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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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.
Designing Meaningful Assessments for STEELS Classrooms
Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
February 12, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Explore how three-dimensional assessments can drive deeper learning and accurately measure student understanding in STEELS-aligned classrooms. This workshop will examine formative and summative assessment strategies, emphasizing phenomena-based tasks that engage students in authentic scientific inquiry. Educators will analyze assessment criteria, develop performance tasks, and explore effective feedback strategies that support...
Explore how three-dimensional assessments can drive deeper learning and accurately measure student understanding in STEELS-aligned classrooms. This workshop will examine formative and summative assessment strategies, emphasizing phenomena-based tasks that engage students in authentic scientific inquiry. Educators will analyze assessment criteria, develop performance tasks, and explore effective feedback strategies that support student growth. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, participants will leave with practical tools to enhance assessment practices and improve learning outcomes.
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Elevating Science & Engineering Practices: Strengthening Student Thinking and Engagement
Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
February 19, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Deepen student learning by refining how Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) are implemented in the classroom. This workshop will explore high-leverage strategies that push students beyond surface-level engagement, fostering critical thinking, persistence, and inquiry-driven learning. Through video case studies, instructional reflections, and lesson adaptations, educators will analyze and apply a...
Deepen student learning by refining how Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) are implemented in the classroom. This workshop will explore high-leverage strategies that push students beyond surface-level engagement, fostering critical thinking, persistence, and inquiry-driven learning. Through video case studies, instructional reflections, and lesson adaptations, educators will analyze and apply a continuum of SEP implementation to ensure all students engage in meaningful, rigorous science experiences. Walk away with actionable strategies and tools to enhance sensemaking and elevate student discourse.
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Virtual Teacher Collaborative
Instructional Technology/ IS
February 19, 2026
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Virtual
Quarterly meetings will provide school district virtual educators with a forum to collaborate and share best practices for teaching in a solely online environment. These collaborative meetings will focus on participant needs and professional development supporting K-12 online learning.
Career Ready Leaders’ Collaborative – February
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
February 24, 2026
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
IU13 Career Ready Leaders' Collaborative meetings offer district and school leaders a valuable space to stay informed about current education initiatives at local, state, and national levels. The focus is on addressing specific career readiness challenges at the district and school levels, encouraging the exchange of practical solutions. These gatherings...
IU13 Career Ready Leaders' Collaborative meetings offer district and school leaders a valuable space to stay informed about current education initiatives at local, state, and national levels. The focus is on addressing specific career readiness challenges at the district and school levels, encouraging the exchange of practical solutions. These gatherings promote networking and collaboration, enabling leaders to connect with colleagues and local partners. The meeting structure includes insights from guest speakers or business/industry spotlights, highlighting district/program achievements, sharing updates on state/local career readiness opportunities, and providing open spaces for collaborative discussions. This multifaceted approach ensures that leaders leave the meetings with a knowledge of the latest developments and a strengthened network to enhance career readiness initiatives across the IU13 region.
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