Find the Course That's Right for You

This 19th century French drawing course fits todays 21st Century classroom. Engaging videos will provide beginning to advanced artists with the necessary classical foundation to render nature in both idealistic and realistic fashion. Learn to visually reference distance, notional space, lengths, angles and bit shading. Thirty Da Vinci Initiative videos consisting of approximately 4-5 content filled hours will guide you along the way. For teachers of grades 8-12. No additional fee. All material is free online.

This course incorporates Observational Drawing Skills (ODS) based on drawing and design principles that guide participants through the process of creating successful, realistic looking, still life drawings. Teacher-artists who want to develop, support or advance their ODS will purchase the “Introduction To Advanced Observational Drawing” video course to access thirty (30) online teaching videos constituting approximately 5 hours of step-by step ODS content. The lessons are open to all ability levels, from emerging to advance drawing skills. Lessons are broken down into a series of small concepts that build upon each other so that participants can practice each concept before incorporating it into their overarching still life project. From hands on practice projects, exemplars and skill building, lesson plans will be developed for implementation for any studio and/or classroom setting.

Have fun building art into your teaching by exploring Portland's extensive collection of public art. Course materials, tours of the city and the 'Percent for Art Program' will help you use historic murals, bronze and stone sculptures, paintings, carvings, ceramic tile work and more to enhance your elementary and secondary art and social studies programs. You will develop integrated art lessons that involve students in cooperative learning projects.

The book for this course introduces you to the most typical student types and how best to work with them such as: the Good Kids, the Rebels, the Perfectionists, the Invisibles and more.  With each introduction, there will be ample information on what is needed and how to work best with that student.

The 99 strategies explored in this course are going to help you engage your students. And you will find boredom's been banished from your classroom and from your teaching as well.

Take boredom out of your K-12 classroom and engage your students! Learn new strategies and techniques that include novelty and brain-friendly ideas. These processes will get students involved with material you already planned to cover. No special equipment or preparation is usually required. Each section explains why that set of activities is valid and provides step-by-step directions for academic discussion, feedback, writing, classroom technology and more.

How do we set boundaries and guidelines without it turning into a power struggle? Is the way we set up rules at the beginning of a year that important? Is there a way to help children understand parameters without getting them frustrated?

Teenagers are both incredibly delightful and occasionally frustrating. While that is not news, why teenagers behave the way they do is news to many of us. Recent research has created a significant body of literature that explains the developmental phases of teens. Based on teen brain research, this course will help you to navigate the labyrinth of emotions, developmental differences and entertainment we often call the teenage brain. For teachers of grades 7-12.

Generation Z comprises students born since 1995 into a digital world made up of the Internet and cell phones. They are enmeshed in social media and criticized for lacking social skills. However, they are the future and we need to teach them in a manner that will lead to their success. To do that, learn how to best meet the unique needs of Generation Z and how to engage them in the K-12 classroom. Learn about what they think, where they are going and how they may change the world.

This independent study course focuses on practical solutions for the day-to-day frustrations and challenges common in today’s classroom.

Throughout each day, educators are expected to balance academic demands with the personal aspects of each child. The purpose of this course is to help educators to become more organized in their preparation time and in their teaching style.

As a teacher, there are so many different things you have to keep track of and organize.

Research and teacher experience has demonstrated the importance of positive family involvement to student achievement. How can we create relationships and a climate where all families are allies and not adversaries of education?

This independent study course focuses on putting the teacher in control of the classroom. The list of obstacles facing today’s teachers is enormous and this class will teach you alternatives to the typical methods that leave teachers feeling worn down and unsuccessful. 

Poor social skills are the leading reason why people lose jobs, according to Labor and Industry research. While educators know the importance of social skills, schools do not provide adequate training in this area.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow noted specific human needs including safety and belonging. Unfortunately put-downs, gossip, and criticism abound throughout our schools leaving many students feeling isolated, picked-on and unsafe.

Learn insider information to support your role as a top-notch K-12 Substitute Teacher, one who is in demand by administrators, teachers and of course, students. Whether just starting out or a veteran, you will tap into whimsical ways, helpful hints, and proven practices to support your subbing day. Investigate effective strategies and collect carefully chosen activities and ideas that activate learning. By the conclusion of this course you will be able to enjoy and manage any class with the confidence and polished sureness of an efficient and loving teacher. You will know what to do in any situation.

Every early childhood classroom has challenging students. Learn new and easy strategies for managing power struggles, disrupting, bullying, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders and more. Your students can learn to problem solve, handle their emotions appropriately, and replace negative behaviors with positive ones. You can create a positive, supportive, and healthy learning environment for your early learners through the use of many simple, applicable techniques.

As a teacher do you ever feel overwhelmed? Burned-out? Do you feel as if you can’t get through to some students? That you lack administrative support? That you cannot connect with some parents? That you can’t get away from negativity when you go to the lunchroom or pass certain teachers in the hallway? That you lack important resources for yourself or your students? Perhaps you just can’t break out of your own rut.

When Teaching Gets Tough offers practical strategies teachers can use to make things better right away. The text offers specific and distinct examples and strategies for addressing a plethora of difficult situations, as well providing as reflective opportunities and specific sections designed for administrators. The supplemental readings offer even more ideas and opportunities for exploring solutions. Once the course is completed, teachers will feel back on top of their game, re-energized, and know that they are making a positive difference in their lives and the lives of their students.

Are kids at your school mean to each other? Of course they are. When kids are cruel to other kids not only does it do direct harm to the victims, it also affects the learning environment for everyone.

There are many students who appear to lack social understanding, have difficulties with communication and with basic learning skills.  The general term of “Autism” is often thrown about and quickly attached to these types of children.  What is Autism? What are the causes?  ...

This class will help K-12 educators develop proactive strategies to minimize and prevent bullying and teasing behaviors. We will discuss victims, rescuers, bystanders, and bullies and how they are intertwined in life.

You don't have to be a counselor to apply some basic counseling skills. You will find the techniques this course provides invaluable in working with a wide variety of K-12 student situations. You will read and practice the kind of interview and listening skills which will help you to achieve greater understanding...

Gangs, drugs and violence have all moved together into America's smaller towns and communities, leaving many teachers unprepared for their impact on education. Use this course to identify, assess and intervene when signs of gang behavior appear.

Investigate the many aspects of high needs people and their behaviors. Gain a greater understanding of how to interact with student and adult explosive behavior, dependent behavior, poor listener behavior and more.

Based on classroom observations as well as the research of many psychologists, we know self-esteem is important to student achievement. Too often schools see children whose low self esteem interferes with their learning and too often we fail to relate to troubled students in an affirming way.

Anger management strategies have become an important topic in schools, businesses, homes and communities. We regularly hear how dangerous our society has become, especially the youth population. Focus on ways of handling violence without getting involved in the typical power struggles.

Trauma and loss are constant companions for many children today. Whether from divorce, death of a loved one, abandonment, abuse, rejection, or another difficult scenario, educators benefit by understanding the impact of these losses. Strategies to help the grieving child and interventions to  assist their academic progress will be provided. Appropriate for P-12 including administrators, counselors, and other support service individuals.

How can we help aggressive, out-of-control students and not simply spend time on tiresome control tactics? This course starts with a review of the social, emotional and environmental factors underlying childhood verbal and physical aggression then provides specific strategies for de-escalation.

Why does one K-12 student get argumentative and another becomes withdrawn? What does it mean when a child makes negative comments about assignments? This course explores the motivation of these behaviors and helps you understand their function. You will increase motivation, reduce power struggles, encourage positive relationships while evaluating various stages of behavior, development, and interventions to support change.

Suicide continues to claim the lives of many individuals each year. Suicidal behavior and youth suicides are one of the leading causes of death among those age 15 to 24. Depression is common during this period and when prolonged it becomes a serious risk of suicidal behavior.

Classroom culture is a mysterious mix with no recipe and yet it is the special sauce for a happy curriculum and student learning. Refresh your teaching as you learn more about enhancing a culture of thinking in your pre-K-12 classroom. Review the 8 familiar forces which focus students on learning vs. work and build a supportive matrix with your colleagues while you do it. Text $16 at Amazon.

Are you planning to attend at least one Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshop this year? This course is for you. Its open to teachers Nation Wide attending ANY Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshops related to your professional assignment. You can attend these sessions and earn 3 University Continuing Education Quarter Credits or 30 Washington Clock Hours or Oregon PDUs. Attending more than one event during the year? Then contact the instructor.

Are you planning to attend at least one Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshop this year? This course is for you. Its open to teachers Nation Wide attending ANY Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshops related to your professional assignment. You can attend these sessions and earn 3 University Continuing Education Quarter Credits or 30 Washington Clock Hours or Oregon PDUs. Attending more than one event during the year? Then contact the instructor.

Are you planning to attend at least one Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshop this year? This course is for you. Its open to teachers Nation Wide attending ANY Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshops related to your professional assignment. You can attend these sessions and earn 3 University Continuing Education Quarter Credits or 30 Washington Clock Hours or Oregon PDUs. Attending more than one event during the year? Then contact the instructor.

Are you planning to attend at least one Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshop this year? This course is for you. Its open to teachers Nation Wide attending ANY Academic Camp or Professional Development Workshops related to your professional assignment. You can attend these sessions and earn 3 University Continuing Education Quarter Credits or 30 Washington Clock Hours or Oregon PDUs. Attending more than one event during the year? Then contact the instructor.

Check For Understanding (CFU)-we know it is important, we all do it and still we readily admit there is always room for improvement. Find out more by delving into 10 easy to implement CFU techniques used by master teachers of grades 1-12. Create a powerful synergy by combining techniques to increase understanding. It is easy and effective, plain and simple. Text about $16 from Amazon.

The required text for this course is "Teaching with the Brain in Mind" by Eric Jensen. Noted for his contribution to brain-based learning Eric Jensen guides us through one fascinating insight after another in the introduction and twelve chapters of this latest edition of teaching how-to’s, based on our understanding from brain-research of how people are motivated, problem-solve and remember.

The key to student success is not how well they perform on standardized tests or their ranking in school, but their ability to work hard, struggle, and persevere until they accomplish a task. Learn how to instill grit in your K-12 students through relationship building, challenging tasks and active reflection. Students should perceive mistakes as an opportunity to grow. When taught in the classroom research suggests grit may have an impact key to long term success and happiness

Student anxiety is rising at an alarming rate. Starting in kindergarten it continues to rise and progresses through elementary, middle, and the high school years. You can help. Learn to identify the key forms of anxiety: excessive anxiety; occasional anxiety; chronic anxiety disorder. Apply tools and strategies from this course to help K-12 students learn to manage their anxiety and succeed in school. Gain strategies for talking with parents about your concerns. Text is about $32 at Amazon.

The required text for this class is "How to Teach So Students Remember" by Marilee Sprenger.  This book is one of the top-rated and inspiring “how-to” guides showing the seven important strategies, and supporting research, that gives students the best possible chance to make meaning and remember what’s academically important.

Children accomplish at a higher rate and with greater effectiveness when they are excited about learning. This course will investigate strategies to increase enthusiasm in students.  Each educator will read and view inspiring stories of success within the classroom and community. 

Most lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) students do not feel safe in school. This course is designed to open up communication lines by sharing techniques and strategies to build safety within effective learning environments for students of all genders and sexual orientations. K-12 students will develop advocacy skills that will be reflected in their confidence and in their ability to thrive at school.

Create effective partnerships with parents around the Love & Logic philosophy and strategies. This course for all teachers, K-12, promotes a common vision for expectations and accountability both at home and in school. This course will help you, the teacher, and the parent create confident, self-motivated, and responsible children and students.

Climate change, school shootings and political gridlock are indicators of world change. It is good teaching to involve ourselves and our grade 5-12 classrooms in being aware, caring and making a difference. You will explore a variety of critical issues and a variety of web sites including Facing the Future, Awakening the Dreamer and more. Your students will learn that it brings heart and meaning to their lives when they advocate for positive change in their community and in the world.

Why do some children succeed while others fail? Have you experienced burnout with certain students and are not sure where to turn? Let’s turn this around. When students believe that dedication and hard work can change their performance in school, they grow to become resilient, successful students. Mindsets in the Classroom provides educators with ideas and strategies to build and maintain a growth mindset culture. The focus is on how persistence, hard work and grit can change students’ school performance. All teachers are looking for tools that will ignite a love of learning while communicating that every student can succeed. Do you want to find out how to capture and identify that mindset? Are you ready to create successful and resilient learners? Are you interested in learning the new research on IQ and brain plasticity in order to motivate and engage all students? Then join me for this exciting and transformative course. I recommend this course to any teacher, student, administrator, parent or professional developer who is looking to up their game.

Help children move from complacency to compassion and social responsibility in their interactions with other people. Too often, children miss opportunities to support, encourage, and help those around them.

The great wisdom traditions well as our own life stories point to the virtue of adversity. The obstacles and difficulties in our lives test us and can bring forth our greatest potential, leading to self-knowledge, character, courage and great achievement. You will view two movies, several TED Talks, and read two books about overcoming adversity from an Amazon and/or Goodreads list. The material reflects on the trials and successes of each life, and explores K-12 application of these themes.

Scientists now know so much more about how our students learn than thirty years ago and it is time to upgrade your learning. Did you know that our brains are not really designed for thinking? Did you know that most of what we learn is forgotten immediately?

This Course is ONLY available to participants registered in the Renewing Ourselves & Our Teaching Retreat.

This online course for participants at the Renewing Ourselves & Our Teaching event will continue our retreat work using videos and reading from noted educator Parker Palmer (The Courage to Teach).  You’ll continue your choice of meditation and and learn how to use mindfulness with your students. We'll underscore the importance to physical, emotional and mental health of de-stressing, and provide some great techniques for stress reduction. 

Learn the Six Vital Indicators of effective teaching: Professional Knowledge, Instructional Planning, Instructional Delivery, Assessment, Learning Environment and Professionalism. With these you will have the ability to orchestrate a vibrant learning environment that will delight both at-risk and high ability K-12 students. Resources include self-examination and formal evaluations, required in some states for Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These will help you become aware of red flags.

This transformative course for K-12 educators shows and explains, in concrete terms, winning techniques of master teachers. If you are a teacher who wants to improve your craft, then this course will give you the tools to do that. From field notes and observations of master teachers, Doug Lemov has compiled specific practices in his action packed book, Teach Like a Champion, which comes with a DVD as well.

Students see right through us when we are not being ourselves. Standing in our authentic self is the personal foundation of good K-12 teaching, no matter what grade level, subject or personality type. In this course, you will draw upon the work of noted educator and writer, Parker Palmer, and researcher-author, Brene Brown, to help explore what may be getting in the way of being fully yourself. You will learn the steps you can take to reclaim your personal power.

Learn to use visual learning techniques to help students at all levels achieve academic success. Visual learners benefit from seeing material in representations other than printed words on paper, and these techniques can make a huge difference in student understanding. Visual representations such as graphic organizers, concept maps and outlines can can make a huge difference in understanding for IEP students, EL students and other K-12 non-linear learners.

Teachers who share The Heritage Institute’s commitment to a world that works for all may use the flexible self-design World We Want course to earn needed clock hours, PDUs or quarter credits. There is a great variety of local, regional and national events, informal gatherings and self-paced learning activities which relate directly to a vision for an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.

Teachers with interests in any of the four World We Want focus areas: ecoliteracy, community service, inner well-being, or social justice may pursue their professional development needs by engaging in creative, self-directed learning experiences. Document your project activities in our easy-to-use online environment with personal mentorship from the instructor; take up to six months to complete your self-designed study.

World We Want teachers have completed self-designed projects including school gardens, fundraisers for community service, overseas volunteer work and cultural immersion, documenting environmental justice issues, public art, bringing mindfulness and yoga into the classroom, bioregional sense of pace, stream habitat restoration, expressive arts therapy for special needs students, Waldorf school trainings, leadership development, personal healing, and more.

Teachers who share The Heritage Institute’s commitment to a world that works for all may now use our flexible, low cost self-design online course to earn needed clock hours, PDUs or quarter credits. There is a great variety of local, regional and national events, meetings and more informal gatherings which relate in some way to a vision for an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.

Teachers who share The Heritage Institute’s commitment to a world that works for all may now use our flexible, low cost self-design online course to earn needed clock hours, PDUs or quarter credits. There is a great variety of local, regional and national events, meetings and more informal gatherings which relate in some way to a vision for an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.

Self-Design Courses for Teacher Activists About the Program Teachers who share The Heritage Institute’s commitment to a world that works for all may now use our flexible, low cost self-design online course to earn needed clock hours, PDUs or quarter credits. There is a great variety of local, regional and national events, meetings and more informal gatherings which relate in some way to a vision for an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.

Self-Design Courses for Teacher Activists About the Program Teachers who share The Heritage Institute’s commitment to a world that works for all may now use our flexible, low cost self-design online course to earn needed clock hours, PDUs or quarter credits. There is a great variety of local, regional and national events, meetings and more informal gatherings which relate in some way to a vision for an environmentally sustainable, socially just and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth.

Educators of English language learners (ELLs) are important advocates for their students. Whether you are a regular classroom teacher with ELL students in your class, or an ELL specialist, you have an important role in understanding the needs of English language learners and in helping to create a school environment that supports their academic and social success. This course will illustrate the unique needs and common challenges for ELL’s and offer concise strategies for becoming an advocate for ELL’s at both the classroom and school building level. This course is appropriate for personnel at all grades, K-12 including teachers, paraeducators, counselors, and other support people.

This book comes to the rescue for ELL teachers at a time when ELL students are increasing. The authors provide the ultimate handbook of methods and specifics for motivating and for assisting ELL students to become bi-lingual thinkers and learners.

In this course, we will examine 3 areas of basketball fundamentals: program philosophy, motivation, and leadership as it relates to the overall development of today's student/athlete and community.

Brain research reveals how Happiness Skills positively affect our state of mind. A conscious choice of attitudes, beliefs, intentions, personal philosophy, precepts and daily practices are under your control and teachable. All the learning in the world is worthless without happiness. For K-12 youth to be successful and motivated they need the skills and knowledge necessary to create happy lives. Learn how to shift perspective about difficult situations, and more, through readings and discussions.

We live in a new era of technology and terminology, one that has created difficulties and boundaries between the common knowledge, language and perception of our students. This world has opened the doors to dangerous drugs; an inevitable problem our student population will face. Dive head first into the vast amount of online and community resources to combat this dynamic problem.

For many students, education goes beyond the classroom and traditional school day and extends into the world of sports.  Sports teach important life skills such as leadership and teamwork. In this course, we will ...

Emerging neuroscience and nutrition research show that a healthy diet improves mental and emotional well-being. Learn how to make better food choices, how so many unhappy meals are reaching us, what foods are really good and review research to not only change your body but your brain. For K-12 teachers, coaches, and parents. Our text "The Happiness Diet" clearly links food and mood.

K-12 educators may explore in this course a wide range of health subjects and curriculums that apply to your grade level and which cover physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of health. Learn more about First Aid, Bullying, Emotional Health, Sex Education and Goal Setting for a healthy life.

Without passion and a sense of purpose our youth are finding themselves adrift. Both in life and in school they are falling short of their potential and susceptible to drugs, alcohol and underperformance. A proven system, "Natural High," engages grade 5-12 students with what is important. You will review video stories of successful adults. The storytelling is followed by curriculum that guides discussion, provides worksheets and activities that take students deeper into the subject.

Understand and deal more effectively with a range of student disorders, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attachment Disorders, and Self Injurious Behaviors. You'll learn signs and recognition aspects as well as effective strategies for helping children to be successful at school.

These days as the sun wanes, the industrial growing season is becoming shorter, which means each of us will be wanting to supplement our meals with more veggies. But how to begin? A decent place to start is by knowing what seasonal veggies to add to your daily meals. When you have a better idea as to what will sustain you, what you might buy from the local farmers markets, the local grocery or grow in your own garden or community garden with neighbors, then your meals will not only be more colorful but also more energizing. Learn more about plants and how they help us boost our energy. Support well being at your school and at home when you Pass the Veggies, Please.

Are you planning to attend at least one Sports Camp this year? If so this course is for you. It is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Camp. Sports camps are available for your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Camps have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one camp during the year? Then contact the instructor directly.

Are you planning to attend at least one Sports Camp this year? If so this course is for you. It is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Camp. Sports camps are available for your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Camps have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one camp during the year? Then contact the instructor directly.

Are you planning to attend at least one Sports Camp this year? If so this course is for you. It is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Camp. Sports camps are available for your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Camps have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one camp during the year? Then contact the instructor directly.

Are you planning to attend at least one Sports Camp this year? If so this course is for you. It is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Camp. Sports camps are available for your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Camps have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one camp during the year? Then contact the instructor directly.

This course is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Clinic. Sports Clinics are available that focus on a variety of aspects related to your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Clinics have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one clinic during the year? Contact the instructor directly.

This course is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Clinic. Sports Clinics are available that focus on a variety of aspects related to your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Clinics have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one clinic during the year? Contact the instructor directly.

This course is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Clinic. Sports Clinics are available that focus on a variety of aspects related to your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Clinics have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one clinic during the year? Contact the instructor directly.

This course is open to coaches Nation Wide attending ANY Sports Clinic. Sports Clinics are available that focus on a variety of aspects related to your particular sport and athlete program. Often times these Sports Clinics have Professional and/or College coaches lecturing. You can attend and earn 3 continuing education quarter credits or 30 clock hours or PDUs. Attending more than one clinic during the year? Contact the instructor directly.

What does a Standard’s Based Curriculum look like in the physical education classroom?  This course was designed to assist K-12 educators to understand, develop and create their own standards based curriculum. After exploring the definition and purpose of standards based curriculum this course will begin the process of designing a standards-based PE curriculum by developing goals that are based on a sound philosophy and reflect a teacher’s own beliefs and values.

This course addresses the vital topic of childhood and adult stress, providing strategies to help children to direct their stress through coping skills into positive avenues. Peer relations, chaotic family structures, generalized feelings of anxiety, failure and negative thought processes, as well as many other topics will be covered.

We’ve all heard the comment: "If you are fat, it's because you eat too much and you don't exercise enough" and yet for over 50 years low calorie diets and more exercise have not managed to curb obesity levels. Are you wondering why? In this course for K-12 educators you finally will uncover the secret everyone wants to know, the real cause of weight gain. Enhance student focus and learning by integrating Glycemic Index know how essentials into your curriculum. When we select a wide variety of low glycemic index foods, students, everyone, can prevent excessive weight gain. Maintaining optimal weight does not mean eating less and exercising more, but eating better, in the lunchroom and at home.

Feel stressed? Feel as if there is not enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel as if you always put yourself last? In this course, teachers K-12, you will learn how to balance your life so that you can feel more positive about yourself and teaching, feel better both physically and mentally, and determine your non-negotiables, what to let go of, and how to have a mindset of self-efficacy.

In an era of social polarization and political gridlock grade 6-12 students need the skills to respectfully tackle critical, contemporary issues. Finding common ground forms the foundation of citizenship. Educators taking this course will be encouraged to engage their students on a multitude of issues by examining a subject from varying views. The text grapples with conflicting views of unresolved social issues such as gun control, marriage equality, Black Lives Matter, and immigration.

In this diversified driving tour you will explore dozens of bridges in Western Oregon. Discover how to use bridge study as a stepping off point for regional history and other subject areas. Learn about footbridges, arch, suspension, wooden, concrete and steel, vertical lift, bascule and fixed span bridges.

In this driving tour experience, youll make your way to at least 30 cultural and historic sites in the Seattle Metro Area. Youll discover museums, historic sites, beautiful gardens, and a blend of the areas visual and performing arts. Youll develop dozens of ideas of Seattles culture to your students, both in the classroom and on field trips.  Appropriate for teachers of all subjects, grades K-12.  Course manual free of charge after registration. 

How did the world become so unequal with some societies developing more quickly? Help your students understand these big questions by using the Pulitzer-prize winning book, Guns, Germs and Steel. Learn how geography and natural resources enabled some countries to advance technologically.

In this diversified driving tour, you will travel Portland and surrounding suburban areas to discover a variety of forested parks, gorgeous gardens, wetlands sites and geologic sites, where you will learn about trees, plants, birds, ecosystems and natural formations. Most importantly, you will learn how to bring this information to your students across the curriculum, both in the classroom, and on field trips. $25 payable to instructor for a course field guide after registration.     

Enhance your students' historical literacy of Portland's colorful past. Through a combination of readings, museum visits, and explorations of Downtown Portland and historic parks, you will learn how to bring Portland’s history to you students. You will also develop way to teach about the city’s economic and architectural development. In this fun and informative course you will find dozens of ideas for K-12 field trips, lesson plans and ways to integrate Portland's history with other subjects.

$25 workbook fee payable after registration.

Creating comics is a powerful teaching tool that sparks interest with struggling readers, writers, and creative visual artists. Discover the power that an innovative comic creation and publication curriculum provides. You will learn hands-on creative ready-to-use comic lessons, assessment tools, rubrics, vocabulary, character development, story ideas, online resources and ideas for developing a one of a kind published, collaboratively created comic book.

How often do we get to simply read for pleasure and inspiration in ways that enrich our lives and our work?  In this course you will choose from a wide range of reading  that suit your personal and professional needs.  You will also reflect on the importance of engaging your students in productive reading.

Students who struggle the most in their classes are the ones with poor reading skills. You dont have to become a reading teacher to give your students a few reading strategies to build confidence. Our text, How to Teach Reading When Youre Not a Reading Teacher by Sharon Faber, has an extensive list of easy-to-use strategies for you to use.

We know giving students a choice of reading materials and writing topics increases lifelong literacy. But how can one teacher manage that? Nancie Atwell's third edition of her popular text will explore details and procedures for organizing, launching, and maintaining successful writing and reading workshops. With hundreds of mini-lessons, mentor texts, and techniques for teaching multiple genres and conferring with students, this material becomes the logical way to teach K-12 English.

This course helps young writers generate ideas for their writing. It will ignite their imagination and encourage their creativity. Writing prompts are an excellent tool for inspiration. Your K-12 students will have fun developing ideas. They may use brainstorming or written, visual or video prompts to come up with fun and exiting ways to express themselves. Designed for students with diverse learning styles. Gather some collegues, group learning is encouraged!

Every teacher sees students who love to show what they know by speaking, but struggle to produce the same result in writing. The best way to engage these less confident grade 4-12 writers is to give them something powerful to think about. You will develop a means to focus student thinking, fuel deeper learning, and build complex understanding in English, social studies, math, and science. Plus strategies that support young writers to unlock their writing skills. Text about $25 at Amazon.

Our emotions govern us! Yes, that's right and the number one challenge we have as social animals is understanding other people. In this course for K-12 educators, we will explore Stephen Covey’s perennial classic, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  with a focused eye on the most important skill we need in life, listening: Seek First to Understand, Then To Be Understood : Habit #5.  As you continue to shift your self love outwards to connect with others, you will notice the powerful influence of empathy on all aspects of your life. Begin today and be one day ahead than when you start tomorrow. Jump in!

This course is a companion course to 8 Familiar Forces For Improving Classroom Culture.

Every principal needs to examine the issues that are central to his/her success. The course text present hands-on insights to help you become an inspirational leader in your school. You will find practical information from the authors own experiences including research-based techniques covering topics from informal school communication networks, building lasting relationships, improving faculty meetings, keeping up with state mandates, dealing with surprises, and more.

You and your K-12 students can do something about the harmful, invasive non-native species growing in your community, back yard and school grounds. In some cases these plants take over important habitat for wildlife while reducing the diversity and quantity of native plants.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

Climate change poses the single largest, global threat to life on Earth, and yet the United States and our schools lag far behind the international community in educating and acting responsibly to mitigate the causes and effects of a warming planet. This online course for grades K-12 teachers uses excellent platforms developed by NASA and the EPA to educate about the science of climate change in kid-friendly, interdisciplinary ways. Youthful graphics, games, lesson samples that cut across science, social studies and math, virtual expeditions to places where climate change is visible, CO2 footprint calculators and more make this a rich learning environment from which grades K-12 teachers will develop their own units and themes—whether that’s oceans, birds, butterflies, fish, trees, fresh water supplies.  Many of your common science units can be modified with a climate change perspective (ie ocean life, plants and animals). 

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Explore how you can use the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to engage your students and expand learning across the curriculum. NGSS is a new way of looking at science instruction. With the Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science Practices, and Cross Cutting Concepts, focus is no longer on rote memorization, but on helping students understand the phenomena that are at the core of science teaching and learning. Applicable for K-12 teachers and/or administrators. Course materials and references are located on-line

“When are we ever gonna use this?” is a question often asked by math students. This happens because skills are so frequently taught in isolation from their application. By participating in hands-on math activities, our students learn the connection between what is taught in the classroom and the real world. This course offers something for all teachers K-12; whether they are specialized math teachers at the high school level or elementary teachers who do it all, Hands-On Math will help students answer their own question…………..“When are we ever gonna use this?”

Create a mathematics classroom atmosphere where students no longer fear math, no longer have anxiety about math, and no longer think they are simply just not good at math.  Jo Boaler is a Stanford University professor with research-based and field-tested strategies whose book Mathematical MIndsets will help you create a math classroom where students experience mathematics though a positive growth mindset method. Videos and additional website readings will complement the Mathematical Mindsets book. Teachers will learn to create mathematical tasks, assessments, and feedback that encourage student growth, understanding, and joy as their students master mathematical ideas and concepts.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Supplement your in-class math instruction and homework with an amazing diversity of online math tutorials. Many educational websites are now aligned with the Common Core standards in math. Math tutorials are available covering addition, multiplication, calculus and beyond. Broken down into bite-sized mini-lessons these tutorials address specific concepts and skills.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.
In this exciting preschool math course, you will learn how to teach activity centered, basic math concepts that meet national standards for early childhood students. Your students will find that math is fun through engaging activities in the areas of numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability. You will walk away with classroom tools and resources that will keep your students absorbed.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.
(Formerly: MORE REAL WORLD MATH)

Math is a fundamental component of much of our modern world and can be taught using real world problems, data, and examples. This online course will take advantage of Internet resources in the use of real life math. By assessing resources on the web, we will begin to prepare a portfolio of both on-line and off-line classroom projects that can be used to teach math in your specific classroom.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

Learn how to incorporate great STEM lessons (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) into your K-8 classroom, and why STEM integration is important. You will also learn to use rich resources, creative activities and templates to enhance student learning and confidence. The popular movie "The Martian," provides a rich resource of STEM activities. Your students will discover the many occupations STEM learning translates into.  Fulfills OSPIs STEM requirements for Washington State teachers.

Discover dozens of ways to involve your students in fun environmentally sustainable, earth-friendly projects. Learn how to create native plant gardens, water and energy conservation programs, recycling and composting stations and functional, earth-friendly eco-roofs. In addition, low energy transportation options will be discussed, including bicycling and public transportation. Learn about community-based art projects to beautify schools and your neighborhoods. $25 text and materials fee due to the instructor.

Many students lack basic numeracy – the ability to think through math problems logically, solve problems, and apply math outside the classroom. This independent study course outlines nine critical thinking habits that foster numeracy and details practical ways to incorporate these habits into your instruction. The text, Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking, refers to Common Core Standards, NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Standards, and numerous successful mathematical literacy practices. Included in each section is a “How Can I Do This in My Math Class…Tomorrow?” application section with multiple ideas and methods to incorporate numeracy into your classroom. No more will students arrive at wildly wrong answers and have no idea how or why!

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements

When mathematics is taught with real-world lessons, students develop long-term conceptual understanding. The challenge for K-8 teachers is where and how to integrate these lessons. The three pedagogical practices of Problem-based learning, Project-based learning and Inquiry around five foundational skills for mathematics are key concepts. You will learn to create tasks rooted in a real-life connection to these concepts. Research suggests that a strong foundation in these areas is key for math success. $5 material fee due to instructor after registration

Research shows that children benefit by encountering math concepts in their reading. Pre-K to 3rd grade teachers will be guided in how to use childrens books to teach math concepts. Easily modified to fit any K-3 language or math program. You will use books that are already in your classrooms as well as other easy to locate books from your local or school library.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Today it is easier than ever to create a dynamic and powerful website that enhances your ability to bring outstanding content to your students, parents and colleagues. 

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Our students come to school every day to work on the outcomes, goals, and assignments provided by fantastic teachers. Capturing that learning and asking students to reflect in a way that is easily shared and maintained, can be achieved by using digital portfolios. Digital portfolios provide unique and compelling opportunities for students to document and share their learning with teachers and students. Appropriate for teachers of grades K-12

Google is currently offering schools a hosted solution for their email, calendar, documents, websites, and chat through Google Apps for Education, an integrated communication and collaboration cloud-based network. Email storage and search tools that help find information fast.

Use of Google Classroom to create a more organized, coherent classroom feed geared toward student success. You will maximize communication with guardians. Discussions, Rubrics, and Grading will also be explored. You will experiment with add-on functions to tailor the learning experience to individual needs. For K-12 educators proficient in Google Classroom who want to go to the next level. Collaboration is possible. No required text for this class, all materials are free online.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

Do you want to take your PreK-12 iPad curriculum to the next level? In this course you will learn the basic app foundation for your digital education toolkit. You will select Bloom's Taxonomy, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences or SMAR digital pedagogical framework to support your choices. Discover evaluative app rubrics and formative assessments for your individualized curriculum areas. Additional equipment and download costs may apply. iPad 1 or iOS 5.1 or later required. This course requires participants to integrate at least two of the STEM components, math, science, or engineering to fulfill O.S.P.I .STEM requirement.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

The 21st century is witnessing a revolution within education. Educators are rapidly discovering the power of integrating iPad learning into their classroom curriculum. With the use of many interactive curriculum apps students are becoming engaged, interested, motivated and eager to learn. This course requires participants to integrate at least two of the STEM components, math, science, or engineering to fulfill O.S.P.I .STEM requirement.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

Art, history, science, math, and literature can come alive through digital storytelling. Thanks to the Pixar Studios/Khan Academy partnership digital storytelling is now a simple, entertaining skill to learn. Short video modules help you create animated stories and presentations. Lessons incorporating art, science, technology, math, and design are available for grades 4-12. Explore this excellent way to fulfill STEM/STEAM requirements while providing students with 21st-century skills.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

S.T.E.A.M. is an educational approach to learning that integrates two or more key K-12 subject areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math. This course will help you blend these content areas to enhance learning across the curriculum. Your students will begin to take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, problem solve, collaborate, and explore the creative process.

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

Stop Motion Animation for the Creative Classroom develops a skill base for creating short movies in the classroom using iPads, iPhones or laptop computers. Learn how to develop basic storyboard ideas, easy set-up, zero to low cost BYOD (bring your own device) classroom equipment, materials, props, sets, and simple adaptations plus on line resources. Classroom students can easily create stop motions animation films either as individual projects or working within collaborative groups. Watch the excitement build and the creativity fly as students use ideas, concepts, and/or themes to develop enriching technology based stop motion short films. Projects can be developed to enrich curriculum concepts, generate creative project ideas, or establish a foundation for basic 21st century technology use in the classroom. This course is open to K-12 teachers in all subject areas. Stop Motion animation can be integrated with every grade level and every discipline; it can even be used to enhance the classroom Common Core Curriculum. This course will provide step-by-step instructions, videos, examples, basic equipment needed, websites and classroom resource ideas for K-12 teachers that may easily meet most common core and state standards.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Modern day teachers find themselves overwhelmed with the sheer volume of input and digital communication that flows in each day. Email, instant messages, and the Internet have made access to information (and to you) far too easy. “I only have 54 emails left to answer” is too often the depressing indicator of a successful day. The good news is that while access to information (and to you) have increased exponentially, so have tools to help manage those streams of digital input and communication.

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Looking to have both you and your students create lessons that are even more exciting, effective and interesting than what you doing right now?  Interested in matching those types of lessons with your current curriculum?  Ready to take your class to the next level? If you answered yes, then this course is for you.

With a simple video camera, computer and one of the many free media production tools available, anybody can become a video producer.  Now we can go beyond just the text and enter the visual.

All assignments are available online and designed to help you become a sophisticated producer one step at a time.  Assignments come complete with samples and suggested software. 

This course meets OSPI's STEM requirements.

Twitter, Delicious, Wordpress, Wikis, blogging, RSS; are these terms familiar? In this course your will use them to enhance your K-12 curriculum. Join the fun as we explore how to wrap powerful web 2.0 technologies into a useable and functional system supporting you as an educator. This course will change how you view technology and will enable you to design a website and a personal learning network. 

Make a difference to your Hispanic students when you master a few Spanish phrases. This course will introduce Spanish with a goal of learning to say basic vocabulary and sentences for communicating with Spanish-speaking students and parents.

This course is designed to further build on the skills obtained from Part I Habla Español in order to be able to positively connect with Spanish-speaking students & parents and to be able to relay specific information to Spanish-speaking parents regarding the progress and success of their children.