Professional Learning Opportunities

Professional Development Opportunities
for Candidates and Coaches

CTI offers online synchronous professional development for coaches and candidates to increase student achievement

September 2025

Coach and teacher collaborating on inquiry steps with teaching materials around them
Inquiry with Intention: Tools, Steps, and Support for Candidate Success
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ocean Walker
Unlock the power of purposeful inquiry! This interactive session is designed for both candidates and coaches to deepen their understanding of the inquiry process from start to finish. We’ll walk through each step with clarity: framing a question, gathering evidence, analyzing impact, and reflecting on next steps while highlighting best practices that make the process both meaningful and manageable. Whether you're guiding or completing an inquiry, you'll leave with practical tools, clear timelines, and a shared understanding of how to make inquiry a powerful driver of growth. You’ll also learn how to support your candidate through inquiry cycles, conduct meaningful observations, and confidently navigate the tools in Navigate. Whether you’re feeling excited, overwhelmed, or both, this session will give you the structure and strategies to thrive in your coaching role.
Register Here
Students learning together on a tablet
Opening the School Year: Can We Create a Culture of Learning from the Start?
Monday, September 15, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Randi Parreco
Imagine setting the stage for your students to eagerly look forward to what they will learn in your class this coming year. What can they anticipate? Can their eagerness to learn become the purpose for their engagement and collaboration? This session will have you explore activities for the first weeks of school in which students get to know each other and gain a vision of how learning in your classroom can benefit them. Consider strategies for getting to know students, establishing norms for learning, preparing for productive struggle, and introducing collaborative group work. Join this session and leave with numerous practical ideas for starting your school year in a way that promotes the importance of content, builds on students’ interests, and ties the purpose of student engagement to maximizing learning opportunities. Help your students value learning from the start!
Register Here
Students collaborating and encouraging each other
Creating a 'Yes, I Can!' Culture Where Everybody Thrives
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Lisa Moe
Angel Van Horn
Creating a positive classroom culture is essential for student and teacher success. This session will guide participants in developing a “Yes, I Can!” community, an environment where teachers model confidence, perseverance, and students believe in their abilities, embrace challenges, and feel connected to their peers. CSTP 2 & 3
Register Here
Students collaborating in a group study session
2024 CSTP 1: Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ocean Walker
Randi Parreco
The 2024 California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs) are here and they bring a powerful opportunity to deepen our understanding of effective teaching. This six-session professional learning series is designed for both coaches and candidates who want to engage meaningfully with the revised standards and explore how they show up in classrooms. We’ll begin with a Foundations session to unpack the structure, shifts, and vision of the 2024 CSTPs. Then, each following session will dive into one of the six standards, offering practical tools, reflection prompts, and classroom-based examples to bring each domain to life. Whether you're mentoring a candidate or growing in your own practice, this series will strengthen your ability to recognize, support, and reflect on high-quality teaching grounded in the updated CSTPs.
Register Here
Teacher and students interacting using educational visuals and technology
EL Series: Unlocking Success for English Learners: Differentiation Meets AI
Thursday, September 18, 2025
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Angel Van Horn
Dr. Jorge Alvarez
Discover how the power of AI can transform instruction for English Learners in this engaging, hands-on session. Participants will explore the Diffit AI platform to create differentiated lessons that build academic vocabulary and boost language proficiency. Learn how to incorporate tools such as Bubble Charts, Frayer Models, the Five Senses strategy, the 5 Ws, Cloze Reading, Flow Charts, Comic Strips, and more. You'll walk away with practical strategies, custom-made resources, and a deeper understanding of how to support English Learners at every stage of their journey.
Register Here
Students learning together on a tablet
Opening the School Year: Can We Create a Culture of Learning from the Start?
Monday, September 22, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Randi Parreco
Imagine setting the stage for your students to eagerly look forward to what they will learn in your class this coming year. What can they anticipate? Can their eagerness to learn become the purpose for their engagement and collaboration? This session will have you explore activities for the first weeks of school in which students get to know each other and gain a vision of how learning in your classroom can benefit them. Consider strategies for getting to know students, establishing norms for learning, preparing for productive struggle, and introducing collaborative group work. Join this session and leave with numerous practical ideas for starting your school year in a way that promotes the importance of content, builds on students’ interests, and ties the purpose of student engagement to maximizing learning opportunities. Help your students value learning from the start!
Register Here
Young boy sitting alone in a classroom
What We Bring to the Room: Reflecting on Our Role in Student Behavior
Session 1: The Lens We Use
Monday, September 22, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Randi Parreco
Angel Van Horn
This session introduces the idea that all educators view behavior through a personal lens shaped by their own experiences, values, and implicit biases. The focus is on building awareness without judgment. Participants will explore how perceptions influence what they notice, how they interpret student actions, and how their responses are shaped by unconscious patterns. Activities will include personal reflection, analysis of classroom scenarios, and collaborative discussion. The goal is to help teachers recognize the power of perspective and begin to unpack how their own lens may contribute to behavior dynamics in the classroom.
Register Here
Preschool teacher interacting with toddler
PK-3 Series: Part 1 – Creating Supportive Learning Environments in Early Education
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ocean Walker
Teaching in early childhood settings brings unique joys and unique challenges. This five-session professional learning series is designed specifically for PK–3rd grade educators who want to deepen their understanding of early childhood development and responsive instructional practices. Each session will explore an essential topic tailored to the needs of early learners and the teachers who support them. You’ll engage in a blend of research, reflection, and practical strategies you can implement right away. Join one session or all five; whatever suits your needs. You'll be part of a supportive community of early learning professionals dedicated to nurturing whole-child development and laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
Register Here

October 2025

Thriving Thursday: Making Mandalas
Thriving Thursday: Making Mandalas
Thursday, October 2, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Louisa Higgins
Christine Matthew
Please join artist Louisa Higgins to create a fun and easy mandala art project. We will be creating a circular design that symbolizes harmony and wholeness. This project will allow personal expression and meditation during the creative process.

Get ready to join in this fun and relaxing session. To be prepared, you will need to have a few materials on hand:
  • White Paper (8 1/2 X 11)
  • Black Pen, Sharpie, or Marker
  • Small Paper Plate
  • Optional: Colored Pencils or Markers
Register Here
Teacher gaining attention
Classroom Management- Foundations 1.1 - Waiting Too Long for Students to Listen? Get Attention and Keep It
Monday, October 6, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Increase your repertoire of attention getters and also consider strategies for keeping students’ attention once you have it. This is session 1 of 3.
Register Here
Engaged students
Student Engagement- Engagement 1.1 - How Can I Keep My Students Engaged Throughout a Lesson?
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Do your students sometimes lose the enthusiasm they have at the start of a lesson? This session will offer strategies for engaging students at the start, middle, and end of a lesson. This is part one of a three part series.
Register Here
AI Basics
AI Basics
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Jaymie Baiza
Tonya Almeida
Angel Van Horn
New to AI? Start here! This session breaks down how to generate an effective prompt, including how it works, responsible use, and practical applications for teaching and learning.
Register Here
EL Road Map
EL Series: Introduction to the EL Road Map
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Victor Portillo
Dr. Jorge Alvarez
This session introduces teachers to the California English Learner Roadmap and its practical application in today’s classrooms.
Register Here
Inquiry session
Inquiry with Intention: Tools, Steps, and Support for Candidate Success
Thursday, October 9, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ocean Walker
Unlock the power of purposeful inquiry! This interactive session is designed for both candidates and coaches to deepen their understanding of the inquiry process from start to finish.
Register Here
Collaborative approaches
CM - Foundations 1.2 - Tired of Disciplining? Aim for More Collaborative Approaches
Monday, October 13, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Explore strategies where you and your students cooperatively develop a discipline plan and solve problems together. This helps students learn to manage their own behaviors with increased learning as the goal.
Register Here
Talk moves
SE - Engagement 1.2 - How Can I Increase Student Participation during Whole Class Discussions- Part 1 - Talk Moves
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Whole class discussions often involve only a few voices. This session focuses on “talk moves” to ensure active participation across all students. Applicable to all grade levels.
Register Here
Differentiation
Differentiation For All: Using Strengths to Tap into Student Potential
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Gayle Bently
Learn strategies to support gifted and twice-exceptional students by leveraging their strengths. Led by an experienced teacher with a doctorate in cognitive diversity in education.
Register Here
CSTP 2 session
2024 CSTP 2: Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning
Thursday, October 16, 2025
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
Ocean Walker
Randi Parreco
Explore the 2024 CSTPs and strategies for creating and maintaining effective learning environments. Practical tools and reflection prompts provided.
Register Here
Thriving Thursday
Thriving Thursday: Integrating SEAL to Boost the ABCs
Thursday, October 16, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Christine Matthew
Discover why belonging is foundational for academic and social-emotional growth, and learn strategies to intentionally build connection from day one.
Register Here
Student choices
CM - Foundations 1.3 - Are You Ready for Students to be More Responsible? Offer More Student Choices!
Monday, October 20, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Learn how adjusting consequences and providing student choice can promote responsibility and deeper engagement in learning.
Register Here
Designing Spaces Where Every Student Feels They Belong
Designing Spaces
Where Every Student
Feels They Belong
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Lisa Moe
Angel Van Horn
What does it look like when restorative practices, flexible learning environments, and inclusive behavior systems truly come alive in the classroom? In this interactive webinar, you’ll step inside examples of restorative circles, intentional classroom design, and collaborative community-building in action. Then, you’ll roll up your sleeves and outline your own class layout, expectations system, or student-centered protocol.

Together, we’ll explore how intentional design supports student safety, equity, and authentic collaboration. You’ll leave with a clear plan—and a visual you can use immediately—that communicates your expectations and values to your students.
Register Here
Wait time strategies
SE - Engagement 1.3 - How Can I Increase Student Participation during Whole Class Discussions - Part 2 - Wait Time
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Deirdre Edwards
Learn about the two types of wait time and how their combined use can lead to deeper, more equitable class discussions.
Register Here
PK-3 digital skills
PK-3 Series: Part 2 - Nurturing Digital Skills in Early Education
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Ocean Walker
Learn practical strategies for supporting young learners in developing foundational digital skills. Blend research, reflection, and real-world application.
Register Here
AI & IEPs
Elevating Special Education: AI & IEPs
Thursday, October 23, 2025
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Morgan Singleton
Description coming soon!
Register Here
Registration link coming soon
Family learning with technology
AI in Your Child's World: What Parents Need to Know
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Randi Parreco
Tonya Almeida
Discover how Artificial Intelligence can transform your family's approach to education! This hands-on session will demystify AI and show you practical ways to support your child's learning at home.
Register Here

November 2025

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December 2025

January 2026

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February 2026

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March 2026

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April 2026

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May 2026

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June 2026

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To all the passionate educators ready to elevate your teaching craft,

As we embark on this professional learning journey, let us remember the incredible impact we have on shaping young minds and hearts. Like seeds planted in fertile soil, your dedication and knowledge will bloom into a garden of bright futures.

Learning and growth have a powerful impact on our lives and the lives we touch, and as such we have a great impact on student trajectories in life. So just as we want our students to learn and evolve, we must do so as well. In every challenge lies an opportunity, and in every student, there is a unique brilliance waiting to be illuminated. So let us show up with curiosity, compassion, connection, caring, collaboration, and commitment to action based on your key learnings.

Together, we have power beyond measure to shape generations to come because our influence reaches farther than we can ever imagine…far beyond the classroom walls.

Thank you for investing in yourselves by allowing these professional learning sessions be a catalyst for transformation within your classroom and school community. The world is brighter because of teachers like you, who want to do better, be better, so that we can all look forward to the best tomorrows!

Go now and get ready to create magic in the classroom.

Keep inspiring, keep dreaming, and keep changing lives!

Professional headshot of Deirdre Edwards, PD Administrator, smiling at the camera.
Deirdre Edwards,
Administrator of Professional Development