Effective Teaching in Diverse Classrooms  (available Fall 2007). An intense classroom-focused, research-based program that helps teachers transform their classrooms to address the needs of a diverse student population. Great for school-based or district cohorts of colleagues.

Local Treasurers Training

The Local Treasurers Training is comprised of five modules (approximately one hour in total) providing a wealth of information to the new local treasurer (or as a refresher for the experienced local treasurer) with special emphasis on fiduciary responsibilities and internal control. This course will provide you with the information needed to take on the challenges of your new position as treasurer of your local association; safeguarding assets of the association and ensuring that the resources of the association are utilized to the maximum benefit of the members as well as to protect the reputation and image of the association and its officers. The training takes into account the non-financial background of many treasurers and was prepared with minimal technical language.

The first module, Fiduciary Roles and Responsibilities provides a clear understanding of the actual, assumed, legal and regulatory responsibilities of the treasurer’s role in the Association (13 minutes, 45 seconds).

The second module, Getting Started, identifies the information needed to embark on the challenging duty of financial reporting and describes basic accounting terminology and regulatory reporting (13 minutes, 15 seconds).

The third module, Recording Association Financial Activities, covers what should be recorded and how it should be recorded with a focus on cash coming in and cash going out (7 minutes, 13 seconds).

The fourth module, Reporting Association Financial Activities, discusses the types of reports required by the various constituents and why they are important to the financial stability of the Association (7 minutes, 24 seconds).

And finally, the fifth module, Planning for the Future, provides guidance on developing a budget and preparing for the next generation of education professionals by leaving a solid financial legacy (6 minutes, 50 seconds).

The program provides synchronized audio and video including Microsoft PowerPoint slides.  It also includes relevant web links to external sources such as the IRS and Dept. of Labor as well as links to internal sources such as sample policies and reports.

I Can Do It

I Can Do It is a highly engaging, 4 hour run time program designed to help teachers and classroom-based education support personnel manage their classrooms effectively.  Although the program was designed by experienced educators to assist beginners, many veterans of the classroom have found useful ideas as well.

Topics covered include:

• Ways to get to know your students
• Establishing and reinforcing effective rules and routines
• Creating smoothly flowing classrooms, using effective hints and sponges
• Communicating effectively, with students and their parents
• Working with students who exhibit difficult behaviors

Throughout this program, veteran and beginning teachers tell their stories and share their tips and insights.  There are supplemental readings and downloadable forms for use in the classroom. Classroom videotapes are featured from different grade levels. Everyone's favorite segment is the interactive parent conference where the participants have to make decisions about the best course or action.

The major strengths identified by the NEA Academy Content and Quality Review Board were in the content and design of this program; although the areas of technical support, demonstration of participant learning, accessibility, flexibility and interactivity were notable also.  Reviewers commented that "I love the content it is invaluable to a new teacher. The testimonials are relevant and insightful and come across as genuine...." Reviewers found the content of this program to be authentic with meaningful examples.

I Can Do It is ideal for a cohort of new and veteran educators in a school to participate in together. Participants can go through each module on their own, and then get together to discuss the theories, strategies, and challenges presented in each segment of the program. This format would allow experienced educators in each school to share what they have learned.