Available Trainings

I had a fantastic time! I’ve learned new games to use in my classroom. Yay!

This was the most useful and engaging PD I have participated in within the last few years.

I appreciated the fun quick afternoon with interesting activities to take back to my classroom.

Engage with Play

Audience:

K-12 educators across all subject areas
Instructional coaches and curriculum developers
Administrators interested in innovative teaching methods
Educators seeking to increase student engagement and motivation

Key Takeaways:

Practical Strategies for Game Adaptation: Learn how to modify popular games to align with specific subject content, making learning more interactive and relevant.
Skills for Creating Customizable Board Games: Gain tools and tips for designing simple, reusable board games that support a variety of educational topics.
Implementation of Game Elements for Motivation: Discover how to incorporate leaderboards, levels, badges, and other motivational elements to increase student engagement and track progress.
Techniques to Foster Collaboration and Identity: Explore ways to use teams, avatars, and storytelling to build community and a sense of belonging in the classroom.
Hands-On Experience with Game-Based Learning: Try out various educational games and brainstorm practical ways to bring them into your teaching, regardless of grade level or subject area.
Actionable Game Plan for Classroom Use: Leave with a concrete plan to integrate one or more game elements into your curriculum, ready to boost student motivation and enjoyment in learning.

Dive into the world of educational play with "Engage with Play," a hands-on workshop designed to equip educators with strategies to harness the power of games in the classroom. This interactive session will explore how to adapt popular games to fit educational content, create simple and reusable board games, and integrate engaging game elements like leaderboards, levels, teams, and avatars. With activities and examples tailored to all grade levels and subject areas, participants will have the opportunity to try out various games and design their own game-based activities. By the end of this workshop, you’ll have fresh ideas and resources to create an energized, motivating learning environment through the power of play!

Economy Monopoly: Exploring Economic Systems Through Play

Key Takeaways:

Game-Based Learning Fundamentals
Mastery of Economy Monopoly
Curriculum Integration Strategies
Hands-On Experience
Student Engagement and Classroom Management Tips
Reflection and Assessment

Participants will leave with practical resources, including rule summaries, lesson templates, and ideas for adapting Monopoly to fit various economic topics.

Audience:

This session is designed for middle and high school economics teachers, social studies educators, and anyone interested in game-based learning methods to make complex subjects more engaging for students.Dive into a dynamic seminar where you’ll learn to bring economics to life in your classroom through the timeless game of Monopoly. This hands-on session will equip you with the tools and strategies to use "Economy Monopoly" as an engaging educational tool. From mastering game rules to exploring real-world economic principles like supply and demand, competition, and resource allocation, you’ll gain practical insights to enrich your curriculum. Through gameplay, group activities, and reflective discussions, you’ll uncover ways to make economic theory accessible, enjoyable, and relevant for students.By the end of this session, you’ll be ready to turn your classroom into a bustling economy where students not only learn the basics of economics but also experience the thrill of making strategic decisions. Join us to discover how Monopoly can transform your teaching style and make learning economics a captivating journey!

Starting a High School Esports Team in Illinois: Engaging Students and Building a Sustainable Program

Key Takeaways:

Steps to start and manage a high school esports team
Access to Illinois-specific resources and league information
Tips for securing funding and building partnerships
Guidance on space and equipment requirements

Audience:
High school educators, administrators, and extracurricular coordinators in Illinois interested in launching an esports program.

Are you interested in starting an esports team at your high school but unsure where to begin? Join me for a hands-on professional development session designed to equip Illinois educators with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to launch and sustain a successful high school eSports program. This two-hour workshop will cover the basics of setting up a team, including logistics, funding, equipment, and team formation. Attendees will gain insights into Illinois-specific leagues and resources, explore funding strategies, and hear from local esports professionals. Don’t miss this chance to engage students, build school spirit, and connect with the growing esports community in Illinois!