Professional
Development
2009-2010
Office (518) 583-4725
Fax (518) 693-1495
CANCELLATIONS (click to see the list): Please check this website regularly, ESPECIALLY on the day your course is scheduled to run.
Click on the Course Name to see a description and dates offered.
| Course # - Course Name | Instructor(s) | # of
Credits |
| 752-Fill Your Bucket with Character Education | M. Daley | 6 |
| 762-Saratoga Springs National Board Support Group | Multiple | 3 |
| 763-Teach With Your Strengths and Build Character | M. Daley | 6 |
| 764-Student Mentor Training | P. Kilgore | 2 |
| 765-The Science and History of the Springs of Saratoga | C. Kuenzel | 2 |
| 766-Saratoga: Native American History and Influence | C. Kuenzel | 2 |
| 767-Saratoga in the Classroom: Classroom Session | C. Kuenzel | 2 |
| 768 Learning Letters and Sounds with Movement | K. Concha | 2 |
| Yoga Education Workshops | GCRTC | 3 |
752 Fill your Bucket with Character Education 6 credits
Instructor: Madeline Daley, RN, MS
This will be a fun workshop to compliment the books you received for Character Education. This workshop will allow you time to get your classroom ready for September and to network with other colleagues. Please sign up early and bring a friend, class size is limited. There will be a book raffle for each class.
If the following dates do not meet your needs additional classes can be scheduled for a minimum of 6-8 participants.
Start the year off on the right track; make sure your bucket is filled first. Learn how to foster a fun and positive work/learning environment. In preparation for this course participants will need to read Chapter’s 1-5 of the Educator’s Version of “How Full Is Your Bucket”. A copy of the book can be borrowed through Staff Development. This workshop will provide an opportunity to get a jump start on preparing your classroom for the return of your students.
Contact Information: Madeline Home -518-584-4253, Cell – 518-424-2406
Materials to bring to class: Glue, Scissors, Pack of Construction Paper, Large Poster Board
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | W, Aug. 5 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
| 2 | TH, Aug. 13 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
| 3 | T, Aug. 18 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
| 4 | T, Aug. 25 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
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762 - Saratoga Springs National Board Support Group 3 credits
Instructor: Maureen Shiland, Fran Lohnes, and Charlotte Naples
Be a part of the first district support group for National Board Certification! In this course, teachers will be guided through all aspects of the certification process. Monthly meetings will be held to discuss topics such as how we engage students in class discussions; how we manage and monitor student learning; how we work with families and members of the community. This is an opportunity to engage in professional dialogue with colleagues from different disciplines.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | M, W, July 20 & 22 | 9AM - 12PM | Library Open Lab | Completed |
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763 Teach With Your Strengths and Build Character 6 Credits
Instructor: Madeline Daley, RN, MS
What do great teachers do?
What are your strengths and how can you use them to build
character. What makes
you a unique teacher?
This course will provide participants an opportunity to identify
their strengths, build positive relations with challenging parents,
students and co-workers.
This program will give teachers the skills to use choice words, so
kids will listen. If you
want to create a caring, respectful, and nurturing environment, then
this class is for you.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | T, Aug. 4 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
| 2 | T, Aug. 11 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Completed |
| 3 | W, Aug. 19 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM |
Central Office Room 227 |
Completed |
| 4 | Th.Sept 2, 2009 | 9:00 AM-3:00 PM | Central Office Room 227 | Completed |
| 5 | M, T, Oct 5 & 6 | 4:00-7:00 | Central Office Room 227 | Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
| 6 | Th, Oct 22 | 4:00-7:00 | Central Office Room 227 | Cancelled due to lack of enrollment |
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764 - Student Mentor Training 2 credits Instructor: Pat Kilgore (Prevention Council)
This training
is
for volunteer teachers/staff who have chosen to mentor one student
for at least the next school year.
Faculty and staff will learn about their roles as a mentor in order
to maintain a safe and healthy rapport with students while
encouraging them to meet their maximum potential.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | T, Sept. 1 | 10 AM - 12 PM | HS Distance Learning Center | Completed |
| 2 | T, Sept. 22 | 3:15-5:15 PM | HS Distance Learning Center | Completed |
| 3 | TH, Sept. 24 | 3:15-5:15 PM |
Maple Avenue Large Group Room or Library |
Completed |
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765 - The Science and History of the Springs of Saratoga 2 credits
Instructor: Charlie Kuenzel
This is the first of a three part series of how to better use Saratoga in your classroom. This segment will allow an in-depth view of the mineral springs in terms of nutrition, trace elements, and curing power for visitors to Saratoga Springs. Because of their unique chemistry, the wonderful history of Saratoga Springs was made first by health practices.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | W, Aug 12 | 9-11 AM |
High Springs at High Rock Park, near Farmer's Market |
Cancelled due to late posting-added 9/2/09 |
| 2 | TH, Aug. 20 | 9-11 AM | Completed | |
| 3 | W, Sept. 3 | 9-11 AM | Completed | |
| 4 | M, Sept. 28 | 4-6 PM | Completed | |
| 5 | M,Oct.5 | 4-6 PM | Completed |
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766 - Saratoga: Native American History and Influence 2 credits
Instructor: Charlie Kuenzel
This is the second part of a three part series to help teachers to better use the history of Saratoga in their classrooms. This class discusses how Saratoga was a very special section of land occupied by the Mohawks. The Native Americans cherished the springs, planted crop, fought battles and viewed Saratoga as a gift from their God Manitou. We will show the many influences as well as the remnants of the Mohawks in Saratoga history.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | W, Aug. 19 | 9-11 AM |
High Springs at High Rock Park, near Farmer's Market |
Completed |
| 2 | W, Aug. 26 | 9-11 AM | Completed | |
| 3 | TH, Sept. 24 | 4-6 PM | Cancelled | |
| 4 | T, Oct. 13 | 4-6 PM | Completed |
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767 - Saratoga in the Classroom: Classroom Session 2 credits
Instructor: Charlie Kuenzel
In this third part of a three part series we will use primary sources and artifacts to show how Saratoga history can be brought into the classroom. During this session each teacher will have time to develop a multidisciplinary lesson to infuse Saratoga history, science, Native American influence, and the arts into their classroom.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | T, Sept. 29 | 4-6 PM | HS D139 | Completed |
| 2 | T, Oct. 6 | 4-6 PM | HS D139 | Completed |
| 3 | T, Oct. 27 | 4-6 PM | HS D139 | Completed |
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768 Learning Letters and Sounds with Movement (Sounds in Motion) 2 Credits
Instructor: Krista Concha
Sounds in Motion is a fun way to teach children, of all learning modalities (visual, auditory and kinesthetic), letters and their sounds. Learn how to pair alphabet letters, digraphs and consonant blends with physical movements to make learning sounds more automatic and FUN! Learn to make words with Sounds in Motion. A picture/description manual will be given out. Fun and motivating activities will be shared.
| Course
Section |
Date | Time | Location | Status |
| 1 | W, Oct. 7 | 4:00-6:00 | Blue Streak Blvd. Rm. 221 | Completed |
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Yoga Education Workshops through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center
3 Credits
Learning through movement is an innovative way to increase effectiveness in the classroom, and to stimulate and reach all learners. It is especially effective for kinesthetic learners, as well as students with ADHD, autism and other special needs. Research shows yoga-style movement supports student focus and attention, keeps them engaged and promotes social, emotional and physical health. We are able to offer Learning through Movement classes thanks to a grant from the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. These courses are taught by Lynne Ogren, a certified Yoga Ed, YogaKids and Integral Yoga Instructor. Participants may take 1 or more courses in the series with no limit.
All workshop sessions are experiential. They require comfortable clothing, a yoga mat and water. No prior yoga experience necessary. All classes appropriate for grades:
Note: You must register for all yoga education courses through the Teacher Center Links are provided below each course.
All Yoga education courses will be held at 3 Blue Streak Blvd., Room 221-223 from 4:00-7:00 PM. Classes are limited to 15 participants (including out of district registrants)
1. Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Introduction to Using Movement in the Classroom (Open to all staff)
Focused on Brain-Based Research related to using movement in the classroom
Explore strategies to use with students before testing and transitions to settle and refocus
Learn basic postures and breath work to calm or energize students
Support students with special needs such as autism or ADHD via movement and breath
Support students' physical and mental well being and self-awareness
Click here to register for this course.
2. Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Chair Yoga for all Learners (Open to all staff)
Teach chair postures to engage and focus learners prior to introducing a new or difficult topic
Support learners at all levels via differentiating instruction through movement
Support inclusive classroom practices of all students
Also beneficial for those students with restricted movement
Click here to register for this course.
3. Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Movement Promotes Character Education (Open to all staff)
Build self-esteem
Mindful exercises create greater self-awareness
Promote social and emotional intelligence
Teach movement to explore emotions and express feelings
Support and encourage students to respect others and interact in positive ways
Click here to register for this course.
4. Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Lively Literacy (Open to all staff)
Engage learners in reading through picture books and movement
Support reluctant readers and antsy listeners
Support response to literacy and creative expression through movement
Learn to teach movement and guided imagery in pre-writing activities to generate ideas
Click here to register for this course.
5. Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Yoga for Physical Education (Open to physical education teachers)
Use yoga and non-competitive games in physical education and sports setting
Integrate yoga and movement into phys. ed. curriculum and sports programs
Support healthy physical activity, body awareness and overall wellness
Support positive lifelong physical and mental activities
Click here to register for this course

Courses include walking tours explaining the history of Saratoga Springs, information on National Teacher Certification, Curriculum information, Assessment and many others!