Professional Learning Opportunities

Hey, Google Gurus and AI Aficionados! Are you ready to take your tech-savvy skills to the next dimension? If you're already a pro with Google tools and have been dabbling in the magic of Gemini, then this professional development is for YOU! We're not just talking about using AI; we're talking about becoming a certified AI leader in your school district. Get ready to have some fun, get your hands on the latest AI, and prepare to ace the Gemini Certified Educator (https://educertifications.google/) exam! What You'll Master Get ready to flex your brain muscles and walk away with some serious AI prowess. By the end of our full-day, hands-on, Gemini Certification Camp time together, you'll be able to: • Become a Generative AI Guru: Effortlessly explain mind-bending concepts like "Generative AI" and "Large Language Models" to your colleagues (and maybe even your grandma!). Identify the perfect Gemini tool for any educational task, from lesson planning to parent communication. Understand how Gemini can be a personal tutor for your students, providing differentiation and personalized learning paths. • Implement AI Like a Pro: Craft the perfect prompt to get exactly what you need from Gemini, whether it's a practice quiz, a rubric, or a lesson outline. Use Gemini in your favorite Google Workspace tools like Docs, Gmail, and Forms to streamline your workflow and save you precious time. Create your own custom "Gems" to tackle those repetitive classroom tasks with a single click. • Champion Responsible AI Use: Teach your students how to be critical thinkers and responsible digital citizens in an AI-powered world. Spot and address potential AI pitfalls like "hallucinations," bias, and plagiarism. Develop classroom guidelines for the ethical and effective use of generative AI. *This Gemini Certification Camp is hosted by IU12 & IU13-led by Kiker Learning

This session explores diverse strategies for fostering meaningful classroom discussions that engage students in collaborative learning. Participants will review the role of discussions in deepening understanding across content areas and consider techniques for facilitating productive dialogue. The session includes time for participants to plan and adapt discussion strategies for their classrooms. Lunch on your own

These half-day job-alike gatherings will be facilitated by IU13 and open to any staff invested in supporting the academic growth of gifted/advanced learners and complying with Chapter 16 regulations. A key component of each meeting will be time set aside for collaboration with grade-level, job-alike colleagues. District/school staff will also have the option to plan as a team during a portion of the meeting. Communication for the Gifted Network will primarily take place through Schoology, and anyone interested may join this Group for updates, resources, and discussions. The access code is FBGZM-ZHCMD. Registration will be required for each meeting for planning and Act 48 purposes. There is NO COST for IU13 district and nonpublic school staff to participate in network meetings.

Easily differentiate your existing units with a framework that can be applied to any topic or grade level. Get students engaged and digging deeper, while supporting them through the discomfort of thinking critically and creatively. Participants will leave with knowledge of the depth and complexity lenses, lessons for introducing them to students, as well as subject-specific ideas.

This session provides tools for teaching students to critically evaluate sources and claims to combat misinformation in today's media landscape. Educators will explore strategies like the SIFT method, CRAAP test, and digital literacy frameworks to build students' historical thinking skills. Participants will consider how to empower students to become critical consumers of information. Lunch on your own

The IU13 Coach Mentor Collaborative provides professional growth opportunities for instructional coaches in Lancaster and Lebanon counties and network opportunities centered around educational challenges, student-centered practices, cycles of coaching, and coaching conversations. Note: This session is part of the CMC Network series. Participating districts were billed in September 2025