syllables and decode single and multi syllable words with the knowledge and resources to apply in their teaching. Application of these concepts will be practiced throughout the session. Resources will be provided for utilization in classrooms and MTSS application.

Name of Course: Graphic Organizers for Writing

Presenter: Mary Carol Greene

Date: June 10, 2024– 12:30-3:30

Audience: English Teachers of Grades 4 - 12

Course Description: Learn how to use graphic organizers to simplify and illustrate the writing process for your students. First, learn how to teach paragraph writing using a fun and memorable graphic organizer. Then, learn how to teach more complex writing (such as chronological, expository, persuasive, and argumentative essays) using clear, consistent, and effective graphic organizers. All graphic organizers were created by the presenter and can be modified for your content area. Print and digital copies of all of the graphic organizers used during the class will be provided to all enrolled.

June 11, 2024 8:30-11:30

Name of Course: Getting Google Organized

Presenter: Valerie Rohlman

Date: June 11, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: All Levels

Course Description: Keeping your files and materials organized is an endless task. When attending this session, I will give you some tips and tricks to help you keep your Gmail and Drive organized. You will also have time during the session to work on organizing your messages and files. I will highlight some of the newest features of these apps as well as any other Google questions you may have.

Name of Course: Innovative Teachers Motivate Innovative Students

Presenter: Kim Cowsill

Date: June 11, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: K-8

Course Description: In this session I will share some teaching strategies I learned at a conference called, “The Innovative Schools Summit.” There were many amazing speakers at this conference who motivated and reminded me of the teacher I want to be. We are living in times of great stress and anxiety and learning ways to help work through these obstacles makes teaching and learning more manageable and enjoyable. I will also share some strategies I use with my small intervention groups to motivate students.

Name of Course: Achieving Reading Fluency and Comprehension

Presenter: Carmen Abellanas Sanchez

Date: June 11, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: ELA teachers grades 2-5

Course Description: Apply the knowledge based on the science of reading, to help our students acquire the necessary skills to read and comprehend increasingly longer and more complex texts. Rethink how we teach and apply morphology, grammar, vocabulary and spelling to read more fluently that will lead to a better comprehension of the texts. This session will provide the knowledge to adjust teaching practices, as well as, highly customizable activities to enhance your lessons.

Name of Course: Cool Biology water labs on a budget

Presenter: Donna Maus

Date: June 11, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: Middle School/High School

Course Description: The session is devoted to understanding some of the unique (and miraculous) properties of water and its relationship to living things. We will do several different demonstrations that are fun and illustrate the properties of water. We will do an experiment that will help your students understand osmosis and its impact. Participants will have time to discuss with their peers, develop their own timelines, and ask questions. Participants will leave with documents to do the labs in their own classroom.

June 11, 2024 12:30-3:30

Name of Course: A Site to Behold

Presenter: Susie Klausmeyer and Matthew Ho

Date: June 11, 2024– 12:30-3:30

Audience: All Levels

Course Description: Like the Teacher to Teacher website? Want something similar for your classroom but don't know where to start? Come join Matthew and Susie as they show you how to create a website easily. You will leave the class with a start to your website and the tools to complete it.

Name of Course: Bringing Lessons to Life through STEM

Presenter: Valerie Rohlman

Date: June 11, 2024– 12:30-3:30

Audience: Emphasis on K-6, but can be adapted for MS

Course Description: This is our 3rd year of integrating STEM into our school in grades K-5. During this session I will share some of the ways we have gathered materials to supply the program. I will provide instructions and examples of some of the projects the students have done and give you the opportunity to make a few also. I will also share some of the sources that I have been using and how we integrate literature with them.

Name of Course: Building Community (How to engage diverse students)

Presenter: Carmen Abellanas Sanchez

Date: June 11, 2024– 12:30-3:30

Audience: Teachers from K-8 grades

Course Description: In this session we will try to find unity in diversity, to develop a sense of belonging and community in our classrooms. During the session we will understand how we can engage, challenge and include every student in our class, through different techniques and ideas, that can be adapted to any grade and subject area. Helping our students to find their community in the classroom, will lead them to a better attitude towards their schoolwork and learning.

Name of Course: Teach KS Nature with Ecomeet

Presenter: Donna Maus

Date: June 11, 2024– 12:30-3:30

Audience: Science and drama teachers, grades 7-12

Course Description: Ecomeet is a wildlife competition that can help your students have a lot of fun and learn about Kansas wildlife. We will learn about the different parts of the competition, and I'll have activities set up so you can experience (and tell students) how to be successful in each part. You will receive resources your students can use to study, and I'll walk you through how to prepare, including introductory materials and a timeline.

June 12, 2024 8:30-11:30

Name of Course: Aristotle: Classroom & Student Device Management for Teachers

Presenter: Matthew Ho

Date: June 12, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: K-12

Course Description: AristotleK12 encompasses student-centric filtering, asset utilization and reporting, student behavior analytics, and classroom management. AristotleK12 is the EdTech solution providing you with the convenience and flexibility needed when managing student technology.

Name of Course: Keepers on Parade

Presenter: Lisa Lang

Date: June 12, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: K-8

Course Description: Bringing the Keeper of the Plains to your classroom! Keepers on Parade is an art project established in 2015 to promote Wichita pride with 10-foot tall, hand-painted replicas of the city's iconic Keeper of the Plains statue. Keepers on Parade was started by Together Wichita and continued by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2022 as part of the organization's quality-of-place initiative. Taking inspiration for that initiative, participants will learn how to create their own personalized, unique miniature Keeper of the Plains with a project that is easily adaptable to their classroom with students.

Name of Course: Teaching Whole-Class Novels Without Chapter Comprehension Quizzes

Presenter: Mary Carol Greene

Date: June 12, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: Grades 4-12

Course Description: Are you tired of using reading comprehension quizzes or assignments for every chapter of your whole-class novels? Learn how you can ensure students’ participation, improve their vocabularies, practice note taking, develop their literary analysis skills, and work on structured writing — all on a daily basis with one simple assignment. The 4th grade through 6th grade novel Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and the 7th grade through 10th grade novel The Hobbit will be used as example whole-class novels.

Name of Course: A Comprehensive Guide for a Unit over Herman Melville

Presenter: Said Fallaha

Date: June 12, 2024– 8:30-11:30

Audience: 6-12th This is intended for those who do not enjoy teaching Melville but must cover him.

Course Description: This will be an overview on how to teach a whole unit on Herman Melville. It will include, biographical anecdotes, which stories to teach, which chapter to teach out of Moby Dick, philosophies to discuss in relation to the texts, history to discuss in relation to the texts, Biblical contexts to discuss in relation to the texts, and instructions on how to play a sport (my invention) as a fun capstone to the unit. Plus, our own discussion of the reading Plus, writing assignments (For your students) Plus, my PowerPoints for your use and editing.

June 12, 2024 12:30-3:30

Name of Course: 30+ Digital Tools

Presenter: Susie Klausmeyer