Spring 2025 BTLC/Dyslexia Asynchronous Learning Opportunities
Monday, January 20 to Friday, April 11, 2025 (all day)
TEP students in the TLC/Dyslexia and TLC/IS tracks are now able to receive TLC Credit by completing asynchronous workshops offered through the Iowa Reading Research Center. Please use your Uiowa email and address to register for free.
COURSE: Dyslexia Overview Module
Please register here. BTLC credit: IS, D (1 Credit)
Description: This module is designed to provide an overview of this reading disability, no matter the participant’s prior knowledge of dyslexia. Additional course details and...
Senegal: Education and Culture
Tuesday, January 21, 12:00pm to Friday, February 7, 2025 11:59pm
BTLC Credit: GO (This study abroad experience will fulfill the volunteer requirement for the GO track.)
**Deadline to apply to participate in the Senegal trip is Feb. 7, 2025. Confirmation deadline is Feb. 15, 2025. Scholarships may be available. Please check with International Programs to see if you qualify for scholarship opportunities.
Description: The College of Education sponsors a 13-day summer course in Senegal. This program offers an immersion into Francophone Africa through cultural...
Multilingual Learner Workshop 3: Family & Community Engagement
Monday, January 27, 12:00pm to Friday, March 28, 2025 11:59pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, ML
Presenter(s): Lia Plakans, Professor of Multilingual Education, David Degollado, Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education, Marina Durinova, Visiting Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education,
Description: **This is an asynchronous workshop through ICON and MANDATORY for students in the ML Track.** This session on family/community engagement aligns with the Core Principle of engaging in equitable and justice-oriented education, as we recognize...
Social Media Smarts: Navigating Sleep and Mental Health for K-12 Teachers and Parents
Monday, January 27, 2025 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Bengi Baran, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychological and Brain Sciences
Description: Social media has received significant attention as a culprit for the ongoing youth mental health crisis, both on its own and indirectly by disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms. There are several emerging critical developments including U.S. Surgeon General's advisories on (1) the negative consequences of social media use and (2) the declining mental...
Making Future STEAM Educators: An Introduction to Makerspace Tools, Technologies, and Teaching
Monday, February 10, 2025 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, STEAM
Presenters: Kay Ramey, Assistant Professor, Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology, and Darrell Currington, Makerspace Facilitator
Description: This workshop is required for participation in the STEAM track and should be attended first, if possible. In this workshop, students will participate in a hands-on, "quick-fire" STEAM activity and get an introduction to what STEAM is, why it's important, and how to facilitate it in their classrooms...
Introduction to UI REACH
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, UI REACH
Presenter(s): Jenny McGinn, Senior Program Specialist – UI REACH Program
Description: This session will give students an overview of UI REACH and is MANDATORY for students in the UI REACH track. This session will also discuss some strategies for working with students with IDD.
Learning goals: 1) Students will be able to describe UI REACH. 2) Students will be able to identify 2 strategies for working with individuals with IDD.
By registering for...
Educator Well-Being: Skill for Empowerment
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Ryan Kidder, Behavioral Health Clinician, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Description: During this presentation, educators, school mental health professionals, para-educators and administrators will learn the rationale behind using skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy to enhance well-being. Participants will enhance their understanding of mindfulness skills, self-care skills, and will learn a skill in order to be...
Introduction to Globalization and Internationalization
Thursday, February 13, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: GO, IS *This workshop is mandatory for the GO track.
Presenter: Theodora Kourkoulou, Assistant Clinical Professor of Elementary Education
Description: Students are entering a world that is more globally interconnected and complicated than ever before, yet often lack the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively operate in that space. In this workshop, teacher candidates will learn the fundamentals of global education, and internationalization, and...
Who Needs Subject Acceleration?
Thursday, February 13, 2025 5:15pm to 6:45pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: IS, AATD
Presenter(s): Ann Shoplik, Administrator, Acceleration Institute & Research and Randy Lange, Associate Director, Belin-Blank Center
Description: Subject acceleration is the most commonly used form of academic acceleration for talented students. Subject acceleration isn’t for everyone, however. How do we figure out who needs subject acceleration? What are some best practices concerning subject acceleration? How might you be involved in subject...
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Supporting Yourself and Others in K-12 Education
Monday, February 17, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Barry Schreier, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Description: As K-12 educators, we set the bar high for ourselves, often striving for perfection in our teaching, leadership, and support roles. While these high standards can drive excellence, they can also lead to feelings of self-doubt and the belief that we’re not good enough, not deserving enough, or not doing enough — hallmarks of imposter syndrome. The performance-driven...
STEAM Learning on a Budget: From Paper Prototyping to Simple STEAM Kits
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, STEAM
Presenter(s): Kay Ramey, Assistant Professor, Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology, and Darrell Currington, Makerspace Facilitator
Description: In this workshop, students will learn how to design and facilitate hands-on STEAM activities with everyday materials and the sorts of low-cost STEAM kits commonly available in K-12 schools. They will also gain hands-on experience participating in and designing STEAM activities using these kits and...
Great Educators are Active Listeners: How to Help Your Students Feel Heard
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Description: Are you an active listener? Active listening is a skill that we can all invest more time in developing, especially as educators. Being a better listener means more meaningful relationships with our students (and even colleagues, friends, and family!). One of the ways to be an active listener is to learn about and practice microskills. In this workshop, we will (1) discuss what microskills are, (2) learn about 3 microskills, and (3)...
Top 3 AI Tools Every Teacher Should Know
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 4:30pm to 5:15pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS
Presenter(s): Theodora Kourkoulou, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning
Description: Discover the top three AI-powered tools transforming teaching and learning today. This workshop will equip participants with practical skills and hands-on experience to create dynamic lesson plans in minutes, design activities that spark student curiosity, automate tedious tasks and improve productivity.
Learning Goals:
Master the...
The Pedagogies of Teaching, Learning, and Assessing for Global Perspectives
Thursday, February 20, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, GO. *This workshop is mandatory for the GO track.
Presenter(s): EunJung Kim, Clinical Assistant Professor of Elementary Education
Description: This workshop is part of Global Opportunities. It will provide critical perspectives on global education and global citizenship education as a guiding principles, then, explore the pedagogical application by using UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Participants will learn theoretical and practical practice...
ML Workshop 1: Introduction and Home Language Support
Thursday, February 20, 2025 5:15pm to 6:45pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: ML, IS
Presenters: Lia Plakans, Professor of Multilingual Education, David Degollado, Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education, Marina Durinova, Visiting Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education
Description: **This workshop is required for those in the Multilingual Learner track. This workshop on home language support aligns with the Core Principle of valuing students' identities. After attending this workshop, you will be able to identify...
LivingWorks safeTALK
Monday, February 24, 2025 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Please register here. This is a fee-based event but free to University of Iowa students in the Teacher Education Program. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH (2 credits)
*University of Iowa TEP students: please reach out to TLC@uiowa.edu for the non-fee registration link. Registration deadline for TEP students is one week prior to the workshop. Cancelation deadline is 48 hours prior to the workshop by emailing TLC@uiowa.edu. If TEP students cancel less than 48 hours, they will be assessed the registration...
K-12 Educator Career Fair Prep
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Attention Soon-to-Be Educators! Mark Your Calendar!
The Baker Teacher Leader Center presents "K-12 Educator Career Fair Prep!" Hosted by Pomerantz Center Career Coaches!
Career Fair Preparation: Get the tools and strategies you need to effectively navigate the K-12 Educator Career Fair on March 3, 2025, including resume tips, networking strategies, and elevator pitches.
Confidence Building: Build confidence in presenting yourself to potential employers through practice and personalized...
Design, Cut, Stick: STEAM Learning with Vinyl Cutters and Other Subtractive Manufacturing Tools
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, STEAM
Presenter(s): Kay Ramey, Assistant Professor, Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology, and Darrell Currington, Makerspace Facilitator
Description: In this workshop, students will gain hands-on experience participating in and designing STEAM activities using vinyl cutters, laser cutters, and other subtractive manufacturing tools. For the hands-on STEAM challenge, students will get to make a vinyl cut sticker or laser cut design of their choice...
Classroom Belonging Audits: Analyzing the Spectrum of Belonging
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Jeff Walls, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership
Description: A widespread sense of belonging at school is essential for a healthy school culture, academic success, and healthy peer and adult relationships for students. The gateways of belonging exist along a spectrum from inflexible to highly flexible. The purpose of this session is to introduce attendees to a spectrum-based understanding of belonging, and share a tool to...
Broaching Mental Health Concerns with our Students
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: IS, SEBMH
Presenter: Ashley Banta, MA, LPSC, Counseling Psychology PhD Student
Description: Participants will learn how to identify signs of mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression. Participants will also learn how to broach mental health and respond with empathy. Participants will engage in simulations to practice broaching mental health and responding with empathy.
Learning Goals: 1) Define common signs of mental health concerns. 2) Learn...
Colonialism, Imperialism and the Histories that Shaped Us
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, GO. *This workshop is mandatory for the GO track.
Presenter: Maia Sheppard, Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education
Description: People, communities, cultures, and countries are more connected with others across the globe than they have ever been. Globalization, however, is not without problems, both ethical and social. This workshop will explore the global and local dimensions of social, historical and cultural issues that shape us, with a...
Museums: Potential to Promote Deep and Lifelong Learning
Wednesday, March 5, 2025 5:15pm to 6:15pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, AATD
Presenters: Bridget Nash-Chrabascz, Education Specialist, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, and Randy Lange, Associate Director, Belin-Blank Center
Description: Public education is at the core of the services that museums provide. Join Bridget Nash, Education Specialist for the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, in a virtual exploration of the educational role of museums, which will include discussion of how education theory is used...
Social Justice Tour: Enriching Art Instruction
Thursday, March 6, 2025 4:30pm to 5:45pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: IS, AATD
Presenter: Randy Lange, Associate Director, Belin-Blank Center
Description: This IN-PERSON workshop will have two components. First, we will experience the social justice tour at the Stanley Art Museum. This tour focuses on the artists, activists, and equity. Second, the workshop will conclude with a discussion of its application to enriching lesson plans. This workshop meets at the Stanley Art Museum and is limited to 16 UI students.
Please...
Have You Ever Thought About Teaching Advanced Learners?
Monday, March 10, 2025 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, AATD
Presenter(s): Jolene Teske and Randy Lange, Associate Directors, Belin-Blank Center
Description: One of the best parts of a career in education is the variety of opportunities for expertise and personal interest. There are different subjects to teach, different ways to teach, different clubs/sports/organizations to lead, and specialty areas of focus. One such specialty area is the world of advanced learners. Come to this session to learn more about...
Fitting STEAM into Your Classroom: Disciplinary Integration, Assessment, and Standards Alignment
Monday, March 10, 2025 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, STEAM
Presenters: Kay Ramey, Assistant Professor of Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology and Darrell Currington, Makerspace Facilitator
Description: *This workshop is required for participation in the STEAM track.* In this workshop, students will learn how they can best fit STEAM into their classrooms. This will include a discussion of how to integrate tools, knowledge, and practices from different STEAM fields, align activities with standards...
Top 3 AI Tools Every Teacher Should Know
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 4:30pm to 5:15pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS
Presenter(s): Theodora Kourkoulou, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning
Description: Discover the top three AI-powered tools transforming teaching and learning today. This workshop will equip participants with practical skills and hands-on experience to create dynamic lesson plans in minutes, design activities that spark student curiosity, automate tedious tasks and improve productivity.
Learning Goals: 1) Master the...
Introduction to Globalization and Internationalization
Thursday, March 13, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: GO, IS *This workshop is mandatory for the GO track.
Presenter: Theodora Kourkoulou, Assistant Clinical Professor of Elementary Education
Description: Students are entering a world that is more globally interconnected and complicated than ever before, yet often lack the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively operate in that space. In this workshop, teacher candidates will learn the fundamentals of global education, and internationalization, and...
Twice-Exceptionality Tips for Teachers
Thursday, March 13, 2025 5:15pm to 6:15pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, AATD
Presenter(s): Katie Schabilion, Supervisor of Clinical Services, and Zeus Pichardo, Licensed Psychologist, Belin-Blank Center
Description: Twice-exceptional (2e) students are those who manifest areas of both high ability and disability (Reis, Baum, & Burke, 2014). This workshop will describe this seemingly paradoxical group of students and provide tips for recognizing them, understanding their needs, and helping them succeed in school.
Learning...
Creating an Inclusive Classroom
Monday, March 24, 2025 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: IS, UI REACH
Presenter(s): Stacie Nelson, UI Reach Instructor
Description: In this workshop, students will learn how to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued, respected and safe, while creating a sense of belonging and active engagement.
Learning goals: 1) Apply differentiated teaching to accommodate diverse learning styles. 2) Use collaborative activities to help students form connections and learn from each other. 3) Create...
BTLC/ML Workshop 2: Reading and Vocabulary Support for Multilingual Learners
Thursday, March 27, 2025 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, ML
Presenter(s): Dr. Lia Plakans, Professor of Multilingual Education, Dr. David Degollado, Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education, Dr. Marina Durinova, Visiting Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education,
Description: This workshop is MANDATORY for students in the ML Track. The session on reading and vocabulary development aligns with the Core Principle of developing learners' skills and supporting their intellects. Upon completion of the...
Trauma Informed Classroom Practices: Disruptive Behaviors
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: SEBMH, IS
Presenter: Amanda Elliott, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa
Description: Topic 1: Begin with framework of trauma experiences that are common to youth in Iowa. Then we will further mental health outcomes of trauma and how that might result in classroom behaviors. We will then wrap up the session discussing level 1 interventions that would provide support for students whom may have experienced trauma in their...
3D and Me: STEAM Learning with 3D Design Tools and 3D Printers
Monday, April 7, 2025 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, STEAM
Presenters: Kay Ramey, Assistant Professor, Learning Sciences and Educational Psychology, and Darrell Currington, Makerspace Facilitator
Description: In this workshop, students will gain hands-on experience participating in and designing STEAM activities using 3D design software and 3D printers. For the hands-on STEAM challenge, students will get to design and print a 3D object of their choosing. They will learn about 3D design tools and be...
Supporting Students with Eating Disorders- Where Do I Even Start?
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 5:00pm to 6:15pm
Please register here. BTLC Credits: IS, SEBMH
Presenters: Taylor Ford, Assistant Director of Clinical Services and Crisis Response, Sam McVancel, Licensed Psychologist, and Liz Gleason, Social Worker, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Description: Eating disorders in students have more than doubled over the last several years and school mental health providers may be the first to notice. Build awareness of the signs and symptoms of eating disorders and how to connect students and...
Workshop 4: Oral Language Development
Thursday, April 10, 2025 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, ML
Presenter(s): Dr. Lia Plakans, Professor of Multilingual Education, Dr. David Degollado, Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education, Dr. Marina Durinova, Visiting Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education
Description: This workshop is MANDATORY for students in the ML track. This session aligns with the Core Principle of developing learners' skills and supporting their intellects. Upon completion of the workshop, students will be able to deliver...
LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)-UISG
Thursday, April 24 8:30am to Friday, April 25, 2025 4:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: SEBMH, IS (4 credits)
Presenters: Jess Pavelich, Liz Gleason, Jamie Elizalde, Barry Schreier, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health
Description: ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. As the world’s leading suicide intervention workshop, LivingWorks’ ASIST program is supported...
LivingWorks safeTALK
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH (2 credits)
This is a fee-based event but free to University of Iowa students in the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
TEP Students: *University of Iowa TEP students: please reach out to TLC@uiowa.edu for the non-fee registration link.
Registration deadline for TEP students is one week prior to the workshop. Cancelation deadline for TEP students is 48 hours prior to the workshop by emailing TLC@uiowa.edu. If TEP students cancel less than 48 hours...
LivingWorks safeTALK
Monday, June 9, 2025 8:30am to 12:30pm
Please register here. BTLC Credit: IS, SEBMH (2 credits) *This is a fee-based event but free to University of Iowa students in the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
University of Iowa TEP students: please reach out to TLC@uiowa.edu for the non-fee registration link. Registration deadline for TEP students is one week prior to the workshop. Cancelation deadline is 48 hours prior to the workshop by emailing TLC@uiowa.edu. If TEP students cancel less than 48 hours, they will be assessed the...