Continuing Ed & For-Credit Teacher Workshops

EDWRK 600 O6S 1 Mastery Grading for Student Learning

Today’s students are good at playing the game of school and also using their resources to help them find the answers. As educators, our time is filled with obligations pulling us in multiple directions. Mastery Grading, connected to the standards, allows us to assess student knowledge and understanding in a fashion similar to elementary. It also decreases the time spent grading for the grade book. Standards Based Mastery gradebooks give you freedom to provide students with learning feedback via formative work, but it keeps your gradebook free of point clutter. During this workshop you will learn: the reasoning behind why Standards Based Mastery grading encourages students to learn - not memorize, how to create a Standards Based Mastery gradebook, and time to create assessments or connect current assessment to your standards. Come with your supplies and be ready to work and share!

Instructor: Dr. Jenny Havermann

Dates:

• Friday, May 29 from 5-9 p.m.
• Saturday, May 30 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location: University of Saint Mary–Johnson County

Credit Hours: 1

Cost: $100 (Teacher Appreciation Discount)

Register

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EDWRK 600 O6S 2 Powerful Pages: Using Diverse and SEL Books in Your Classroom

This interactive workshop is designed to help educators explore the power of diverse children’s and young adult literature to foster social-emotional learning (SEL), strengthen student identity, and build inclusive classroom communities. Participants will explore how thoughtfully selected books can affirm students’ lived experiences while also expanding their understanding of others. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that model how to use diverse literature to spark meaningful discussions, promote empathy, and address complex topics in developmentally appropriate ways. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with a curated list of recommended titles, adaptable lesson ideas, and practical tools to confidently incorporate diverse SEL books into their teaching.

Instructor: Angela Tomas

Dates:  

• Wednesday, June 10 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Thursday, June 11 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: University of Saint Mary–Johnson County

Credit Hours: 1

Cost: $100 (Teacher Appreciation Discount) or $110 after May 31, 2026

Register

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EDWRK 600 O6S 3 Streamlining Instruction with AI: Practical Tools for Today’s Classroom

This interactive workshop is designed to help educators harness the power of AI to simplify lesson planning, increase student engagement, and make everyday teaching more efficient. Participants will explore practical, classroom-ready tools like School AI, Curipod, and MagicSchool AI, learning how to use them to generate ideas, differentiate instruction, and create engaging learning experiences in less time.

Throughout the session, educators will engage in hands-on activities that model how AI can support everything from brainstorming and formative assessment to student collaboration and content creation. Emphasis will be placed on practical application, responsible use, and strategies that work across grade levels and content areas.

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with ready-to-use resources, customizable lesson ideas, and a toolkit of AI strategies that can immediately lighten their workload while amplifying student independence.

Instructor: Joshua Stock

Dates: 

• Friday, June 19 from 5-9 p.m.
• Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: University of Saint Mary–Johnson County

Credit Hours: 1

Cost: $100 (Teacher Appreciation Discount) or $110 after May 31, 2026

Register

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EDWRK 600 O6S 4 From Struggling to Thriving: Effective Supports for Academic, Behavioral, and Emotional Needs of Students

This workshop is designed to provide educators with practical strategies and tools for supporting struggling learners in their classrooms. Participants will explore various approaches to academic, behavior, and emotional supports and learn how to implement them effectively in their teaching practice.

Through engaging discussions, case studies, and collaborative activities, participants will develop a deeper understanding of how to meet the diverse needs of struggling learners. They will also explore the importance of building positive relationships with students and families to create a supportive learning environment.  Key topics covered in the workshop include identifying struggling learners, understanding the impact of behavior and emotions on learning, effective instructional strategies, differentiation, personalized learning, and incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the curriculum.  By the end of this workshop, participants will have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment, help struggling learners succeed academically, and support their social and emotional well-being.

Instructors: Susan Amber Boyington and Megan Paul, Olathe Public Schools

Dates:

• Friday, July 10 from 5-9 p.m.
• Saturday, July 11 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location: University of Saint Mary–Johnson County

Credit Hours: 1

Cost: $100 (Teacher Appreciation Discount) or $110 after May 31, 2026

Register

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EDWRK 600 O6S 5 Renew, Reorganize, Restart:  Preparing for the Beginning of the 2026-2027 School Year

This workshop will encourage participants to create, design, and collaborate to make ideas turn into reality. During our class time, we will “plan the work” so that when the busy days of the beginning of the school year arrive, you can “work the plan”!  We will focus on preparing the classroom for student success, integrating technology to encourage student participation and involvement, investing in social-emotional skill development to support a variety of learners, and combining excitement and fun with learning!

Instructors: Susan Amber Boyington and Megan Paul, Olathe Public Schools

Dates:

• Friday, July 31 from 5-9 p.m.
• Saturday, August 1 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Location: University of Saint Mary–Johnson County

Credit Hours: 1

Cost: $100 (Teacher Appreciation Discount) or $110 after May 31, 2026

Register

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Interested in attending or teaching a future workshop? Please contact Dr. Gwen Landever at 913-319-3007 or Gwen.Landever@stmary.edu.

ED 606 M4B 1 Assessment for Students with Diverse Learning Needs

This course prepares the teacher to screen, assess, and identify the needs of diverse learners and then effectively link the information gathered to intervention strategies and methods during the MTSS process

Dates: July 6-August 27

Credit Hours: 3

Tuition: $330

Registration Coming Soon

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Questions or interested in enrolling in future courses? Please contact Dr. Gwen Landever at 913-319-3007 or Gwen.Landever@stmary.edu.

The University of Saint Mary is offering the Foundations of the Science of Reading in the fall (August 31-December 17, 2026) with available funding for tuition scholarships for eligible teachers.

Course Description: University of Saint Mary is pleased to offer Foundations of the Science of Reading I and II to satisfy the Seal of Literacy licensure requirement. The course provides educators with a deep understanding of the Science of Reading and equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to apply the principles of structured literacy in the classroom. Emphasizing evidence-based practices, the course highlights strategies for supporting students with dyslexia, English language learners (ELLs), and students with exceptionalities. Knowledge and application is supported through personalized coaching throughout the course. The course is aligned with Standards 5, 6, and 7 of the Kansas Elementary Education (PK-6) Educator Preparation Program Standards and the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.

Credits: 6

Format: Two hours per week on Zoom, August 31-December 17, 2026

Questions? Please contact Graduate Education Program Director and Professor Gwen Landever.

Fall 2026 Interest Form

Interested in holding a workshop for educators in your school district? Please contact Graduate Education Program Director and Professor Gwen Landever.