The Professional Learning Showcase is a professional development opportunity created through the partnership of AFT National and the AFTNJ. It is an opportunity for members to sample the vast array of professional opportunities available through AFT National, while collaborating with members of the different individual locals that make up the AFTNJ. We have tried to provide professional learning opportunities for many of the different constituents that make up our State Federation as possible. Please register now.    

(Breakfast, lunch and light refreshments sponsored by AFTNJ)

All first-time participants and anyone trained prior to 2001, must take this mini-course prior to completing facilitator training. This mini-course assists trainers and coordinators of local professional development programs. Participants will receive guidelines as to what an effective presenter must know and do (e.g., presentation techniques, planning professional development sessions) and tips on how to succeed with adult learners. Site coordinators and the individuals responsible for professional development issues also will learn how to manage a professional development program and build local capacity

Foundations of Effective Teaching I: Organizing the Classroom Environment for Teaching and Learning  
This core course addresses the fundamental aspects of teaching and learning that are relevant for teachers and classroom paraprofessionals in all grade levels and subject areas. It examines proven practices for establishing and maintaining classroom management, maximizing use of learning time, questioning and feedback skills, homework, interactive guided instruction strategies, and scaffolding techniques. Covering core topics critical to successful classroom practice, Foundations of Effective Teaching I is recommended as the primary offering for all local sites. It is frequently used as the basis for induction, mentor, and peer assistance programs and is an essential part of any affiliate professional development program.

Instructional Strategies That Work for All Disciplines
This course provides a cognitive research-based approach to lesson planning and design. To develop a comprehensive instructional plan, participants consider the concepts of standards, curriculum and a course map as they generate unit and lesson plans that promote independent learning for students. In this course, instructional strategies are taught in the context of purpose and appropriateness for supporting student learning. Course participants will learn how to develop scoring guides (rubrics) for student tasks; evaluate curriculum materials for any content area and create instructional plans that address the shortcomings of the materials. The information in this course can be applied in K-12 settings and is particularly helpful for students with special needs.

Transitioning to Kindergarten
A joint project of the American Federation of Teachers and the National Center for Learning Disabilities, the toolkit is a collection of resources designed specifically to address children’s needs in the year before kindergarten. During this session, pre-k educators will explore the toolkit and discuss ways to incorporate it into their classrooms and share it with their colleagues. T2K provides a host of fun activities, family tip sheets, training materials and a screening tool for educators and parents. It focuses on the whole child, encompassing social –emotional learning, physical growth and development, math, reading and language development.

School, Family and Community: Partnerships That Support Student Learning
The primary function of this course is to help school staff understand how they can assist parents to better support their children as learners. Topics explored include (1) using effective communication strategies to develop learning partnerships with families; (2) designing more productive homework assignments to involve families; (3) explaining classroom work and grading systems to parents; (4) developing school­wide parent involvement plans; and (5) examining the role of school absenteeism on student learning. In addition, basic organizing on the local and community level will be addressed.

Strategies for Student Success
Strategies for Student Success is a research-based AFT program consisting of modules that address teaching and learning aspects of the classroom for new and veteran teachers alike. These modules are designed to be delivered in three hours, which creates a manageable method of connecting with educators. The goals of this program are to offer high-quality professional development, strengthen institutions for teaching and learning, and support locals in their organizing efforts. Module included: Differentiating Instruction: This session is designed to raise awareness of research that supports differentiation and to examine the basic elements of two differentiation models.

Thinking Mathematics 3-5:
Participants consider the patterns and relationships found in mathematics, including those in the multiplication tables. They examine the differences between multiplicative and additive structures, including the new role numbers have as they begin to represent not only single objects but also composite units. Participants also review the variety of problem types in the multiplica­tive structures. Representations to help students understand include diagrams, charts, and t-tables as well as arrays and area models. Use of the distributive property and the beginnings of proportional reasoning are stressed as well as the various treatments that may be required for division remainders in contextualized problems. Stress is placed on the importance of matching language to situations.