Professional Development

VREC provides a wide array of professional development opportunities for educators in person and online in the NEK. Our goal is to be responsive to the field as such offerings spring from needs and interests expressed by superintendents, curriculum directors, principals and teachers directly.

If you have questions about any of our professional learning offerings, contact VREC’s Professional Learning Consultant Jenn Barone at vrecprofdevelopment@gmail.com.

If you are interested in becoming an educator, check out Northeast Kingdom “Grow Your Own” (NEK GYO) Pathways.

Fall 2024 Book Study Offerings

Course window for fall courses - September 30, 2024 - January 3, 2025

Cost - $550 per course

 


Practical Writing Strategies II

Text - The Writing Revolution

Extend your knowledge and understanding of strategies from The Writing Revolution* (Hochman and Wexler), by creating resources you can use with students (or colleagues).

Format: Online and asynchronous

Registration Link:

Audience: Helpful for educators who have previously participated in a course, workshop, or book study of The Writing Revolution, however prior participation is NOT a prerequisite.

Certificate: 36 reclicensing credits


Science of Reading K-2

Text - Shifting the Balance K-2

Learn how six fairly simple shifts can help to improve student outcomes in literacy.

Format: Hybrid - participants will meet every other week (online) and on the alternate weeks work on plans for implementation

Registration Link:

Audience: K-6 literacy teachers,  interventionists, special educators, administrators

Certificate: 24 reclicensing credits


Vocabulary Instruction

Text - Bringing Words to Life

Learn how to select words for instruction, introduce their meanings, and create engaging learning activities that promote both word knowledge and reading comprehension.

Format: Online and asynchronous

Registration Link:

Audience: K-12 teachers, interventionists, and special educators

Certificate: 36 reclicensing credits


Winter 2025 Book Study Offerings

Course window for Winter courses - January 6, 2025 - April 25, 2025

Cost - $550 per course


Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Text - The Shift to Student-Led

Learn how UDL and blended learning can place students at the center of their learning.

Format: Online and asynchronous

Registration Link:

Audience: K-12 educators

Certificate: 36 reclicensing credits


Science of Reading - Knowledge Matters

Text - Know Better, Do Better - Comprehension

This text provides instructional ideas and ready-to-use tools to help teachers strengthen their instruction in vocabulary, knowledge building, and language structures.

Format: Online and asynchronous

Registration Link:

Audience: K-12 educators

Certificate: 36 reclicensing credits


Practical Writing Strategies

Text - The Writing Revolution

During this discussion-based course, learn about a clear, practical approach to teaching writing that includes strategies that can be implemented in all classrooms.

Format: Online and asynchronous

Registration Link:

Audience: Teachers, Interventionists, Special Educators grades 2-12

Certificate: 36 reclicensing credits


Northeast Kingdom Heritage Education

The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative provides a range of professional learning opportunities to teachers and administrators across our region. We also provide mini grants to schools that support place-based learning.  We are establishing an initiative we are referring to as Northeast Kingdom Heritage Education that will promote place-based learning focused on the region’s rich history and cultural composition.   

Heritage education celebrates the diversity of the NEK’s past and present.  It honors the past and present Abenaki people and the impact of immigrant groups such as French Canadians to the culture of the region.  Likewise, we will embrace the stories and impact of ‘back to the landers,’ working people, new Americans, and BIPoC and LGBTQ people who contribute to the fabric of our communities.

Learn More

NEK Heritage education