schools first center for creativity & critical thinking

Inquiry and Innovation

Professional Learning Series for Teachers

 

The College of Education at California State University, Fullerton and The SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union Center for Creativity and Critical Thinking are pleased to offer this unique professional learning experience led by teams of teachers and experts in the field. The College of Education is committed to professional development of innovative and transformative educators who advance just, equitable, and inclusive education.  As part of that mission we are pleased to offer The Inquiry and Innovation Professional Learning Series as free professional development to TK-12 classroom teachers . Teachers may select from a series of workshops, and are encouraged to register for multiple sessions. 

  • Workshops are held online through Google Classroom and Zoom, or in person.
  • Teachers receive free online resources and materials to support classroom implementation. 
  • All sessions include planning time for teachers to develop curriculum or action steps for their own classroom.

Teacher Workshops
Workshop Title and Topic   Register

Use watercolor experiments and Surrealism to promote SEL in your learning environment!

Instructor: Ms. Courtney Ries

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025

Time: 

Become inspired to incorporate cross-curricular elements into your classroom by experiencing a vast array of experimentation using scientific watercolor methods. Learn how to let your students play with color and pattern to create a unique landscape inspired by Surrealism and all ages book Home Sweet Home by Courtney Ries. Driven by embedding core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), (responsible decision-making, self-awareness, and self-management) to create a safe and positive learning environment, your students will be able to create their own world using personalized color schemes with watercolor skills. Join us for a fun way to infuse student choice and voice through creativity!

 

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Stories that Speak: Guiding Conversations on Diversity Through Read-Alouds
 
Join us to explore and learn how read-alouds can become powerful entry points for meaningful classroom dialogue. 
 
This session supports pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and educators across roles with strategies for selecting and using diverse texts that reflect students’ identities, broaden perspectives, and spark meaningful conversations about social awareness. Participants will leave with practical tools and books to foster inclusivity, empathy, and critical thinking through the transformative practice of reading aloud. 

November 8, 2024
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
CSUF Campus Education Bulding EC 24
Presenters: Dr. Amanda Diaz & Dr. Mejia      madeleine.mejia@fullerton.edu  

 

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