Youth Spark: Building Community and Igniting Engagement

“Youth Spark” is designed to address the critical issue of student disengagement in classrooms. By focusing on community-building and authentic student engagement, this professional development workshop equips educators with the strategies and tools necessary to create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment that promotes student agency over their learning.

Participants will:

• Foster Authentic Student Engagement: Connect students’ interests and real-world experiences to the curriculum, promoting active participation and critical thinking.
• Enhance Community-Based Learning: Develop strategies involving students in community service and projects, fostering civic responsibility and real-world problem-solving.
• Promote Active Learning: Implement interactive methods like discussions, problem-solving, and role-plays to ensure student engagement.
• Incorporate Reality Pedagogy: Apply reality pedagogy principles, focusing on students’ lived experiences through co-teaching, cogenerative dialogues, and reflective practices.
• Support Alternative Learning: Adapt flexible, student-centered approaches like experiential learning and personalized instruction.
• Integrate Problem-Based and Project-Based Learning: Design inquiry-based lessons and projects for hands-on learning and collaboration.

Future Lit: Revolutionizing Literacy and Numeracy with Generative AI

“Future Lit” is a pioneering professional development course designed to transform literacy and numeracy education through the power of generative AI. Utilizing the advanced Spark Plug AI platform, this PD helps educators create dynamic, inquiry-based lessons that enhance student engagement and make complex concepts more accessible. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, explore practical applications, and develop strategies for integrating AI into their teaching.

Participants will:

• Engage in Hands-On Activities: Practice using generative AI tools to create dynamic lesson plans.
• Explore Practical Applications: Learn how to integrate AI into literacy and numeracy instruction effectively.
• Develop Inquiry-Based Lessons: Design and implement lessons that encourage student inquiry and engagement.
• Center Student Voice: Utilize AI to promote and amplify students’ perspectives in the classroom.
• Promote Interactive Learning: Employ AI-driven methodologies to foster interactive and engaging learning experiences.

Culturally Responsive AI: Empowering Educators for Diverse Classrooms

“Culturally Responsive AI” introduces educators to foundational AI literacy, emphasizing the integration of culturally responsive AI tools in the classroom. This innovative program leverages AI to highlight and enhance the diverse experiences of students, creating a more engaging learning environment. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, explore practical in-class applications, and develop strategies to implement AI solutions as resources for students. By enhancing digital citizenship, fostering authentic student engagement, and reimagining teaching with AI tools like Spark Plug, educators will be equipped to create dynamic and supportive classroom environments.

Participants will:

• Explore AI Literacy: Understand AI technology and how to integrate AI tools into teaching and resources for students.
• Enhance Digital Citizenship: Teach responsible, ethical, and safe use of digital tools.
• Foster Authentic Student Engagement: Use AI to connect with students’ interests and real-world experiences, making learning more relevant.
• Reimagine Teaching: Use Spark Plug AI to transform teaching, curriculum design and classroom management.

Customized Professional Development

Our Customized Professional Development program offers districts the unique opportunity to collaborate with us in designing PD sessions that align with their specific learning and development outcomes. By partnering with district leaders, we create personalized training modules that address the unique needs and goals of your schools. This approach ensures that every professional development session is relevant, impactful, and directly applicable to your educators’ daily practices. Together, we will develop a roadmap for success, providing educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster an engaging and effective learning environment for all students.