Capital Region BOCES is your partner in professional learning. We help educators meet daily challenges by providing trainings and workshops that expand knowledge and support students. Our courses are offered year-round, both in-person and online, and cover a variety of topics from state-mandated trainings to safety refreshers.
Capital Region BOCES is a state-approved Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) provider.
New trainings are regularly added; please check back frequently.
Current Professional Development Offerings
DASA Trainings | ELA/Literacy | Equity | Instruction & Pedagogy | Instructional Coaching | Math | Project Based Learning | Science | Social Emotional Learning
Professional Development MATTERS: DASA Trainings
DASA July 2025
This workshop will fulfill the training requirements for the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) as required by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents. The workshop is designed for those who are seeking a New York State Certification.
Presenter: Jennifer Case
Date/Time: July 18, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price: $80
DASA August 2025
This workshop will fulfill the training requirements for the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) as required by the New York State Education Department Board of Regents. The workshop is designed for those who are seeking a New York State Certification.
Presenter: Jennifer Case
Date/Time: August 15, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price: $80
Professional Development MATTERS: ELA/Literacy
AP Literature for New Teachers
Designed for new AP Literature teachers, this full-day session offers comprehensive learning about the AP Literature course. The morning session will break down the exam’s key components and review the skill progression outlined by the College Board. In the afternoon, the focus will shift to texts and activities that help students develop the skills necessary for success on the exam and in future college literature courses.
Presenter: Tom Stanton
Date/Time: July 23, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price: $225 ($175 for Subscribers)
Register for AP Literature for New Teachers
Collaborative Literacy Conversations Network Kickoff
Join us this summer for a regional conversation and networking event where we will discuss improving literacy outcomes for all students across the content areas. The morning is an opportunity for networking, learning, and hearing from colleagues on best practice ideas for evidence-based literacy pedagogy.
Presenter: Laura McDaniel
Date/Time: July 29, 2025 | 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $0
Register for Collaborative Literacy Conversations Network Kickoff
Closing the COVID Reading Gap with Personalized Learning Grade K-6
The concern is widespread: the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed significantly to students falling over a year behind grade level in reading, and a clear, effective solution remains elusive. This educational approach is designed to meet students’ learning needs, adjust to their preferences, and be responsive to their unique interests, backgrounds, and experiences. However, the structure and implementation of this approach can vary from district to district and school to school. In these two half-day workshops, teachers will first learn about the pedagogies and practices that form the foundation of personalized learning. Then, they will have the opportunity to design a delivery model tailored to the specific needs of their school.
Presenter: Ilyne Peters-Weinberg
Dates/Time: July 30 & 31, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30am
Price: $220 ($180 for Subscribers)
Register for Closing the COVID Reading Gap with Personalized Learning Grade K-6
Demystifying Poetry Instruction
This half-day session is designed for middle and high school ELA teachers to address common apprehensions around reading and analyzing poetry. The focus will be on shifting the mindset from “finding the hidden meaning” to “discovering the broader meaning” in poetry.
Presenter: Tom Stanton
Date/Time: August 13, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30am
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Demystifying Poetry Instruction
Professional Development MATTERS: Equity
Grading for Opportunity: One-Day Overview
Research shows that grading practices often favor privileged students and disadvantage those with less privilege, including students of color, those from low-income families, students receiving special education services, and English learners (Feldman, 2019).During this one-day program, you will: Gain an understanding of inequitable grading practices in the context of culturally responsive practices. Reflect upon current teacher grading and grade reporting practices to determine the degree to which students receive meaningful feedback and their knowledge and skills are accurately reported. Hear from teachers and leaders regarding their process toward systemic change, policy revision, professional learning and building. Begin to develop a plan for effective and long-term change specific to the needs of the school.
Presenter: Dr. Eva Jones
Date/Time: July 24, 2025 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Price: $195
Register for Grading for Opportunity: One-Day Overview
Developing a Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Educational Environment
Join us at Capital Region BOCES for a targeted professional development workshop for educators including administrators, teachers, and support staff. Join us at Capital Region BOCES for a targeted professional development workshop for educators including administrators, teachers, and support staff. Equity through Cultural Proficiency helps improve academic instruction by developing effective leaders and teachers that align policies, practices, values, and procedures to meet the needs of all students, regardless of culture, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
This one-day workshop will cover the guiding principles of cultural proficiency, including the essential elements of cultural competence that serve as guidelines for culturally proficient interactions, and barriers to cultural proficiency.
The training will help to improve the knowledge and skills necessary to increase students’ academic engagement and achievement in an environment that addresses the many components of culture and diversity. Time will also be spent examining research on underlying attributes and identifying ways to change processes.
Presenter: Natalie McGee
Date/Time: August 26, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price: $225
Register for Developing a Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Educational Environment
Professional Development MATTERS: Instruction and Pedagogy
PLC Podcast Club
This series of 4 half day meetings will focus around exploration of pre-selected podcast episodes. Podcasts may include Truth for Teachers: Angela Watson and The Cult of Pedagogy: Jennifer Gonzales. The PLC Podcast Club is suitable for anyone who works with students in a K-12 school setting.
Presenter: Amy Bennett
Date/Time: July 8 & 22, August 5 & 25 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $440 ($360 for Subscribers)
Claim/Evidence/Reason for Elementary Teachers
In this hands-on workshop, elementary teachers will be introduced to the skills, concepts, pedagogy, and practices based on the innovative “Read.Inquire.Write” (RIW) framework, designed to promote inquiry-based learning. By establishing consistent routines across various content areas, RIW enhances students’ ability to engage deeply with complex concepts, while building stamina, confidence, and proficiency in critical thinking, reading, discussion, and writing.
Presenter: Tom Stanton & Ilyne Peters- Weinberg
Date/Time: July 9, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Price: $225 ($175 for Subscribers)
Register for Claim/Evidence/Reason for Elementary Teachers
Claim/Evidence/Reason for High School Teachers
In this hands-on workshop, secondary teachers will be introduced to the skills, concepts, pedagogy, and practices based on the innovative “Read.Inquire.Write” (RIW) framework, designed to promote inquiry-based learning. By establishing consistent routines across various content areas, RIW enhances students’ ability to engage deeply with complex concepts, while building stamina, confidence, and proficiency in critical thinking, reading, discussion, and writing.
Presenter: Tom Stanton & Ilyne Peters- Weinberg
Date/Time: July 10, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Price: $225 ($175 for Subscribers)
Register for Claim/Evidence/Reason for High School Teachers
Spark Student Engagement: Innovative Teaching Strategies for Elementary Educators
In this hands-on workshop, elementary teachers will explore creative methods to boost student engagement. Participants will: Discover fun ways to spark curiosity; Use technology to make learning interactive; Foster a growth mindset in students; Tailor lessons to different learning styles; Encourage teamwork through collaborative activities.
Presenter: Julie Carroll
Date/Time: July 23, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 am
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Spark Student Engagement: Innovative Teaching Strategies for Elementary Educators
Creating a Welcoming Learning Environment for ELL’s
This professional development session is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and strategies necessary to create a welcoming learning environment for English Language Learner students (ELLs). The session will focus on fostering a classroom atmosphere where all students, regardless of their cultural background or language proficiency, feel valued and supported. Participants will explore practical approaches for integrating culturally responsive teaching practices, building empathy, and promoting a sense of belonging in their classrooms.
Presenter: Cara Bronner
Date/Time: August 4, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscriber)
Register for Creating a Welcoming Learning Environment for ELL’s
Spark Student Engagement: Innovative Teaching Strategies for Elementary Educators
In this hands-on workshop, elementary teachers will explore creative methods to boost student engagement. Participants will: Discover fun ways to spark curiosity; Use technology to make learning interactive; Foster a growth mindset in students; Tailor lessons to different learning styles; Encourage teamwork through collaborative activities.
Presenter: Julie Carroll
Date/Time: August 13, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscriber)
Register for Spark Student Engagement: Innovative Teaching Strategies for Elementary Educators
Empowering New Educators: Tools and Techniques for Classroom Success (Elementary Teachers)
This workshop series is designed to equip new elementary teachers with essential tools and strategies for a successful start to their teaching careers. Participants will explore: Engagement Techniques: Discover methods to capture and sustain student interest; Classroom Management: Learn effective ways to maintain a positive and productive classroom environment; Instructional Strategies: Gain insights into planning and delivering impactful lessons; Use of Technology: Explore digital tools that can enhance teaching and learning.
Presenter: Julie Carroll
Dates/Times: August 19, 20, & 21, 2025. Four one hour sessions will follow throughout the 25-26 school year | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $330 ($270 for Subscribers)
Empowering New Educators: Tools and Techniques for Classroom Success (Secondary Teachers)
This workshop series is designed to equip new high school teachers with essential tools and strategies for a successful start to their teaching careers. Participants will explore: Engagement Techniques: Discover methods to capture and sustain student interest; Classroom Management: Learn effective ways to maintain a positive and productive classroom environment; Instructional Strategies: Gain insights into planning and delivering impactful lessons; Use of Technology: Explore digital tools that can enhance teaching and learning
Presenter: Julie Carroll
Dates/Times: August 19, 20, & 21, 2025. Four one hour sessions will follow throughout the 25-26 school year | noon – 3 p.m.
Price: $330 ($270 for Subscribers)
Professional Development MATTERS: Instructional Coaching
Cognitive Coaching for Teacher Mentors: Harnessing the Power of Strategic Questioning (PK-5)
Mentoring informed by Cognitive Coaching empowers teachers to become more self-directed and adaptive learners. This approach involves a series of structured conversations between a mentor and mentee, where the mentor uses targeted questioning techniques to explore the mentee’s thoughts, beliefs, and goals. The objective is to help the mentee build greater awareness, confidence, and autonomy in their teaching practice. With a more guided approach to mentoring, teachers will enhance their critical thinking skills by examining their assumptions, identifying knowledge gaps, and considering different perspectives. Mentors will find that these strategies can be effectively applied to both veteran and novice teachers alike.
Presenter: Illyne Peters- Weinberg
Date/Time: August 6, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Cognitive Coaching for Teacher Mentors: Harnessing the Power of Strategic Questioning (6-12)
Mentoring informed by Cognitive Coaching empowers teachers to become more self-directed and adaptive learners. This approach involves a series of structured conversations between a mentor and mentee, where the mentor uses targeted questioning techniques to explore the mentee’s thoughts, beliefs, and goals. The objective is to help the mentee build greater awareness, confidence, and autonomy in their teaching practice. With a more guided approach to mentoring, teachers will enhance their critical thinking skills by examining their assumptions, identifying knowledge gaps, and considering different perspectives. Mentors will find that these strategies can be effectively applied to both veteran and novice teachers alike.
Presenter: Illyne Peters- Weinberg
Date/Time: August 7, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Professional Development MATTERS: Math
Student Choice in Math
Explore effective strategies for integrating student choice into your math classroom! This session will begin with a collaborative discussion on using center and station models to promote student choice while incorporating movement into math instruction. Afterward, participants will break into elementary and secondary groups to collaborate with colleagues, review practical resources, and share ideas for implementing these strategies. Leave with fresh insights and actionable tools to enhance your math instruction.
Presenter: Amy Bennett
Date/Time: July 29, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Price: $225 ($175 for Subscribers)
Register for Student Choice in Math
Professional Development MATTERS: Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning Launch
This half-day session is designed for educators interested in exploring Project-Based Learning (PBL). Participants will receive an overview of PBL, including its principles and how it can be effectively implemented in K-12 classrooms. Attendees will also discover valuable resources and examples to support the initiation of their own PBL journey.
Presenter: Amy Bennett & Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 17, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Project Based Learning Launch
Project Based Learning in Practice
Join fellow K-12 educators with experience in Project-Based Learning (PBL) as they share their successes and insights. Engage in meaningful discussions on implementation strategies, challenges, and your aspirations for PBL. Explore new resources designed to enhance and elevate both current and future PBL projects.
Presenter: Amy Bennett & Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 17, 2025 | noon – 3 p.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Project Based Learning in Practice – July, 2025
Project Based Learning in Practice
Join fellow K-12 educators with experience in Project-Based Learning (PBL) as they share their successes and insights. Engage in meaningful discussions on implementation strategies, challenges, and your aspirations for PBL. Explore new resources designed to enhance and elevate both current and future PBL projects.
Presenter: Amy Bennett & Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: August 11, 2025 | 8 a.m. – noon
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Project Based Learning in Practice – August, 2025
Project Based Learning Launch
This half-day session is designed for educators interested in exploring Project-Based Learning (PBL). Participants will receive an overview of PBL, including its principles and how it can be effectively implemented in K-12 classrooms. Attendees will also discover valuable resources.
Presenter: Amy Bennett & Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: August 11, 2025 | noon – 4 p.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Project Based Learning Launch – August, 2025
Professional Development MATTERS: Science
NYSSLS Chemistry: It’s Getting Real
The NYSSLS implementation timeline for chemistry is finally here. Join your colleagues from across the region as we dive into the New York State Science Learning Standards for Chemistry. How do these standards differ from the Core Curriculum that we know so well? For teachers new to the standards, this session is for you! Together we will find ways to integrate the science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts into your instruction and assessments, as well as take a peek into the new NYS required investigations for chemistry.
Presenter: Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 15, 2025 | noon – 3 p.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for NYSSLS Chemistry: It’s Getting Real
NYSSLS Physics: It’s Getting Real
The NYSSLS implementation timeline for physics is finally here. Join your colleagues from across the region as we dive into the New York State Science Learning Standards for Physics. How do these standards differ from the Core Curriculum that we know so well? For teachers new to the standards, this session is for you! Together we will find ways to integrate the science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts into your instruction and assessments, as well as take a peek into the new NYS required investigations for physics.
Presenter: Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 16, 2025 | noon – 3 p.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for NYSSLS Physics: It’s Getting Real
Deconstructing the New Bio and ESS Regents Exam
What can we learn from the first run of the NYSSLS Regents exams in science? Do you remember when New York State first announced the new science standards? With that announcement came a timeline leading to a brand-new Regents exam aligned with those standards. After years of anticipation-and a global pandemic thrown into the mix-we’ve finally arrived! Whether your students have already taken the first NYSSLS Regents in Biology or Earth and Space Science, or they will for the first time next year, the missing piece science teachers have been waiting for is finally here: the exam itself. In this session, we’ll work together to answer your questions.
Presenter: Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 22, 2025 | noon – 3 p.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Deconstructing the New Bio and ESS Regents Exam
Exploring Elementary Science
Join your elementary colleagues to exchange ideas, explore resources, and ask questions related to the science standards, state investigations, and any other topics you’d like to discuss.
Presenter: Amy Bennett & Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 24, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Exploring Elementary Science
Summer Science unConference 2.0
Presented by STANYS, CASSA, Capital Region BOCES and NYS Master Teachers. Unconferences throw away the rule book and allow for empowered conversations, voice, choice, and autonomy in learning. An unconference is a bottom-up approach where participants drive the agenda and propose and lead sessions, dictating the schedule and content to be shared based on their interests and expertise. Join science teachers from across the region in another great opportunity to grow our practice as we shift toward full NYSSLS implementation! Gain insights from each other in ways to integrate the cross-cutting concepts, science and engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas seamlessly to your practice, evaluate and develop 3-dimensional assessments, and more! Together we will work to answer questions related to curriculum and instruction, NYS science investigations, assessment.
Presenter: Lisa Saccocio
Date/Time: July 30 & 31, 2025 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Price: $0
Register for Summer Science unConference 2.0
Professional Development MATTERS: Social Emotional Learning
Executive Functioning Skills and Impactful Teaching Strategies for SD Students
This half day professional development session focuses on understanding and enhancing executive functioning skills-such as organization, time management, task initiation, and self-regulation-in students with special needs (SD). Participants will explore evidence-based strategies and practical tools to support students in developing these critical skills, leading to increased independence, academic success, and overall well-being. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, educators will learn how to implement impactful teaching strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of SD students, fostering an effective learning environment. The session will provide practical techniques to promote self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving skills, ensuring all students can thrive in both academic and social settings.
Presenter: Cara Bronner
Date/Time: July 15, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Teacher Wellness and Self Care
This professional development opportunity is designed to give educators a chance to reset during the summer. Participants will have time to reflect, learn, and discover new strategies to support their wellness and self-care.
Presenter: Amy Bennett
Date/Time: July 16, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Teacher Wellness and Self Care – July, 2025
Executive Functioning Skills and Impactful Teaching Strategies for SD Students
This half day professional development session focuses on understanding and enhancing executive functioning skills-such as organization, time management, task initiation, and self-regulation-in students with special needs (SD). Participants will explore evidence-based strategies and practical tools to support students in developing these critical skills, leading to increased independence, academic success, and overall well-being. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, educators will learn how to implement impactful teaching strategies tailored to meet the unique needs of SD students, fostering an effective learning environment. The session will provide practical techniques to promote self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving skills, ensuring all students can thrive in both academic and social settings.
Presenter: Cara Bronner
Date/Time: August 12, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Teacher Wellness and Self Care
This professional development opportunity is designed to give educators a chance to reset during the summer. Participants will have time to reflect, learn, and discover new strategies to support their wellness and self-care.
Presenter: Amy Bennett
Date/Time: August 14, 2025 | 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Price: $110 ($90 for Subscribers)
Register for Teacher Wellness and Self Care – August, 2025
