Catalog

Explore the characteristics and learning needs of students with disabilities. Identify appropriate instructional strategies. Review the legal requirements for providing services and supports. Examine accommodations and modifications provided during instruction and assessment. This module addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

Learn how teacher expectations affect students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Explore how to create a supportive classroom environment, establish routines, build strong student-teacher relationships, and promote respect and dignity for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (E/BD), and specific learning disabilities (SLD). Discover strategies to avoid power struggles, ensuring a more inclusive and positive learning environment for students with disabilities. This module addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

Compare students with identified emotional disabilities to those with acting-out behaviors. Review instructional and behavioral strategies for managing difficult classroom behaviors within the RtI/MtSS framework. Develop an awareness level knowledge of psychotropic medications and accompanying side effects. This module addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

Examine the causes and characteristics of dyscalculia and its comorbidity with other specific learning disorders. Recognize the importance of early detection and intervention for students with the characteristics of dyscalculia. Use the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to support students with dyscalculia and facilitate foundational math skills in all students. This module addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

Learn how effective classroom management systems and strategies build resiliency in students with disabilities and support all students. Explore how positive behavior interventions and resiliency support practices help all students develop resiliency and cope with everyday stress. This module addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

Explore the learning challenges experienced by students with dyslexia and other reading disorders. Demonstrate an understanding of how to use relevant assessment data to identify how to design and implement explicit, systematic and sequential reading instruction including multisensory intervention strategies based on student needs in the reading components.

This module meets Florida's professional learning requirements for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and the reading instruction requirement for certain certificate renewals.  Check with your district before taking this to meet the reading requirement.

NOTE: This extended module includes a quiz for each of the five chapters.

Explore the learning challenges experienced by students with dyslexia and other reading disorders. Use relevant assessment data to design and implement explicit, systematic, and sequential reading instruction including multisensory intervention strategies that are based on student needs in each of the reading components.

This course meets Florida's professional learning requirements for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and the reading instruction requirement for certain certificate renewals. This course is available for active and retired employees of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and MDCPS Charter Schools.

Explore the learning challenges experienced by students with dyslexia and other reading disorders. Examine methods for making reading instruction and intervention explicit, systematic, sequential, and multisensory.

This module meets Florida's professional learning requirements for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and partially meets the reading instruction requirement for certain certificate renewals. 

Check with your district before taking this to meet the reading requirement. 

Apply knowledge learned in Reading Challenges 1 in your own classrooms. Use relevant assessment data to design and implement explicit, systematic and sequential reading instruction including multisensory intervention strategies that are based on student needs in each of the reading components.

This course addresses Florida's professional learning requirements for Students with Disabilities (SWD) and partially meets the reading instruction requirement for certain certificate renewals. Check with your district before taking this to meet the reading requirement.

Evaluate and plan for the language and communication needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using augmentative and alternative communication systems as determined by individual student need.

This should be taken as the third course in the Autism series.

Develop a working knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with emphasis on a historical perspective, the impact of the disability, environmental impact, planning, goal setting, and strategies for working with individuals with ASD. 

This is recommended as the first course in the Autism series.

Develop classroom techniques for using applied behavior analysis principles and behavioral strategies for students with autism. Investigate data collection, functions of behavior, preventing challenging behaviors, and ethics in applying behavioral techniques.

This is recommended as the second course in the Autism series.

Gain an understanding of the educational determination and assessment of students with ASD. Apply assessment information when teaching, monitoring, and maintaining new skills.

This course serves as the capstone for the autism program. It should be the final course taken in this series.

Gain an understanding of Florida's Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking Standards for English Language Arts (B.E.S.T. ELA) Standards. Learn how to achieve the standards regardless of the curriculum being utilized. 

Gain an understanding of Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Mathematics Standards and the Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning Standards (MTRs). Learn how the benchmarks promote excellence in student thinking about math.

Learn how to create a supportive and engaging brain-friendly classroom based on the latest brain research. Examine strategies that promote attention and engagement at the beginning of a lesson, motivate students to want to learn during a lesson, and help them remember what they learned from a lesson.

Learn to build relationships with parents in order to enhance students' academic growth. Explore a variety of techniques to increase parent involvement. Create a classroom Website with the potential to increase communication with parents.

Learn ways to proactively manage students and resources for the classroom. Identify what should be accomplished before students arrive, during student contact time, and after students leave.

Learn about the importance of teachers acquiring a foundational understanding of their ESOL students and their families. Consider how using clear and efficient communication methods and tools with ESOL families may enhance students' learning. Explore strategies for identifying and overcoming potential communication challenges.

Explore the positive impact teachers can have on students following large-scale traumatic events. Learn coping strategies and interactive classroom activities to provide support to students facing the consequences of trauma both inside and outside of the classroom environment.

Learn practical skills for understanding and resolving conflict in today’s changing workplace. Become familiar with how conflicts emerge and learn how to use proven conflict management techniques and styles. Discover strategies for handling difficult people and alternative dispute methods.

Use a standards-based lesson planning process to guide your instructional planning. Design a unit plan and lesson plan that align assessment and instruction to selected standards. This course replaces Standards-Based Lesson Planning and is the final course in the Professional Development Certification Program.

Engage in an overview of how to meet the educational needs of students for whom English is not their native language. This course meets Florida's ESOL requirements for Category 3 (elective) teachers.

Gain awareness of various cultures to promote intercultural communication and enhance instruction and learning for diverse populations. Learn about cultural orientations of various groups and use your knowledge to enhance instruction for ELLs and other students.

Learn to understand and apply concepts, research, best practices, and evidenced-based strategies to plan classroom instruction in a supportive learning environment for ELLs. Learn to select and adapt standards-based materials, resources, and technologies.

Apply principles of differentiated instruction. Explore methods and strategies for identifying the needs of individual students who are in the process of acquiring English. Learn about differentiating content, process, and/or product in order to address and accommodate the different needs of students.

Identify factors that affect assessment of English language learners (ELLs) including linguistic bias, test adaptations, and accommodations. Additionally, explore federal assessment policies and interpretation of assessment data.

Explore the instructional leadership skills required to support teachers in addressing the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs). Develop a comprehensive understanding of the background and legal requirements for ELL programs, examine the impact of an ELL student’s native language on communication, and acquire the expertise necessary to evaluate teachers' use of effective instructional strategies.

Gain an understanding of the background and legal requirements for ESOL. Learn how to promote development and achievement of English Language Learners (ELLs). Enhance your ability as a guidance counselor to provide post-secondary and career development guidance.

Explore concepts and principles of applied linguistics such as phonology, principles of English, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, and second language acquisition. Identify how these concepts and principles relate to English language learners (ELLs) as they progress through ESOL programs and mainstream classrooms.

This course provides an overview of ethics in government, public records, and public meetings. It meets Florida’s annual training requirement for elected officials and certain other employees. This course addresses FELS Standard 1 and partially meets Florida’s requirement for annual training in ethics and related topics.   

Explore the code of ethics for educators recommended by the National Education Association (NEA) and the Association of American Educators (AAE). Learn the basic principles of ethical expectations and potential consequences for not following them. This module provides an overview of the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. It addresses FELS Standard 1 and partially meets Florida’s requirement for annual training in ethics and related topics.   

THIS MODULE WAS CUSTOMIZED TO SERVE EDUCATORS FROM MIAMI-DADE SCHOOLS. 

Learn to use classroom assessments to inform instruction, including diagnostic, formative, summative, and interim assessments. For each assessment, acquire insights into its purpose and how it adjusts instruction to meet students' needs. Explore methods for communicating assessment results to students, teachers, and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) effectively.

Learn to organize, operate, sustain, and evaluate teaching teams. Explore team building strategies that are critical as educators confront the struggles and triumphs that accompany the team teaching endeavor. Note: This course addresses the team-teaching training requirement of Florida’s Class Size Reduction Amendment.

Investigate research-based practices, models, and strategies designed to meet the needs of gifted learners. Discover resources for aligning state standards and the gifted curriculum. Become an advocate for gifted students and programs.

Gain an understanding of the unique needs of gifted students from special populations. Learn to identify and serve these groups of gifted students.

Explore socio-emotional needs and issues related to gifted learners, and discover guidance and counseling strategies that can be used to address these issues. Develop an understanding of developmental characteristics as well as the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of the gifted learner.

Investigate the nature and needs of gifted learners, including traditional and alternative tools for identifying giftedness, curriculum and instruction services, program models, and advocacy. Examine cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics. Understand the history and current research concerning gifted education.

Explore creativity as it pertains to giftedness. Investigate methods for teaching creative attitudes and encouraging creative thinking across various disciplines.

Learn practical skills for understanding and resolving conflict in today’s changing workplace. Discover strategies for handling difficult people and alternative dispute methods.

Learn strategies to anticipate and provide effective customer service that meet the needs of all stakeholders in the educational environment. Explore the principles of effective communication to work effectively with others and prevent conflicts.

Explore several evidence-based instructional practices used to increase student learning. Descriptions of strategies and activities will be provided to assist in the implementation of the instructional practices learned. This course replaces Implementing Reading, Writing, and Math Strategies in the PDC (Alternative Certification) Program.

Identify the role of argumentation in using evidence to evaluate and substantiate assertions Learn the core components of argumentation. Explore strategies for teaching argumentation in a variety of classroom environments.

Explore management strategies that lead to improved student motivation and achievement across all content areas and grade levels. Identify methods for creating a positive collaborative learning environment.

Acquire an understanding of differentiated instruction within the K-12 environment. Recognize the purpose of differentiated instruction as it relates to content mastery. Identify strategies included in the planning and instructional processes.

Explore how students can use questioning techniques as a learning tool to become better problem solvers and critical thinkers. Explore strategies for teaching students to create effective questions, to use a range of question types, and to improve question quality.

Recognize the importance of using questioning techniques to assess student understanding and drive instruction. Gain an understanding of how to develop questions that vary in complexity and align to the content. Identify strategies for using questioning techniques in the classroom.

Student engagement is a necessary component of academic success and classroom management. This module provides teachers with tools to increase and maintain student engagement.

Investigate teacher tools, resources, and ideas for integrating educational technology (EdTech) into the classroom that aligns with International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) standards and state standards. Examine how to use the SAMR Model to integrate technology into instruction that results in increased motivation, critical thinking, and learning gains for all students.

Gain an understanding of adult learning theory as it relates to asynchronous professional development. Review Beacon’s facilitator and learner policies and procedures, including course completions and plagiarism. Learn about the features and tools in the Beacon Learning Management System required to facilitate a Beacon Educator course.

Gain an understanding of the Florida Educational Leadership Standards (FELS). Learn about the expectations and requirements for principals and assistant principals identified in the eight FELS. Investigate how the FELS establish a framework for school administrators to promote the academic success and well-being of all students.

Investigate how we learn, remember, and recall information. Examine characteristics of learners at different stages of development. Evaluate instructional practices that support learners' various needs.

Recognize that learning to read complex text closely prepares students for college and careers. Explore the process of conducting close readings with students. Identify strategies for scaffolding close reading instruction.

Examine the unique ways each discipline requires students to think about the subject area. Explore the role of collaboration and various literacy strategies to increase student achievement across the content areas.

Recognize the need for complex text in preparing students to be college and career ready. Explore the components of text complexity used to identify appropriate texts for readers. Identify strategies for using complex texts in the classroom.

Make connections between patterns and functions. Explore mathematical models and strategies to increase understanding of quantitative and qualitative relationships, including problem solving using the analysis of change.

Learn strategies for teaching whole numbers, place value, fractions and decimals, and estimation and problem solving. Investigate and practice multiple strategies for problem solving.

Investigate strategies for proficiency in number operations, computing fluency, computing with fractions, and computing with decimals. Practice problem solving using number operations to make real-world connections.

Explore problem solving using two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. Identify strategies for teaching accurate measurement, estimation of measurement, and real-world problem solving.

Explore the Critical Foundations of Algebra - whole numbers, fractions, and geometry & measurement. Investigate specific key concepts using activities that highlight major themes. Learn to use scaffolding techniques to build student learning through algebraic thinking.

This customized course helps prepare the veteran teacher to become a mentor by sharing the basic concepts and models that make mentoring a successful strategy for new teacher induction. These basic concepts can be adapted for use by reading coaches and mentors for struggling teachers. This course is part of the MDCPS Clinical Supervision course. The 9 in-service points for this online module are included in the MDCPS Clinical Supervision course MPP total and will not count as a separate module.

Learn to build relationships with parents to enhance students' academic growth. Explore a variety of techniques to increase parent involvement.

Learn strategies for co-teaching and cooperative planning that impact academic achievement. Note: This course addresses the team-teaching training requirement of Florida’s Class Size Reduction Amendment.

Examine the role of an instructional paraprofessional in creating a positive classroom learning environment. Learn basic instructional strategies and classroom management techniques to assist the classroom teacher.

Gain an understanding of plagiarism, common knowledge, and copyright infringement. Learn about the consequences of plagiarism and copyright infringement, and examine practical ways to prevent them. 

Explore five key strategies that lead to a positive and supportive classroom. Learn to apply these positive strategies, especially following an extended disruption in education.  

Learn about the features of a Beacon Educator course. This module will explain the differences between a Beacon Educator module and course. There is an overview of the Reading Endorsement Program along with information about how to successfully complete a Beacon Educator course.

Explore practices and methods for creating a positive classroom environment which results in effective classroom management.  Topics include building positive relationships with students and parents, building classroom consistency and predictability, addressing student motivation, and applying specific strategies in order to de-escalate negative student behaviors.

Practice decision making skills on issues such as school safety and security procedures, educational liability, professional responsibilities, and ethics.

Gain an awareness of educational liability, ethics, professional responsibilities, and school safety/security procedures. Analyze scenarios to identify appropriate professional practices in school settings. 

Substitute teachers are professionals who are responsible for continuing instruction in the absence of the regular classroom teacher. They should be organized, kind, communicative, creative, patient, and child-centered which are the qualities of an effective educational professional.

Explore the reading process with a focus on developing emergent literacy skills and progressing through the phases of word reading, resulting in comprehension as the final outcome. Gain a substantive understanding of six components of reading as a process: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This course addresses current research and evidence on core reading concepts.

Apply the principles of explicit, systematic, and sequential evidence-based reading instruction and scaffold student learning while integrating the six components of reading. Engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify students with reading difficulties—including identification of students with characteristics of dyslexia—provide appropriate interventions, and conduct effective progress monitoring.

Understand how to select and administer appropriate assessments and analyze data to inform evidence-based reading instruction to meet the needs of all students. Engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions, and conduct effective progress monitoring.

Gain broad knowledge of students from differing profiles in order to understand and apply evidence-based instructional practices by differentiating process, product, and context. Engage in the systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide appropriate interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring. Participant must complete Competencies 1-3 prior to beginning this course. 

Through a culminating practicum, demonstrate knowledge of the reading components as well as assessments and data analysis to implement a comprehensive evidence-based reading plan of instruction for all students. Engage in a systematic problem-solving process to identify characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia, provide approved interventions and conduct effective progress monitoring. Participants must have completed Reading Competencies 1-4 before beginning this course. Reading 4 must have been with Beacon.

Explore the concept and importance of building school-home relationships through effective communications among parents, teachers, and school administration. Examine ways that educators can communicate with parents about important educational matters to build trust and belonging within a school.

Explore the teacher's role as student advocate. Examine the ethical expectations and obligations of educators. Investigate the legal issues of district policies, state statutes, and federal guidelines.

Explore the concept of communication, including the various types of communication techniques which businesses use to conduct business internally and externally. Learn the importance of listening and decoding in the communication process.

Learn several ways to proactively manage the students and important resources for the classroom. Identify what can be accomplished before students arrive, during student contact time, and after students leave to make your teaching assignment productive and enjoyable.

Learn to maintain academic focus in the absence of the regular classroom teacher. Develop knowledge of instructional strategies and techniques to facilitate student engagement and achievement.

Gain an awareness of school safety and security procedures, educational liability, professional responsibilities, and ethics. The video-based content utilizes scenarios to provoke consideration of five topics: creating a positive learning environment, eliminating harassing behaviors, promoting safety and classroom order, maintaining professional distance, and practicing professionalism with colleagues and community.

Explore the use of formative and summative assessments. Develop an understanding of using assessment data to measure achievement and drive student learning.

Learn about teachers' obligation to maintain confidentiality of student information as specified in the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida (Florida Code of Ethics).

Explore strategies to individualize instruction to meet each student's needs.

Learn the recognized categories of disabilities included in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program. Examine the general characteristics of each exceptionality and implications for addressing the students’ needs.

Become familiar with state and federal laws that govern ESOL programs and your school district's ELL Plan. Identify ESOL teacher performance standards, timelines, ELL standards, and ESOL teacher strategies.

Learn about teachers' obligation to the student, the public, and the profession of education. Understand that teachers are held to a higher moral standard.

Gain an understanding of the Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) framework that strives to ensure successful educational outcomes for all students. Learn about the data-driven problem-solving process and how to use multiple tiers to support students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs.

Learn to identify typical indicators of child abuse.

Recognize signs of stress and depression in students. Identify how to help students deal with these issues.

Explore how teachers can help students experiencing homelessness. Get ideas, learn the law, and understand rights of students who are homeless.

The components of Beacon course development are presented to provide the writer a basic foundation which represents an overview of the course writing process.