Mini Courses
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Building Community in the Classroom Mini-Course
Facilitators: Armando Johnson, Kayla Hart, and Darbie Valenti Huff
The beginning of each new school year brings the opportunity to build relationships with new students. But how can we continue to build relationships and establish a sense of community all throughout the year? Learn from experienced teachers of various grade levels practical ways to establish a safe learning environment that is welcoming to all students.
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Centering the Student
Facilitator: Olivia Carter, 2021 ASCA School Counselor of the Year
We know trauma doesn't just occur outside of school walls. Recognizing the impact of a traumatic event, not the event itself, is an important step to supporting students and building relationships. In Centering the Student, Olivia Carter, ASCA 2021 School Counselor of the Year, illustrates a variety of restorative practices to strengthen both relationships with students and your own personal wellness in this previously recorded webinar.
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Challenging Behaviors Not Challenging Students
Facilitators: Jennifer Moore, Union R-XI and Ursulla Wadley, Southeast Regional Manager for JAG
When challenging behaviors arise in the classroom, we must remember that we are dealing with challenging behaviors, not challenging students. So much of effective classroom management happens in reframing and adjusting our mindsets. This webinar will share teacher-friendly approaches -- manageable solutions that any teacher can begin to implement immediately. The strategies shared will be zero prep solutions that can lead to better behavior, stronger relationships and more regulated students.
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Classroom Management Without Tears
Facilitator: Misha Parker
Are you feeling defeated by life in your classroom? Does it feel like your school days are out of control? Join me to learn some mindsets and strategies that will affect the most important factor you CAN control -- the teacher!
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Hop on the De-Escalator
Facilitators: Jennifer Moore of Union R-11 and Ursulla Wadley, JAG Southeast Regional Manager
Learn tips and tricks to manage escalated students and get them quickly back to a regulated state. The presentation will focus on different escalation levels, how to support manifested behaviors, and the different brain functions during the cycles of dysregulation. Participants will learn ways to regulate during/after outbursts in the classroom. Hear the success stories from both presenters' classroom experiences in working with intense, chronic behaviors spanning from grades K-12.
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Regulate Then Educate
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Morning Meetings and Restorative Circles
Facilitator: Shannon Berghoff, Cape Girardeau School District
In this webinar, you will learn the importance of a Morning Meeting. Shannon explores several structures as well as shares how to fit one in on a tight schedule. You will walk away from this webinar with a plan of action (and possible lesson plans) to go from a Morning Meeting to Safe Restorative Circles.
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Brain-Based Classroom Management
Presented by: Christina Andrade Melly, 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year
Recognizing the ways our students (and teachers!) process stress can help us build calmer, more engaging spaces. Come to this session for practical ideas you can implement tomorrow based on brain science. Topics include classroom management, restorative structures, and a little teacher therapy.
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Student-Led Conferences
Student-led conferences are a powerful way to have students take ownership of their learning. Join educators from elementary, middle school and high school from across the state to learn how they empower their students through student-led conferences. This webinar will share the preparation that takes place beforehand, the process used with students, and other helpful tips. Participants will leave prepared to implement student-led conferences this year.
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All the Stuff They Didn’t Teach You About SpEd
Presented by: Whitney Choate, Cape Girardeau School District
GenEd teachers, have no fear! Your SpEd resource is here!
This Mini-Course webinar is designed specifically for general education teachers who would love to learn more about IEPs, differentiated instruction, and how to appropriately make modifications and accommodations. After only thirty minutes, you will leave with more tools in your teacher toolbox.
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Easy Tips for Working with English Learners Mini-Course
Presented by: Amanda Wyatt, EL Specialist, Mehlville School District
It is important for us to meet the needs of all our students. Sometimes this can seem overwhelming, and we don't know where to begin. Amanda Wyatt will share some simple strategies you can start using in class tomorrow with your English learners.
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Meeting the Needs of Gifted Learners
Presented by: Chris Holmes, 2015 Missouri Teacher of the Year
Students have varied needs and perhaps some of the most unique needs are those of our gifted learners. Join 2015 Missouri Teacher of the Year, Chris Holmes, as he shares a variety of strategies, resources, and insight that will support you in providing enrichment and support to all students.
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Gamification in the Classroom
Facilitator: Zak Hamby
Are you interested in gamifying your classroom but don't know where to start? Gamification can be as simple or involved as you want. Gamify an individual lesson, a unit, or even a whole course. Zachary Hamby, a 2020 Missouri Teacher of the Year finalist, will share his own experience with gamification--including projects such as choose-your-own-adventure writing assignments, content-related social deduction games, gamified scoring guides, and even a semester-long house challenge and badging system. Leave with access to free resources for gamifying your own classroom!
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Engagement Emporium
Facilitator: Mandi Tolen, Teacher for St. Joseph School District
Led by teacher and author Mandi Tolen, Mandi shares a variety of ideas to get students of all levels engaged in their learning.
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Best Practices for Formative Assessments Mini Course
Best Practices for Formative Assessments Mini-Course
Facilitator: Bethany Petty, School District
Join Bethany as she shares various tools that can be used for formative assessments in the classroom. The presenter models these tools in live time while discussing possible variations and implementation tips for each tool shared. Platforms shared include Quizizz, Flippity, and Advance features in Google Forms.
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Science of Reading Mini-Course
Facilitator: Erica Doennig, Joplin School District
Erica Doennig walks us through this complex topic providing a brief overview of what the Science of Reading is -- and is not. Learn some of the basic tenets of research behind the SOR and hear how it impacts reading instruction.
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Low-stress Test Prep
Facilitator: Darbie Valenti Huff, MSTA Professional Developer
Please step away from the practice tests and packets! Test preparation doesn't have to be stressful for teachers or for students. Learn ways to make test prep more engaging for students with limited preparation using resources you already have available. Gamifying test preparation will motivate students while taking a more brain-friendly approach to better prepare students for end-of-the-year testing.
By watching this webinar and completing the quiz, a certificate of completion automatically will be generated showing 0.5 hours of professional learning has been completed. If no certificate of completion is needed, webinars can be accessed on the MSTA website.
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Sneaking Fine Motor Into Your Day Mini-Course
Facilitator: Erica Doennig
Do your students desperately need to work on fine motor skills but you don't have the time to include it in your curriculum? Come learn some ways to be sneaky and weave it into your already busy day! Ideas will be easy to implement with a lot of common educational tools.
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AI Tech Tools for Teachers Mini-Course
Facilitator: Kelly Cook, Carl Junction School District
The following is a previously recorded webinar led by Kelly Cook, who shares multiple AI platforms and how these platforms can assist with a teacher's workload. This webinar was recorded in October of 2023. Please be aware that technology is evolving faster than ever, so while platforms may update by the time you are viewing this webinar, many of the options should remain.
By watching this webinar and completing the quiz, a certificate of completion automatically will be generated showing 0.5 hours of professional learning has been completed. If no certificate of completion is needed, webinars can be accessed on the MSTA website.
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Creating Digital Student Portfolios
Facilitator: Christopher Wright, Technology Specialist
Technology specialist, Christopher Wright, shares various tools that can be used to create digital portfolios. Participants will walk away with a basic understanding of how to utilize several online platforms as a means to capture student growth and learning in a digital platform. As with any resource involving technology, some platforms may have updated since the time of recording causing them to look different. However, the ideas shared are still relevant and applicable.
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Creating Digital Choice Boards
Facilitator: Darbie Valenti Huff
This course is a self-paced mini-course that provides a brief introduction to creating digital choice boards in the classroom. The choice boards shared in this mini-course can be as basic or as advanced as the teacher feels comfortable creating. Most of the examples are based on Google for Education products, but much of the information shared can be transferred to other platforms and products, including choice boards that aren't digital.
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Meet Tillie, MSTA's AI-powered tool for educators
Join Kara Potter from MSTA's Communications Department as she introduces Tillie, an AI-powered assistant designed to revolutionize your teaching experience. Discover how Tillie can help you maximize your time by providing quick access to resources, brainstorming lesson plans, and creating content. Whether you're looking for classroom management tips or innovative teaching strategies, Tillie is here to assist. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how Tillie can streamline your tasks and enhance your teaching experience.
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Sketch Notes Mini-Course
Facilitator: Laura Steinbrink, Waynesville High School
Discover how graphic organizers and sketch notes are a match made in heaven! In this webinar, you will learn how to create visuals that increase learning and how to scaffold sketch notes for students in a few steps and a variety of tools. But wait, there's more! You will have the opportunity to update one of your own presentations and leave with one that is packed with power for student learning potential!
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All Things Canva
Facilitator: Melissa Corey, Library Media Specialist
Designing customized content doesn't have to be hard. Library Media Specialist Melissa Corey demonstrates the many ways educators can utilize Canva in the classroom. Topics covered include creating presentations, graphics, screen recordings, graphic organizers, and more.
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What's New In Canva, Make Your Designs Magical Mini-Course
Facilitator: Melissa Corey, St. Joseph School District
Canva is a powerful, free graphic design tool for educators. This session will cover the basics of Canva, including editing designs and locating templates. Many new tools have been added to Canva, such as Magic Write, that make life easier for educators. You will learn several tips, tricks, hacks, and more!
By watching this webinar and completing the quiz, a certificate of completion automatically will be generated showing 0.5 hours of professional learning has been completed. If no certificate of completion is needed, webinars can be accessed on the MSTA website.
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