Renewal requirements, mandated either by legislation or the state board, are in effect or will be soon for all professional license-holders:

Special education/behavioral health requirement: Anyone seeking to renew a professional teacher, special services, principal or administrator license on or after – or one that expires on or after – June 30 must have completed a minimum of 10 of the required 90 hours in professional development related to student behavioral health (teachers only) and educating students with disabilities (teachers, special services providers, principals and administrators). Visit this webpage for more details and to ensure any professional development chosen aligns with the legislation’s stated requirements.

English learner professional learning: Anyone seeking to renew a professional teacher license on or after – or one that expires on or after – Sept. 1 that holds an elementary education, English language arts, mathematics, middle school mathematics, science or social studies endorsement also must meet the ELL professional learning requirement. This is true regardless of whether they presently are teaching in the content area(s). Individuals who hold an LDE, LDE bilingual, CLD or CLD bilingual education endorsement automatically meet this requirement. 

Individuals who met the requirement during their last renewal cycle – or who have an approved waiver for this renewal cycle – must meet the special education/behavioral health requirement featured above; however, neither the documentation for satisfying this requirement during the last renewal cycle nor an approved waiver factor into this renewal’s 90-hour requirement.

Email questions regarding the English learner requirement to educator_development@cde.state.co.us. Information on all professional licensure renewal requirements are outlined on the  Educator Professional Development Requirements webpage. 

Join us in June for the Summer Institute PD where we will grow, connect, and energize your practice right at the start of summer. Register now on the EC BOCES website. We can’t wait to learn with you! 

Summer Institute Flyer

The CDE provided READ Act online K-12 Teacher and Administrator 5- and 20-hour trainings will be moved over to an upgraded Learning Management System June 20th through June 27th.  During this time, educators will not be able to register for or access these courses. On June 28, 2025, the Learning Management System upgrade will be complete, and users enrolled in the K-12 Teacher and Administrator 5- and 20-hour trainings will have access to the content they are enrolled in, as well as two new optional modules on Structured Literacy Instruction and Written Expression.

 The CDE provided READ Act online K-3 Teacher Training that was available to educators until August 1, 2023, will officially sunset on June 19, 2025. Users who registered for this training prior to August 1, 2023, must complete the course and final assessment by 11:59 PM MT on June 19, 2025, to receive credit and a certificate of completion.

Information about these training updates will be shared during the READ Act Training Information Webinar scheduled on Tuesday, May 20th at 3:00 PM MT.  Click here to register for this webinar.

 If you have further questions, please contact the READ Act Teacher Training Team at ReadActTraining@cde.state.co.us

Please see the attached link to view June PD opportunities hosted by EC BOCES. We look forward to seeing you!

June PD

May 2025 WIDA Academies   

 

In-person professional learning workshops and will focus on topics relevant to educators of multilingual learners. Educators from within and outside of the WIDA Consortium are invited to attend open-enrollment workshops facilitated by WIDA professional learning specialists. Registration for Afirmando la Experiencia Bilingüe con el Marco DALE occurring on May 6, in Denver is now available. This one-day bilingual academy is designed for Spanish/English bilingual K-12 educators, administrators, coaches, curriculum coordinators, and support staff with minimal experience using el Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE).    

 

WIDA Writing with Multilingual Learners in the Elementary Grades     

 

Writing with Multilingual Learners in the Elementary Grades, a two-day in-person workshop that focuses on writing instruction that supports the use of the Teaching and Learning Cycle as a way to empower multilingual writers, not only to produce successful academic writing but, more importantly, to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes and different audiences. In this interactive workshop occurring on May 8-9, educators will explore a pedagogical approach that apprentices multilingual learners into writing in various academic genres. Specifically, looking at examples of this in science and consider how this approach develops multilingual learners’ writing skills and their awareness of how language works in written form, allowing them to become effective and informed writers not only in science but across content areas. For more information about this workshop, including cost and location, please visit WIDA's Licensed Workshop.   

The interest form link shared yesterday was not working. CDE has provided an updated link and requested that I share it again.

Interested in growing your math instruction? Statements of interest are now open for the third cohort of CDE’s Powerful Practice: Evidence-Informed Math Teaching course. This free, self-paced, 14-module course helps K-12 educators explore effective strategies and collaborate with peers to strengthen their practice. Facilitation guides support schoolwide learning, and optional graduate credit is available through Adams State University.

Complete the interest form to secure priority registration for 2025. Questions? Contact Joe Brenkert at brenkert_j@cde.state.co.us.

Zoom appears to be having a fairly major outage.  This is affecting meetings, phone calls etc.  We will update when/if we hear more.

Classroom Teachers, Special Education Teachers, and Gifted Coordinators, 

This will be the final of three Twice Exceptional trainings led by the CDE 2e Cadre. Join us on zoom Wednesday, April 16th, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. This PD will focus on the identification of 2e students. 

Register at ecboces.org. ECBOCES educators will earn a stipend for attending the entire presentation. 

Reach out to Jodi, jodic@ecboces.org, with questions. 

EC BOCES is sending this message on behalf of Catapult Learning to ask for your feedback if you participated in any ELA or Math professional development this school year.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey linked below. Your input helps Catapult reflect on and improve the support provided.

The survey window is open until May 16th. Thank you for your time and feedback!

Survey Link

America’s Field Trip invites students in grades 3–12 to enter the contest with the goal of winning a field trip to iconic U.S. landmarks by sharing what America means to them! Enter original writing or artwork by 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16. Learn more about the contest and how to submit an entry on the America’s Field Trip website.

Dear Practitioners,

 CDE is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Multilingual Learners: A Collaborative Approach to Success Conference.

• When: Monday, June 2^nd and Tuesday, June 3^rd , 2025 (2 days!)
• Where: Southwest Studies Center, Fort Lewis College, Durango, CO
• No cost!
• 12 hours of recertification credit!

This year's conference is a special collaboration between Fort Lewis College, Colorado Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CoTESOL), and the CDE. This two-day event is designed for Special Education Teachers, Special Service Providers, English Language Development Teachers, and Administrators.   MLACAS is an excellent opportunity to share and discuss resources and strategies to ensure that MLs receive high-quality special education services that meet their unique needs. This conference is a great opportunity for educators who work with MLs and Indigenous students, and CDE is excited to offer certificates for 6.0 Special Education and Behavioral Health and 6.0 EL PD recertification hours for all who attend both days and complete an action plan. Slots will be limited, so please register early.

Click here to register

Please feel free to share this information with anyone who might be interested.

See the attached link for April PD offered through EC BOCES. Register on the EC BOCES website!

April PD Link

Survey for ECBOCES Classroom Teachers

A leadership team made up of gifted coordinators from East Central and Northeast BOCES schools, along with the BOCES GT coordinators, would like your feedback about gifted students and education as we consider professional development offerings for the 2025-2026 school year. We value your input and feedback as we want to offer PD that meets your needs with gifted and high-achieving students in the classroom. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. 

The survey will close on 03/31/25.

Link to Survey 

Please reach out to Jodi Church with any questions. 

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is offer summer PD courses and scholarships are available! Please see the attached PDF for professional development options.

If you're a Social Studies teacher, please take a moment to complete this brief 1-question survey to share topic ideas for next school year's Zoom sessions with Stephanie Hartman from CDE. Thank you!

2025-2026 Professional Development Topics Survey

The Colorado BioScience Institute is excited to announce that the 2025 application for the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program is now open. This program offers a unique opportunity for middle and high school science and biomedical pathway teachers to engage in a hands-on, transformative experience that will enhance both their teaching and student learning.Please share the program details below with your teachers. We greatly appreciate your support in promoting this valuable opportunity!

• Kick-off: June 4, 2025 (in-person professional development, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM)
• Final Virtual professional development: June 27, 2025 (2-hour live virtual session)
• Online Coursework: To be completed within weekly timelines between June 4-27

• Please tell us your motivation for applying to the RET program
• What do you hope to gain by participating in the program?
• How do you envision applying your learnings from this externship experience into your classroom?

Are you a Colorado science educator interested in supporting science teacher learning? inquiryHub, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, is excited to launch a statewide professional learning initiative. In order to best serve teachers in all regions, we are hiring outstanding Colorado science educators to support learning and become a resource for teachers in each region. 

Survey for ECBOCES Classroom Teachers

A leadership team made up of gifted coordinators from East Central and Northeast BOCES schools, along with the BOCES GT coordinators, would like your feedback about gifted students and education as we consider professional development offerings for the 2025-2026 school year. We value your input and feedback as we want to offer PD that meets your needs with gifted and high-achieving students in the classroom. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. 

Link to Survey 

Please reach out to Jodi Church with any questions. 

This will be the final of three Twice Exceptional trainings led by the CDE 2e Cadre. Join us on zoom Wednesday, April 16th, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. This PD will focus on the identification of 2e students. 

Register at ecboces.org. ECBOCES educators will earn a stipend for attending the entire presentation. 

Reach out to Jodi, jodic@ecboces.org, with questions. 

Please see the attached PDF for DBQ Support for March!

See the attached link for March Professional Development offered by ECBOCES. To register, visit the ECBOCES website and head to the calendar of events page!

March PD

Twice Exceptional Student, Part 2

Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 4:30 - 5:30

Part 2 will focus on strategies to help support 2e students in the classroom.

Go to ecboces.org for registration information and the zoom link.  Stipends will be provided for ECBOCES educators who attended Part 1 and also attend Part 2.

Contact Jodi at jodic@ecboces.org with questions.

2e Flyer

As I am applying for some grant funding, I would like see what Professional Development in the STEM area you would like to see us provide.  Please respond to this one question survey to assist me in bringing you the PD that you want!

STEM Survey

Thank you for your time!

Emma Richardson

Distance Learning Coordinator

See the attached PDF for DBQ Support and February News!

Catapult Learning is hosting open coaching sessions packed with content strategies you can actually use! Join us for a chance to bring your questions to the experts, plus walk away with easy-to-implement strategies focused on reading and writing. 

And the best part? You’ll receive a $25 stipend just for attending! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn, grow, and be rewarded!

K-5 session will be tonight, Feb. 4th, from 4:15-5:45

6-12 session will be tomorrow, Feb. 5th, from 4:15-5:45

National Civics Bee: Deadline to Apply is February 4, 2025

• The Daniels Fund is co-sponsoring the 2025 National Civics Bee with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • The national grand prize is a $100,000 529 plan 
  • The competition is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
  • Information on how to apply is here, and more information is linked here
• The national competition is organized by The Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce across the nation
  • In Colorado, 8 Chambers of Commerce will support local competitions to be hosted throughout the state
    • Arvada: Thursday, May 1, 2025 (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM) (Revive Church / The Bridge 8270 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005)
    • Buena Vista: TBD
    • Craig:  April 2025 - TBD
    • Denver: TBD
    • Eastern Plains (based in Falcon): TBD
    • Grand Junction: TBD
    • Windsor: TBD

Please see the attached link for February's Professional Development offered by ECBOCES. To register, visit the ECBOCES website and head to the calendar of events page!

February PD

The Colorado Student-Centered Science Assessment Learning Series and Toolkit is a professional learning program aimed at shifting the culture of assessment to one that supports positive, confidence-building student experiences and provides teachers with assessments that reveal key insights into student understanding. It helps educators and leaders use assessments to improve instruction and build stronger relationships, focusing on functional assessment literacy and ongoing, classroom-based learning. 

In-Person on Thursday, February 13, 2025. 8:00AM-3:30PM
Cherry Creek Instructional Support Facility. 5416 S. Riviera Way Aurora, CO 80015
What do middle school students think about feedback? Let's find out! 

Join us as we sit beside middle school students to figure out how we can approach assessment feedback in ways that keep learners focused on continued learning and make them feel well cared for.

FREE LUNCH PROVIDED

Hosted by Cherry Creek School District. Sponsored by the Colorado Department of Education and the Learning Policy Institute

REGISTER HERE! 

Just a quick reminder—The Professional Development survey will close on Friday, January 31st!

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to complete this short survey about professional development. Your feedback will help the PD Needs Assessment Committee plan for the 2025-26 school year by shaping the topics and presenters for upcoming Zoom sessions and the Summer Institute.

Survey Link

Your time and feedback are greatly appreciated!!

Registration is open for the CLD+Gifted virtual self-paced courses. See the course flyer for details about each course. Participants who complete a course by May 9th will receive 15 CEU's per course and those will count toward the CDE re-licensure requirement for CLD hours.

Cost: $75 per course. The fee will be reimbursed to ECBOCES educators who complete the course(s) by May 9th. Register only for the course(s) you will be able to finish by May 9th. The fee will not roll over nor will there be any reimbursements for courses not completed by May 9th.

Register by February 1st. Registration link is on the flyer. 

Optional graduate credit is available through ASU. See more information on the flyer. 

Course Flyer

Contact Jodi with questions.  jodic@ecboces.org

January 8th (Part I) and February 19th (Part 2), 2025, on Zoom from 4:30 - 5:30

For classroom teachers, special education teachers, gifted education coordinators, and administrators. 

Twice Exceptional (2e) students are those who are identified as both gifted and who are on an IEP or 504 plan. These two sessions will be hosted by the CDE Twice Exceptional Team. The consultants will focus on what it means to be 2e: definition, characteristics, strengths, and how to identify and serve these students. 

Register at ecboces.org. Stipends will be provided for ECBOCES educators who attend both sessions for the entire hour. 

Questions? Contact Jodi Church at jodic@ecboces.org

2e Flyer

WIDA Self-Paced Professional Learning  

 

12 self-paced workshops are available to Colorado K-12 public school educators with a district email address at no cost from Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025. The content is relevant for all educators: school leaders, coaches and facilitators, K-12 classroom teachers, ELD coordinators and specialists, and professional learning communities. Virtual workshops are available under the Professional Learning tab within the WIDA Secure Portal (a valid login required to participate in workshops).   

 

Accessing WIDA professional learning:  

1. Log in to your WIDA Secure Portal account. Don’t have an account yet? Contact your District Assessment Coordinator for account activation.  
2. Locate the course and click on Course Details. Click Enroll Now.  
3. Complete a self-paced workshop and print your certificate by August 31, 2025.  
4. Contact the WIDA Client Services Center at (866) 276-7735 or help@wida.us for technical assistance.  

PRESENTERS:  Catapult Learning

LOCATION: Over Zoom

DESCRIPTION:

Join experts from Catapult Learning for a professional development coaching session centered on the Science of Reading for ALL 6-12 content teachers. You’ll receive personalized coaching to effectively implement strategies from the October PD session or other topics you bring to discuss. This support aims to empower you to boost your students’ literacy skills and confidence throughout the school year. Teachers are encouraged to submit their questions in advance via the Google Doc in the event resource section. A $25 stipend is included! 

THIS SESSION WAS RESCHEDULED FROM NOVEMBER 6TH THAT WAS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER.  

If you were already signed up for this session, you don't need to register again unless you are unable to attend on this date, then please go into and cancel your registration.  If you have not yet signed up, sign up now to attend zoom session on November 20th from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. 

Hello All -

We have rescheduled the CPI Initial training from November 8th to December 6th.  If you were already registered, you do not need to register again. But if you can't attend on this date, please go in and disenroll.  If you want to attend and are not signed up, please go in and register as soon as possible so that you can get your online work done before the December 6th training.   If you have questions, please call our office or contact one of the presenters.  Thank you! 

Due to inclement weather conditions, the CPI Class scheduled for Friday, November 8, 2024, has been canceled. It has been rescheduled for December 6, 2024. Participants wishing to attend the class on this new date will need to go to the EC BOCES website on Monday November 11 after 1:00 p.m. to register for the class. 

Please take a few minutes to complete a survey about our website that will help us keep improving it so it is easier to use.  It will just take a few minutes unless you want to help more and there is an option for that too!!

We appreciate any assistance you can offer in this process!!

SURVEY LINK

Please see the attached link to view January professional development opportunities provided by EC BOCES. Register on the EC BOCES website!

Jan. PD Flyer

Please see the attached link to view November professional development opportunities provided by EC BOCES. Register on the EC BOCES website!

Nov. PD Link

Reminder: Tuesday, October 29th from 4:15 - 5:15 on Zoom

Join Jodi Church, ECBOCES GT Coordinator, for ideas on how to differentiate for gifted and advanced learners in the classroom. 

Register at ecboces.org

Questions? Contact Jodi, jodic@ecboces.org

Gifted Identification of Multilingual Learners

Wednesday, October 23rd, 4:30-5:30 on Zoom

For GT coordinators, ELD coordinators, and classroom teachers

Join us for an overview of best practices in identifying our gifted multilingual students. Nisia Patalan will discuss using data from the ACCESS and other assessment as well as what characteristics to watch for in the classroom.

Register at ecboces.org  Contact Jodi Church, jodic@ecboces.org with questions.

The ECBOCES Website will be offline for a while this afternoon while we do some server maintenance and upgrades. 

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented hosts conversations with experts from the field of gifted education. Choose one or more of the eight "Conversations with CAGT" that are listed here, and after watching the recording and correctly completing the accompanying questions, earn one hour of recertification credit per video. More information can be found at the link. This opportunity is for ECBOCES educators through April 30, 2025. 

Reach out to Jodi at jodic@@ecboces.org with questions. 

2024 CoTESOL Fall Convention

Friday & Saturday, November 15th-16th, 2024

Two-day In-person Event from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (MDT)

Theme: "Cultivating Colorado's Multilingual Landscapes"

Location

Adams 12 Five Star Schools Conference Center

1500 E 128th Ave, Thornton, CO 80241

We are pleased to announce our fabulous Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Susana Cordova
• Dr. Yasuko Kanno
• Gerardo Munoz
• Dr. Diane Staehr Fenner

Schedule at a glance available here!

Registration Deadline: Friday, November 1st @ 5:00 PM (MST)

Rates for Active CoTESOL Members (All Rates Include Continental Breakfast and Buffet Lunch)

• Individual 1-Day Rate: $185
• Individual 2-Day Rate: $195
• Group 1-Day Rate: $175/person for groups of 4+ from the same institution (Click on 'Add Guest' button to add each additional member)
• Group 2-Day Rate: $185/person for groups of 4+ from the same institution (Click on 'Add Guest' button to add each additional member)
• Presenter 1-Day Rate: $160
• Presenter 2-Day Rate: $170

Scholarships: CoTESOL has scholarships available for convention fees. Please submit your application here if you are interested!

Cancellations: Cancellations can be accommodated up to 10-days prior to the start of the event.

Hotel Information

There are a number of hotels in the vicinity of The Conference Center in Thornton.  The following hotel is offering a special discounted rate for CoTESOL Fall Convention attendees:

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver - Thornton

83 E. 120th Avenue

Thornton, CO 80233

Main phone number: 303-920-8000

Direct phone number: 303-252-6003

Mention "COTESOL Attendee block, Group Code: CTE" when you call the hotel, or use the link below to book a room online.

Booking Link: Click HERE to reserve your room

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Hours

*Pending CDE Approval*

Qualifying presentations will be aligned to the English Learner PD standards and support the attainment of the 45 hours of CLDE professional development required for Colorado Department of Education K-12 teacher license renewal.

By choosing to attend CLDE-designated presentations, attendees can earn several hours of CLDE PD credit. (Actual PD hours determined by the sessions attended.)  Participants will receive a certificate upon completing the Fall Convention and a copy of the CDE English Learner PD Standards Matrix prefilled with the training alignment.

Make sure you register for the Math PD next week offered through ECBOCES! 

October 15th: K-5 Zoom from 4:15-5:45

October 16th: 6-12 Zoom from 4:15-5:45

Join Catapult Learning in this virtual, interactive workshop! Teachers will explore 4 of the 8 practices that the NCTM has identified as elements of effective math instruction. Teachers will cross-walk these 8 practices with the Mathematical Practice Standards. After deconstructing each practice into sub-skills, teachers will design personalized goals for professional growth. This workshop will serve as a springboard into the November 12 coaching day. Stipend included!

If you need ideas for how to differentiate or provide enrichment for gifted and advanced learners in your K-12 classroom, join Jodi Church on October 29, 2024 from  4:15 - 5:15 on Zoom.

Reminder of upcoming professional development digging deeper into the Science of Reading and how to Implement effective strategies to get ALL students reading and understanding your content! 

K-5 session: October 1st, 4:15-5:45

6-12 session: October 2nd, 4:15-5:45

Don’t miss the professional development series for K-5 and 6-12 teachers focused on the Science of Reading! Gain research-based strategies to enhance reading and writing instruction across all grades and content areas. You will discover effective strategies to support diverse learners, including emerging readers, writers, and gifted students. Empower yourself with tools to strengthen your students’ literacy skills and boost their confidence throughout the school year! Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your teaching and positively impact your students! 

$25 dollar stipend for everyone who attends the live zoom session! We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: October 14, 2024
Time: 8am-3pm
Location: EC BOCES West Training Room

CLICK HERE to REGISTER.

Discover how zSpace enhances student achievement and fosters 21st-century skills through immersive 3D technology. This hands-on workshop is ideal for educators looking to integrate zSpace into science, math, and CTE curriculums, including Agriculture, Computer Science, Biology, and more. Register to take away practical ways to implement zSpace in your classroom and other learning environments.

There are various 3D applications in zSpace, such as:

• VIVED Science: 3D virtual dissections in anatomy, botany, zoology, and more.

• VIVED Chemistry: Interactive activities and simulations for physical science and chemistry.

• VIVED Anatomy: 3D dissections for learning anatomy and physiology.

• Franklin’s Lab: Circuit building and troubleshooting in 3D.

• Newton’s Park: Simulations on force, motion, and Newtonian mechanics.

• WAVE NG Welder: Hands-on training welding techniques to help students master welding fundamentals.

Special Offer:
EC BOCES will be giving away a few zSpace Devices to attendees. Registration is required, and if you register by October 2, you will receive two entries in the drawing for a chance to win a free zSpace device.

Note:
Please bring your zSpace device or reach out to your zSpace Coordinator on your campus to bring one with you. This training is open to all member districts, but only Perkins districts with innovation grants are eligible to receive zSpace devices.

The Perkins consortium AG Science teachers will be meeting on Oct. 30.  The October PD Opportunities document has been updated.

Oct. 30th: Perkins AG Science CTE Teachers: 9:00-3:00 ECBOCES West Training Room Presenters: Mitzi Swiatkowski, Federal Programs

DESCRIPTION: For Perkins Ag Science CTE Teachers: Please join us on October 30 from 9-3 in the EC BOCES west training room to discuss the 24-25 grant activities and requirements, plan the spring meeting, and consider Ag conference (PD) possibilities (which includes finalizing topics, presenters, site, dates and resources) to implement once grant is approved. Ag Conference Description: Ag Science teachers plan to organize an Agriculture Science Conference to provide targeted professional development focusing on developing "Intro to Ag" and Power Structure skills. This conference will cover areas such as plumbing and soldering, electrical work, and concrete. Each area will address safety, maintenance tips, repairs, and classroom implementation. The teachers have identified potential presenters and resources for each topic. Recognizing that this comprehensive training cannot be completed in a single year, they plan to address one or two topics each year over the next several years. Furthermore, they have differentiated the activities to further teacher knowledge and skills addressing the needs of teachers who are just starting out and veterans of the field.

Please see the attached link below for October PD offerings. Register on the ECBOCES website!

October PD Link

READ Act Literacy Updates
	September 2024
	Bookmark us! http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/resources
There have been a lot of conversations about phonemic awareness lately. There are lots of questions about when to teach it, who needs phonemic awareness, and whether to incorporate letters. This newsletter update will help provide answers to some of those questions.     Dive into your new school year with the tools you need to effectively teach phonemic awareness. This edition of the READ Act Literacy Updates Newsletter highlights research in podcasts, videos, blogs, and other resources.     Not ready to dig in right now? Our newsletters are archived for easy access.   Click here (Better yet, bookmark it!) to access both current and past newsletters!
Listen
Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Ep. 183:   Aligning Phonemic Awareness Instruction to Research   Listen to the experiences of two teachers as they share their journeys to better instructional practices in phonemic awareness. Both offer practical tips for phonemic awareness instruction that aligns to research and highlights key skills that move students in the right direction during reading instruction.    Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Ep. 181:   What Research Says about Phonemic Awareness Instruction with Matt Burns   Matt Burns, Professor at the University of Florida, shares what the research says about phonemic awareness. Key takeaways are a definition of phonemic awareness, why it is important to teach, and which phonological and phonemic awareness skills to prioritize in your instruction.
Read
Blog Post: Shanahan on Literacy   “Letters in Phonemic Awareness Instruction or the Reciprocal Nature of Learning to Read”   In this blog post Tim Shanahan addresses using letters in phonemic awareness instruction. Also, Shanahan stresses the importance of instruction that incorporates both phonemic awareness and phonics skills in addition to other literacy skills.    Blog Post: Joan Sedita   “Developing Phonemic Awareness Using Letters”   Sedita highlights that after children know letter names, letter sounds, and understand the alphabetic principle, instruction should focus on identifying letter sounds, blending, and segmenting sounds using letters.
Resources
Teaching Phoneme Awareness in 2024: A Guide for Educators   This newly updated guide written by Ashby et al. describes phonemic awareness instruction, including the skill of phoneme deletion and provides lesson routines. This guide is research based and includes information on dialect and English language learners.     The CDE website has a variety of Phonological Awareness Resources. On the website you will find consonant and vowel phoneme charts, a developmental continuum of skills, phoneme articulation cards and more. Interested in the phoneme similarities and differences in the Spanish and English languages? On the website you will find a document that highlights the shared and language-specific phonemes.     CDE Website Updates  READ Act Handbook  The ELSR Office at CDE has recently compiled READ Act guidance documents into one easy-to-access READ Act Handbook! The handbook includes all the information needed to help guide READ implementation in districts and is organized to follow READ Act requirements throughout the school year. Also included in the handbook are newly revisedREAD plan templates, including a brand-new version specific to the needs of Multilingual learners.  All documents are fully accessible. Take a moment to check it out!
Watch
: (58:02)   In this webinar presented by the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) Dr. Jane Ashby and Dr. Meghan Martin demonstrate phonemic awareness routines, share the importance of phonemic awareness in learning to read and connect phonemic awareness to phonics instruction.     (1:11:50) Kristin Lentz shares how to use phoneme-grapheme mapping to support phonemic awareness. First Lentz defines phonemes and graphemes. Lentz shares how to apply phoneme-grapheme mapping to words with digraphs, blends, multi-letter graphemes, and multisyllabic words.
For More Information
Do you have a colleague with whom you would like to share these resources?   Feel free to forward the newsletter, or have them sign up to receive the newsletter here!      If you have general questions or need assistance, find our contact information here:    http://www.cde.state.co.us/coloradoliteracy/contactus     Web Link Disclaimer  Because of their potential interest or usefulness to the education community or the general public, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) occasionally provides links from this site to external web sites. It attempts to monitor such links on a regular basis. However, the Department cannot be responsible for the content of any site external to its own.   Further, by linking to other sites, CDE is not endorsing any particular product, practice, service, provider or institution, nor does it necessarily endorse views expressed or facts presented on these sites.    In addition, neither CDE nor any of its employees makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information linked to from this site.

This is a great opportunity for students to participate in free adaptive recreational programs. Please share with others.

English Learner Professional Development requirement for license renewal

All educators holding an elementary, English language arts, math, science, or social studies (or any middle-level) endorsement on a professional teacher license that expires on or after Sept. 1, 2025, must complete English Learner Professional Development (ELPD) before renewing their license or they will be unable to renew until they have done so. 

The state board adopted the ELPD training requirement for these endorsement areas in 2018, allowing teachers to complete the training until their next full renewal period. Anyone who holds an ELPD designation on their credential already meets this requirement.

Important note: This requirement is based solely on the endorsement(s) held; it is not based on the content area an educator is presently teaching or if they are teaching at all. (For example, a teacher who also holds both a science and a music endorsement will be required to complete ELPD even if only teaching music.) Individuals serving in other positions (such as a principal, for example) or not presently employed in education and who wish to renew their teacher license with one of the identified endorsements still must meet this requirement. 

The ELPD designation requires 45 hours of training focused on the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Educators may fulfill the requirement via a pre-approved program or individual learning aligned with ELPD standards. District leaders with COOL access can download a report of their educators who have attained the designation.

More details for educators needing to complete the ELPD requirement can be found on the ELPD for Educators webpage. Email educator_development@cde.state.co.us with questions.

Accelerating Newcomer and ML Instruction in the Classroom Webinar

Go to the following webpage and scroll down to register.  (These courses fill up fast, so I recommend registering ASAP if you are interested.): https://www.cde.state.co.us/cde_english/professionaldevelopment

The CLDE office is partnering with SAVVAS Learning Company to offer the following professional learning opportunities.

Dates & Topics:

• Wednesday, October 16^th, 4:30pm – 5:30pm: Dr. Katie Toppel - Students’ Funds of Knowledge 

Dr. Katie Toppel, Ed.D., is an English Language Development Specialist at the elementary level, serving Multilingual learners through collaboration, co-teaching, and small-group instruction. Dr. Toppel is a co-author of several books DIY PD: A Guide to Self-Directed Learning for Educators of Multilingual Learners and Portraits of Collaboration.

• Wednesday, October 23^rd, 4:30pm – 5:30pm: Dr. Deborah Short - Serving Newly Arrived Students with SIOP 

Dr. Deborah Short founded Academic Language Research & Training, LLC and provides professional development on SIOP, content-based English, and academic literacy. She co-developed the SIOP Model, directed research and evaluation studies regarding multilingual learners and their programs, and consults with the U.S. Dept. of Justice, Civil Rights Division. Publications include numerous books and journal articles. She is a TESOL International past president.

• Wednesday, October 30^th, 4:30pm – 5:30pm: Dr. Jana Echevarria - Effective Teaching Techniques to Leverage Comprehensible Input 

Dr. Jana Echevarría is Professor Emerita at California State University, Long Beach where she received her university’s Outstanding Professor award for excellence in scholarship, teaching, and service. A founding researcher and creator of the SIOP Model, Dr. Echevarria has published widely on effective instruction for multilingual learners, including those with learning disabilities. She has presented her research throughout the U.S. and internationally, including at Oxford University (England), Wits University (South Africa), Harvard University (U.S.), Stanford University (U.S.), University of Barcelona (Spain), and South East Europe University (Macedonia) where she was a Fulbright Specialist. She also was a resident instructor at Feng Chia University (Taiwan). Dr. Echevarria was inducted into the California Reading Hall of Fame and served as an expert on English learners for the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. Prior to receiving her UCLA doctorate, she was a teacher in bilingual, ESL, and special education programs.

The Depth & Complexity Framework can be used in any content area and at all grade levels. Using Depth & Complexity in the classroom enables students to go beyond a surface level understanding of a concept and pushes them to think more critically. 

Each of the two courses are 4 hours, online, and self-paced. Participants can register for one or both courses. Materials will be provided by ECBOCES. The cost per EACH course is $50 to be paid by the participant.  The cost of the course(s) will be reimbursed by ECBOCES if completed by January 10th.

Register by September 24th to ensure materials can be ordered and delivered to you. 

Find the registration link and more information on this flyer. 

Reach out to Jodi Church, jodic@ecboces.org with questions. 

If you teach ELA or Social Studies in grades 4-12 and do not have access to the DBQ online portal, please reach out to Megan Eikleberry (megane@ecboces.org) to gain access. 

Watch these helpful started videos: The Basics: Login to DBQ Online, add classes, create assignments, and connect students. DBQ Online Champion Moves: Customizing your assignments. Getting Clear on The DBQ Project 6-Step Method: Walkthrough a unit. Connect with the DBQ Team: Need a DBQ Online Overview Demo with a member of our team? Click Here Go in depth with a FREE DBQ 101 self-paced course and earn PD credits? Click Here Last spring, Portland Public Schools in Oregon launched a DBQ Essay Contest for 8th-grade students, and it was such a hit that they've decided to make it an annual tradition. In this video, you'll hear from the top three winners and a few of the runner-ups as they share their conclusions on the question: How Free Were Black Americans in the North? No doubt you’ll be impressed by the great insight of these young scholars! Anjene Bryant, the Middle Grades Director of ELA and Social Studies, Portland PS Students from diverse backgrounds were able to apply their learning to a topic that remains profoundly relevant: the concept of freedom. This contest not only challenged students to think deeply about history but also encouraged them to connect their insights to contemporary issues, fostering a richer understanding of the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality. Check out this video on the District Admin Portal. The Portal allows you to create customized assignments and rubrics for your district, track usage at your schools down to the teacher level, create customized binders for a school or entire district, and much more! If you don't have a District Admin Portal on your account, contact support@dbqproject.com. How Do We Remember 9/11? On September 11, 2001, the United States was attacked. Terrorists used airplanes as weapons and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people from 90 different countries lost their lives. This Mini-Q looks at different ways we remember this tragedy by focusing on three particular groups - the victims, the survivors, and the helpers.  Binder: Elementary Mini-Qs - Volume 2 Campaign Propaganda: Which Strategies Would You Use? How do you respond to political ads? Do attack ads cause you to reject the candidate being attacked – or the one doing the attacking? Are you persuaded by endorsements from groups that you respect? Are you aware of how other ads try to influence you? Every election year, Americans complain bitterly about the many political ads they see over the long campaign season. This Mini-Q is designed to take you inside the world of campaign ads to learn about the strategies candidates and their managers use to win our votes. Binder: Mini-Qs in Civics Find DBQ at one of these Fall conferences: Click Here Join us for one of these in-person invitational workshops: September 14th: Albuquerque Invitational September 21st: Salt Lake City Invitational Participate in our FREE self-paced courses: September 10th: Self-Paced Course Launch October 8th: Self-Paced Course Launch November 12th: Self-Paced Course Launch The DBQ Project "Helping ALL students to read smart, think straight and write clearly" Email: info@dbqproject.com Website: www.dbqproject.com Location: 1234 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA Phone: 847-475-4007 Facebook: facebook.com/dbqproject X (Twitter): @dbqproject

CLD + GT Courses Flyer

Register for one, two, or all three self-paced, virtual courses. Learn about the characteristics and needs of gifted/high potential + CLD learners and how to best support them. These courses will count toward the CLD re-licensure requirement. Each course is $75, paid by the participant. ECBOCES will reimburse the cost of each course to educators from the ECBOCES districts if courses are completed by December 8th. Register by September 18th. (Flyer states Sept. 1st but you have an extra two weeks to register.)

See flyer for more information and the link to register. 

Please see the attached link for September PD offered by East Central BOCES. Make sure you register on the East Central BOCES website!

September PD Flyer

Starting on August 6th, Governor Jared Polis will award up to $600 in Federal COVID Relief funding to Colorado classroom teachers’ projects requesting resources to support students in response to COVID-19. Funding for eligible projects will likely be applied shortly after a project is approved, while funds remain. For the best chance at funding, submit a project on August 6th, 2024. Due to the nature of this opportunity, funding is likely to run out quickly and not every submitted project will receive funding. 

• • How to qualify:

    • If you don’t already have a teacher account, create one at www.donorschoose.org/teachers. Then return to this page to follow the rest of these instructions. Do not create a duplicate account.
    • Sign into your account.
    • Teach PreK-12 in a Colorado public school.
    • Create a new project on or after 12:30 PM MST August 6th, 2024
    • On the “HI” page while creating your project, enter the campaign code COLORADO by clicking "Enter a campaign code."
      • • Where to enter the campaign code:
    • Request resources to support students’ social, emotional, and mental well-being as well as the impacts of interrupted academic learning as a result of COVID-19. 
      
      • Keep in mind that your $600 grant includes the materials cost, applicable taxes and fees, and the suggested donation to DonorsChoose. To keep your total project goal at $600 you should request around $450 in materials; you will see the project’s total goal update as you shop. Click here for a cost example:
    • In your project essay, make sure to describe how the resources you’re requesting will help your students through pandemic-impacted learning.

    Create your project

    What won’t qualify:

    • Projects posted before 12:30 PM MST on August 6th, 2024
    • Projects with a total goal over $600 (this includes all fees)
    • Any items that include a subscription component
    • Any food items in your cart will disqualify your project
    • Materials from Scholastic, Time for Kids, or Teachers Pay Teachers gift cards
    • Resources categorized as "Food, Clothing, & Hygiene"
      • This means any items like food/snacks, clothing, first aid kits, hand sanitizer, deodorant, tissues, air fresheners, irons, cleaning supplies, or other non-COVID learning response related resources.
    • Projects with the subject area "Warmth, Care, & Hunger"
    • Professional Development, special requests, and virtual trip and visitor projects
      • Special request projects are projects that request materials from outside of DonorsChoose’s vendor catalog. For this grant, you’ll need to shop from one of DonorsChoose’s 24 integrated vendors. 
    • Capital improvements to school building(s)
    • Salaries or bonuses

    If your project meets the above criteria, you’ll receive $600 in funding as soon as your project is reviewed by our team and posted on our site, while funds last. 

    
    

Donors Choose

zSpace is offering a two hour beginner training on August 13th from 10am to 12pm via Zoom.  This will cover usage of the devices and an introduction to the A3 Studio software.

Participants should have a zSpace device to use while doing the training.

Please sign up HERE.

East Central BOCES is currently looking for someone to provide professional development to our districts related to zSpace technology and its broad range of CTE related software/curriculum.  Please see HERE for more information.

The Arc of Adams County is hosting a picnic for families on Friday, August 2, 2024 from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. The event will be located at Trupp Park, 105 Palmer Ave, Bennett, CO 80102.  Pizza, activities and resources for parents will be provided. RSVP to Alma with the Arc of Adams County by July 31st by emailing her at- asimental@arcadams.org , or calling her at 720-736-7730.

Full-Time Special Education Paraprofessional needed for 2024-25 School Year in our West Area Center-Based Learning Programs located in Strasburg - Sign On Bonus Possible!

•  Competitive pay and benefits including individual health insurance . $16-$19 per hour depending on experience

• May be eligible for Sign On Bonus!

• Questions contact Tracy at 719-775-2342 ext. 101 or tracyg@ecboces.org

• To apply for this position, please visit our website ecboces.org and click on the "Jobs" page, click on the job you are interested in & then click on the green button "Apply Online" at the bottom of the job listing. EOE

TRAINING DATE: June 26, 2024
TRAINING TIME: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
PRESENTER: Andi McNair, Author, Consultant, Speaker 

LOCATION: East Central BOCES West Training Room 

Flyer 

It’s no secret that differentiation can be overwhelming and feel like one more thing on an already full teacher plate. What if there was a way to differentiate for gifted learners that was not only meaningful but also manageable? In this learning experience, you'll discover how to create meaningful experiences that will engage and empower gifted learners. Using the Designing for Depth framework, we will explore practical ways to design differentiated learning experiences that inspire an active willingness to invest, support and encourage productive struggle, and encourage authentic connections beyond the classroom walls. 

Bring a learning experience/lesson plan with you! Lunch, stipend, and certificate will be provided.

Please make sure you register on the ECBOCES website for summer institute so we can have accurate lunch counts. All ECBOCES participants will receive a stipend! We look forward to seeing you in June!

Summer Institute Flyer

 Join us for a great professional development experience with content specific PD, regional EL/ML PD, and DBQ! Stipend and Lunch Provided!

Reserve your spot now by registering on the ECBOCES website!!

Summer Institute

Want to learn about the new tools that AI can bring to your classroom?  Want to learn how to save hours of time lesson planning, grading, writing goals?  Want to just find out what AI is all about?  Want a chance to take a cool tool back to your classroom?

We are excited to offer one more Responsible AI with Problem Based Learning training.  This training will be offered at the ECBOCES Limon Office.  While we are offering a Zoom connection, this will be a hands on training and in person attendance is highly recommended.  This training will bring something new for all previous Responsible AI attendees but will also provide for new attendees.  It is available for all ECBOCES Districts.

Lunch will be provided.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Please see the attached document for a very important training opportunity:

OVERVIEW

With school districts reporting staff shortages and team members
lacking autism training, this content will focus on teaching
instructional strategies to IEP team providers newer to the field of
ASD (0-5 years). The focus of this hybrid training is for participants
to learn autism strategies using specially designed instruction for
effective programming (student/classroom). This will be a hands-on
learning opportunity with embedded coaching and practice on
learned content.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Staff working directly with students with ASD for less than 5 years
• Suggested roles: teachers (special education, ECSEs, general education) speech/language pathologists, school psychologists, OTs, PTs
• Possible paraeducator attendance: paraeducators

It’s no secret that differentiation can be overwhelming and feel like one more thing on an already full teacher plate. What if there was a way to differentiate for advanced learners that was not only meaningful but also manageable? In this learning experience, you'll discover how to create meaningful experiences that will engage and empower advanced learners. Using the Designing for Depth framework, we will explore practical ways to design differentiated learning experiences that inspire an active willingness to invest, support and encourage productive struggle, and encourage authentic connections beyond the classroom walls.

Flyer

June 26, 2024 from 9:00 - 3:00

Bring a learning experience/lesson plan with you. Lunch, stipend, and certificate will be provided. Register at ecboces.org

Questions? Contact Jodi at jodic@ecboces.org

Please see attached link for Summer PD offerings provided by ECBOCES. 

You will need to register on the ECBOCES website. 

Summer PD

Please see the attached flyer for our Summer Institute professional development. We look forward to learning with you in June!!

It’s summer and your chance to sit back and enjoy some learning at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

 BE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY: We know that it’s your time to rejuvenate and so all of our courses include catered breakfast and lunch, visits to IMAX and planetarium, a book, and prizes. University level credit is also included making these courses a cheap way to earn relicensure credits.

 GET CREDIT: Except for the Field Course……Teachers can choose between doing just the face-to-face summer sessions for a certificate of hours OR Taking the full course which includes opportunities to try new ideas in your classroom with feedback from us.

 EARLY BIRD SPECIALS & SCHOLARSHIPS Access is important to us! Email us at teacherprograms@dmns.org to learn more about our Scholarships for BIPOC Educators & Rural Teachers. Coming from a distance of over 100 miles, to attend? We know that you’ll likely have lodging costs, and so we offer mileage reimbursement. None of these apply to you? Well, the first 10 ppl to sign up for any courses held at the museum get an amazing 50% off as an “Early Bird” scholarship.

 REIGNITE YOUR PASSION Although we do try to give you some new perspectives on your teaching practice, we try to keep it practical by supplying you with plenty of “walk-away” strategies and resources that you can use the first day that you return to school in the fall.

 Here are our 2024 summer offerings! www.dmns.org/tpdk12


Contact for more questions:

Tim Blesse & Tamera Sakotas
Teacher Programs Consultants
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver CO 80205
teacherprograms@dmns.org
(W) 303.370.8298 (C) 303.949.8683

Register on the EC BOCES website for April, 23rd. Zoom from 4:15-5:15. Participants will receive a $25 stipend!!

Implementing the Science and Engineering Practices Embedded in the Colorado Science Standards K-12: Session 3

Educators will share and reflect on their application of the Sensemaking Practices (Developing and Using Models, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, and Constructing Explanations). Educators will identify, define, and apply the Critiquing Practices (Engaging in Argument from Evidence and Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information). All participants will receive a $25 stipend.

Upcoming from the CDE CLDE office:  Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education

Engaging Immigrant and Refugee Families: Bridging the Language and Cultural Gap with Dr. Don Vu – you will want to purchase the book before the session on April 30^th.

Former award-winning teacher, and principal knows that reading can be transformative and life changing. Having fled Vietnam with his family in 1975, Dr. Vu understands the challenges children face when learning a new language and culture.  He will share his life experiences as a refugee and how to provide literacy pathways for immigrant students from his book: Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Happiness which can be purchased through Scholastic. 

To attend, register for this virtual event cut and paste this into your browser:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrde6vrToiG9XFHEoJVnarYLI94Mdk7P2b#/registration

These events fill up fast, so if you are interested, register soon. 

Session starts promptly at 4:30pm. CE credits are offered for full attendance and can be applied toward the CLDE 45-hour licensure renewal requirement.

When:  Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 4:30 – 6:00 pm

Audience: Open to Colorado educators

English Learner Professional Development requirement for license renewal 

All educators holding an elementary, English language arts, math, science or social studies (or any middle-level) endorsement on a professional teacher license that expires on or after Sept. 1, 2025 must complete English Learner Professional Development (ELPD) prior to renewing their license or they will be unable to renew until they have done so. The ELPD training requirement for these endorsement areas was adopted by the State Board of Education in 2018, allowing teachers time to complete the training until their next full renewal period. Anyone who holds an ELPD designation on their credential already meets this requirement.

Important note: This requirement is based solely on the endorsement(s) held; it is not based on the content area the educator is presently teaching or if they are teaching at all. For example, a teacher who also holds both a science and a music endorsement will be required to complete ELPD even if only teaching music. Individuals who are serving in other positions (as a principal, for example) or not presently employed in education and who still wish to renew their teacher license with one of the identified endorsements must meet this requirement. 

The ELPD designation requires 45 hours of training focused on the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Educators may fulfill the requirement via a pre-approved program or individual learning that aligns with the ELPD standards. District leaders with COOL access can download a report of their educators who have attained the designation.

More details for educators needing to complete the ELPD requirement can be found on the ELPD for Educators webpage. Email educator_development@cde.state.co.us with questions.

Please see the attached link for April PD offered by ECBOCES. 

April PD Link

Just a reminder that we have two great AI trainings coming up (March 28th and April 3rd).  Don't miss out on learning about the technology that is fast invading everything we know!  These trainings are available for all ECBOCES districts.

Visit the ECBOCES Website to register.

The CDE Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education in Partnership with Seidlitz Education is Hosting a virtual training associated with the content of the book: Boosting Achievement.

• Dates: March 25, 2024, April 1, 2024, April 8, 2024; each session is 2 hours, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
• Description of event: Colorado educators have an opportunity to join a virtual workshop series on Boosting Achievement for Newcomers and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE). This is a multiple sessions series that focuses key classroom strategies to engage all students. The series will guide educators on how to support and plan for the challenges and learning opportunities unique to this subset of ML students. The sessions will be provided by Elise White Diaz of Seidlitz Education. The theory and practice of the work will be based on the research of Boosting Achievement by Dr. Carol Salva. 
• Registration: Register for these sessions that will start promptly at 4:00 pm 
• Book purchase: from Seidlitz Education, participants will need the book for these virtual sessions. 
• The course aligns to the following Colorado Department of Education ELD Standards: 5.12(1) and (2); and 5.13(1) and (2), 5.14(1) and (2). CE credits are offered for full attendance and can be applied toward the CLDE 45-hour licensure renewal requirement. 

For additional information contact Alice Collins, collins_al@cde.state.co.us. 

 

Please see the attached link for March professional development provided by ECBOCES. Have a great Spring Break!!

Link to PD

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to cancel the SPED Cluster for next Tuesday, March 5th.  We appreciate your understanding.  

TRAINING DATE: Monday, February 26, 2024
TRAINING TIME: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM 

PRESENTER: Darlene Blackford 

LOCATION: East Central BOCES West Training Room 

DESCRIPTION: THIS TRANING IS ONLY OFFERED IN PERSON! Sharing ideas and strategies that encourage teachers to teach science in a hands-on experimental way. 

A light meal will be provided for those attending, please register so that we know how much food and materials to prepare for. A /stipend will be paid to those attending and will be paid in May.

Take advantage of practical and engaging professional learning

In case you missed it, you have access to nine free self-paced workshops! Grab your laptop, gather your colleagues who support multilingual learners and dive into practical and engaging learning opportunities. The following self-paced workshops are available through August 31, 2024.

Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics

Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena

Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions

Home Languages in the Classroom

Making Languages Visible in the Classroom

Newcomers: Promoting Success through Strengthening Practice

Reframing Education for Long-term English Learners

Social Studies: Engaging Multilingual Learners through Inquiry

WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach

Learn more on the WIDA eLearning webpage where you can find course descriptions, a promotional flyer and PowerPoint slide to help spread the word to colleagues, and more.

Ready to get started?

Log in to your WIDA Secure Portal account. Don’t have an account yet? Visit your member/state page to learn how.

Locate the course and click on Course Details. Click Enroll Now.

Complete a self-paced workshop and print your certificate.

Questions? Contact the WIDA Client Services Center at (866) 276-7735 or help@wida.us.

With gratitude,

Your friends at WIDA

The person in your district who manages WIDA access (for the Screener and ACCESS) should be able to create an account so you can access these courses.

In response to the success of the first AI training, we have decided to offer a second offering and also a Deeper Dive in AI with PBL training.  These trainings are open to all East Central BOCES Member Districts.

The second session of the Responsible AI Training will be offered on March 28th.  It will be held at the ECBOCES West Training Room - in person attendance is highly recommended but Zoom will be an option for those that cannot travel.  Registration is limited so be sure to sign up soon.  There will be some great prizes and giveaways during the training and lunch will be provided.  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

On April 3rd, MindSpark will be hosting a Deeper Dive into AI with PBL.  To attend this session, you must attend one of the Responsible AI Trainings.  This will be also be held at ECBOCES West Training Room and in person attendance is highly recommended for this training as well.   Registration will also be limited for this one so be sure to sign up soon.  This training will also cover some PBL practices and how AI can help you get going with PBL. There will giveways and prizes for this training and lunch will be served. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

NCSC Civics Education Essay contest is now open

The NCSC annual Civics Education Essay contest is now open. All elementary, middle, and high school students in grades 3-12 are encouraged to participate.

 

Prize money will be awarded to the top three winners from elementary, middle, and high schools. Essays will be accepted online through midnight ET, Friday, March 22, 2024. Winners will be announced on May 1.

 

Students can enter through the essay contest portal found on our civics education page https://news.ncsc.org/c/AQjLzRUQw9AcGOOG74wBIL37sAcXxYjCb4DQ2agDRzNoEuw-WnmG-lUaoTz2K3jeUyGhYg

You’ll also find materials that can be used to promote the contest in your courts and communities.

 

Please contact Molly Justice for additional information: mjustice@ncsc.org

Denver Museum of Nature and Science is excited to share some of their Spring and Summer Professional Learning Workshops and Courses for K-12 teachers.  ( Some are science oriented and some are STEM specific)

We realize it can be a drive and sacrifice to come to Denver, so we can provide ECBOCES teachers with scholarships and mileage reimbursement for coming to Denver if they are coming 100 miles or more in distance. Email us at teacherprograms@dmns.org to learn more about our Rural Teacher Scholarship, our BIPOC Educator Scholarship or mileage reimbursement.

Tim Blesse

Teacher Programs Consultant

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver CO 80205

teacherprograms@dmns.org

(W) 303.370.8298 (C) 303.949.8683

Up-Coming CDE Sessions - *Sessions that offer credit towards the 45 Hrs. CLDE Licensure. 

**Certificates will come from CDE. 

__________________________________________

*Session #4:  From the Border to the Classroom: Experiences of Unaccompanied Children with Natasha Quiroga

• Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2024
• Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
• Audience: Educators, Educational Leaders, Community Leaders, and anyone supporting Newcomers
• Zoom - REGISTRATION LINK HERE

 

Key Take Aways:

Gain an understanding of the immigration process for children entering the U.S. legal system, detention facilities and the educational services provided, landmark cases of child protection, and more.

 

___________________________________________

 

*Session #5: Virtual - Part 2: Teacher & School Staff Virtual- Session on Trauma-Informed Practices facilitated by Elise White Diaz, sponsored by CDE:

• Date: Monday, March 4, 2024
• Time: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
• Audience: Educators, Educational Leaders, Community Leaders, and anyone supporting Newcomers
• Zoom - REGISTRATION LINK HERE

 

Agenda:

• Elise, an Educational Consultant at Seidlitz Education, specializing in trauma-informed education, seamlessly integrates culturally-informed pedagogy and language acquisition, consistently yielding notable improvements in state assessment scores. With a leadership background, Elise travels nationally, engaging in conferences and advocacy efforts with organizations such as NAELPA and Women-for-Orphans-Worldwide.

• Join this interactive training to explore Trauma-Informed Multilingual Education (TIME), addressing the needs of diverse students with childhood trauma. Uncover strategies for navigating language and cultural barriers. Your participation is a commitment to positive change and shaping the future of education in Colorado. Don't miss out!

 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­____________________________________________

*Session #6: The Long Road Ahead: The Path to the U.S. and the Legal Journey of Immigrant Students

Natasha Quiroga, Esq

 

Key Take Aways:

The content in the session will cover understanding student’s backgrounds, educational experiences in their home countries, the immigration court system, the types of immigration relief for children, the challenges navigating the legal journey, and available resources to support students and families during the immigration process. 

 

• Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2024
• Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
• Audience: Educators, Educational Leaders, Community Leaders, and anyone supporting Newcomers
• Zoom - REGISTRATION LINK HERE

 

____________________________________________

*Session #7: Supporting our Immigrant and Refugee Children Through the Power of Reading

 

Key Take Aways:

The Newcomer Cohort is pleased to partner with Scholastic to offer a virtual session with author Dr. Don Vu on how to support our immigrant and refugee students through the power of reading. As a former refugee, teacher, and principal Don’s literacy commitment for all students is powerful. This engaging session will spark conversations and inspire educators to explore diversity and build a culture of literacy in classrooms and schools. Dr. Vu’s session is open to educators at all levels. This is a great opportunity for teachers to reflect on the literacy culture of their classrooms and for CLDE departments to collaborate with colleagues in your Literacy office to transform reading opportunities for all students.

 

• Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2024
• Time: 4:30-6:00 pm
• Audience: Educators, Educational Leaders, and anyone supporting Newcomers
• ZOOM - REGISTRATION LINK HERE

Reminder of the Upcoming Early Childhood Cluster on Monday, February 26th.  

Get registered ASAP!  

TRAINING DATE: February 26, 2024
TRAINING TIME: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
DATE: Monday, February 26, 2024 PRESENTER: Darlene Blackford LOCATION: East Central BOCES West Training Room 

DESCRIPTION: THIS TRANING IS ONLY OFFERED IN PERSON! Sharing ideas and strategies that encourage teachers to teach science in a hands-on experimental way. A light meal will be provided for those attending, please register so that we know how much food and materials to prepare for. A /stipend will be paid to those attending and will be paid in May.

At the end of the month, we are offering a great Problem Based Learning Training by MindSpark.  We currently only have four people signed up for this.  If we do not get more registrations by the end of next week, we will be rescheduling this training for the summer.  Please see the flyer below for more information.  

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

If you teacher Social Studies or ELA 5th-12th grades and do not have access to the DBQ portal, please reach out to Megan Eikleberry, megane@ecboces.org, to get access! 

Welcome, February! This edition of DBQ Online Support Series includes: Video: Top 10 Ways to Use the Teacher Markup Tool Spotlight Video: What Are Teachers Saying About DBQ Online? February Unit Spotlights: Celebrating Black History Month -- share with your teachers!

Take 7 minutes and discover the power of the Teacher Markup tool!  Your students will thank you!

Check out what Joseph Niedziela (Director of Humanities, Fort Worth ISD, TX), Laura Moreau (K-12 Social Studies Specialist, Lafayette Parish Schools, LA), and Laura Webb (Literacy Specialist for Social Studies, Danville Public Schools, VA) have to say about DBQ Online. Thank you for your kind words, we think it's pretty great, too!

How Did Abolitionists Make the Case Against Slavery? Slavery was part of American life for more than two hundred years. Ridding the country of slavery was a hard-fought battle. This Mini-Q asks you to examine the ways that abolitionists, the people who worked to end slavery, tried to convince others that slavery must be stopped.  Binders: Mini-Qs in Literature - Volume 2 & Mini-Qs in Literature - Volume 3

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X: Which Strategies Made the Most Sense for America in the 1960s? The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s resulted in America’s biggest social revolution since the Civil War. The movement was grassroots and reached across the entire country. Two remarkable men, both quite young, and not always in agreement, became the clearest voices in the movement. These two men were Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. In this Mini-Q you will consider the thoughts of both individuals. The documents are short but the ideas are large. Binders: Mini-Qs in Georgia History & Document Based Questions in American History

Harlem Renaissance Poetry: Does High Art or Folk Art Best Express Racial Pride? Between World War I and the Great Depression, Harlem became a hotspot for African- American artists of all kinds—painters, dancers, musicians, playwrights, and poets. During this time, now known as the Harlem Renaissance, a debate sprang up between two camps as to how to best express racial pride. This Mini-Q asks you to read poetry from this period and join the debate. Binder: Mini-Qs in Literature - Volume 1

Class, Gender, and Race in To Kill a Mockingbird: Is Mayella Powerful? Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story. Included in this story is the tale of Mayella Ewell, a poor, white woman living in a racist Southern community in the 1930s. Your task is to read through the documents in this Mini-Q and assess Mayella’s power. Binder: Mini-Qs in Literature - Volume 1

What Was Harriet Tubman’s Greatest Achievement? Harriet Tubman is a true American hero. In this Mini-Q, you will learn about three of her achievements: helping enslaved people escape to the North, leading a Civil War river raid, and caring for those in need. Then you will decide which of these achievements was the greatest. Binders: Elementary Mini-Qs - Volume 2 & Original US Volume 1 Mini-Qs: Units 1-12

What Were the Underlying Causes of the Tulsa Race Massacre? On June 1, 1921, a mob of white Tulsans looted and burned the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Many people died, but the majority—more than 300—were African American. At the time and for decades afterward, the events of that terrible night were referred to as the Tulsa Race Riot. In fact, what happened was not a riot but an organized attack on an established African American community.  This Mini-Q explores the underlying causes of the massacre. Binder: New US Volume 2 Mini-Qs: Units 13-27

Upcoming Workshops: February 2nd: DBQ Invitational - Pueblo, Colorado March 7th: NCHE Pre-Conference in Cleveland, Ohio March 7th: CCSS Pre-Conference in Garden Grove, CA March 8th: CCSS Session: Engaging Students with Inquiry AND Technology: Everyday DBQ Strategies! June 24th-27th: DBQ U Virtual Workshops (DBQ U 1.0, DBQ U 2.0, and DBQ Lead Boot Camp) July 11th-12th: DBQ Project National Summit in Evanston, IL -- Registration deadline is March 1st. Limited space available. Register today!!!

FREE DBQ 101 Asynchronous Courses

The DBQ Project "Helping ALL students to read smart, think straight and write clearly" Email: info@dbqproject.com Website: www.dbqproject.com Location: 1234 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL, USA Phone: 847-475-4007 Facebook: facebook.com/dbqproject X (Twitter): @dbqproject

Please see the attached link for February PD provided by ECBOCES.

PD Flyer Link

ATTENTION MS and HS Science and CTE Teachers!!

The Scaling Up for STEM Initiative provides middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) teachers with a yearlong immersive professional learning experience designed to enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence in science, technology, and engineering; and increase STEM career exposure while boosting teacher understanding about the skills needed for a scientifically literate workforce. The program provides a tailored approach to support teachers’ efforts to create an equitable learning environment that increases student interest, participation, and academic success in STEM education.

https://www.nsta.org/scaling-up-stem 

Scaling Up For STEM Teacher Fellows will receive:

• Registration for pre-conference and conference at the 2024 NSTA National Conference in Denver, March 20-23

• 1 night hotel stay and 4 days of parking during the 2024 NSTA National Conference in Denver, March 20-23

• One year of Digital Professional Membership in NSTA and enrollment in an NSTA Digital Learning Cohort

• 4 NSTA e-books

• Coaching from a dedicated NSTA staff member

See the link below for the conference schedule and details about the online learning component:

Schedule

For more information contact Rob Wallace rwallace@nsta.org or Megan Eikleberry megane@ecboces.org

                  

East Central BOCES is happy to offer a two day Problem Based Learning Workshop with MindSpark Learning on Feb 29th and March 1st.   This two day workshop will introduce participants to Problem Based Learning. This is a powerful workshop offered in response to the many requests we have had. We will offer stipends for any non-contract days that teachers give up to attend plus there will be some great giveaways during the training as well. More details to follow. Use the link below to register before it fills up!  This training is available for all East Central BOCES districts.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Please take a moment to participate in this brief survey focused on professional development. Your input will assist the PD Needs Assessment Committee in gathering feedback on potential professional development topics for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Your feedback will be used for planning purposes to determine professional development topics and presenters for zoom sessions and summer institute. 

Link to Survey

Your time and feedback are greatly appreciated!!

East Central BOCES is offering a one day training from MindSpark Learning on Responsible AI.  This will be a great day of learning all about AI and how it can be used responsibly in the classroom as a powerful learning tool.  

Register today before this training fills up by clicking HERE.

This is available for ALL ECBOCES member districts!

Samantha Agoos, Science Content Specialist with CDE, will be hosting a 3 session series on Implementing the Science and Engineering Practices embedded in the Colorado Academic Standards for Science. Practical, concrete, and easy to implement strategies and resources will be shared. Participants will receive a $25 stipend for each session they attend. Register on the ECBOCES website to attend!

• January 23rd from 4:15-5:15
• February 20th from 4:15-5:15
• April 23rd from 4:15-5:15

Please see attached link for more detailed information. Science Practices Details Agenda Link

Are you looking for ways to address the new Colorado Social Studies Standards in an engaging, student-centered way? Join The DBQ Project to learn how to blend Social Studies Content with the disciplinary skills and processes students need to succeed.

DBQ will be hosting two in person workshops. Pick the date and location that works best for you!

The three Culturally and Linguistically Diverse AND Gifted courses are self-paced, virtual courses. You can take one or more levels and if you complete all three, you will fulfill the required 45 hours of CLD education needed for license renewal. Each course is $50 to be paid by you when you register but if you are an educator in any of the ECBOCES districts, you will be reimbursed for each course that you complete by the deadline, April 30th. 

Click here for for more information.