Professional Development Workshops
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: August 24 - November 20 Virtual sessions: August 24, September 21, October 26. 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.
Move beyond “What’s the right answer?” and into dynamic, student-driven conversations with Six Thinking Hats. In this 1.5 hour workshop, teachers will learn how to use structured thinking roles to help students analyze literary and informational texts through multiple lenses—including logic, creativity, emotion, reflection, and big-picture thinking. Experience strategies that increase participation, encourage respectful discussion, and make text analysis more interactive, collaborative, and fun for every learner. While adaptable for all grade levels, this session is especially geared toward elementary teachers looking for engaging ways to strengthen perspective-taking, student voice, and meaningful discussion.
Upon successful completion of this class, participants will receive 1.5 hours of recertification credit.
Date: Tuesday, September 8
Time: 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.
Cost: $25
Facilitators:
Christine In-Albon: Christine In-Albon 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.
What if students could graph how a character’s motivations change over time, track the shifting balance of power during a historical event, or map a species’ response to environmental factors? In this 1.5 hour workshop, teachers will explore how Behavior Over Time Graphs (BOTGs) bring ELA, science, and social studies content to life through visual analysis. Discover engaging, classroom-ready strategies that help students chart patterns, relationships, cause-and-effect, and turning points while deepening comprehension and discussion. Participants will learn how BOTGs can support systems thinking across disciplines—from character development and ecosystems to historical movements, economics, and societal change. Perfect for elementary and secondary teachers looking to make abstract thinking more engaging, analytical, and student-centered.
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Time: 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 P.M.
Location: Virtual through the Pima County School Superintendent's Office
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.
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.
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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