The sessions listed below are examples of past Professional Development that I have done. I can also do customized sessions based on your campus/district needs. All sessions can be presented virtually or in-person, and include interactive elements to keep participants engaged. For online courses for credit, click here.
*Terri Eichholz of Engage Their Minds LLC is an approved CPE provider for the Texas Education Agency.
Staff development can also be provided toward the 30 foundational hours needed in Texas that teachers need in order to offer gifted and talented services, as well as the 6 hour annual renewal courses in: The Nature and Needs of Gifted/Talented Students, Assessing Student Needs, and Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted Students.
Contact Terri at terreichholz@engagetheirminds.com
From Script to Sound
A workshop divided into two parts: using existing podcasts for learning, and facilitating student podcast creation. From being used to improve both listening and reading skills to stimulating analytical and creative thinking, podcasts are a fantastic way to deliver content and assess learning. Teachers will leave this sessions with tons of ready-to-use resources for their classrooms and their own podcast episode created using Canva.
Artificial Intelligence for Students
Do students even understand what we mean when we say, “Artificial Intelligence”? In this presentation, I give teachers tools and resources for: helping students to understand what AI is, discussing the ethics of AI in various contexts, directing students on how and when they can use AI for learning, and creating “AI Friendly” assessments that aren’t compromised by AI misuse.
Harnessing Hexagons
Generate thoughtful analysis and meaningful discussions among students. When this strategy is implemented, students make more connections, see more perspectives, and become more aware of the complexities that exist in our world. An extremely flexible tool, Hexagonal Thinking can be utilized in ANY subject at ANY level for a variety of purposes: introduction to topics, constructing meaning, assessment, and reflection.
Leverage AI for Teacher Productivity
Teachers don’t have time to keep up with the firehose of AI tools that are being thrown at them every day. In this session, they will learn the ones that are going to help them the most, as well as how to look for ethical and safe AI sites and plugins. We’ll also talk about when and how our students can benefit from AI.
Digital Differentiation: 10 Tools for Gifted Learners
Presented at TCEA 2023 along with NEISD Assistant Director of Gifted and Talented, Amy Chandler, this session demonstrates the use of 10 different free technology tools that can help teachers to customize learning for student needs. Whether students are academically advanced or struggling with “traditional” skills, participants will learn about tools that will allow students to demonstrate learning through choice and creativity during this 1.5 – 2 hour session.
Why on Earth?
In this 2 hour session, teachers will learn about two more Visible Thinking Routines from Harvard’s Project Zero, The 3 Y’s and The 4 If’s. Both routines encourage students to make connections to themselves, their communities, and their world as they examine issues and make decisions about potential actions that they want to take.
Off on a Tangent
In this 2 hour session, teachers learn about a variety of math resources they can use with students who typically find math to be effortless and mundane. These free materials challenge students to hypothesize, discuss, and apply their knowledge in diverse situations that will provoke their curiosity and stimulate an appreciation for the complexities of mathematics.
Artificial Intelligence for Students
Do students even understand what we mean when we say, “Artificial Intelligence”? In this presentation, I give teachers tools and resources for: helping students to understand what AI is, discussing the ethics of AI in various contexts, directing students on how and when they can use AI for learning, and creating “AI Friendly” assessments that aren’t compromised by AI misuse.
From Jaded to Joyful: Galvanizing Students with Genius Hour
In this 1.5-2 hour session, participants will learn how to plan for a student-directed project in multiple types of settings and grade levels. Free, downloadable resources for planning and executing this Genius Hour (also known as Passion Time, Innovation Time, or 20% Time) will be provided.
Developing Design Thinkers
This 1.5 – 2 hour session will give participants practical ideas for integrating the Design Thinking process into an existing curriculum so that students can determine when to use this mindset and practice it regularly.
Step Up Your Game Design
Students love to play games, but they learn even more from designing them!
During this 2 hour session, learn the key elements of game design and how your students can use Scratch and other free tools to show what they’ve learned while they also develop their growth mindset and problem-solving skills.
Why on Earth?
In this 1.5-2 hour session, elementary and middle school teachers will learn how they can easily implement coding projects that support their curriculum — even if they don’t know how to code themselves
Global “Heart”warming
Participants will learn how to “flatten” the classroom by collaborating with classrooms around the globe in this 1.5-2 hour session.