| Transformative Learning, Empowered Leadership |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Learning Offerings March - April 2025 - 2026 |
|
|
|
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. |
|
Adrian Peer Dr. Heather Gold Kimberly Smart Nicole Duran |
|
| Not seeing what your campus needs? Fill out a PD Session Request Form. Not sure where to start? Check out our PD Catalog below. |
|
|
| | | 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. |
|
|
| | | 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to our Newsletter; we're happy you're here! |
|
| Check out the resources below. |
|
| | Exciting News! Our Website is Live! |
|
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". |
|
|
|
| | Interested in Leading Your Own Session? |
|
|
|
| | How to Navigate the Bookings Page |
|
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. |
|
|
|
| | 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! |
|
|
| | Profession Learning Catalog |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Learning During School Hours |
|
Requires Administrative Approval to Participate. Teachers are required to secure subs for their class. |
|
Early Career Training Series - Backwards Mapping |
|
| | Set your year up for success by starting with the end in mind. In this professional learning session, early-career teachers will learn how to use backwards mapping to design intentional, coherent plans that align standards, assessments, and daily instruction. Through guided practice and real classroom examples, participants will break down year-long goals into manageable units and lessons that support student learning every step of the way. You'll leave with practical tools, planning templates, and renewed confidence to plan your year with clarity and purpose.
Great for: Early Career Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: March 12th Time: 8:30pm -11:30am Location: Central Office |
|
|
|
| | Magic School (AI) Virtual Session
|
|
| | In this interactive session, participants will explore high-impact teacher tools, Raina, and MagicStudent to streamline instructional planning and support student engagement. We'll experience MagicStudent from the learner perspective and begin exploring how it can support personalized instruction and feedback across diverse classrooms.
This session is designed for educators, instructional leaders, and staff looking for practical, immediately applicable strategies.
Great for: All Staff
Date: March 13th Time: 2:00-3:00pm Location: Virtual |
|
|
|
| TK Learning Day - Reflecting & Planning: Strengthening Foundations for TK Success |
|
| | In this forward-focused session, teachers will engage in reflective dialogue to celebrate growth and identify key takeaways from the year. Building on the common assessments developed, participants will collaboratively map out instructional units and establish a pacing plan for administering these assessments in the upcoming year. The session will also provide space to evaluate current Tier 3 intervention strategies, share effective practices, and co-design enhanced support systems that ensure all students are equitably served and supported for success.
Great for: TK Teachers, Insrtuctional Coaches
Date: April 16th Time: 12:00pm - 3:30pm Location: Central Office |
|
|
|
| | Math Literacy: Building Vocabulary, Problem-Solving, and Mathematical Writing
|
|
| | Strong math instruction is more than numbers—it's language. In this interactive professional learning session, educators will explore practical strategies to strengthen students' mathematical vocabulary, unpack complex word problems with confidence, and structure clear, evidence-based written explanations of their thinking. Participants will learn routines that support students in breaking down multi-step problems, identifying key information, and translating mathematical reasoning into precise academic language.
Great for: Math Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: April 17th Time: 1:30-3:30pm Location: Central Office |
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Learning After School Hours |
|
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. |
|
| Interested in Leading Your Own Session? |
|
|
|
AI & SEL: Supporting Student Mental Health in a Digital Age |
|
| | Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of students' academic and personal lives, but how do we ensure they are engaging with it in ways that are healthy, balanced, and developmentally appropriate? In this interactive virtual session, we will explore how AI intersects with Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and student mental health, and the critical role educators play in guiding responsible use. Discover real classroom applications and guardrails for responsible use. Learn about signs you can look for in students that may indicate an unhealthy relationship with AI and strategies to effectively intervene on their behalf. Together, we will examine how to foster critical thinking, self-awareness, and digital well-being so students use AI as a tool for growth rather than dependence. Join us to help shape a school culture where AI enhances learning while protecting and promoting student well-being.
Presenters: Adrian Peer and Montessa Garcia Posey
Great for: All Staff
Date: March 5th Time: 3:45pm - 4:45pm Location: Zoom |
|
|
|
| | Talk to Learn: Building Vocabulary and Classroom Conversation |
|
| | Take a deep dive into building academic vocabulary and promoting structured discussions that support English Learners in developing language proficiency. Participants will engage in interactive strategies designed to strengthen vocabulary acquisition, expand oral language practice, and foster collaborative conversations aligned to ELD standards. The session will emphasize effective scaffolding techniques that increase student participation and deepen content understanding through purposeful, structured dialogue.
Presenter: Kimberly Smart
Great for: Teachers, Paras, Instructional Coaches, Admin
Date: March 11th Time: 3:30-5:00pm Location: Central Office |
|
|
|
|
CAASPP Series: CAST Success |
|
| | Get students CAST-ready with confidence! In this one-hour interactive Zoom session, educators will unpack how the CAST is organized, what students can expect when taking the assessment, and the skills it truly measures. We'll explore practical strategies for using performance tasks to mirror CAST expectations and build student stamina, reasoning, and scientific thinking. Walk away with clear insights and classroom-ready approaches to help your middle and high school students succeed.
Presenter: Adrian Peer
Great for: Science Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: March 17th Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm Location: Zoom |
|
|
|
| | | | Interested in implementing joyful, evidence-based read alouds into your classroom? Learn how to engage students in language rich activities that build reading comprehension using picture books!
Presenter: Kimberly Smart
Great for: Elementary Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Date: March 26th Time: 3:30-5:00pm Location: Central Office |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore additional professional learning experiences offered by our community partners and external organizations. |
|
Mathematics Framework Professional Development Programs: Mindsets Math Professional Learning
|
|
| | This presentation will provide an overview of the Mathematics Framework-aligned professional learning programs offered by EduProtocols. 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 Location: Zoom |
|
|
|
| | CAASPP Made Clear - Energize your writing instruction and give stuednts the tools they need to feel ready to write |
|
| | Join A3WP teacher leader Trisha Sanchez for a hands on workshop that helps demystify the CAASPP writing test! Energize your writing instruction and give students the tools they need to feel capable, calm, and ready to write.
Great for: 3rd-8th Grade Teachers, Instructional Leaders
Date: February 28th Time: 9:30am - 11:00am Location: Zoom |
|
|
|
| | | Imagine Sonday is a comprehensive small-group reading and spelling intervention program grounded in the science of reading and the Orton-Gillingham approach. This training equips educators with pre-designed, easy-to-implement lessons that require minimal daily prep while strengthening foundational literacy skills, structured literacy practices, multisensory strategies, assessment, and progress monitoring. Multiple session dates are available. Interested staff can register for the session that best fits their schedule.
Great for: Educators using Sonday
Date(s): March, April May Offerings Time: 8:00am - 3:00pm |
|
|
|
| | Let's Figure Out Math Fluency! Book Study |
|
| | This virtual book study invites K-12 educators to rethink mathematical fluency through research-proven practices that strengthen number sense and accelerate learning. Together, we'll move beyond memorization to actionable routines that support accuracy, flexibility, and efficiency for all students. Participants will receive a free copy of the book, will engage in rich professional dialogue, leave with actionable strategies, stronger assessment practices, and small, meaningful instructional shifts they can implement immediately.
Great for: Math Educators
Date(s): March, April May Offerings Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm Location: Zoom |
|
|
|
|
|
Check out our future offerings. |
|
| | The Science of Reading (LETRS) GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) Training |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Professional Learning Team 916-286-5129 |
|
|
|
|
|
