Nassau TRACT Teacher Center
Great learning opportunities planned for this Fall - 9/10/25
Although this is a long newsletter again - we want you to see and sign up for all the great learning opportunities we have scheduled so far for this year. Read and relax and start planning your Fall Professional Learning.
Starting next newsletter, we will be splitting it up to 1 day events and courses/networks.
Please share this with as many people as possible and encourage them to sign up for our regular newsletter.
Full Day Conference at Hofstra University Student Center
Date: October 30, 2025
Time: 8:00-2:45 PM (6.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: James Levy in partnership with Hofstra University Museum of Art
JUST ADDED: Keynote Address: “Finding History in our Public Spaces: Mapping the American Revolution on Long Island”
Presented by John Staudt, professor of History at Hofstra University and historian of the American Revolution.
Participants will be introduced to "Map250”, a digital story platform developed by the Whose Land? Project, in commemoration of the nation's Semiquincentennial Celebration in 2026*. Through hands-on engagement, participants will learn how to teach students to build their own digital, historical place-based research projects. Topics will include:
-Developing oral histories
-Archiving digital assets
-Generating research topics
Participants will also spend time with Hofstra University Museum of Art staff, viewing the current exhibition Love is the Message: Photography by Jamel Shabazz and its potential to be used as an inspiration for historical, place-based research and storytelling.
Presented by: James Levy, public historian and founder of the Wisconsin Farms Oral History Project (WFOHP) and Whose Land?
*This session directly supports curriculum development in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (Semiquincentennial) in 2026.
Date: November 4, 2025 (Election Day)
Time: 9:00-1:30 PM (4.5 CTLE hours or CEU hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: In Partnership with Northwell Health
Join school professionals from across the region for a dynamic day of learning, connection, and inspiration. This year’s symposium will focus on Unity in Community: Cultivating Belonging and Resilience in Our Schools. The program features expert-led panels and presentations on the most pressing issues facing students today. School Nurse CEU's, Social Worker CEU's, and CTLE Credits will be available.
Further registration information will come from Nassau TRACT after registration on Frontline.
Full Day Conference at Hofstra University Student Center
Date: November 13, 2025 (Election Day)
Time: 8:00-3:00 PM (6.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: In Partnership Kiker Learning
There is no charge for this event.
Registration - 8:00 - 8:30am
🚀 Are you ready to take your tech-savvy skills to the next dimension? If you're already dabbling in the magic of Gemini, then this professional development is for YOU! We're not just talking about using AI; we're talking about becoming a certified AI leader in your school district. Get ready to have some fun, get your hands on the latest AI, and prepare to ace the Gemini Certified Educator exam!
🧠What You'll Master Get ready to flex your brain muscles and walk away with some serious AI prowess. By the end of our time together, you'll be able to: ● Become a Generative AI Guru: ○ Effortlessly explain mind-bending concepts like "Generative AI" and "Large Language Models" to your colleagues (and maybe even your grandma!). ○ Identify the perfect Gemini tool for any educational task, from lesson planning to parent communication. ○ Understand how Gemini can be a personal tutor for your students, providing differentiation and personalized learning paths. ● Implement AI Like a Pro: ○ Craft the perfect prompt to get exactly what you need from Gemini, whether it's a practice quiz, a rubric, or a lesson outline. ○ Use Gemini in your favorite Google Workspace tools like Docs, Gmail, and Forms to streamline your workflow and save you precious time. ○ Create your own custom "Gems" to tackle those repetitive classroom tasks with a single click. ● Champion Responsible AI Use: ○ Teach your students how to be critical thinkers and responsible digital citizens in an AI-powered world. ○ Spot and address potential AI pitfalls like "hallucinations," bias, and plagiarism. ○ Develop classroom guidelines for the ethical and effective use of generative AI. Lunch will be provided on-site
Date: September 30, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Margaux Calemmo
If you thought you had Gen Alpha's language figured out, think again. In this follow-up to How to Speak Gen Alpha, we'll explore the latest slang, viral phrases, and cultural references that took hold over the summer and during back to school. Learn not only what these words mean, but also where they came from, how students are using them, and what they reveal about Gen Alpha's communication style. You will gain a "slang survival guide" to help you stay fluent all year long and will help to build authentic connections and rapport with your students.
Date: October 8, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator:Dan Fitzpatrick
We are staring down a tidal wave of worldwide change. Innovative education solutions are vital if we are going to prepare our young people for success. In an age where artificial intelligence stands at the forefront of educational transformation, it's not just about having the technology, but truly grasping its potential to redefine the learning experience.
In The AI Classroom keynote talk, educational strategist and author of The AI Classroom, Dan Fitzpatrick, takes participants on a journey through the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence, how it is transforming our lives and most crucially its impact on education. Dan spends his time helping educators, teams, and organisations around the world to embrace artificial intelligence, so that together, we can build a better education system together.
- Learn how AI can do the doing, so that you can do the thinking.
- Identify ways AI will disrupt the education system.
- Understand why the quality of your input in AI tools dictates the quality of the output.
- Discover ways educators can harness the power of AI right now.
- Explore more advanced AI and its implications for education.
Date: October 9, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Ira Glasser
Webinar Unpacking Jewish Identity, Confronting Antisemitism, and Fostering Dialogue Across Difference
This presentation explores Jewish identity and antisemitism throughout history and today, with a particular focus on the Jewish identity in American and contemporary manifestations of anti-Israel animus. Educators will be equipped with an understanding of who Jews are, their connection to the Land of Israel over time, the origins of antisemitism, and when anti-Israel animus crosses the threshold from legitimate criticism to antisemitic rhetoric. Educators will gain insight into how schools can approach these issues in more nuanced, inclusive ways, fostering a deeper understanding of Jewish history and identity. Furthermore, educators will be equipped with tools to foster brave classrooms in which antisemitism can be addressed, and challenging conversations can be constructively facilitated. Ira Glasser, American Jewish Committee, Director of K-12 Education Strategy, NY
BRIGHT Webinar Series: Session 1: Build Empathy-Driven Relationships and Inclusive Classroom Community-Online Only by Dr. Meredith Madden
Date: October 15, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Dr. Meredith Madden
Session 1: B - Build Empathy-Driven Relationships and Inclusive Classroom Community Discover practical strategies to foster authentic connections with students and create a classroom culture where every learner feels seen, valued, and supported. Learn how empathy-driven relationships lay the foundation for academic and social-emotional growth.
The BRIGHT Webinar Series, created by Dr. Meredith Madden, transforms the vision of culturally responsive and sustaining education into practical strategies you can use right away. Grounded in the BRIGHT Instructional Framework and aligned with NYSED's CRSE Framework and Portrait of a Graduate, each live virtual session focuses on one of six core commitments:
B - Build Empathy-Driven Relationships and Inclusive Classroom Community
R - Reimagine Rigor Through Responsive, Relevant Instruction
I - Instruct with Dialogue to Strengthen Student Voice and Connection
G - Give Growth-Informed Feedback and Expand Growth Mindset
H - Honor and Integrate Home, Culture, and Community in Curriculum and Pedagogy
T - Tend to Teacher Wellness and Collective Care
Each 60-minute webinar includes actionable strategies, downloadable tools, and ready-to-use classroom resources that help educators move from awareness to action and support learning environments where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success. Participants can join for the whole BRIGHT series or pick the sessions that spark their learning interests, needs, and schedule.
Date: October 23, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center
Using the book Bondi's Brother to teach Holocaust survivor testimony (Grade 6-12) 25 participants will receive a copy of the book. Bondi's Brother by Irving and Edward Roth is Irving's self-published testimony of his life in Hummene, Czechoslovakia, escaping to Hungary, deportation to Auschwitz, death march to Buchenwald, liberation then immigrating to America. Each chapter of Bondi's Brother has accompanying curriculum. This curriculum allows the entire book, selected parts or only one or two passages to be implemented. Students could learn Irving's story through specific passages in 6th grade, 8th grade and 10th grade. As more survivors are unable to tell their own personal stories; the importance of testimony becomes even more paramount in today's world and as a force against Holocaust denial. By teaching students to look at individuals as human beings, they will be more tolerant and accepting of others and appreciate the strength of the human spirit.
Date: November 3, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:30 PM (1.5 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Stefanie Singer, Laurie M. Tisch Education Director
Webinar: Understanding Hate, How it Escalates, and Tools for Responding to Antisemitism and All Forms of Bias in K-12 Schools November 3, 2025 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm Join ADL for an interactive session where we will explore how hate manifests through acts of antisemitism and other forms of bias in K-12 schools and examine ways to address incidents in our school communities to interrupt the escalation of hate. Participants will examine our recent audit data that captures the state of antisemitism in K-12 schools and build the skills to identity and respond to incidents of antisemitism in order to promote safe and inclusive classrooms for all students.
Stefanie Singer, Laurie M. Tisch Education Director, Anti-Defamation League
Date: November 5, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator:Dan Fitzpatrick
Dive into a hands-on workshop tailored for educators. Unlock the secrets of cutting-edge AI tools and apps that can supercharge your workflow. No tech jargon, no fluff. Just straightforward, easy-to-understand demonstrations and guidance. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to elevate your curriculum, engage students like never before, and stand out as a forward-thinking educator.
Better Days: 180 Creative Practices and Daily Connections for Teachers and Students by Dr. Lisa J. Lucas
Date: November 6, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Dr. Lisa J. Lucas
Join us for a 60-minute zoom discussion - 25 participants will receive a copy of the book. Better Days: 180 Creative Practices and Daily Connections for Teachers and Students In a time when student social-emotional health is in crisis, educators are feeling the pressure and the fatigue. But what if a few small shifts could lead to big changes? Join Dr. Lisa J. Lucas, author of Better Days: 180 Creative Practices and Daily Connections for Teachers and Students, for an energizing 1-hour interactive discussion designed to inspire and uplift. Discover practical, research-backed strategies to support student well-being and your own. Walk away with simple daily habits to build attention, presence, and a greater sense of ease starting now. Because when teachers thrive, students do too
BRIGHT Webinar Series: Session 2: Reimagine Rigor Through Responsive, Relevant Instruction-Online Only by Dr. Meredith Madden
Date: November 12, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Dr. Meredith Madden
R – Reimagine Rigor Through Responsive, Relevant Instruction
Shift the definition of rigor from “harder” and “more work” to “more depth” and “more meaningful.” Explore how to design learning experiences that challenge students through culturally relevant, responsive practices that connect to their lives and aspirations.
The BRIGHT Webinar Series, created by Dr. Meredith Madden, transforms the vision of culturally responsive and sustaining education into practical strategies you can use right away. Grounded in the BRIGHT Instructional Framework and aligned with NYSED's CRSE Framework and Portrait of a Graduate, each live virtual session focuses on one of six core commitments:
B - Build Empathy-Driven Relationships and Inclusive Classroom Community
R - Reimagine Rigor Through Responsive, Relevant Instruction
I - Instruct with Dialogue to Strengthen Student Voice and Connection
G - Give Growth-Informed Feedback and Expand Growth Mindset
H - Honor and Integrate Home, Culture, and Community in Curriculum and Pedagogy
T - Tend to Teacher Wellness and Collective Care
Each 60-minute webinar includes actionable strategies, downloadable tools, and ready-to-use classroom resources that help educators move from awareness to action and support learning environments where every student feels seen, supported, and capable of success. Participants can join for the whole BRIGHT series or pick the sessions that spark their learning interests, needs, and schedule.
Learning By Mistake - Emma Chiapetta
Date: November 18, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Emma Chiapetta
In this engaging session, Emma Chiappetta will share key strategies from her work on building a mistake-friendly culture that transforms fear of failure into fuel for learning. You'll explore how to normalize and leverage mistakes as powerful teaching tools, creating classrooms where students feel safe to take risks and grow. Leave with concrete practices you can implement immediately to spark resilience, curiosity, and authentic learning in your students. 25 Participants will receive a copy of the book.
Date: December 2, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:30 PM (1.5 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Rochel Klionsky, Director, The Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning
Webinar: Curriculum and Community: Authentically Integrating Jewish Stories in Elementary Classrooms
As schools increasingly recognize the value of inclusive learning environments and culturally competent instruction, the complexity of Jewish identity and history is a crucial but often unexplored element. Many Jewish families are concerned about how their children are seen and supported in educational spaces, particularly in the current climate of rising antisemitism. How can educators go beyond holidays and token references to foster meaningful inclusion of Jewish identity in their schools? What should a graduating fifth grader know and appreciate about the Jewish people? Participants will explore early identity formation, reflect on their current curriculum through a Jewish-inclusive lens, and leave with practical strategies and resources to ensure Jewish students and stories are represented, respected, and celebrated.
Date: December 4, 2025
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM (1.0 CTLE hours)
Fee: No cost for NYS Educators
Facilitator: Margaux Calemmo
Updated for 2025, this presentation will help you teach students how to think critically about the content they see online. Featuring interactive "Real or Fake?” slides, deepfake analysis tools, fact-checking quizzes, and media literacy strategies grounded in research, this resource is perfect for middle and high school learners and will also feature coverage of the new Common Sense K-8 Digital Literacy & Well-Being curriculum.
A New York State Organization for Educator Professional Learning
Nassau TRACT has continued our partnership with nysALL to provide their programs free to Nassau TRACT Members - these courses are usually between $125-$300. Registration is through Nassau TRACT.
This partnership is designed to promote positive educational experiences and academic outcomes for English language learners (ELLs)/multilingual learners (MLLs) in New York State school districts through a series of 90-minute virtual workshops. The workshops will cover a number of important topics, including but not limited to:
-State of the State: Current NYS data on ELL/MLL demographics and achievement data
-NYS Regulations and Guidance: Identification, programming, and assessment requirements for ELLs/MLLs in K - 12 schools
-Fundamentals of Second Language Acquisition
-Creating a Welcoming and Affirming Environment: Culturally responsive practices and ELLs/MLLs
-Making Content Accessible: Best practices and strategies for teaching ELLs/MLLs in gen ed classes and content areas
-Technology and ELLs/MLLs: Helpful tools for instruction and communication.
All components of this project will be aligned with:
1- Current research in best practices in multilingual education, and
2- The policies, procedures, and regulations of the New York State Education Department, as detailed in the following NYSED documents:
a. The Blueprint for MLL/ELL Success (2014 )
b. Commissioner’s Regulations Part 154- 2 ( CR Part 154 ) (2014 )
c. Dignity for All Students Act (2010, amended 2013)
ENSURING READING SUCCESS: STRENGTHENING RTI/MTSS SYSTEMS THROUGH DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
Join Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry for a dynamic three-part series designed to deepen educators’ understanding of the intersection of RTI/MTSS and the Science of Reading; what it takes to design systems that are informed by reliable data to ensure that students achieve reading success through effective instruction and intentional intervention.
Better Boundaries: Building Trusted Relationships With Students Without Blurring Lines Or Burning Out With Dr. Brooklyn Raney
This webinar series provides practical strategies, self-assessment tools, and collaborative approaches to ensure that student-educator relationships are both impactful and sustainable. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of student needs, personal boundary-setting skills, and actionable strategies for maintaining healthy, professional connections.
You can join a Network at any point - even if it already started.
Teacher Networks are an opportunity for colleagues in similar positions to get together to learn and share. Together with the network leader, there will be a Professional Learning topic followed by an opportunity to share share ideas and talk.
There will be a minimum of 6 hours of meetings after school. The first date and time for all networks are listed in the description for each. Some networks have all the dates listed and some will determine future dates and times as a group. Each network will be 6.0 CTLE hours.
Click on the Network for more information and to register.
Nassau TRACT Teacher Center
The Nassau TRACT Teacher Center is a professional development resource center serving teachers, parents, administrators, students and community members. It is the mission of the Nassau TRACT Teacher Center to meet the expressed needs of the educational community by providing resources and training to; facilitate the building of partnerships; foster educational reform; develop new learning environments and assessments; recruit and assist new teachers; and incorporate technology tools and instructional strategies to achieve educational excellence thereby improving teaching practice and increasing student learning. These activities are content specific to help our teachers keep up with the newest technology as well as the new directives from the NYSED.
Any Questions
Jim Svendsen
Director
Cell - 917-923-0054
400 Post Avenue, Suite 203
Westbury, NY 11756
Website - http://nassautract.org/