Register Today for Our Weekday Workshops

Five Strategies in Five Hours that Will Transform Your Teaching


Wednesday, April 16, 2025
K-8 Teachers, All Content Areas
Location: Perez Elementary School, 1241 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608

You’ve heard a lot about the science of reading, but as importantly, there is a science of teaching and learning. End your school year on a high note by incorporating five brain-friendly, research-backed teaching strategies that will elevate your students’ engagement and achievement in any subject area and at any age.

Participants will leave this workshop understanding WHY + HOW to:
• Craft explicit learning objectives to launch instruction;
• Design powerful think-alouds when modeling;
• Connect different regions of the brain during guided practice;
• Incorporate effective visuals; and
• Interleave practice to enhance long-term memory.

Workshop Structure, Logistics + Cost:

The workshop will take place at Perez Elementary School from 9 am - 3 pm, with an hour break for lunch. The registration fee is $175, and participants receive 5 hours of CPDU credit.

  Register NOW  

The Must-Do’s of Foundational Skills Teaching


Tuesday, April 29, 2025
K-5 Teachers, Reading Specialists + Learning Behavior Specialists
Location: Perez Elementary School, 1241 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608

We know the importance of foundational skills instruction, but how can we make our daily teaching as meaningful and manageable as possible? What are key practices that should be incorporated in every lesson? How can I support the wide range of learners in my classroom?

Teachers will leave this workshop committed to:
• Following a research-based scope and sequence;
• Designing lessons following a structured literacy frame;
• Teaching students to blend sounds using the most effective techniques;
• Incorporating handwriting skills to cement letter-sound correspondences;
• Differentiating whole-group instruction; and
• Creating opportunities for students to respond and review new concepts in ways that transfer learning from working memory to long-term retention.

Workshop Structure, Logistics + Cost:

The workshop will take place at Perez Elementary School from 9 am - 3 pm, with an hour break for lunch. The registration fee is $175, and participants receive 5 hours of CPDU credit.

  Register NOW  

Teacher Feedback from Previous Professional Development Sessions:

You two are fantastic! You are knowledgeable, positive, and inspiring. You understand that teaching is challenging and change is the only constant. You deliver information in a way that is accessible and manageable.

What worked? EVERYTHING! Carissa you are absolutely fabulous and so gifted and talented at what you do. You can tell you have a true passion for it as well and it shines through! I have never learned so much, had so many "ah ha" moments, or had so much fun at a workshop!

Carissa is so engaging, and clearly presents the work in a way that is clear and concise. She is truly a master of her craft and I love learning from her!

Fabulous PD. I'm fired up to teaching writing this school year!

It was by far the best writing professional development seminar I have attended!

Maria did a wonderful job presenting. She is extremely knowledgeable and very friendly.

I greatly appreciate the professionalism and knowledge of both literacy coaches, Maria and Carissa. They are an invaluable asset to me as a teacher, as well as to my school!!

This was a fabulous three days, and I'm thrilled to have been able to get to participate. Maria, you've made me so excited to start the literacy workshop in my classroom this year!

I love Maria and Carissa and the resources they provide for me as a teacher and teacher leader in my building. Going into my third year with CLG, I felt very confident about planning.