Claremont USD Districtwide Staff Development Day - August 25, 2025

All attendees must sign-in and sign-out to get paid for the day

When trying to distill the Common Core standards into meaningful goals, it can be very easy to get lost in the weeds. In this session, teachers will be split into teams to develop a scope and sequence of TK-6 Essential Standards with goal examples attached, one RSP-level and one SDC-level goal per standard. Each team will include representatives from upper-grade SDCs, primary SDCs, and RSP, to ensure that all levels of student support and academic needs are included.
Staff will benefit from seeing a full scope and sequence of essential skills, making it easier to write goals for students transitioning from grade level to grade level, and teacher to teacher. This will provide consistency for students as well as teachers.
Attendees will take away a scope and sequence to reference when writing goals, as well as goal examples for each standard.

This session will showcase new and fun ways for reading featuring many games and techniques to help students grow in their reading journey. Attendees can also make and take some reading games straight to their classroom. The first half will be showing the games and strategies and the second half will be creating games. When kids are engaged in reading games, their excitement and willingness to learn explodes.
Attendees will have many new, fun, and innovative ways to approach reading and have physical items to take back to their classroom.

Join us for an interactive professional development session designed to empower teachers in incorporating Thinking Maps into math instruction for elementary students. Come learn how to integrate Circle Maps, Flow Maps, Double Bubble Maps and more to enhance mathematical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills in young learners. Throughout the session, you will explore practical strategies for using Thinking Maps to represent mathematical concepts and organize information. Join us as we unleash the power of Thinking Maps to inspire mathematical thinking in our young mathematicians!
You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of resources, examples, and practical strategies for integrating Thinking Maps into your math curriculum. Add to your tool box of resources for math lessons and collaborate with colleagues. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with the knowledge, resources and ready to go lessons to seamlessly integrate Thinking Maps into their math lessons, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for mathematics among their students.

Get ready for a fun and engaging session filled with culturally responsive math activities! Aligned with the math framework and Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning, this session will have you exploring math through interactive number talks, captivating storytelling, and creative art. Come experience hands-on activities that spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and make math exciting for students!
Teachers will learn strategies to increase rigor in their math instruction,
develop and adapt culturally responsive math activities for their classrooms, and walk away with at least one ready-to-use activity to implement or share with colleagues.
This session will demonstrate that culturally responsive teaching isn’t just for reading and social studies—it’s a powerful tool for making math more meaningful and engaging for all students! ***Attendees should bring a fully charged device.

Join us for a collaborative professional development session focused on maximizing the potential of AP Classroom. This session will guide AP teachers through the key features of the platform, including question banks, progress checks, and instructional reports, while exploring strategies for effective implementation in daily instruction. Whether you're new to AP Classroom or looking to refine your approach, you'll leave with practical tips and shared ideas to support student success across all AP subjects.
By the end of the 90-minute session, attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to navigate and use AP Classroom’s tools to support student learning and track progress. They will gain practical strategies for integrating question banks, progress checks, and reports into their instruction. In addition, they’ll benefit from collaboration with other AP teachers, sharing best practices and ideas, and will have had time to independently explore the platform and begin applying what they’ve learned to their own courses.
Staff will benefit by gaining confidence and clarity in using AP Classroom as an instructional resource, making it easier to align their teaching with AP expectations and support student achievement. The session will provide meaningful collaboration with colleagues, allowing staff to exchange ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and build a stronger AP teaching community within the school. This professional learning will ultimately help streamline planning, improve data-driven instruction, and enhance overall course effectiveness.

Learn how to find interactive and creative lessons for your class, or build your own using Desmos. Teachers will learn how to use the software in their AP math class and for solving mathematics problems.

Introduction to the Formative Assessment Tool

In this session we will examine the different ATLs and ATTs for IB and choose a focus ATL and ATT for the academic year. We will also discuss the components and framework of the theory of knowledge course and how learners embrace the different perspectives, scopes, methods, tools, and ethics. Finally, we will arrange the different IB assessments for the academic year to promote student success. The IB teacher team will collaborate on effective teaching and learning methods, integration of TOK concepts, and assessment practices for the year.
Attendees will come away with ideas for implementing the Approaches to Learning and Approaches to Teaching in their units along with ideas for integrating the Theory of Knowledge concepts and framework into their lessons. Attendees will also come away with the IB assessment and scoring days planned and scheduled for the year. Staff will benefit from collaboration with their fellow IB teachers to implement IB pedagogy and theory of knowledge concepts, framework, and themes in their lessons. Staff will also benefit from assessment planning time by revising and editing their unit plans, by preparing our upcoming programming evaluation, and by serving the needs of students in the best way possible.

This session will explore the fundamentals of co-teaching, including its purpose, benefits, and impact on student success. Participants will learn about the six models of co-teaching, how to implement them effectively, and best practices for collaboration between general educators and special education teachers.
Through real-world examples and practical strategies, attendees will leave with actionable tools to enhance communication, lesson planning, and differentiated instruction in a co-taught classroom. They will also gain an understanding of the benefits of co-teaching.

Staff will benefit for a number of reasons:
- They will gain a basic understanding of the purpose of co-teaching and the benefits it provides students of all abilities
- Not all teachers are co-teaching, but this session applies to all staff because it provides tools and strategies for enhancing collaboration (which all teachers participate in).

This session provides an opportunity for Dual Enrollment teachers to collaborate, share best practices, and strengthen their instructional approaches. Educators will explore effective strategies for teaching college-level coursework in high school settings, ensuring student success and equitable access. Participants will review the LACOE Equity-Centered Dual Enrollment Toolkit to identify key frameworks for inclusive instruction and student support. Additionally, the session will include a guided review of the Citrus College Dual Enrollment Handbook, helping teachers align their courses with college expectations and resources. Through discussion and resource analysis, attendees will leave with practical tools to enhance their Dual Enrollment teaching experience.
Staff will benefit by gaining valuable resources and strategies to enhance their Dual Enrollment teaching practices, ensuring they are effectively supporting students in both high school and college-level coursework. By engaging with the LACOE Equity-Centered Dual Enrollment Toolkit, they will develop a stronger foundation in inclusive teaching practices that promote student success. Additionally, reviewing the Citrus College Dual Enrollment Handbook will provide clarity on policies, expectations, and available resources, helping educators align their courses with college standards. The opportunity to collaborate and share best practices with peers will further empower teachers to create more engaging and supportive learning environments for their students.
By the end of the session, attendees will leave with practical strategies for effectively teaching Dual Enrollment courses, a deeper understanding of equity-centered practices from the LACOE toolkit, and clarity on college expectations outlined in the Citrus College Dual Enrollment Handbook. They will also gain insights from peer discussions, enabling them to refine their instructional approaches and better support their students in successfully navigating college-level coursework.

Participants will learn how to cultivate safe, supported and structured classrooms that will meet student’s emotional and behavioral needs, while equipping staff with tools to foster emotionally healthy learning environments without sacrificing their own energy, boundaries, or joy.

Curipod is an intuitive, student-centered tool that helps you create interactive lessons in minutes. In this hands-on session, you’ll explore features like live polls, word clouds, drawing prompts, and brainstorm boards—all accessible on student iPads. Whether you’ve used tools like Nearpod before or are trying something new, you’ll leave with a ready-to-use activity and practical ideas to boost engagement across any grade level or subject.
Participants will leave this session with a clear understanding of how to use Curipod to create interactive, student-centered lessons that promote engagement and critical thinking. They’ll gain hands-on experience with key features like polls, word clouds, drawing prompts, and brainstorm boards, and walk away with a ready-to-use activity tailored to their grade level and content area. They'll also leave with practical ideas for using Curipod on student iPads and strategies for integrating it into daily instruction with minimal prep time.
Staff will benefit by gaining a versatile, time-saving tool that makes lessons more engaging without adding to their workload. Curipod helps teachers gather real-time student thinking, promote participation from all learners, and support inquiry-based instruction across content areas. With easy iPad access and intuitive design, it empowers teachers to create meaningful interactions that enhance both teaching and learning.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) enhances students' ability to integrate skills, attitudes, and behaviors to navigate daily tasks and challenges effectively and ethically. In this participatory workshop, participants will explore fun and engaging arts-based strategies that promote self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Whether you’re new to arts integration and SEL or looking to expand your toolkit, we have many new strategies to share. This session welcomes educators at all levels of experience.
A beautiful way to begin the school year, this hands-on session supports both educator and student wellness. Participants will leave with practical strategies to foster strong classroom communities and deeper student engagement.
By integrating the arts into your practice, you’ll enhance student learning, engagement, and mental wellness. This session aligns with culturally responsive teaching practices that honor student identity, promote equity and inclusivity, and nurture critical thinking.

This professional development session provides educators with a foundational understanding of restorative practices as developed by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP). Participants will explore the principles and strategies that foster positive relationships, build community, and effectively address conflict through restorative methods. The training will cover proactive techniques such as restorative circles, affective statements, and relationship-building strategies, as well as responsive approaches to conflict resolution and behavior management. Educators will leave with practical tools to create a more inclusive, accountable, and supportive learning environment.
Implementing restorative practices not only transforms student experiences but also positively impacts teachers and school staff in the following ways: Stronger Classroom & School Culture – By fostering positive relationships and a sense of community, staff experience a more respectful and cooperative learning environment; Reduced Discipline Issues – Restorative approaches proactively address behavior, leading to fewer disruptions, referrals, and conflicts, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction; More Meaningful Student Connections – Teachers develop deeper relationships with students, leading to increased trust, engagement, and a stronger sense of mutual respect; Improved Conflict Resolution Skills – Staff learn effective strategies to address and resolve conflicts constructively, creating a more peaceful and supportive school climate; Lower Stress & Burnout – A restorative approach shifts discipline from punishment to problem-solving, reducing frustration and emotional strain for educators; Increased Collaboration – Restorative practices encourage open communication and teamwork among staff, strengthening professional relationships and a shared commitment to student success.
By the end of this professional development, teachers will:
• Understand the Core Principles – Gain insight into the philosophy and research behind restorative practices and how they contribute to a positive school climate.
• Develop Relationship-Building Strategies – Learn proactive techniques, such as restorative circles and affective statements, to strengthen connections with students and colleagues.
• Enhance Classroom Management – Discover how restorative approaches can be used to address behavior issues while fostering accountability and personal growth.
• Apply Conflict Resolution Skills – Practice using restorative conversations and interventions to repair harm and rebuild trust within the school community.
• Create a More Inclusive Environment – Learn strategies for ensuring all students feel valued, heard, and supported in their learning.
• Teachers will leave with practical tools and strategies they can immediately implement to build a more restorative, engaged, and supportive classroom culture.

Join us for an informative and collaborative professional development session focused on key department updates, any new procedures or policy changes, and essential compliance measures. This session is designed to ensure all staff are aligned with the latest expectations and best practices to support student success and maintain legal and procedural integrity. Participants will gain a clear understanding of recent changes, discuss implementation strategies, and have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Whether you’re a teacher, support staff, or service provider, this is a chance to ask questions, get clarity, and feel confident about what’s expected. Let’s make sure we’re set up for a smooth and successful year!

Grades 2-3 Aeries training for staff from Chaparral, Condit, Mountain View, and Oakmont.

Grades 2-3 Aeries training for staff from Sumner Danbury, Sycamore, and Vista.

Grades TK-1 Aeries Teacher Academy Training for Chaparral, Condit, and Mountain View teachers

Grades TK-1 Aeries Teacher Academy Training for Oakmont, Sumner Danbury, Sycamore, and Vista teachers

Sammies, salads, and snacks!

All attendees must sign-in and sign-out to get paid for the day