| Transformative Learning, Empowered Leadership |
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Professional Learning Offerings January - February 2025 - 2026 |
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Hi! We're the Professional Learning Team.
We're thrilled to share GCC's Professional Learning Newsletter with you! Every other month, you'll find upcoming PD sessions, resources, and ideas to support you—no matter where you are in your career. We can't wait to learn and grow alongside you. |
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Adrian Peer Dr. Heather Gold Kimberly Smart Nicole Duran |
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| Not seeing what your campus needs? Fill out a PD Session Request Form. Not sure where to start? Check out our PD Catalog below. |
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| | | Admin approval is required for daytime sessions but not for after-school sessions. Certificated staff will be paid the non-instructional rate for after school sessions. Teachers are required to secure a sub for their class.
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| | | Classified staff will be paid their hourly rate if they attend a session after school; admin approval required if exceeding 40 hours in a week or over 8 hours in a day. |
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Welcome to our Newsletter; we're happy you're here! |
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| Check out the resources below. |
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| | Exciting News! Our Website is Live! |
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We're thrilled to share our website, designed to provide quick and easy access to everything you need for instructional support, professional development, and more! We've built this site with you in mind! It can be found on the GCC homepage under "More". |
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| | Interested in Leading Your Own Session? |
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| | How to Navigate the Bookings Page |
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Eager to sign up but need help navigating the platform? Watch this video for essential tools and tips to set you up for success! Select the icon to watch a video on how to book. |
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| | Signing up for Professional Learning has never been easier! Simply find the session you're interested in and click "Register Here." Once you book, you'll receive an email confirmation and an automatic calendar update — no extra steps required! |
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| | Profession Learning Catalog |
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Administrators - Interested in bringing PD to your site but not sure where to start? Explore our PD Catalog, featuring sessions across all disciplines. Be sure to check out the sessions marked with a ⭐, which align with our Instructional Action Framework. Complete the PD Session Request form to customize professional learning that fits your campus's needs. |
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Professional Learning During School Hours |
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Requires Administrative Approval to Participate. Teachers are required to secure subs for their class. |
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IAF Series - Data Collection and Observation Look Fors |
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| | Designed specifically for administrators, instructional coaches, and MTSS Leads, this series provides targeted support in implementing the Instructional Action Framework at your site. Each session will focus on key components—Common Formative Assessment, Intervention Implementation and Student Grouping, Data Collection and Observation Look-Fors, and PLCs: Putting It All Together. Join us from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for collaborative learning with a support lab from 3:00-4:00 p.m. for guided application and individualized assistance.
Great for: Instructional Coaches, MTSS Leads, Admin
Date: January 7th Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm Location: Central Office |
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| | NGSS Training Series: Career and Technical Education |
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| | This comprehensive professional development series is designed to deepen educators' understanding and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) across grade levels and disciplines. In this third session of the series—designed specifically for CTE teachers—participants will engage in interactive learning, collaborative planning, and hands-on exploration of NGSS-aligned practices. Together, we'll unpack the three-dimensional learning model that integrates Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas, with a focus on how these approaches can strengthen and enrich instruction in Career Technical Education pathways.
Great for: CTE Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: January 12th Time: 8:30am-11:30am Location: Central Office |
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| Early Career Training Series - Differentiation
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| | Join us for the third session in the Early Career Training Series, where we'll explore practical strategies to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all learners. From adjusting content and process to tailoring products and learning environments, participants will learn how to create inclusive classrooms that honor student readiness, interests, and learning profiles. Walk away with tools and approaches to ensure every student is challenged, supported, and engaged in meaningful learning. Please bring a laptop.
Great for: Early Career Teachers, Induction Teachers, Intern Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: January 15th Time: 8:30am - 3:30pm Location: Central Office |
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| | Writing for Success Part 2: Informative/Expository Writing |
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| | Teaching writing can be challenging, but you don't have to navigate it alone! In this four-part professional learning series, Session 2 will focus on a deep dive into informative/expository writing, including what students are expected to produce on both SBAC and ELPAC assessments. Each session equips teachers with practical tools, streamlined graphic organizers, and student-friendly scaffolds designed to support skill development and build students' confidence as effective writers.
Great for: ELA Teachers, All teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: January 30th Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm Location: Central Office |
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| | | Employ the power of the engineering and design NGSS standards to engage students in scientific inquiry and discovery. In this session, participants will explore how the engineering design process can serve as a dynamic entry point into the Next Generation Science Standards. We will examine practical strategies for using engineering challenges to spark curiosity, deepen conceptual understanding, and create authentic opportunities for students to think and work like scientists. Participants will experience hands-on models that integrate science and engineering practices, investigate how purposeful constraints and real-world problems can drive learning, and learn how to scaffold student collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. By the end of the session, participants will leave with ready-to-use tools and frameworks that elevate engagement and transform science lessons into powerful opportunities for discovery.
Great for: Science Teachers
Date: February 2nd Time: 8:30pm - 11:30pm Location: Central Office |
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| | IAF Series - PLC's Putting it All Together |
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| | Designed specifically for administrators, instructional coaches, and MTSS Leads, this series provides targeted support in implementing the Instructional Action Framework at your site. Each session will focus on key components—Common Formative Assessment, Intervention Implementation and Student Grouping, Data Collection and Observation Look-Fors, and PLCs: Putting It All Together. Join us from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for collaborative learning with a support lab from 3:00-4:00 p.m. for guided application and individualized assistance.
Great for: Instructional Coaches, MTSS Leads, Admin
Date: February 11th Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm Location: Central Office |
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| TK Learning Day: Data-Driven Instruction Through the Common Assessment Tracker |
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| | In this session, teachers will build out the Common Assessment Tracker by determining cut points for each topic previously selected for assessment. Participants will bring three examples of common assessments they've administered and engage in a PLC-style collaboration to analyze student work, identify trends, and calibrate expectations. This session will focus on using data to inform instruction, strengthen alignment, and ensure consistent tracking of student progress across classrooms.
Great for: TK Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: February 12th Time: 12:00pm - 3:30pm Location: Central Office |
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| | Writing for Success Part 3: Opinion/Argumentative Writing
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| | Teaching writing can be challenging, but you don't have to navigate it alone! In this four-part professional learning series, Session 3 will focus on a deep dive into opinion/argumentative writing, including what students are expected to produce on both SBAC and ELPAC assessments. Each session equips teachers with practical tools, streamlined graphic organizers, and student-friendly scaffolds designed to support skill development and build students' confidence as effective writers.
Great for: ELA Teachers, All teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: February 13th Time: 1:30pm - 3:30pm Location: Central Office |
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| Building Thinking Classrooms Intensive |
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| | Join us for a four-day intensive designed to equip teachers with the 14 research-based practices from Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms. Across two days in February and two days in March, participants will experience BTC strategies firsthand, explore how to foster deep mathematical thinking, and learn how to create classrooms where every student is actively engaged in problem solving. This is a cohesive learning series, so participants must sign up for all four dates to fully implement the BTC framework with confidence and fidelity.
Great for: Math Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Dates: 02/23, 02/24, 03/09,03/10 Time: 8:30pm - 3:00pm Location: Central Office |
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Professional Learning After School Hours |
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Certificated Staff - Paid Non-Instructional Rate/ No Admin Approval Needed Classified Staff - Paid Hourly Rate/ Admin Approval Needed if Exceeding 40 Hours in a week or 8 hours in a day. |
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| Interested in Leading Your Own Session? |
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| | | Algebra Tiles: From Concrete to Abstract
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| | Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll explore how digital algebra tiles can transform the way students understand abstract expressions and equations. Discover how this interactive tool makes combining like terms, solving equations, and factoring more engaging and accessible for all learners. You'll walk away with ready-to-use strategies and resources to strengthen your classroom instruction.
Please bring a laptop.
Presenter: Sonny Yang (SAVA)
Great for: Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, CTE Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: January 14th Time: 3:30pm-5:00pm Location: Central Office |
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| | Restorative Practices & Trauma Informed Approaches in Education: Engagement Practices in IS Schools |
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| | In this session, participants will explore practical ways to create safer, more connected classroom communities through trauma-informed and restorative practices in an Independent Study format. Teachers will learn how to use positive behavior supports, apply de-escalation language, and strengthen student engagement through trust and relationship-building. Walk away with concrete strategies to foster connection-centered communication and promote a supportive learning environment for all students.
Presenter: Julie Carter (SAVA)
Great for: Independent Study Teachers
Date: January 22nd Time: 3:30-4:40pm Location: Zoom |
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Explore additional professional learning experiences offered by our community partners and external organizations. |
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Mathematics Framework Professional Development Programs: Solution Tree |
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| | The California Department of Education (CDE) is excited to announce a four-part professional development webinar series designed to support educators in strengthening instructional practices and improving student outcomes in mathematics. This series will highlight professional development programs with proven success in California schools. Each session will spotlight the program's evidence-based approaches to professional learning, demonstrated successes in students' standardized test scores, and testimonials from local educational agencies (LEAs) that used the program. While the CDE does not endorse any program over another, these programs represent the range of professional learning opportunities available to LEAs.
Great for: Educators, Admin, Instructional Leaders
Date: January 13th Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location: Zoom |
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| | Mathematics Framework Professional Development Programs: EduProtocols |
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| | The California Department of Education (CDE) is excited to announce a four-part professional development webinar series designed to support educators in strengthening instructional practices and improving student outcomes in mathematics. This series will highlight professional development programs with proven success in California schools. Each session will spotlight the program's evidence-based approaches to professional learning, demonstrated successes in students' standardized test scores, and testimonials from local educational agencies (LEAs) that used the program. While the CDE does not endorse any program over another, these programs represent the range of professional learning opportunities available to LEAs.
Great for: Educators, Admin, Instructional Leaders
Date: January 27th Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location: Zoom |
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| Mathematics Framework Professional Development Programs: Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative |
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| | This presentation will provide an overview of the Mathematics Framework-aligned professional learning programs offered by Silicon Valley. It will also provide statistical evidence and testimonials from Local Educational Agencies that have implemented the program and seen success. These programs are not endorsed by the California Department of Education, but they do serve as an example of professional learning opportunities available for educators throughout the state.
Great for: Educators, Admin, Instructional Leaders
Date: February 10th Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location: Zoom |
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| | Mathematics Framework Professional Development Programs: Mindsets Math Professional Learning |
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| | This presentation will provide an overview of the Mathematics Framework-aligned professional learning programs offered by Silicon Valley. It will also provide statistical evidence and testimonials from Local Educational Agencies that have implemented the program and seen success. These programs are not endorsed by the California Department of Education, but they do serve as an example of professional learning opportunities available for educators throughout the state.
Great for: Educators, Admin, Instructional Leaders
Date: February 24th Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location: Zoom |
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Check out our future offerings. |
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| | Early Career Training - Backwards Mapping The Science of Reading (LETRS) TK Learning Day - Strengthening Foundations for TK Success Where Core Meets Career: Strategies for Academic & CTE Integration
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Professional Learning Team 916-286-5129 |
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