Enhance how you meet the needs of children with diverse abilities in your classroom! Learn easy-to-use strategies that recent large-scale research has found dramatically uplifts math achievement, and so meet the criteria of Response to Intervention (RTI) Practices. These strategies include: fostering climate, tiered lesson planning, grouping students, diagnostic pre-assessments, formative ongoing assessment, and supporting students with difficulties while challenging high achievers. Acquire these strategies and techniques and use them immediately -- and watch your students‚ achievement soar!

Leslie Laud, EdD, has used RTI practices in both general and special education, as a teacher and an administrator. She has presented on RTI practices at national conferences such as that for the International Dyslexia Association in NYC annually most years since 2000, and has published on RTI practices in the Council for Exceptional Children‚s publication, „Teaching Exceptional Children,‰ in their March 2007 and September 2008 issues. Laud is the author of an upcoming book titled, Using Formative Assessment to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction (Grades 5 - 9)by Corwin Press, due out by March 2011, which addresses widely used RTI Tier 1 mathematics practices. Leslie Laud holds an EdD in Curriculum and Teaching and an MA in Special Education, both from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Co-teachers:  Julie Fila, MA; Susan Hirsh, MEd; Laura Palin, MAT; and Marty Wagner, MS - all are math teachers at Wellesley Middle School in Wellesley, MA.

Course timetable: October 19 ˆ November 30
1 CEU: $350 (not offered for credit)
Registration deadline: 10/12

The workshops/courses are asynchronous, that is, participants work at times that suit them best; however, there will be firm due dates for assignments. The course instructor will act both as a leader and a mentor by offering regular support, suggestions, and direction. Click here to register.

Good classroom management is at the heart of effective teaching. This course is aimed at teachers in regular and special education settings who want to learn how to organize their classrooms to help students realize their maximum potential while also keeping their classes on track. It includes a step-by-step approach for setting up and carrying out a behavior modification strategy. This course is intended for instructors with less than five years experience, but even more experienced professionals will come away with new techniques to add to their repertoire.

Debbie Zlotowitz, SAS, is the Head of the Mary McDowell Center for Learning, an elementary school for children with learning disabilities in Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Zlotowitz has a S.A.S from Bank Street College and an MS from SUNY Buffalo in Exceptional Education with additional certification in Reading. In addition, she holds a BA from SUNY Buffalo in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

November 19 and 20
Friday, 5:15 ˆ 9 pm
Saturday, 9:30 am ˆ 5 pm
1 CEU $395/ 1 credit $1175
Materials fee $10
Registration Deadline: 11/12

In this course, we will develop a culturally responsive approach to teaching and learning by examining a variety of models of multicultural education that incorporate diverse, multiple perspectives. Participants will learn how to assess the state of multicultural education within a range of educational settings, and define goals, strategies, and frameworks for creating and implementing an inclusive curriculum across a range of grade levels and content areas. By making use of folk tales and other literature, incorporating art activities, participating in music and movement improvisations, and exploring museum-based resources, participants will develop social studies themes related to self-identity, community, and broader historical perspectives. Our goal is to explore creative ways of placing a multicultural lens on all aspects of the K-8 curriculum.
*This course satisfies the NYC Board of Education requirement for Human Relations.

Kelvina Butcher, MSEd, is the Assistant Director for Development for the First Program (Grades K-3) at The Dalton School in NYC. She is affiliated with the National SEED (Seminars Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Curriculum Design and Faculty Project, which provides a forum for educators to discuss issues of gender equity and diversity.

November 5, 6 and 19, 20
Fridays, 5:15 ˆ 9 pm
Saturdays, 9:30 am ˆ 5 pm
2 CEU $790 / 2 credits $2350 / 3 credits $3525
Materials fee $20
Registration Deadline 10/29