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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Are We Helping or Hindering? Preserving Mathematical Thinking – Asynchronous
In our effort to support students, we often add structure, templates, step-by-step guides, and organizational tools. But when does support clarify thinking-and when does it quietly reduce it? This workshop explores the purpose and impact of scaffolding in the mathematics classroom. We will examine the difference between scaffolding content and...
In our effort to support students, we often add structure, templates, step-by-step guides, and organizational tools. But when does support clarify thinking-and when does it quietly reduce it? This workshop explores the purpose and impact of scaffolding in the mathematics classroom. We will examine the difference between scaffolding content and scaffolding executive functioning, identify signs of overscaffolding, and redesign a task to preserve cognitive demand while removing unnecessary barriers. The goal is not to remove support, but to use it with intention, so that scaffolds build independence rather than dependence. Cost: Fully funded by STEM SSOS
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Computational Thinking: An Essential Skill – Asynchronous
Explore the fundamentals of computational thinking in this engaging and self-paced asynchronous workshop. Designed for educators across all content areas, this workshop unpacks the importance of computational thinking as a critical 21st-century skill and provides practical strategies for beginning to integrate it into your teaching practice. Participants will: * Reflect...
Explore the fundamentals of computational thinking in this engaging and self-paced asynchronous workshop. Designed for educators across all content areas, this workshop unpacks the importance of computational thinking as a critical 21st-century skill and provides practical strategies for beginning to integrate it into your teaching practice. Participants will: * Reflect on assumptions about computational thinking and its relevance. * Discover the core components of computational thinking * Understand why computational thinking is essential for students' success in both academic and real-world contexts * Learn how to intentionally incorporate computational thinking into their specific content area to develop computational thinkers in all classrooms. Time Commitment: Approximately 6 hours, self-paced Start Date: July 6, 2026 End Date: August 3, 2026 Cost: Fully funded by the STEM SSOS.
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Precision Matters: Building Mathematical Language to Deepen Thinking – Asynchronous
Precise mathematical language is not just about vocabulary-it is a tool for thinking, reasoning, and communicating mathematically. Research suggests classrooms where teachers consistently use and press for precise math vocabulary see stronger student learning gains, particularly when vocabulary is integrated with discussion, reasoning, and visual representations. This workshop explores how...
Precise mathematical language is not just about vocabulary-it is a tool for thinking, reasoning, and communicating mathematically. Research suggests classrooms where teachers consistently use and press for precise math vocabulary see stronger student learning gains, particularly when vocabulary is integrated with discussion, reasoning, and visual representations. This workshop explores how mathematical language supports conceptual understanding, discourse, and reasoning, aligned with the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Cost: Fully funded by STEM SSOS
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Wenger Group Educator Externship
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
August 5, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time at Wenger Group, gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Participants will explore how academic content...
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time at Wenger Group, gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Participants will explore how academic content translates to the workforce, build meaningful connections with industry professionals, and gather practical ideas to enhance classroom instruction. Educators will leave with greater confidence in preparing students for future careers, along with tangible strategies to bring authentic, career-connected learning back to their classrooms. The Wenger Group, Inc. is a leading Northeast family-owned organization in food and agriculture, headquartered in Pennsylvania. The company provides animal nutrition and feeds; specialty protein production, processing, and marketing; on-farm protein production services; and grain, fertilizer, and ingredient procurement. Cost: No Cost, Funded by the Lancaster County STEM Alliance
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GSK Educator Externship
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
August 6, 2026
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Through this experience, participants will explore...
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to bridge classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Through this experience, participants will explore how academic content translates to the workforce, build meaningful connections with industry professionals, and gather practical ideas to enhance classroom instruction. Educators will leave with increased confidence in preparing students for future careers, along with tangible strategies to bring authentic, career-connected learning back to their classrooms. GSK is a global biopharma company dedicated to uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.
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U.S. Boiler Company (Burnham Holdings) Educator Externship
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
August 7, 2026
9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time at Burnham Holdings, gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Participants will explore how academic content...
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time at Burnham Holdings, gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Participants will explore how academic content translates to the workforce, build meaningful connections with industry professionals, and gather practical ideas to enhance classroom instruction. Educators will leave with greater confidence in preparing students for future careers, along with tangible strategies to bring authentic, career-connected learning back to their classrooms. U.S. Boiler Company manufactures American-made hot water and steam boilers for hydronic heating systems. Lancaster operations include sheet metal fabrication, final assembly, distribution, and engineering. Collaborating closely with operations, the engineering team drives product innovation, designing and testing efficient boilers with advanced features to meet the demanding needs of residential and commercial customers. Cost: No Cost, Funded by the Lancaster County STEM Alliance
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LCSWMA Educator Externship
Curriculum and Instruction/ IS
August 11, 2026
8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time within Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Through...
Teachers are invited to participate in a unique Educator Externship experience designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. During this immersive professional learning opportunity, educators will spend time within Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) gaining firsthand insight into workplace practices, in-demand skills, and emerging career pathways. Through this experience, participants will explore how academic content translates to the workforce, build meaningful connections with industry professionals, and gather ideas to enhance classroom instruction. Educators will leave with greater confidence in preparing students for future careers and with tangible strategies to bring authentic, career-connected learning back to their classrooms.
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Math Practices in Action: Designing Lessons for Deeper Learning
How can we design math lessons that foster deep, meaningful thinking? In this interactive professional learning experience, we'll dive into the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs) to explore their impact on student learning. You'll gain a deeper understanding of these essential practices and apply them to refine or create lessons...
How can we design math lessons that foster deep, meaningful thinking? In this interactive professional learning experience, we'll dive into the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMPs) to explore their impact on student learning. You'll gain a deeper understanding of these essential practices and apply them to refine or create lessons that promote mathematical reasoning, discourse, and sense-making. Walk away with practical strategies and ready-to-use lesson ideas that empower students to think and reason like mathematicians! Virtual Synchronous: August 4th on Zoom 8:30-11:30 (link will be provided) Asynchronous work due in two parts Part 1: August 8, 2025 which includes learning and application Part 2: August 12, 2025 which includes gallery walk, reflection, and feedback Cost: Fully funded by STEM SSOS
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LLVS Advisors’ Collaborative
Instructional Technology/ IS
September 10, 2026
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm
As a member of Lancaster-Lebanon Virtual Solutions, it is important that those participating in the role of Advisor/Mentor to students meet on a regular basis to share ideas, challenges, updates, etc. *Please note this meeting is not eligible for ACT 48 credit.
IU13 Enriched Virtual Forum
Instructional Technology/ IS
September 10, 2026
9:00 am to 11:30 am
Monthly meetings of the Enriched Virtual Forum (EVF) will discuss topics to support district virtual academies and develop high quality course content to enrich current district virtual programs. These collaborative meetings will focus on participant needs and professional development supporting K-12 virtual learning and online course development.