Upcoming Professional Development
Contact Sarah Ptak at ptaks01@buffalostate.edu with any questions or concerns regarding event registration
- Restoring Local Waterways
- Eating Local Fish/Buffalo River Restoration
- The Power of Data!
- Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Teaching Resources
Location: Buffalo State University & Various Field Locations (More information TBA)
Dates:
March 20, 5 - 7 pm @ East Hill Foundation; 17 Island St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
March 27, 5 - 7 pm Location TBA
March 29, 9 am - 3 pm Location TBA
April 3, 5 - 7 pm @ Buffalo State SAMC 172
This event has a capacity of 30 people
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Minicourse Flyer
NYSMTP WNYPTA Workshop Series: March 22nd
The NYSMTP Western New York Physics Teacher Alliance (WNYPTA) is an active community of physics and physical science teachers in the Buffalo Niagara Region. We are teachers sharing ideas, learning together, and creating a professional community of physics and physical science teachers. All meetings are open to physics, physical science, and other interested teachers – free of charge. Upon request CTLE credit for three hours of professional development will be issued to all attendees.
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 357
Date: Saturday, March 22nd; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Science of Learning & Motivated Behavior II
Dr. Gehan Senthinathan
Teachers will meet in person to discuss relevant pedagogical strategies to support the neuroscience of learning, then implement these strategies in their classrooms in between each meeting. Teachers will collaborate to build connections between modules and discuss the implementations of each strategy in their classroom. Prior attendance of the first Neuroscience minicourse by Dr. Senthinathan is not required to participate.
Location: SUNY Buffalo State SAMC 259
Dates: March 24, 5 - 7 pm; March 31, 5 - 7 pm; April 7, 5 - 7 pm; April 10, 5 - 7 pm (virtual)
This event has a capacity of 30 people
The Science of Learning II Registration
The Science of Learning II Flyer
GIS in the Classroom Minicourse
Mary Perrelli, Buffalo State Geosciences Dept.
Maps are powerful tools that expand students’ understanding of the world, its physical systems, and human populations. Interactive, digital maps increase engagement and support deep exploration of material. With maps, students can gain greater understanding and build critical thinking skills.
This workshop introduces educators to the ESRI Education Bundle, a powerful resource available to K-12 schools. Participants will explore GeoInquiries™—brief, standards-based inquiry activities designed to teach map-based content aligned with commonly used textbooks. These activities are accessible even without the ESRI Education Bundle. The workshop will also provide hands-on training in using ArcGIS Online applications such as Survey123 and Story Maps, enabling educators to create engaging, interactive content for their classrooms. Educators are encouraged to access and join their school’s ArcGIS Online site, a topic that will be covered in the first session.
A highlight of the workshop will be a guest session with Joseph Kerski, Education Manager at ESRI. On the final day, he will share insights into teaching spatial thinking across various disciplines, including geography, environmental science, sociology, business, mathematics, and language arts. Joseph Kerski is a renowned geographer with a passion for integrating GIS in education. With experience visiting over 350 schools and 400 universities worldwide, he has conducted countless professional development sessions for educators. An active content creator, Joseph has produced over 6,200 videos, 1,000 lessons, and 1,000 blog essays, and authored 12 books. Learn more about his work here
Join us to discover how GIS can transform your teaching and empower students to think spatially!
Location: Buffalo State University, SAMC 161
Dates: March 27, 5 - 7:30pm; April 3, 5 - 7:30pm; April 10, 5 - 7:30pm
This event has a capacity of 30 people
GIS in the Classroom Registration
GIS in the Classroom Minicourse Flyer
Dr. Bettina Love @ Buffalo State
Date: March 28th, 2025; 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Online Mini-Course Promoting Inclusive and Affirming Schools Series
Master Teachers are invited to attend this virtual minicourse by our Master Counselor counterpart - register by 2:30 pm February 5th to receive the Zoom link.
- Session 3: Promoting Inclusive and Affirming Schools Series - Promoting Autonomy in the Transition to Adulthood (1.5 hours)
4/3/2025
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm- The closing session will offer an introduction to the transition planning process as well as how to center Neurodivergent students within their transition to adulthood. Resources and tools will be shared to support school-based professionals to promote student autonomy within a collaborative, affirming transition planning process.
Inclusive and Affirming Schools Minicourse Registration
WNY Land Conservancy Hike
Join Western New York Land Conservancy staff for a guided nature hike at the Floating Fen Preserve, a unique and ecologically rich wetland in northern Chautauqua County. Designed for the WNY Master Teachers program, this hike will explore the preserve’s diverse plant and animal life, highlighting the importance of fens for biodiversity and climate resilience. Participants will gain insight into local conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and how educators can incorporate ecological concepts into their teaching. Expect a moderate walk through scenic landscapes, with opportunities for observation, discussion, and inspiration.
Location: Fredonia Floating Fen, GPS Coordinates: 42.3485579, -79.4148098
Date: April 5th, 2025; 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (after our Cohort Meeting)
This event has a capacity of 30 people
WNY Land Conservancy Hike Registration
WNY Land Conservancy Hike Flyer
Floating Fen Preserve Driving Directions
Mullafarry on Main Farm Tour RSVP
Your fellow Master Teacher, Mimi Joint, invites you to tour her family farm. The tour will consist of a barn tour, time with her animals (horses, rabbits, chickens), and a spring garden tour. Mimi will share information about boarding horses and her small business at local Farmer's Markets.
Location: Fredonia, NY
Date: April 5th, 2025; 1:30 pm (after our Cohort Meeting)
Mathematical Landscapes in Practice: Pedagogical Moves to Create a Learning Community in Grades K-8 (Multiplication & Division)
Denea Czapla & Rachael Burke
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, May 20th, May 22nd, May 27th, & May 29th; 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
STEM Activities Minicourse: Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Christina O'Malley
This 4-day workshop for teachers is designed to provide you with hands-on experience in a variety of STEM activities. Teachers will walk away with fresh, classroom-ready ideas to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers!
- Day 1: Engineering & Problem-Solving: Egg Drop with Microbit
- Day 2: Nerdy Derby & Forces of Motion
- Day 3: Building Structures
- Day 4: Circuits, Soldering, & Robots
Location: Buffalo State SAMC (room TBA)
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, May 20th, May 22nd, May 27th, & May 29th; 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
This event has a capacity of 24 people