Staff Summer Learning

This 10-hour continuing education course provides educators with practical tools and strategies to foster equity and inclusion in their classrooms and schools. Through the Tools of Cultural Proficiency and its Framework, participants will explore ways to align their practices with EPS core values and mission. Using an inside-out approach, we will reflect on our beliefs, values, and assumptions to strengthen our cultural competence. By the end of the course, educators will gain actionable strategies to create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for each student.

This 10-hour continuing education course explores research-based strategies to support adolescent readers in grades 3-12 across content areas. Participants will examine the unique challenges and needs of older readers and will learn how to integrate evidence-based literacy practices to support student growth. Additionally, we will explore responsible and practical applications of AI to enhance literacy instruction. Educators will leave with actionable strategies to empower their students and themselves in the ever-evolving landscape of adolescent literacy.

This 10-hour continuing education course provides a unique opportunity for EC-12+ educators to take charge of their professional development and increase their wellbeing by choosing their own content that aligns with their interests, designing their own learning journey, and creating personalized resources to enhance their instructional practices. Whether focusing on instructional strategies to increase student engagement, developing classroom culture, or inclusive assessment methods, educators will walk away with actionable tools to enhance their professional practices.

This 10-hour continuing education course examines the alignment between our elementary literacy curriculum, Collaborative Literacy, and the instructional practices emphasized in the Online Language & Literacy Academy (OL&LA) professional learning program. Participants will engage in meaningful discussions on how Collaborative Literacy supports research-based structured literacy instruction, deepen their understanding of concepts introduced in OL&LA, and apply their learning to Collaborative Literacy lessons. Educators will leave with a stronger grasp of the curriculum’s intentional design and practical strategies for meeting all students' needs.

This 10-hour continuing education course is designed for EC-12+ educators who are exploring ways to build their own emotional resilience to meet the complexities and commitments that teaching can bring forward. Using the text, Onward, by Elena Aguilar, you will explore 12 practical habits and dispositions that will give you concrete steps toward rediscovering yourself, your energy, and your passion for teaching. By the end of this course, participants will build a beginning understanding of cultivating their own emotional resilience.

This 10-hour course, participants will build upon their previous knowledge and skills with generative A.I. to develop the capacity to leverage A.I. to enhance instruction and student learning. Primarily using MagicSchool as the tool, participants will explore the potential to utilize and integrate more personalized learning experiences for each student, foster deeper student engagement, and develop learning that supports student's growth in critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

Eden Prairie Schools is committed to fostering engaged, self-motivated learners who take ownership of their education and develop the skills needed to thrive in a changing world. This summer learning experience aligns with our strategic vision by equipping educators with the tools to help students become independent, reflective learners - students who understand their progress, set goals, and take an active role in their success.

This 10-hour course, learners dive into the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology within educational contexts. Through practical application, learners gain insights into the implications, strategic implementation, and ethical considerations of generative AI in academic settings. Engaging in inquiry and relevant projects, learners refine critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creative problem-solving skills, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative exploration of AI's role in academia. (yes, AI helped write this description)

This 10-hour asynchronous continuing education course has been designed to establish an understanding and practical application of the five social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies from MDE and their relationship to student behaviors. Instructional strategies from this course will cultivate equitable and culturally responsive SEL instruction, ensuring that all students, regardless of background, can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Staff at all levels are welcome to join this learning experience.

This 10-hour asynchronous continuing education course, we will explore the evaluation process, timelines and due processes specific to special education services so that we can ensure we are providing all students with the educational services they need. The course objective is to strengthen the understanding for special education due process specific to Eden Prairie Schools. Special education teachers new to the district and/or new to the profession would benefit from the content provided in this course.

This 10-hour continuing education course empowers EC-12+ educators with a deeper understanding of multilingualism and strategies for effective instruction. Participants will explore practices for supporting language development across subjects, examine the impact of multilingualism on student learning, and set actionable goals for implementing culturally responsive teaching practices. Through this course, educators will gain valuable insights and practical tools to foster inclusive classrooms where all students can thrive.