Professional Development Courses
(DESE and Recommended Course Opportunities)
Per Unit A Contract
- Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Courses
- CAST-Universal Design for Learning Courses
- Teaching and Learning Alliance and Gordon College Courses
- Bridgewater State University and Cape Cod Collaborative Courses
- Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity Courses
- Landmark & SNHU Partnership Courses
- French River Education Center SEI Endorsement Course
- Universal Design for Learning 201: Putting Theory into Practice
- Empowering Multilingual Learners
- English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom: Theory to Practice
- Supporting English Learners Professional Development Course for School District Administrators
- Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language; MGH Institute of Health Professions
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Courses
Foundations for Inclusive Practice and Support Cohort
Description: The Department has sponsored two free online courses, Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Educator and Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Administrator, to help educators be more effective in inclusive settings. These courses are self-paced and are one way to earn the 15 professional development points in "effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles" that are required to renew a professional license. Educators can register at the Guidebook for Inclusive Practice website.
Blueprint for EL Success and Support Cohort
Description: The Department has sponsored two free online courses, Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Educator and Foundations for Inclusive Practice: Administrator, to help educators be more effective in inclusive settings. These courses are self-paced and are one way to earn the 15 professional development points in "effective schooling for students with disabilities and instruction of students with diverse learning styles" that are required to renew a professional license. Educators can register at the Guidebook for Inclusive Practice website.
CAST-Universal Design for Learning Courses
CAST course offerings:
Introduction to Universal Design for Learning
Search all upcoming courses & classes
Options available to suit your context and learning preferences include:
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Live Virtual Classes
Interactive, boutique-style classes are for individuals and small teams who want to increase their understanding of UDL and develop an action plan for implementing it in their learning environment. These are typically intensive experiences with a limited duration (e.g., 2 full days or a series of half-days). -
Instructor-Led Courses
These online courses are led by our team of incredible online learning instructors and have live meeting times or office hours to interact directly with the instructors. -
Instructor-Supported Courses
Learn at your own pace the support of one of our instructors! These courses are self-directed, and include feedback and check-ins with one of our fantastic team members.
Self-Directed Courses
Prefer learning at your own pace without instructor input? Our self-directed online courses are for you!
CAST Introduction to Universal Design for Learning
Who: Educators (general, special education, curriculum coordinators, administrators, instructional technology specialists, paraprofessionals, college and university faculty, adult education faculty and presenters, etc.) and teams of educators at all levels who are interested in learning about:
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How to address the learner variability in every classroom and school
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How to support students to become expert learners
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Cutting-edge research from the learning sciences
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How to implement UDL strategies into their practice
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Some courses are also open to parents who are interested in learning about UDL and how it can benefit their children.
Note: Credit Equivalency-Coursework for this module is equivalent to a 22.5-contact-hour, graduate-level course. Please see our Graduate Credit FAQ.
Teaching and Learning Alliance and Gordon College Courses
Fundamentals of Teaching
Description: This course introduces the fundamentals of teaching through the context of human diversity; including Understanding by Design, Universal Design for Learning, the principles of curriculum and instruction with the integration of technology, lesson planning, Bloom’s taxonomy, individual learning styles, issues of child development and social-emotional learning, as well as teaching strategies for student engagement and classroom facilitation will be explored and applied.
Learning Outcomes - At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to apply their understanding and mastery of the course material to:
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Identify, and apply the levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy in creating learning outcomes and lessons using district curricular and state standards
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Describe characteristics of child development and social-emotional learning and the impact on instruction and classroom management strategies
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Explain the methodologies and strategies for designing lessons with strong student learning outcomes
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Understand formative and summative assessments for data-driven instruction and differentiation
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Explore teaching strategies for all types of diverse learners in authentic settings while noting the importance of student engagement and motivation
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Interpret and apply the components of universal design for learning through multi-modal learning and the use of technology
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Discuss and recognize the evolution of teaching and learning through frameworks of diversity, equity and inclusion
Who: All educators, especially 2nd and 3rd service year educators
Note: This course meets DESE’s requirement of 50 hours of mentoring beyond the beginning teacher's first year of induction in order to apply for Professional Licensure; 3-credits graduate credits available.
BOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Dr. Giordana M. Basta is currently serving as an Assistant Professor and the Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Curry College. She is committed to safeguarding and promoting equitable education, the meaningful preparation of educators, and collaboration with families and the community. Dr. Basta’s dissertation research was titled “Elementary School Teacher Perceptions on Student Social-Emotional Learning and Implications for Instruction.” Giordana is an SEL expert who has consulted for local and regional school districts as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Giordana has worked with schools and districts nationally to embed high-quality instruction and support educational teams with change initiatives. Dr. Basta has presented locally, regionally, and nationally on topics ranging from early literacy to social-emotional learning and self regulation.
For more information: TLA Fundamentals of Teaching
Bridgewater State University and Cape Cod Collaborative Courses
Collaborative Framework for Educator Evaluation (CoFFEE)
Description: During the course, candidates deepen their understanding of the MA framework for educator evaluation and develop a common language to define effective instruction. Through the use of practice exercises, videos, case studies, reading, discussion, and coaching sessions, participants will develop instructional leadership skills to…
● Name, explain, and document effective instruction regardless of the means of delivery (e.g., in-person, solely online, and/or blended)
● Communicate about pedagogical practices that impact student learning to provide teachers with detailed feedback in order to promote a continued cycle of professional growth;
● Develop and reinforce professional practice that engages instructional leaders and their colleagues in meaningful, student-focused conversations about best practice and maintains an open feedback loop;
● utilize a wide range of data points about student learning in teacher goal setting and benchmarking to indicate measures of growth and success.
Note: There are no prerequisites for the course.
Instructors Members of the Cape &Islands Curriculum Directors’ Team~Dr. Marc J. Smith; Superintendent- Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District e: smithm@dy-regional.k12.ma.us | p: 508.398.7600 & Mr. Mike Feeney; Falmouth Public Schools e: mfeeney@falmouth.k12.ma.us | p: 508.944.9458
For more information and dates: CoFFEE-BSW/CCC
Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity Courses
- Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) Certificate in Trauma & Learning Courses
- Other Lesley University Graduate Certificates
Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) Certificate in Trauma & Learning Courses
The Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) strives to promote the development of safe and supportive educational environments, using a whole-child, whole-school, trauma-sensitive approaches. We offer:
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Graduate level courses leading to a certificate in trauma and learning
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Professional development for school communities
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Executive coaching for administrators and school leadership teams
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Research on developing trauma sensitive learning environments
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We partner with diverse schools locally, nationally, and globally. In these partnerships, we have witnessed remarkable outcomes that include fewer office referrals, fewer suspensions, stronger classroom communities, and better support networks for educators.
LIFTS, a part of Lesley's Center for Inclusive and Special Education, is directed by Dr. Sal Terrasi.
Note: five courses provide three graduate level credits, and are offered to professional educators (teachers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, specialists, and administrators) at a substantial discount. This discount is made possible due to generous funding from the Oak Foundation, which commits its resources to address issues of global social and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged.
The first four courses comprise a certificate program in trauma & learning. Courses must be taken in sequence, and are offered in a variety of formats, including on-site delivery in your district, remote (synchronous and asynchronous) 8-week delivery, and an intensive low-residency institute format, which combines weekend study with continuing online work. For more information, contact Merlyn Mayhew, Assistant Director, at mmayhew3@lesley.edu.
Other Lesley University Graduate Certificates
Landmark & SNHU Partnership Courses
French River Education Center SEI Endorsement Course
French River Education Center
SEI Endorsement Course Offerings – Spring 2025
please note: Online Synchronous Zoom Class - you must have the required technology to participate in all sessions (including computer audio and video). Also, you must be able to attend via Zoom all sessions at their prescribed dates and times.
ADMIN (15-hour class time plus weekly online assignments) *(no classes over school breaks)
Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
03/04/25 to 04/01/25* |
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
Olga Escalera |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
05/01/25 to 05/29/25* |
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
Olga Escalera |
FULL TEACHER COURSE (45-hour class time plus weekly online assignments) *(no classes over school breaks)
Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
02/03/25 to 06/02/25* |
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
Gail Arsenault |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
02/03/25 to 06/02/25* |
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm |
Edna Wilson |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
02/04/25 to 05/27/25* |
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
Gail Arsenault |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
02/05/25 to 05/28/25* |
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm |
Irene Logan |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
03/05/25 to 06/18/25* |
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm |
Maria Colon |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
02/06/25 to 05/29/25* |
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm |
Edna Wilson |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
03/06/25 to 06/19/25* |
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
Nicholas Bettencourt |
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Online Synchronous Zoom Class |
01/25/25 to 06/07/25* |
9:00 am to 12:00 noon |
Hope Oliveras |
To register for a course, please visit our web site at
WWW.FREC.ORG - Click GoSignMeUp in the upper right of the screen
Contact Ricci Hall for more information: 508-987-0219 Ext 101 or rhall@frec.org
ESL Licensure MTEL Prep Course
** Take the ESL MTEL Prep Course to prepare you to pass the ESL teacher
exam to become a licensed ESL teacher**
Having an ESL License would eliminate your need to have the SEI Endorsement:
Next Prep Course:
Consecutive Tuesdays: Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, 26, Dec 3, 10, and 17: 4:30-7:30pm via Zoom – Cost $500
Register at: (https://frec.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=6673)
Universal Design for Learning 201: Putting Theory into Practice
Advance your understanding and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with this level 2 facilitated course designed for educators who already have a foundational knowledge of UDL and are ready to go beyond introductory practices. This course focuses on honing your skills in identifying barriers to learning, designing more inclusive lessons, and refining your teaching strategies to foster deeper learner agency.
Note: 45 hours in MA is equivalent to 2 graduate credits
Empowering Multilingual Learners
Multilingual learners bring a richness of experience and diversity to our classrooms, but they also have unique support needs. In this course, you will delve into the intricacies of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching (CLRT) and UDL, learning how to provide multiple pathways for engagement, representation, and expression to meet the varied language proficiencies of your students. You will explore practical strategies for integrating linguistically responsive practices into your teaching, ensuring that every learner, regardless of language background, can access and succeed in the curriculum.
Note: 45 hours in MA is equivalent to 2 graduate credits
English Learners in the Mainstream Classroom: Theory to Practice
Supporting English Learners Professional Development Course for School District Administrators
Facilitators: Lisa Alonzo and Kristin Strapko
REGISTER NOW
This 15-hour professional development course is designed for school district administrators. This course explores the crucial role in creating a culture of high expectations and an environment of support so that English Learners can succeed. Course readings, assignments, and resources will focus on research-based strategies and best practices to not only improve outcomes for English learners, but to create rich multicultural and multilingual school environments which benefit all students. Participants will examine and apply the DESE Blueprint for EL Success. All readings and course materials will be provided.
The structure of this course is 15 hours of synchronous and asynchronous tasks including prework (prior to the first Zoom session) chapter-based questions, discussion prompts, and an action plan. Participants will attend three Zoom sessions (2 hours each). For the final product, participants will evaluate their district’s capacity for supporting English Learners, make recommendations, and create an action plan for moving forward.
Start Date: Mon 3/10/25
Zoom Sessions Mondays 4pm-6pm, 3/10/25, 3/31/25, & 4/14/25
End Date: 4/14/24
Please complete this short survey prior to the first session on March 10, 2025 after completing the registration above
Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language; MGH Institute of Health Professions
Monomoy now has an affiliation agreement with IHP ( MGH Institute of Health Professions). This grants 20% off tuition for the CAS (Certificate of Advanced Study in Literacy and Language) program to our members. IHP is currently working on revising the program to meet the new IDA (International Dyslexia Association) accreditation standards so graduates will have to pass the national exam in addition to the state exam. You can find more information about that here and the levels of certification.