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Continuing Education Courses for Monticello Teachers

Graduate-Level CE Courses for the dedicated teachers of Monticello

Spring Session registration is now closed.

We are thrilled to announce a partnership between Monticello and Teaching Channel, a trusted resource dedicated to empowering educators with high-quality, on-demand professional learning.

Monticello is committed to supporting teachers’ continuous professional growth. In concordance with district initiatives and in partnership with Teaching Channel, we will offer 35+ courses that can be used for your continued learning and salary advancement.

In addition to successful completion of the online/asynchronous Teaching Channel course, you will be required to attend two in-person sessions to successfully complete the course and for it to be accepted by the district.

Key Details:

Flexible Learning: Choose from a variety of self-directed professional development courses available through the Teaching Channel. Because of the synchronous session requirements, only the pre-approved courses listed below on this page, will be accepted for salary advancement.

  • Attend In-Person Sessions: Teaching Channel is coming to you! For the courses to be accepted for lane changes, educators must attend and participate in two in-person sessions (for each course registered) that will be held within the Monticello school district buildings.  These credits count toward the salary scale and recertification requirements.
  • You are welcome to register for up to six credits per session to meet the requirements for synchronous learning.
  • Accredited Learning: These courses are district-approved, ensuring they meet our high standards for professional development.
  • During Registration, you will be able to select American College of Education or Augustana University as a university partner.
  • With the unique blended learning format of these courses, discounts are not available.
    • 3-Credit Course: $469
    • 2-Credit Course: $369
    • 1-Credit Course: $269
  • Spring Registration closed on January 5, 2026.
    • Synchronous Session 1 (course kick-off) is from 4 PM – 6 PM on Wednesday, January 14, in the Monticello School Board Room.
    • Synchronous Session 2 (course wrap-up) is from 4 PM – 6 PM on Wednesday, February 4, in the Monticello School Board Room.
    • Coursework is due April 15, 2026.
What Teachers are Saying about our courses

Collaboration and feedback is key to learning.


"I really liked being able to share and collaborate with my colleagues from all areas of the district."
 
 

"Discussing the topics with my colleagues and getting feedback from my instructor."

Creating artifacts is rewarding and productive.

Relationships across buildings is important.

"I enjoyed hearing from other teachers. It was very interesting to hear from the high school teachers. I teach 5th grade. "
 
"Getting an opportunity to discuss with other teachers in various departments and grade levels, to see how the learning can look and differ across areas."
 
We are together
How it Works

To comply with contractual language, in addition to completion of asynchronous coursework, educators must participate in synchronous learning. These high-quality courses have been selected in conjunction with District Administration, and teachers may earn graduate credits through these pre-approved courses noted below.

Find Your Course

See Approved Courses Below

Enroll Through Online Checkout

Create an Account & Fill Your Cart

Mark Your Calendar for Your Synchronous Session

In-Person Session Required - January 14 & February 4

Complete Your Course Online & Attend In-Person Sessions

In-Person Sessions will be in Monticello, MN

Request Your Transcript

Through the University Partner Selected at Registration
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Approved Courses

Choose from 35+ pre-approved courses.
All courses are 3-credit graduate-level (unless noted as a 1-credit or 2-credit) continuing education course.

  • 5355A: (P.E.) Inclusive P.E. For Students with Disabilities (PK-12+): This course equips educators and professionals with the tools and strategies needed to create inclusive physical education environments that welcome students with disabilities. Organized into 10 modules, the course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the purpose of inclusion, exploring legal and safety considerations, and applying evidence-based practices such as the STEP Model, differentiation, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Participants will develop skills to accommodate diverse needs, promote social acceptance, and design adaptable activities while reflecting on their professional growth. With a focus on practical application, the course empowers participants to transform physical education into a space where all students can grow.
  • 5520A: (Art) Positive Practices for the Art Classroom (K-12+): Designed for art educators, this course teaches ways to effectively manage a creative classroom so all students can thrive. With the focus on establishing rules, routines, and relationship building, teachers will learn how to nurture students’ imaginations in a classroom that provides structure and predictability. Explore the ways in which clear communication and culturally responsive practices can help to develop students’ unique strengths and interests. Discover how the rich course resources include ideas for maintaining a positive classroom that champions students’ artistic abilities. Learn how to establish healthy dynamics for a productive learning environment where all students can uncover and celebrate their creativity.

  • 5583A: (Music) Engaging Students with Classical Music (K-12): Learn how classical music, more specifically Western European music, has evolved over time through the four main musical eras. You will take a look at impactful composers of each era, develop an artifact to share composer information with students, and create learning experiences to incorporate their music into your teaching.
  • 5584A: (Music) Jazzing Up Your [Music] Classroom (K-12): In this course, you will take a look at the history and development of jazz music and its various styles, jazz’s historical context, and some of the leading figures in jazz. You will develop an artifact to share what you have learned about jazz music with students and create learning experiences to incorporate jazz music into your teaching. You’ll even learn about some of the more technical aspects that make jazz….jazz! Whether you are a music teacher, general educator, or teach a specialist subject, you will walk away with knowledge and strategies to incorporate jazz music education into your classroom, increasing student understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of jazz music.
  • 5308A: Empowering Multilingual Newcomers with Language and SEL Support (K-12): Welcoming newcomer students – immigrants or refugees– to our classrooms requires targeted and compassionate interventions to foster feelings of belonging and empowerment. This survey course offers insights, ideas, and strategies to support student newcomers and their families. You’ll create a resource guide for families, and a Newcomer Kit to empower students to navigate their new school. Explore language development strategies with multi-cue and comprehensible input approaches to learning English, and deepen your awareness of the needs of newcomer students with learning disabilities. Plan language input and output strategies as practice opportunities for English language development. You will leave this course with a broad appreciation for empowering student newcomers and their families with the tools they need for success in their new schools and communities.
  • 5212A: A Closer Look at Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia (K-12+):  Learn the ins and outs of three common learning disabilities in this no-nonsense course focused on what educators need to know about dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. Explore the experiences of parents/families, colleagues, and students who have knowledge of and experience with learning disabilities. Discover how the Science of Reading, assistive technology, and purposeful engagement can positively impact students with learning disabilities. Whether you’re a general or special education teacher, support specialist, or tutor, you’ll take away numerous strategies and resources to help students with the disabilities of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and/or dyscalculia thrive.

  • 5291A: Strengths-Based Support for Neurodiverse Learners (K-12+): You’ll adapt a lesson to include principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and explore strategies specifically for neurodiverse students. Learn how to improve your positive behavior game with shifts in practice that accommodate the unique needs of students who are neurodiverse, and challenge misconceptions related to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Prepare a plan to support students who struggle with executive function, and celebrate neurodiversity and diversity from a strengths-based perspective.
  • 5325A: Celebrating and Supporting Twice-Exceptional (2e) Learners (K-12+):
    Imagine a student who’s a creative force, but struggles with organization. Or a whiz at math who gets frustrated with reading. These are just some of the unique challenges faced by twice-exceptional (2e) learners, who are identified as gifted and as having a specific learning disability. This course will help you better understand and support your 2e learners so you can champion them! You’ll learn about the essential shift from deficit-based to strengths-based thinking, and how to identify potential learning challenges, executive dysfunction, and processing disorders, through case studies. Explore how motivation strategies and microgoals can inspire 2e learners, and develop a resource to support 2e students’ mental health and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills. Finally, you will build a lesson to help students understand and celebrate neurodiversity. This resource-packed course will expand your toolbox to support and celebrate your twice-exceptional learners in meaningful and impactful ways.

  • 5374A: Practical Strategies to Support Students with ADHD (K-12+): Discover practical, evidence-based strategies and a neurodiversity-affirming perspective to effectively support students with ADHD in your classroom. Explore foundational knowledge about ADHD, executive functioning, and social-emotional learning. Analyze supports for students with ADHD through Universal Design for Learning, academic accommodations, and behavior management.
  • 5544A: A Guide to Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Similar Behavioral Challenges (K-12+): Defiant. Stubborn. Obstinate. Inflexible. Argumentative. These are all words often used to describe a student with behavioral needs. Are behaviors you see in your student considered to be Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), or could it be another behavioral issue? In this course, you will gain an understanding of the root causes of ODD, and learn to modify your responses to behaviors to create a supportive environment. You’ll explore strategies and supports for both school and home, including interventions and schoolwide systems for managing student behavior. Take the opportunity to compare and evaluate the benefits of various therapeutic approaches for both students and their families. By the end of this course, you will gain a better understanding of the causes and symptoms of ODD, and be able to apply strategies to create a supportive learning environment for students.
  • 5853A: A Moving Body, A Thinking Brain (PK-3): Explore the Kinetic Scale and see what it means for kids to learn their body from the “top down” and “inside out,” and why they must master movement before they can focus on academics. Rely on research-based real-life examples, action-filled ideas, and best practices, all designed to ensure students can learn and grow to their full potential.
  • 5357A: Artificial Intelligence Essentials for Educators (PK-12+)  ** 1-Credit Course**: Gain a foundational understanding of key topics in AI education, including practical applications, ethical considerations, and strategies for building AI literacy. Discover AI tools to enhance your instruction and increase workflow efficiency, and design a lesson to teach students (or adult learners) how to understand, use, and evaluate AI technologies.
  • 5239A: Strategies to Make Learning Stick (PK-12) **1 Credit Course**: This course draws upon current research on the Science of Learning to provide teachers with surprisingly simple strategies that will make students’ time spent learning and studying more effective. We’ll bridge the gap between the tried and true research on how the brain learns and retains information, and the day-to-day reality of teaching a dynamic classroom of students. You’ll learn the basics of how the brain takes in and stores information, as well as best practices for retrieval. We’ll share easy-to-implement strategies to make learning “sticky” and guide you through lesson design that can improve outcomes for students.
  • 5398A: Learning with Laughter and Levity (PK-12) **1 Credit Course**: A significant amount of research exists about the positive impact of humor on student learning when used well by educators. As educators re-evaluate what it means to be effective, increased attention is being given to the affective factors, interests, and emotions within the learning environment. This course brings fun and levity to the forefront while providing specific methods for being humorous and revealing why memes, gifs, and comics are so engaging and effective. Course participants will investigate and develop strategies for humor-infused lesson plans, classroom activities, and routines.

  • 5607A: Enhancing Learning through Cognitive Rigor Strategies (K-12+): It seems everywhere you turn, there’s an article or blog post emphasizing the importance of “rigor” in the classroom. But what exactly is rigor, and how do you incorporate it on a practical level in your classroom? In this course, you will examine what it means to teach for rigor as well as the benefits of rigorous instruction. Multimedia course content and activities will build your understanding of cognitive rigor as you categorize learning tasks using Bloom’s Taxonomy, Depth of Knowledge, as well as the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrix. Through examples and curated resources, you will discover a number of ways to create and revise learning tasks and lessons to increase rigor and provide the appropriate support and scaffolds to ensure each student meets the goals you set with them.

  • 5620A: Boosting Your Lessons for Student Engagement (K-12+): Explore what students believe about themselves as learners as you discover strategies like failure, productive struggle, and the impact of having a growth mindset. Freshen up your tried & true engagement strategies with technology, games, graffiti, and more. Empower students and encourage active participation and diverse learning styles.

  • 5843A: Co-Teaching: Partners in Practice (K-12+): Co-teaching has increasingly become more popular as education moves to more collaborative models of instruction. This course will help you to reflect on what you can bring to a co-teaching framework, and to consider aspects of co-teaching that are essential for you (and your partner!) to succeed in that environment. You’ll learn the different co-teaching models, how to co-teach with a specialist, and how to apply specific strategies to foster student learning in a collaborative environment.

  • 717A: Differentiated Learning: How to Teach to Varying Ability Levels (K-12+):
    Ignite student learning by mastering the art of differentiation! This course provides research-based strategies and frameworks to address the age-old question: how do we effectively teach students who have widely different skill levels, interests, and learning styles? In this course, participants will learn how to effectively coordinate their time, resources, and efforts so that learning is maximized for each student in class through differentiated instruction strategies. Participants will learn how to take their specific curriculum and the particular needs of each student, and design and teach successful lessons. Transform your classroom into a hub of active learning where each individual thrives and reaches their full potential!

  • 5847A: Learning to Learn: Student Skills for School and for Life (K-12+): Executive functioning skills are integral to lifelong success for ALL learners, and they can be taught in a variety of ways! Executive skills are a set of brain-based processes that help students self regulate, focus, plan, and make decisions. In this course you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to bolster these skills through student engagement and collaboration skills, and opportunities for empowerment for academic success and beyond. Identify the effects of stress and environment on executive function development, and review case studies to determine potential ways to improve executive function deficits. Plan effective structures and activities to grow leadership, empowerment, and efficacy in students, and reflect on ways to hone your skills in facilitation. You’ll discover how to define and assess executive function skills, and design engaging activities that strengthen these essential cognitive abilities in your students.
  • 5154A: Deep Thinking Practices for the Math Classroom (PK-12+): Ready to disrupt the “learning-as-mimicry” pattern and replace it with genuine thinking in your math classroom? Explore the philosophy, practice, and long-term benefits of thinking classrooms and see how they apply to math. Your students will thank you for re-setting their expectations of “correctness” and “completion” in mathematics while inspiring them to enjoy the variety and flexibility of solution pathways.
  • 5033A: Mindsets and Math: Enjoyment and Achievement for All (K-12+): It’s time for a mindset makeover in math! Unleash student potential by moving students from a “fixed” to a “growth” mindset about math, and watch them connect with math concepts head-on. After this course, educators will be able to create a classroom environment of growth mindset in math by: evaluating the math tasks and questions they ask, handling the way mistakes are dealt with, grouping appropriately, creating classroom norms, and applying the strategies to fulfill mathematics potential and engagement.
  • 5375A: Celebrating Mathematical Mistakes (K-12+) : Discover how reframing errors as powerful learning opportunities can boost student confidence, curiosity, and conceptual understanding. Through practical strategies, playful task design, and mindset-shifting reflection, you’ll learn how to build a culture that values exploration over perfection. This course will re-energize your teaching and equip you to support students in becoming resilient, flexible thinkers who see mistakes not as failures but as the first steps to success!
  • 5222A: Math Fluency: Beyond the Basic Facts (K-8): What does it really mean for students to be fluent in math? Hint: It’s not just about basic facts! In this course you’ll challenge the traditional narrative of fluency, expanding your understanding to include flexibility with numbers, strategy selection, reasoning, and creativity. Perfect for anyone that teaches or supports K-8 mathematics, this course balances relatable research with usable activities to help you shift your classroom practices and assessments toward a fluency approach. With a robust collection of strategies, games, and activities, this course will give you the tools you need to build a strong foundation of fluency and empower confident mathematical thinkers.
  • 5572A: Promoting Problem-Solving Strategies in Math (6-12+): Problem solving is an essential skill in both school and in life, and this course focuses on best practices to infuse problem solving into your math instruction. Empower students as they develop their Mathematical Habits of Mind, and explore a range of strategies to foster problem-solving skills, both before, during, and after teaching math. Compare and contrast planning practices that effectively incorporate problem solving into math lessons, and learn to emphasize equity and accessibility to promote an inclusive learning experience for all students learning math. Get ready to gain the tools and knowledge to empower students in becoming confident and capable problem solvers in mathematics.
  • 5249A: Support for Students in Behavioral Crises (PK-12) **2 Credits**: Gain the skills and strategies needed to effectively respond when students are not able to self-regulate. Teachers will explore the connection between trauma and crisis behaviors, learn why behaviors might occur, understand the stages within the crisis cycle, and proactive strategies for reducing crisis behavior before it starts. Learn about current crisis protocol in some schools, and de-escalation techniques for “in the moment” reactions.
  • 5643A: Trust, Humor, Praise, and Connection for Meaningful Relationships with Students (PK-12+): Focus on 4 key ideas for making connections and developing relationships: trust, humor, praise, and connection. You’ll work to set intentions for connecting with students using a strategy you’ve not tried! Learn ways to trust your students to participate in and control their own learning. Explore why your sense of humor is a huge asset to keep your classroom lively and healthy. Finally, you’ll take a look at how you praise your students, and create phrases to make sure your students are getting positive, constructive feedback to improve and develop their skills.
  • 5293A: Effective Fluency Instruction for Skilled Reading (K-5): Discover innovative ways to incorporate fluency practice into reading instruction! This course will empower educators with the knowledge and tools to enhance reading fluency in their students. You’ll explore the latest research on how the brain learns to read and discover how decoding, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency interconnect to create proficient readers. Gather evidence-based strategies focused on modeling, repeated reading, coaching, and understand how the inclusion of performance can support expression and prosody. To help pinpoint underlying skill gaps, you’ll investigate the use of assessments and learn how small group instruction can help differentiate learning, providing tailored support for students with varying needs. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to help every student become an engaged, fluent reader.
  • 5274A: Explicit Writing Instruction with the Science of Reading in Mind (2-12): Just as the Science of Reading describes the many complex components working together to result in skilled reading, the Science of Writing details the essential elements of a comprehensive writing curriculum. Teachers of all subject areas, in elementary or secondary classrooms, can support writing instruction through evidence-based, practical strategies. You’ll explore everything from using phonics and orthography to inform spelling, to explicit routines to build sentence and paragraph composition, as well as the study of literary devices, writer’s craft, and text structure. Learn to weave writing into the content areas like science, history/social studies and even math, with strategies to teach note-taking, summarizing, and writing about reading. Full of downloadable and ready-to-use resources, this course will help you build and broaden your writing instruction skills.
  • 5327A: Structured Vocabulary Practices for Robust Word Learning (3-12+): You’ll learn about the features of evidence-based vocabulary instruction, including routines for introducing new words, protocols for prioritizing words, and strategies for active processing of vocabulary knowledge. As part of a 4-part framework for word learning, you’ll also learn ways to engage students with independent word learning actions like using context clues and unpacking word parts with morphology. And to encourage word play that builds the mental lexicon, you’ll design a fun word challenge for students!
  • 5531A: Refresh Your Grammar Instruction (K-12): Grammar instruction has evolved beyond the traditional diagramming sentences and worksheets. Research suggests grammar should be infused within context and writing skills, making it applicable, enjoyable and engaging for students of all ages. In this course, you’ll learn dynamic strategies that focus on parts of speech, mentor sentences, and punctuation. We’ll provide you with creative resources, such as memes and music that you can use to improve your students’ writing skills while reinforcing grammar instruction. Both teachers and students will have fun while learning, and you’ll finish the course prepared to refresh your grammar game for students.
  • 5577A: (Science) Empower Students with Critical Thinking in Science (K-12+): 
    Critical thinking and scientific argumentation open up possibilities for students to enhance their ability to analyze and solve problems in our world! This course gives you the opportunity to incorporate critical thinking principles in your Science instruction by revising existing lessons or activities, evaluating the use of case studies, and developing an engaging activity that applies the model of claim-evidence-reasoning (CER). You will learn ways to empower students with skills to effectively present and support arguments, and will create and implement a new routine for them to practice critical thinking. At the end of this course, you’ll be ready to unleash the power of scientific argumentation and critical thinking with Science students!
  • 5578A: Preparing Students for College and Career Readiness (6-12+): Designed for school counselors and those who guide students, this course provides an overview of the impact school counselors make on students’ career planning and college readiness. Imagine conversing with colleagues about the rewards of being a school counselor and your ability to help students strategize and navigate their future! Explore the myriad of ways students benefit from having access to a school counselor including learning about anti-racism practices, learning social emotional skills, and supporting students with disabilities with their career choices. Refresh and renew your perspective about college to career readiness counseling standards and determine ways to provide both college and skilled trades career advice. Leave the course filled with ideas and positivity about the way you teach students to make important decisions that will ensure their success.
  • 5844A: Engaging Parents for Student Success (PK-12+): This course will help teachers increase students’ “villages” by engaging families, parents, students, and the community to ensure student success. Discover pro-engagement approaches, ways to foster participation, and learn how to establish positive and constructive relationships with the parents and caregivers of your students, all while improving and focusing on family, caregiver, and parent-teacher communication.
  • 854A: Caring for the Mental Health of Your Students (3-12+) **1-Credit Course**: Explore the range of student mental health issues, both hidden and visible, in classrooms today, including behavior disorders, internalizing disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and related conditions such as substance abuse and suicide. Learn about the crisis in our schools surrounding mental health care for students, and make recommendations for improvement in your school or district.
  • 5323A: SEL for Middle and High School Students (5-12+): This course will guide you in reflecting on your classroom practices to promote the Collaborative for Academic Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework through resilience, self-awareness, and more. We’ll explore how to refresh group processes and classroom organization to empower students, design a collaborative activity based on restorative practices, and implement a lesson on metacognition to enhance self-awareness and executive function skills. Challenge the status quo through assignments focused on identity, empathy, and responsible decision-making, and design your assessment philosophy to support student resilience. Filled with SEL strategies, this course will refresh and restore the way you promote social-emotional learning in your middle or high school classroom.
  • 5102A: Anxiety Awareness: Empowering Students with Help & Hope (K-12+): Mental health professionals are shining a light on the pervasiveness of anxiety, highlighting the need for increased awareness and attention to this issue. Young people are notably affected: anxiety affects 1 in 5 children, and 70% of teens say that anxiety is a major problem facing their age group. This course will give educational professionals the tools they need to support students who have anxiety, including foundational knowledge about anxiety, its symptoms, and a look at Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Utilizing clips from the documentary, “Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety,” participants will complete the course with ready to implement strategies for teaching coping skills, ideas for accommodations, and considerations for tools and processes to support students who have anxiety.
  • 5600A: Finding Resilience in Academic and Emotional Adversity (K-12+): Resilience is one of the most critical life skills we can both practice and model. Educators can help students develop the inner strength and flexibility needed to overcome challenges in the face of academic and emotional adversity! Through practical applications, you’ll explore frameworks like productive struggle, growth mindsets, and trauma-informed practices, and learn strategies to increase resilience for both you and your students.