Education

Continuing Education

Professional Learning and Growth for Educators

Lesley University’s continuing education programs in education are designed to keep educators at the forefront of teaching and learning. Drawing on our expertise and the insights of our experienced faculty, alumni and partner practitioners, we deliver relevant practical training that helps educators build new skills, meet licensure requirements, and stay current in a dynamic field. Our Microlearnings, professional workshops and seminars and Communities of Practice provide timely and useful content that will keep you ahead, wherever you happen to be on your career journey.

LAUNCHING FALL 2025

We are excited to introduce our new continuing education programs beginning in Fall 2025. Would you like to be notified when they become available? Email: feedback@lesley.edu

Microlearnings

Lesley University Microlearnings are free, one- to three-minute videos offering timely, relevant information on a range of important topics in the field of education. We’re always adding to our Microlearnings library – check back often so that you can tap into our latest ideas and insights.

Impact of Trauma on Learning

This three-minute microlearning video provides educators with an accessible introduction to the LIFTS model developed by the Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity. In this brief yet comprehensive overview, participants will discover how trauma impacts student learning and behavior and gain initial insights into creating more responsive educational environments. 

Using Diverse Texts and Technology to Support Literacy Learning

This three-minute microlearning video introduces educators to the power of incorporating diverse texts and technology integration to enhance literacy learning across PK-12 classrooms. Participants will discover how varied text formats—from traditional books to multimodal digital resources—can engage different learners and support comprehension across subject areas including science, social studies, and English language arts. The video provides quick insights into digital literacy standards and offers immediate takeaways for selecting and implementing diverse texts that reflect students' experiences while building essential 21st-century skills. This accessible overview serves as a practical starting point for educators looking to expand their literacy toolkit with contemporary resources and technology.

Create an Engaged Classroom - Quick Wins for Student Motivation

This three-minute microlearning video introduces educators to essential strategies for building student motivation and engagement in today's diverse classrooms. Participants will discover practical techniques for creating emotionally supportive environments, incorporating effective movement breaks, and managing smooth transitions that keep all students focused and ready to learn. The video offers immediate takeaways for supporting neurodiverse students, multilingual learners, and students from diverse cultural backgrounds, providing educators with accessible tools to enhance classroom engagement right away. This quick introduction serves as a valuable foundation for understanding how regulation and safety create the optimal conditions for learning across all student populations.

Professional Development Courses

Whether you’re looking to earn continuing education credits, sharpen your existing skills, or explore new areas, Lesley’s professional development coursework delivers the knowledge, skills, and expertise you need to stay on top of your game and take your career to the next level.

Leadership Enrichment and Development for Educators

Many leaders in education face the challenge of developing effective, relationship-based leadership skills in a complex and constantly evolving environment. Develop your leadership potential with this 10-hour series designed for school leaders, curriculum coordinators, and educators in leadership roles. Explore a relational leadership development model through guided discussions, self- and peer-mentoring, and practical goal setting. Participants will create a personalized leadership development plan to implement in their professional settings and receive a certificate of professional development hours.

Using Diverse Texts and Technology to Support Literacy Learning

Many educators face challenges in effectively selecting and integrating diverse texts and digital tools that truly engage students and align with curriculum standards. This comprehensive seminar offers in-depth, practitioner-led training designed to elevate literacy instruction across PK-12 classrooms. This seminar dives deep into strategies for evaluating, curating, and implementing a wide variety of texts—ranging from traditional books to multimodal digital resources—tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Participants will explore extensive collections of carefully selected texts designed to support science, social studies, and English language arts (ELA) integration. The course emphasizes matching resources to curriculum standards and student backgrounds, ensuring your classroom reflects authentic voices and experiences. Attendees will gain hands-on experience with digital literacy tools, learn how to align technology with standards, and master practical strategies for creating inclusive, culturally responsive classroom libraries.

Through interactive workshops, collaborative planning, and real-world case studies, educators will develop actionable, customizable plans to seamlessly incorporate diverse texts and technology into their teaching. This helps ensure all students have access to engaging, relevant materials that foster literacy development across subjects—empowering classrooms to become more inclusive and dynamic learning environments. This 5-hour seminar includes a PDP certificate, offering formal recognition of your enhanced expertise in literacy instruction.

Workshops & Seminars

Our alumni-led workshops and seminars give our alumni professionals the opportunity to dive deep into current topics impacting their field. They’re an opportunity to build crucial skills and gain exposure to new ideas and best practices. We frequently add new workshops and seminars, so check back often.

Learn More about LIFTS: Trauma-Sensitive Schools

Creating a trauma-sensitive school environment involves comprehensive, systemic change. This seminar offers extensive training in the Lesley Institute for Trauma Sensitivity (LIFTS) model, guiding educators to develop long-term, sustainable practices that embed trauma-awareness into school culture. Participants will explore trauma’s influence on behavior, learning, and school climate, and work through case studies and collaborative planning to design tailored, school-wide strategies. The focus is on building ongoing, inclusive practices that promote safety, support, and resilience—empowering educators to lead lasting change. This 10-hour seminar with PDP credits emphasizes leadership and systemic transformation for districts aiming to embed trauma-sensitive approaches at every level. Patricia Crain de Galarce, Director of Center for Inclusive and Special Education at Lesley University, will lead the seminar.

Facilitator
Patricia Crain de Galarce, Ed.D, Director of Center for Inclusive and Special Education at Lesley University
Patricia Crain de Galarce is the Director of the Center for Inclusive and Special Education at Lesley University. Her research and practice focus on trauma-sensitive schools, culturally responsive pedagogy, and inclusive education. She has over three decades of experience in K–12 and higher education, including leadership of dual-language and urban schools, and holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania

Dates and times
10 hours, 5 asynchronous sessions and 5 synchronous sessions

Dates and times for the synchronous times (the seminar repeats up to four times, so audience members have the opportunity to enroll at different times):

1st session: November 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th – 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST
2nd session: November 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st – 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST
3rd session: December 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th – 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST
4th session: TBD

Seminars cost $75 for Lesley alumni and $100 for non-alumni participants

The Engaged Classroom: Strategies for Motivation and Engagement

Creating a space where all students feel safe, supported, and motivated to succeed is increasingly challenging in today’s diverse learning environment. This comprehensive seminar provides educators with in-depth training on creating regulated, engaging classroom environments that support diverse student populations including neurodiverse, multilingual, and multicultural learners. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for building emotional safety, implementing effective movement breaks, and designing seamless transitions that maintain student focus and motivation. The 10-hour seminar with equivalence of PDPs includes hands-on practice with differentiated engagement techniques, collaborative planning for inclusive classroom management, and detailed exploration of how regulation supports learning for students with varying needs and backgrounds. Through interactive workshops and case study analysis, educators will develop comprehensive implementation plans for creating classrooms where all students feel safe, supported, and motivated to achieve their full potential. Thomas Nickerson, alumnus of Lesley University, will lead the seminar.

Facilitator
Thomas Nickerson, ‘18, M.Ed.
Thomas Nickerson, a graduate of Lesley University M.Ed.'18, is an upper elementary classroom teacher in the greater Boston area with a decade of experience in public and independent schools. He is a longtime collaborator of The Reading and Writing Project and recently co-authored a Units of Study in Reading manual, “Close Reading of Fiction: Character and Theme.” He is also heavily involved in arts education and serves as the Associate Director of Tufts Children’s Theater, where he supervises and trains a staff of 40+ each summer.

Dates and times
10 hours, 5 asynchronous sessions and 5 synchronous sessions

Dates and times for the synchronous times (the seminar repeats up to four times, so audience members have the opportunity to enroll at different times):

1st session: November 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th – 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST
2nd session: December 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th – 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST
3rd session: TBD
4th session: TBD

Seminars cost $75 for Lesley alumni and $100 for non-alumni participants

Find out more

Our programs will be launching in mid-fall 2025. Want to be notified when these programs become available? Email us and we'll make sure you're in the loop.

Email Us