Upcoming Professional Development
Contact Sarah Ptak at ptaks01@buffalostate.edu with any questions or concerns regarding event registration
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 1: Promoting Inclusive and Affirming Schools Series – Neurodiversity & Universal Design (1.5 hours)
2/6/2025
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm- The series introductory session will offer an introduction to neurodiversity, double empathy, the social model of disability, and Universal Design. This session will offer perspectives of disability that counter traditional, societal views, offering a reconceptualization of disability and the impact of accessible environments on the inclusion, success, and well-being of Neurodivergent students (and colleagues).
- Session 2: Promoting Inclusive and Affirming Schools Series – Neurodivergent-Affirming Approaches (1.5 hours)
3/6/2025
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm- The second session will focus on how schools and school-based professionals can pursue anti-ableism, acting to promote the use of Universal Design and neurodivergent-affirming approaches at the systems and individual student and colleague levels. Affirming actions will be outlined with considerations and discussion regarding how these changes may be actualized in their school contexts.
- 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
NYSMTP WNYPTA Workshop Series: March 1st
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 1; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Creating with Canva
Mary Howard
In this hands-on workshop, educators will explore Canva’s versatile design tools to create engaging instructional materials for their classrooms. Participants will learn to design worksheets, presentations, posters, and student resources as well as discovering time-saving templates. Perfect for teachers of all levels, this session will empower you to enhance your classroom with professional-looking, creative content.
Location: Buffalo State University SAMC 266
Date: Saturday, March 8; 9:00-11:00 am
This event has a capacity of 30 people
Creating with Canva Workshop Registration
Creating with Canva Workshop Flyer
6-12 grade math teachers, math club/family night facilitators of any level are welcome! Our goal is to make connections and adaptations to the presented game across all levels of math! The book states "a 10-year old can enjoy most games".
Date: Saturday, March 8; 9:00am-1:00pm
Buffalo & Chautauqua Math Collaboratives (BMC & CMC) March Meeting Dates
See the flyers below for dates and locations of this year's BMC and CMC meetings and click the link to register for March's meeting dates.
Monday, March 10 @ Willow Ridge Elementary
Tuesday, March 11 @ Union East Elementary
Wednesday, March 12 @ Amherst Middle School
Thursday, March 13 @ Falconer Central
BMC Flyer BMC March Registration
CMC Flyer CMC March 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; March 27, 5 - 7 pm; March 29, 9 am - 3 pm; April 3, 5 - 7 pm
This event has a capacity of 30 people
Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Minicourse Registration
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 (room TBA)
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.
Spatial thinking, facilitated by Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is an essential skill for STEM education. 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 (Room TBA)
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
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, NY
Date: April 5th, 2025; 1:30 pm (after our Cohort Meeting)
This event has a capacity of 30 people
WNY Land Conservancy Hike Registration
WNY Land Conservancy Hike Flyer
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