Professional Learning Opportunities
Welcome to the IU13’s professional learning offerings from the Educational Technology and Teaching and Learning Collaborative teams!
Discover tailored professional learning opportunities, easily filtered by category below or explore our calendar on Frontline for a wide variety of sessions designed to elevate your skills.
For more information or to initiate collaboration, please contact our Educational Technology team or our Teaching and Learning Collaborative team.
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Collaboration & Questioning: The Dynamic Duo for Deeper Learning
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
January 28, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
With collaboration (effect size .46) and teacher questioning (effect size .49) both proven to enhance student learning, how can we design classrooms that maximize their impact? This interactive session explores the controlled chaos of a truly collaborative learning environment-one where students engage in meaningful dialogue, work together effectively, and respond...
With collaboration (effect size .46) and teacher questioning (effect size .49) both proven to enhance student learning, how can we design classrooms that maximize their impact? This interactive session explores the controlled chaos of a truly collaborative learning environment-one where students engage in meaningful dialogue, work together effectively, and respond to intentional, thought-provoking teacher questions. Participants will explore how to teach and scaffold collaboration strategies, build in opportunities for student response, and structure learning to promote authentic engagement. We'll unpack what effective collaboration looks like and how to support it. We'll also examine teacher questioning strategies, aligned with depth of knowledge, to drive curiosity, engagement, and deeper understanding. Join us to gain practical tools for creating a classroom culture where collaboration is purposeful, teacher questions spark deep thinking, and students actively engage in the learning process!
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Engagement: Practical Strategies to Ignite Student-Centered Learning
Enhancing learner engagement is at the heart of effective teaching. In this workshop, educators will explore evidence-based strategies to create dynamic and participatory learning environments. This workshop will focus on understanding learner engagement vs. compliance, learner profiles, classroom structures and strategies that lead to lasting learning experiences, and the development...
Enhancing learner engagement is at the heart of effective teaching. In this workshop, educators will explore evidence-based strategies to create dynamic and participatory learning environments. This workshop will focus on understanding learner engagement vs. compliance, learner profiles, classroom structures and strategies that lead to lasting learning experiences, and the development of a personalized plan to implement student-centered strategies effectively.*Participants invited to attend by their district under an established contract are welcome to register at no additional cost (costs are already included in the established contract). For participants who want to attend a workshop outside of a previously established district contract, the cost is $169 for IU13 district participants and $199 for non-IU13 district participants.
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Informed Writing Instruction : Application and Extension
Literacy/ IS
January 29, 2026
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
This one-day professional development session builds on the foundations established in Informed Writing Instruction Part I and focuses on applying, refining, and extending effective practices for teaching writing across grade levels and content areas. Participants will revisit the Writing Rope as a model for understanding the complexity of writing and...
This one-day professional development session builds on the foundations established in Informed Writing Instruction Part I and focuses on applying, refining, and extending effective practices for teaching writing across grade levels and content areas. Participants will revisit the Writing Rope as a model for understanding the complexity of writing and explore evidence-based routines, instructional strategies, and tools that support all learners in developing as skilled writers. Through interactive activities, discussion, and collaborative design, participants will: *Revisit the Writing Rope to pinpoint strengths and next steps. *Explore the latest research in thinking, language, and motivation, plus the growing role of AI. *Try out high-impact routines like sentence combining, mentor mapping, and author's craft study. *Analyze student writing with rubrics to uncover strengths, needs, and supports across the Writing Rope. *Design and share practical writing routines or mini-units that work across subjects. By the end of the session, participants will deepen their understanding of writing as both a thinking and equity tool, and leave with practical strategies and collaborative insights to strengthen writing instruction in every classroom. Attendance in Informed Writing Part I is not required. Lunch will be provided
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Beyond the Label: Cultivating Talent in Every Learner (Gifted Regional Day)
Gifted and Enrichment Services/ IS
January 30, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Join us for the first annual Gifted Regional Conference- a dynamic, full-day professional learning experience designed to enhance your instructional practice and expand your professional network. This is more than just a workshop-it's an opportunity to gain fresh insights, collaborate with like-minded educators, and return to your role energized and...
Join us for the first annual Gifted Regional Conference- a dynamic, full-day professional learning experience designed to enhance your instructional practice and expand your professional network. This is more than just a workshop-it's an opportunity to gain fresh insights, collaborate with like-minded educators, and return to your role energized and equipped with tools you can use immediately. Whether you're deepening your expertise or exploring new approaches, this event offers something for every dedicated professional in gifted education. What You'll Gain: *Strategic Compliance Mastery Navigate state and federal regulations with confidence and turn requirements into meaningful opportunities. *Innovations in Gifted Programming Discover breakthrough strategies to support and challenge exceptional learners. *Social-Emotional Learning Excellence Build emotionally intelligent, supportive learning environments that foster resilience and growth. *Collaborative Teaching Transformation Strengthen partnerships between general and specialized educators for inclusive, impactful instruction. *Acceleration & Enrichment Strategies Learn proven techniques to engage and motivate learners across a range of abilities.
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Speaking and Understanding: Designing speaking and listening tasks and assessments for teaching a World Language
Social Studies/ IS
February 2, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Which languages do you speak? Let's expand this question to include the valuable skills of listening and negotiating meaning, because if someone speaks, the assumption is that others listen to them and understand them. In this session, participants will: (1) experience engaging ways to develop their students' world language production...
Which languages do you speak? Let's expand this question to include the valuable skills of listening and negotiating meaning, because if someone speaks, the assumption is that others listen to them and understand them. In this session, participants will: (1) experience engaging ways to develop their students' world language production and comprehension skills - and therefore their overall communicative competence - in the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication and (2) learn to use backward design to start with summative assessments via performance tasks and work backward to the daily plans for teaching students how to engage in speaking and listening through debates, oral interviews, role plays, oral presentations, storytelling, guided and spontaneous conversations in pairs or small groups, and more.
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Mathematical Engagement: Strategies for Student-Centered Learning
In this workshop, participants will explore strategies to foster thinking and engagement in math classrooms, inspired by Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12 (book not included). Participants will leave with actionable ideas to shift learners' perceptions of math and implement student-centered practices that prioritize thinking and engagement.*Participants...
In this workshop, participants will explore strategies to foster thinking and engagement in math classrooms, inspired by Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Grades K-12 (book not included). Participants will leave with actionable ideas to shift learners' perceptions of math and implement student-centered practices that prioritize thinking and engagement.*Participants invited to attend by their district under an established contract are welcome to register at no additional cost (costs are already included in the established contract). For participants who want to attend a workshop outside of a previously established district contract, the cost is $169 for IU13 district participants and $199 for non-IU13 district participants.
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Reading Olympics Committee Meeting
Dedicated planning meetings for the committee to discuss and plan details for the upcoming Reading Olympics.
Level-Up Differentiation: Strategies for Driving Success with Student-Centered Learning
Instructional Technology/ IS
February 10, 2026
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
Building on our initial differentiation workshop, this session will delve deeper into advanced district data-informed differentiation strategies to further empower learners. Participants will explore innovative methods to tailor instruction to diverse learning needs, enhancing engagement and academic performance. Opportunities will be provided for experienced educators to share their effective strategies,...
Building on our initial differentiation workshop, this session will delve deeper into advanced district data-informed differentiation strategies to further empower learners. Participants will explore innovative methods to tailor instruction to diverse learning needs, enhancing engagement and academic performance. Opportunities will be provided for experienced educators to share their effective strategies, reflect on their practices, and refine their skills to create a more personalized student-centered classroom. *Prerequisite: Differentiation: Strategies for Driving Success with SCL.*Participants invited to attend by their district under an established contract are welcome to register at no additional cost (costs are already included in the established contract). For participants who want to attend a workshop outside of a previously established district contract, the cost is $169 for IU13 district participants and $199 for non-IU13 district participants.
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Classroom Management: Strategies for a Student-Centered Learning Environment
Instructional Technology/ IS
February 11, 2026
8:00 am to 3:00 pm
This workshop covers classroom management strategies for a student-centered learning environment. Participants will explore the shift from a teacher-centered approach to one that empowers learners. Educators will share experiences, reflect on their unique classroom management style, and will leave with practical resources and techniques to foster active participation, critical thinking,...
This workshop covers classroom management strategies for a student-centered learning environment. Participants will explore the shift from a teacher-centered approach to one that empowers learners. Educators will share experiences, reflect on their unique classroom management style, and will leave with practical resources and techniques to foster active participation, critical thinking, and self-directed learning.*Participants invited to attend by their district under an established contract are welcome to register at no additional cost (costs are already included in the established contract). For participants who want to attend a workshop outside of a previously established district contract, the cost is $169 for IU13 district participants and $199 for non-IU13 district participants.
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Reading Olympics Committee Meeting
Dedicated planning meetings for the committee to discuss and plan details for the upcoming Reading Olympics.