Description of Activity:

Administrators and educators from all school districts are invited to come together for collaboration around the pedagogical transition of the STEELS pedagogy, to brainstorm and acquire innovative ideas, and receive or share supports for implementation and pedagogical shifts. 

Instructor(s): PennSEL Leadership Team: Nicolee Christophel, Nate King, Kelsi Newman, Peney Wright, Eric Yoder, Tara Yorke 

Prerequisite Strongly Recommended: National Research Council. 2012. A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. free downloadPart 1 and chapters I & 2, Part II and chapters 3, 4 & one science field focus

Hybrid Launch on Monday, October 13, 2025  8:30 – 11:30 pm and/or 12:30 – 3:30 pm  Later Virtual Session 4-5pm

Half day or both AM & PM sessions in-person and virtual options. After school sessions will also be offered.

Lunch provided

• An introduction to the PLC, collaboration, and working time in grade band or subject area breakout rooms.
• All sessions are offered in hybrid format.
• Location at the TIU 11 Main Office 2527 US HWY 522 S McVeytown, PA 17051
• ACT 48 HOURS WILL VARY BASED ON SESSIONS ATTENDED/ LENGTH OF SESSIONS

Please complete our 25-26 PennSEL STEELS Collaborative CoP PLC Interest Form to reserve an Early Bird Reservation!  https://forms.gle/s6BTfnJJxdXKwR9i6

*Please select which session(s) you will be attending on April 8th*

Date: April 10, 2026

Time: 9 am to noon

Location: Virtual - https://paiu.zoom.us/j/4476176265?omn=94816268007

Department: Curriculum

Act 48: Yes

Description:  The Gifted Network is an opportunity for teachers who work with gifted students to come together to earn some professional development and to network with other teachers about the latest topics in their field.  The specific focus of each PD session will be added at a later date.

This is a training program for staff working with children, adolescents, or adults who may exhibit challenging or dangerous behavior.  Participants in the course learn a wide variety of prevention skills so that they can each contribute to a physical and social environment that encourages behavior patterns that are positive and safe.  Please note that this is for recertification and you must be in compliance to participate: 1 year from your last training date and 3 months grace period.  

There will be a $9.00 charge for materials and processing.

Day 1 & 2 REQUIRED

Prerequisite: Online MWEE 101 Online Course (5 hours, Act 48 credit awarded) 
Asynchronous work: One MWEE unit plan must be completed within 30 days after the workshop. 
Description of Activity: All of central Pennsylvania is part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and there are five other watersheds that our state impact. Pennsylvania is committed to protecting these precious natural resources. A water shed is land area whose runoff drains into any river, stream, lake, and/or ocean. However, runoff from fields, lawns, pavement, and construction sites could carry potentially harmful materials from our watersheds to our rivers, bays and oceans. Even if you live, work, or play far from a river, your actions could have an impact on the quality of the water in many areas. Grants are available to fund MWEEs. 
What is a MWEE?
A MWEE is…students exploring real world issues…in the field and in the classroom…students using evidence to draw conclusions and… take action! MWEEs use project-based methods, as well as, student voice and choice to engage learners in Local Issues Definition and Research, Outdoor Field Experiences, Synthesis and Conclusion, all leading towards Stewardship and Civic Action. These essential 4 student supporting practices are structured by active teacher support, local context, classroom integration and sustained activity. 
Environmental Education and Advocate Stakeholders urge all school districts to engage learners in at least one MWEE in elementary, one MWEE in middle school and one MWEE in high school. MWEEs support the STEELS Standards. During MWEE Session #1 we’ll walk you through a MWEE in action. In Session #2 we will spend most of the day engaging is an Outdoor Field Experience. There will be time during the second session for preliminary planning for your own MWEE. 

“MWEEs connect the importance of real life content relatable to students. MWEEs allow students to opportunity to investigate real life phenomenon. Students will be excited to identify macroinvertebrates to gauge the health of a stream or waterway. Allowing and 
supporting students to “run with a topic” that interests them is encouraged for the end of the unit student Action Plans.” 5th Grade Teacher, Juniata County School District

Prerequisites: STEELS Immersive Experience, ENGINE 3D STEELS Educators Community of Practice (CoP) or district PL day STEELS introduction 
Preferred Prerequisites: STEELS Special Topics A & B 
Prerequisite Strongly Recommended: National Research Council. 2012. A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. free download Part 1 and chapters I & 2, Part II and chapters 3, 4 & one science field focus 
Participants will bring current STEELS curricular materials, including one unit and one selected lesson to review and shift towards STEELS aligned pedagogy. Ongoing support throughout the school year through TIU 11’s PennSEL STEELS Collaborative Community of Practice PLC will continue to provide time, space and collaboration for educators. 

What is Curriculum-based Professional Learning (CBPL)?
The goals for CBPL is for students to be able to use skills to “wrestle with complex problems, collaborate with one another and investigate and apply information in creative ways.” 
CBPL is a “core set of research-based actions, approaches, and enabling conditions that effective schools and systems have put in place to reinforce and amplify the power of high-quality curriculum (HQIM)8990 and skillful teaching. CBPL is anchored in the instructional materials teachers will use with their own students.” 
 

These include, for both teachers and students: 
- Incorporating active learning 
- Supporting student collaboration 
- Using models of effective teaching practices 
- Providing coaching and support to learners 
- Offering instructive feedback and reflective opportunities 
- Is of sustained duration 
- Is pedagogy and content focused using Anchoring and Instructive Phenomenon and the 3-Dimensions: Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts and Disciplinary Core Ideas 
 

Using “educative instructional materials (HQIM which supports both student and teacher learning), challenges teachers to think differently about learning and teaching and content. Instead of a textbook that provides only what to teach,” these instructional materials also provide support for “how to teach.” Because incorporating support for teaching into 
instructional materials makes them different and educative for both student and teacher learning, most teachers benefit from a rich form of ongoing professional learning that helps them learn how to use such materials and practices effectively. This type of professional learning is grounded in immersive learning experiences for teachers where they experience as learners (their own students) the new instructional materials in ways that mirror their intended use with students.”

The Transition Coordinating Council is a group of like-minded individuals that wish to support students with disabilities that are of transition age (14-21), as they work towards life after high school. The goal of the group is to strengthen their knowledge in the area of transition through training, resource sharing, interagency collaboration, and networking. 

This will be a year end wrap up and networking event for all agencies in the TIU 11 coverage area.  

Target Audience: Huntingdon and Fulton County Special Education Teachers & Administrators, Transition Coordinators, Outside Agencies/Providers, Local Business Owners, School Counselors, School Social Workers, Parents, or Secondary Students

Schedule:

Thursday, April 16, 2026  9:00-11:00 AM REGISTRATION LINK

Format: HYBRID-In Person and Virtual Options available

Location: Zoom or Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11

2527 US Hwy 522 South

McVeytown, PA 17051
 

If you have any questions please contact:

Staci Young, TIU 11 Educational Consultant

syoung@tiu11.org

814-542-2501x1126

Date: April 17, 2026

Time: 1 pm - 3 pm

Location: Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11

Department: Curriculum

Act 48: Yes

Description:   Instructional Coaches Network meetings are a chance for academic coaches to get together to network.  We will discuss updates, best practices, and anything from the field that coaches may benefit from getting the advice from others in similar occupations.

This meeting is for District Special Education Directors and/or designees.  We will share updates, information and resources from the Bureau of Special Education, Pattan and other activities that support the BSE initiatives in our schools.  Training will be provided on a monthly basis in various topics.

Local professional learning and networking hour facilitated by TIU11 Team

Earn 1.0 Act 48 hour provided by TIU11

Learning Environment and Engagement Initiative Network Meetings provided by TIU11 

Topic to be announced soon...

Click on the above dates to be linked to the agenda and event registration! 

These events are free and open to all General Education teachers that 
support Special Education students, Emotional Support teachers and staff, 
Learning Support teachers and staff, School Counselors, Social 
Workers, and any professional team member that works with students 
in need of enhanced social emotional skills training! Feel free to share 
the links and encourage your colleagues to attend. 

For more information, contact Betsy Cox or Denise Shugarts, TIU11 TaC 
ecox@tiu11.org 
dshugarts@tiu11.org

Check & Connect Mentor Training is a 2-day in-depth, competency-based training designed to provide Check & Connect mentors with the information, competencies, and skills needed to be an effective Check & Connect mentor at their local site. 

Participants will learn about and understand— The core components and elements of Check & Connect The role and expectations of the Check & Connect mentor The population of students they are mentoring and how to best meet their needs How to implement the "Check" and "Connect" procedures with fidelity The competencies and skills needed to be an effective mentor, such as: Building relationships with students, families, and school personnel Using data to determine interventions Reflective listening Problem–solving Engaging with families.

Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11

May 12th and May 13th

8:30am-3:30pm

*Lunch will be on your own** 

When? Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, 08:30 AM

Where? 2527 U.S. 522, McVeytown, PA, USA 

This meeting is for District Special Education Directors and/or designees.  We will share updates, information and resources from the Bureau of Special Education, Pattan and other activities that support the BSE initiatives in our schools.  Training will be provided on a monthly basis in various topics.

SAP County Coordination Meeting

PURPOSE: Please be aware that this is a competencies-based training and full attendance is mandatory in order to receive certification. This excellent K-12 staff development program is designated to prepare additional persons to participate on the school’s SAP core team. Participants will learn about the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol agencies and how these agencies, in collaboration with the educational system, intervene in an effective efficient way to remove the barriers of learning for at-risk students. This training meets the requirements of the Commonwealth of PA Interagency Committee for Student Assistance Programs. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Building administrators, central office administrators, counselors, psychologists and classroom teachers who will be joining existing SAP core teams should attend this training. Child-serving agencies such as juvenile probation and children services would also benefit from this valuable training.

These meetings will provide principals with time to share and talk with each other.  There will also be a theme topic for each meeting.

PURPOSE: Please be aware that this is a competencies-based training and full attendance is mandatory in order to receive certification. This excellent K-12 staff development program is designated to prepare additional persons to participate on the school’s SAP core team. Participants will learn about the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol agencies and how these agencies, in collaboration with the educational system, intervene in an effective efficient way to remove the barriers of learning for at-risk students. This training meets the requirements of the Commonwealth of PA Interagency Committee for Student Assistance Programs. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Building administrators, central office administrators, counselors, psychologists and classroom teachers who will be joining existing SAP core teams should attend this training. Child-serving agencies such as juvenile probation and children services would also benefit from this valuable training.