Workshops, Presentations and Graduate Courses
The Good Life for Educators: The Science of Joy and Sustainability
September 27-December, 2026
July 7-27, 2026
This flexible, self-paced course is designed to support educators in rediscovering purpose, passion, and balance in their professional lives. Grounded in research from positive psychology, neuroscience, and educational sustainability, and inspired by Yale’s Science of Well-Being course, participants will explore the science behind happiness, motivation, and meaningful teaching.
Through interactive discussions, reflective practices, and evidence-based strategies, educators will examine what it means to live and teach “the good life.” Teaching is demanding, and when educators are not in a good place themselves, it becomes harder to support students in becoming their best selves. Yet how often are teachers given the time, space, and resources to reconnect with their values, rediscover joy in their practice, and bring their whole selves to their teaching?
That’s what this course is designed to offer.
Participants will engage with topics such as intrinsic motivation, sustainable teaching practices, emotional resilience, and the intersection of joy and instructional effectiveness. By reconnecting with core values and applying research-based approaches to well-being, educators will leave the course equipped with actionable tools to enhance both their teaching and overall quality of life.
Whether you're seeking renewal, inspiration, or simply space to reflect, this course provides an opportunity to recharge and cultivate practices that benefit both educators and the communities they serve.
Location: Online
Fitchburg State University - 3 graduate credits
Practical Classroom Applications for Teaching Languages
September 27-December, 2026
In this course, participants will delve into the practical applications of SLA (Second Language Acquisition) principles and their relevance in real classroom settings. Language educators will have the opportunity to reflect and refine their language teaching skills, empowering them to apply practical approaches to their current units, lessons, and assessments. Through readings, interactive discussions, exploration, and reflective exercises, participants will actively engage with the 5 C´s framework (Communication, Culture, Community, Connections and Comparisons). Special emphasis will be placed on proficiency-based practices, enabling educators to apply them to interpersonal, interpretive, intercultural and presentational activities in their everyday units and lessons.
AUDIENCE
● Those looking to transition from traditional language teaching approaches to
proficiency-based instruction.
● Those who are grappling with how to make pedagogical decisions based on SLA
principles and equitable grading practices.
Location: Online
Fitchburg State University - 3 graduate credits
Practical Classroom Applications for SEI and SLA with Multilingual Learners
July 7-27, 2026
Practical Classroom Applications for SEI and SLA with Multilingual Learners and The Good Life Course for Educators
This graduate-level/PDP course aligns with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) competencies for both World Language and Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsements. This course offers an individualized learning experience designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of language acquisition principles, SEI and their practical application in classroom settings. The course deepens participants’ understanding of second language acquisition (SLA) and its direct application in diverse classrooms. Educators will examine equity-centered strategies rooted in SLA theory, comprehensible input, output-focused tasks, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and culturally responsive teaching. Through interactive discussions, reflective exercises, and curated multimedia resources (readings, podcasts, and case studies), participants will refine their instructional practices and apply practical approaches to lesson design, unit planning, and assessment.
This flexible, self-paced course is designed to support educators in rediscovering purpose, passion, and balance in their professional lives. Grounded in research from positive psychology, neuroscience, and educational sustainability, and inspired by Yale’s Science of Well-Being course, participants will explore the science behind happiness, motivation, and meaningful teaching.
Through interactive discussions, reflective practices, and evidence-based strategies, educators will examine what it means to live and teach “the good life.” Teaching is demanding, and when educators are not in a good place themselves, it becomes harder to support students in becoming their best selves. Yet how often are teachers given the time, space, and resources to reconnect with their values, rediscover joy in their practice, and bring their whole selves to their teaching?
That’s what this course is designed to offer.
Participants will engage with topics such as intrinsic motivation, sustainable teaching practices, emotional resilience, and the intersection of joy and instructional effectiveness. By reconnecting with core values and applying research-based approaches to well-being, educators will leave the course equipped with actionable tools to enhance both their teaching and overall quality of life.
Whether you're seeking renewal, inspiration, or simply space to reflect, this course provides an opportunity to recharge and cultivate practices that benefit both educators and the communities they serve.
February 26-28, 2026: Make it stick: Retrieval Practice in the World Language Classroom
Level up language learning with brain-boosting strategies. Discover practical strategies to enhance student retention and deepen understanding in the World Language classroom through retrieval practice. This workshop will explore evidence-based techniques for integrating retrieval activities, such as spaced repetition and low-stakes assessments, into daily lessons. Walk away with activities to supercharge student retention in the World Language classroom and keep your students engaged.
July 7, 2025, through, August 7, 2025: Framingham State: Practical classroom applications for teaching languages.
July 2025: Lesley University: Community of Scholars, Unlocking UDL in the classroom
November 2024: Science of Learning with SEL
Making Space for Ethnographic Interviews in the Classroom
Ethnographic Interview Chat mat