Current Professional Learning Opportunities
This page lists upcoming graduate courses and seminars that are open for registration or have wait list spaces available. Additional offerings will be posted as they become available. For information about the DEI Anti-Racism Certificate program, click here.
Download a flyer (PDF) with an overview of the current course offerings. Updated April 30, 2024.
Graduate Level Courses
(2) Credits, (30) Hour Courses
IDEAS 1: Anti-Racist School Practices to Support the Success of All Students
This course is designed to introduce educators to the complex issues raised by race and racism and their impact on student engagement and achievement. This course will provide educators with an understanding of racial identity and the importance of building authentic student teacher relationships. This course will also help educators increase their skills of cultural proficiency.
| Section A: | Section B: |
| Course Dates & Times: Saturdays June 22nd, 8:30am – 3:30pm June 29th, 8:30am – 3:30pm July 13th, 8:30am – 3:30pm July 27th, 8:30am – 3:30pm | Course Dates & Times: Wednesdays July 10th, 8:00am – 4:30pm July 17th, 8:00am – 12:00pm July 24th, 8:00am – 4:30pm July 31st, 8:00am – 12:00pm |
| Instructor(s): Jennifer Dirga & Seeta Durvasula | Instructor(s): Edward Byrne & Dr. Paula Martin |
| Section C: | Section D: |
| Course Dates & Times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays July 17th, 9:00am – 3:00pm July 23rd, 9:00am – 12:00pm July 24th, 9:00am – 12:00pm July 25th, 9:00am – 12:00pm July 30th, 9:00am – 12:00pm July 31st, 9:00am – 12:00pm August 1st, 9:00am – 12:00pm | Course Dates & Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays July 16th, 8:30am – 3:30pm July 23rd, 4:00pm – 7:00pm July 25th, 4:00pm – 7:30pm July 30th, 4:00pm – 7:30pm August 1st, 4:00pm – 7:30pm August 6th, 8:30am – 3:30pm |
| Instructor(s): Dr. Johnny Cole & JoAnne Kazis | Instructor(s): Jennifer Dirga & Kerryn Hinds |
Locations:
Section A: The first and last session will meet in person at Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington; the rest of the sessions will meet virtually via Zoom.
Section B & D: All sessions will meet virtually via Zoom.
Section C: The first session will meet in person at Lexington Public Schools; the rest of the sessions will meet virtually via Zoom.
Cost: $650 IDEAS members /$780 non-members
Graduate Credit: Participants may choose to apply for 2 graduate credits for an additional fee of $150, payable to Framingham State University.
Registration: To register, please complete and submit this registration form. Please ensure that you have approval from your district before registering. Please email any questions to Dana Mullaley – dmullaley@massupt.org.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notice must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible for a refund.
(1) Credit, (15) Hour Courses
CoTeaching with a Culturally Responsive Lens
This course explores cooperative group work, student engagement, and specially designed instruction with a focus on a variety of co-teaching models. Participants will explore how to support all students, particularly those who are in special education, come with a socio-emotional/ trauma history, are English language learners, and belong to racial and ethnic minority populations. This course highlights neurological research and its connection to culturally responsive co-teaching (based on the work by Zaretta Hammond, author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain). Participants will learn strategies for attention, retention, and assessment. Humor, movement, and novelty are explored in order to plan instruction and maximize learning. Completion of this course will satisfy special education endorsement requirements.
Dates & Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 16th & July 18th; 8:30am – 3:30pm
Instructors: Dr. Claudia Fox Tree & JoAnne Kazis
Location: Live via Zoom
Cost: $325 IDEAS members /$390 non-members
Graduate Credit: Participants may choose to apply for 1 graduate credit for an additional fee of $75, payable to Framingham State University.
Registration: To register, please complete and submit this registration form . Please ensure that you have approval from your district before registering. Please email any questions to Dana Mullaley – dmullaley@massupt.org.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notice must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible for a refund.
Transforming Curriculum through a Social Justice Lens
This course is designed for educators who wish to understand multicultural curriculum transformation using the model developed by James Banks and incorporating the Teaching Tolerance standards regarding identity, diversity, justice, and action. Participants will explore “challenging and changing the narrative” to include more multicultural perspectives, adapting pedagogy to be more culturally responsive, and challenging systemic racism and bias. Participants will then adapt/develop their own lesson/unit plan.
Dates & Time: Wednesdays & Fridays, July 10th & July 12th; 8:30am – 3:30pm
Instructors: Dr. Claudia Fox Tree & Rebecca Smoler
Location: Live via Zoom
Cost: $325 IDEAS members /$390 non-members
Graduate Credit: Participants may choose to apply for 1 graduate credit for an additional fee of $75, payable to Framingham State University.
Registration: To register, please complete and submit this registration form. Please ensure that you have approval from your district before registering. Please email any questions to Dana Mullaley – dmullaley@massupt.org.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notice must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible for a refund.
Strategies for Examining and Addressing the Academic Achievement Gap
This course provides participants with an opportunity to explore concepts of racial identity development, micro-aggressions, and colorblindness. Research by Derald W. Sue, Ron Ferguson, and others is highlighted. Participants will examine how race, ethnicity, and racism influence academic achievement. Participants will develop culturally proficient skills and identify successful strategies that promote excellence and equity in the educational environment.
Dates & Time: Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 23rd & July 25th; 8:30am – 3:30pm
Instructors: Dr. Claudia Fox Tree & Jennifer Wolfrum
Location: Live via Zoom
Cost: $325 IDEAS members /$390 non-members
Graduate Credit: Participants may choose to apply for 1 graduate credit for an additional fee of $75, payable to Framingham State University.
Registration: To register, please complete and submit this registration form. Please ensure that you have approval from your district before registering. Please email any questions to Dana Mullaley – dmullaley@massupt.org.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation notice must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the course to be eligible for a refund.
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