Professional Development Workshops
Looking for a FREE hands-on, workshop for PreK-1st grade teachers that will share ways to add to your classroom without spending? Some outside the box ideas?
Join us for the Cardboard Expansion. This STEAM based training will check all the boxes. Together we’ll make a poster of Construction Techniques, a maze or two, something to add to the Art Studio and a mystery item.
Cardboard is a great upcycling material, flexible and sturdy. It’s also an easy way to show young learners how to re-use materials in a fun and functional way.
The first session will be Cardboard construction, and the second session will be upcycling activities and participants will be sharing one of their favorite cardboard or upcycling lessons.
All materials will be included BUT please bring your favorite ideas to share.
Teachers will receive $75 worth of materials which includes a cordless glue gun, cardboard cutter, picture book and more.....
Dates, Times, & Locations:
2 Sessions:
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 9:00am-1:00pm
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 9:00 am-1:00pm
Pima County School Superintendent's Office, 200 N. Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701
Light lunch will be served.
Please select purchase order for payment.
Media Policy:
The Pima County School Superintendent's Office and its partners often take photographs and videos during events and workshops as they occur. By registering for this event and/or workshop you are granting permission to use these images to promote our programs in print, on the web, and on social media.
Payment Policy Payments must be received five (5) business days prior to the start of the class. Payments can be in the form of a check, credit card, P-Card, or a school purchase order. Registrations within the five (5) day window must be paid immediately upon registering for the course. Cancellation & Refund Policy Cancellations must be submitted in writing five (5) business days prior to the start of the class to receive a refund. Cancellations must be emailed to BOTH: danel.hogan@pima.gov AND AR-schools@pima.gov No refunds will be given for “no shows.” If courses are cancelled due to low enrollment, refunds will be issued to the individual or the school.
In this 11-week course teachers will be introduced to the Sandra Kaplan’s framework of Depth & Complexity. This framework consists of a set of tools that can guide thinking and questioning for both students and teachers. Participants will be provided with the information needed to elevate & differentiate their daily lessons. The course will consist of 5 online modules delivered bi-weekly, and three virtual meetings. Participants will complete the two modules prior to the virtual gathering where we will debrief, discuss and collaborate on new learning. The book, The Gifted Guild’s Guide to Depth and Complexity by Ian Byrd and Lisa Van Gemert will be the required text. It will be available to borrow through the Pima County School Superintendent's Office, or you may purchase your own copy.
Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 12 hours of recertification credit.
Date: September 21 - December 7. Virtual sessions: September 21, October 26, November 23
Time for virtual sessions: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual and asynchronous
Cost: $65
Facilitator: Michele Thelen
Michele Thelen is the current Executive Secretary for the Arizona Association for Gifted & Talented (AAGT). She was recently the Coordinator of Gifted & Talented Education in the Marana Unified School District. She has been an elementary teacher, gifted cluster teacher, gifted specialist, mother of two gifted adults and grandmother of four gifted youngsters. Michele has also served as the co-facilitator of the Southern Arizona Gifted Network which supports gifted students and their families as well as teachers of the gifted through professional growth opportunities for teachers and families. Michele has presented at the National Association for Gifted Children National Conference, SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) National Conference and the AAGT Annual Conference. She loves spending her free time enjoying nature with her family.
As educators, we know that students' emotions, behaviors, and relationships have a direct impact on their ability to learn. In this class, teachers will gain a deeper understanding of how the brain influences these areas and why a brain-based approach is so important for supporting social-emotional learning. Complex neuroscience will be presented in a practical, easy to understand way, helping teachers connect this science to the everyday experiences seen in schools. Throughout this class, educators will explore research-based strategies that can be implemented immediately to support students' emotional regulation, resilience, and success. Educators may recognize approaches used before, but we'll revisit them with a fresh understanding of why they work, and add some new tools and ideas to your practice.
These concepts are especially valuable when working with gifted and advanced learners. Gifted students often experience heightened emotional intensity, perfectionism, and asynchronous development, all of which can affect learning and well-being. Understanding how the brain, particularly the gifted brain, responds to stress, challenge, and relationships provides educators with practical strategies for supporting these unique learners. Whether you teach in a gifted classroom or general education setting, you'll leave this class with a stronger foundation for creating brain-friendly learning environments where every student can thrive.
The class will include assigned readings, implementation of ideas, and virtual meetings every other week. Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 10 hours of recertification credit.
Date: Time: 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
Cost: $50
Facilitator: Lorelei Barrett
Lorelei Barrett, M.Ed., recently retired after more than 30 years in education, serving as a classroom teacher, gifted specialist, and School Counselor. The last 25 years have been at Twin Peaks K-8, in the Marana Unified School District, where she was the gifted specialist, before transitioning into a self-contained gifted classroom. In collaboration with her Principal and the District Gifted Coordinator, Lorelei helped to create the only self-contained gifted program in the Marana District, that continues to thrive.
Lorelei is passionate about meeting the academic and social-emotional needs of gifted learners. She has presented professional development at the school, district, and county levels and is an active AAGT Member at Large.
This comprehensive professional learning series provides educators with a deep dive into the unique world of gifted learners. Divided into three stand alone 15-hour courses, this series moves from understanding the core identity of the gifted student to exploring creative environments and mastering advanced pedagogical practices.
Class A: Understanding the Gifted Profile (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Identity and Social-Emotional Needs Unlock the complexities of the gifted mind. This course provides a foundational understanding of what it means to be gifted, beginning with the historical context and evolving definitions of giftedness. Participants will explore the unique internal experiences of these learners, focusing on overexcitabilities, intensity, and the specific needs of visual-spatial learners.
Educators will gain practical insights into managing common psychosocial challenges such as perfectionism and underachievement, while learning to identify diverse talents through the lens of Multiple Intelligences.
Class B: Creative Environments and Program Models (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Cognition, Creativity, and Service Delivery How do we build environments where giftedness can flourish? This course explores the intersection of learning mindset and high-level cognitive development. Participants will master tools to foster innovation, including SCAMPER and FFOE (Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration), and examine the visionary work of leaders in creativity.
Beyond individual creativity, this course prepares educators to navigate institutional structures by analyzing various service delivery models and the role each plays in gifted classrooms.
Class C: Advanced Pedagogy and Practical Synthesis (15 Credit Hours)
Focus: Instructional Strategies and Action Research Translate theory into classroom mastery. This final course is dedicated to the practical application of advanced instructional strategies tailored for gifted students. Educators will learn how to implement effective acceleration and differentiation through collaboration and the strategic use of specialized resources.
A significant portion of this course is dedicated to inquiry learning and an Action Research Project, where participants will select a specific topic of interest, create a comprehensive plan, and share their results with their professional community.
Dates: September 28 - March 28
This registration page is for Class A only.
** Separate registration is required for Class B and can be found here:
** Separate registration is required for Class C and can be found here:
Cost: $80 per class.
Fall Book Fair 2026
This FREE self-paced professional development program on Nearpod will give K-5 educators an opportunity to explore two children's books accompanied by lesson plans that teach STEAM concepts. We will complete one book each week for two weeks.
The two children's books we will explore are:
What's Inside a Bird's Nest by Rachel Ignotofsky
What's Inside a Flower by Rachel Ignotofsky
Registrants who complete all program requirements (2 self-paced 45-minute modules) will receive the two books utilized in the module. Participants will also receive a certificate of professional development (1.5 hours).
October 11-25, 2025-Online Book Fair
Please register: https://schoolspimagov.wildapricot.org/event-6862087
Please choose purchase order for payment option.
Ready to get students talking, debating, and making meaningful connections? In this engaging 1.5 hour workshop, teachers will experience Hexagonal Thinking as a powerful strategy that transforms classroom discussion from simple responses to rich, collaborative analysis. Learn how to use hexagons to help students connect ideas, concepts, events, themes, evidence, perspectives, and patterns in ways that make thinking visible and conversations unforgettable. Whether analyzing literature, exploring historical events, or examining complex topics, participants will leave with adaptable strategies and ready-to-use activities for elementary through secondary classrooms.
Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 1.5 hours of recertification credit.
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time: 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 P.M.
Location: Virtual through the Pima County School Superintendent's Office
Cost: $25
Facilitators:
Christine In-Albon: Christine is an educator, gifted education specialist, and environmental scientist with more than 30 years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Gifted and Advanced Learners for the Vail School District, supporting gifted programming, professional learning, and student identification across the district’s schools. Throughout her career, she has taught middle school science, gifted language arts and social studies, and innovative high school honors courses including Desert Ecology, AP Seminar, and integrated environmental science programs. Before entering K–12 leadership, she co-founded and directed the Coastal Conservation Foundation, an international nonprofit dedicated to environmental education and marine conservation in Arizona and Mexico. Her work reached thousands of students and supported significant conservation efforts.
She holds both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona and earned her teaching certification and gifted endorsement through Prescott College. Her work has been recognized through numerous state and national awards for excellence in education and innovation.
Mary Garcia: Mary is the former Gifted and Advanced Learning Curriculum Coordinator for the Vail Unified School District, where she led the development and implementation of gifted and advanced learning programming for students across the district. With more than 30 years of educational experience spanning elementary to post-secondary education, she has taught and designed programming in areas ranging from robotics and STEM enrichment to Advanced and Honors English, gifted education, and literacy instruction.
Mary’s educational experiences in both Syria and the United States shaped her belief in the power of perspective, connection, and community. She is passionate about creating learning experiences that extend beyond the four walls of the classroom and inspire students to engage deeply with the world around them. She is an active member of the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented and the National Association for Gifted Children.
Planting SEEDs: Episodes for Thinking and Feeling is a Community of Practice that sets a different stage for learning, thinking, and talent identification. During each session, teachers will experience how to engage students in convergent, divergent, cooperative, and reflective thinking through episodes using the “power of puzzles and the significance of stories”.
Learning Outcomes are:
Educators will describe, recognize, and implement convergent and divergent thinking within their content and standards to support student thinking.
Educators will experience the activation of four types of thinking within story, creative activities and puzzles in order to understand how to enrich thinking and diagnose talent.
Educators will understand the role of collaborative and reflective thinking, and how they work alongside divergent and convergent thinking to complete the experience of both deep learning, critical thinking, and metacognition.
SEED: Silverquicken Episodes for Enrichment and Diagnosis, by Brian Housand, Leslie Kerner, and Chris Ryan is the basis for this engaging, exciting, and active Community of Practice. As co-author Brian Housand states, “SEED integrates cognitive challenges with emotional intelligence, creating immersive and meaningful learning experiences”. Action, adventure, beauty and wonder in stories offer an avenue to rich learning.
Teachers will leave each session with the skills and materials needed to implement SEED with their students. Teachers will also gain experience in activating and implementing thinking skills in their lessons. Each experience offers a glimpse into how students think and reason, which can help spot those hidden gifted gems in our classrooms and develop their talent to its fullest. Upon completion of the Community of Practice, participants will receive 14 hours of credit, which can be used towards a gifted endorsement.
Dates: October 20, November 17, 2026, December 1, January 5, February 2, March 30, April 13, 2027
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Pima County School Superintendent's Office 200 N. Stone Avenue
Cost: $100 (includes book and materials)
Amanda Chavez is currently a STEAM middle school teacher in the Santa Cruz County Unified School District. She has 20 years experience in education which includes eight years as an elementary general education teacher, four years as a special education teacher and for the past eight years, the Gifted Coordinator and teacher in Sahuarita Unified School District. As the Gifted Coordinator Amanda created the program design and curriculum to meet the needs of the 2-5th grade identified gifted population. Along with creating lessons and curriculum for the pull-out gifted classroom, she partnered with gifted cluster teachers to support the needs of these students in their general education classrooms. As a former gifted student in the S.U.N. Program in Sunnyside Unified School District, and a parent of two gifted sons, Amanda is well informed on the academic and social/emotional needs of gifted learners, and the support needed for them to to reach their potential. Amanda is a member of the Arizona Association of Gifted and Talented and the National Association of Gifted Children.
Marianne Landrith is the Program Director of GiftED and is the Coordinator of the Southern Arizona Gifted Network at for the Pima County School Superintendent's Office. Prior to being with Pima County, Marianne taught for 35 years in regular and gifted education in Tucson, AZ. She also coordinated a Jacob K. Javits Grant, and served as a Teacher Trainer/Mentor, Peer Coach Trainer and Program Facilitator. Marianne served on the Board Directors of the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented (AAGT) and is currently a Member -at-Large, and is on several committees with the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).
** This is the second in the three part series. Class A is not a pre-requisite.
Dates for Class B: November 16 - December 14.
Virtual meeting on Nov. 16
** This is the third in the three part series. Classes A & B are not pre-requisites.
Dates for Class C: February 1 - March 28.
Virtual meeting on Feb. 1
Cost: $80
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