PGAP (Professional Growth Activity Program)

What is a PGAP course?

Professional Growth Activity Program (PGAP) is a subcommittee of the Curriculum Coordinating Council (CCC). The purpose of this program is to provide quality professional development to all District #301 certified staff. Courses are offered based on the needs of District staff members. Participants are given the option of receiving PGAP credit or a stipend for every successfully completed PGAP course.

How many credits can I earn?

Professional Growth Activity Program classes (PGAP) must have a minimum of 15 hours of instruction. Participants are expected to be present at all sessions and to complete all assignments. Absence of more than 20% of instructional time will result in loss of credit for that course. Teachers participating in the program will be granted one hour of equivalent credit for each 15 hours of instruction successfully completed. A maximum of 8 equivalent credit hours may be earned in this manner during the course of one school year. A school year is considered from September 1st to August 31st.  Teachers participating in the approved PGAP will be granted credit for salary schedule movement at the rate of one (1) hour of equivalent graduate credit for each fifteen (15) hours of instruction successfully completed. Teachers who elect not to take the PGAP credit will be given a stipend of $150.00 for every PGAP hour earned up to a maximum of $1200.00 per year.

What is the registration process & the cost?

Teachers who wish to participate shall pay a $50 registration fee per PGAP class (made payable to CCUSD 301) which shall be refunded to the teacher only if he/she successfully completes the course in the original allotted time period.  (i.e., teachers who withdraw after the registration deadline or do not complete the course shall forfeit the $50 registration fee). In order for your registration to be complete the $50 registration fee must be submitted by the deadline date for each of the PGAP classes you have signed up for (Please provide separate checks for each PGAP you have registered for).  A non-refundable fee of $25.00 is charged to each participant which will be due at the beginning of each PGAP course taken. In addition, each participant shall be responsible for the cost of any possible course books, materials, and/or other supplies.

How do I sign up?

Complete the registration form(s) below. If you have questions, please contact Bernadine Matthews  (bernadine.matthews@central301.net) or call (847) 464-5867.

Course Schedule

Expect More, Grade Less: 
Registration Deadline: August 22, 2022  

Registration Link: Expect More, Grade Less

Classroom Strategies for Hard to Reach Learner Part I:  (REPEAT) – CANCELLED (Due to low participation)

Registration Deadline: August 19, 2022  

Registration Link: Classroom Strategies Part I

Classroom Strategies for Hard to Reach Learner Part II*:  (REPEAT) – CANCELLED (Due to low participation)

*Must take Part I in order to take Part II

Registration Deadline: September 19, 2022  

Registration Link: Classroom Strategies Part II

Unraveling Math for the 21st Century Brain:

Registration Deadline: September 23, 2022  

Registration Link: Unraveling Math for the 21st Century Brain

Tales from the Podcast:  (REPEAT)

Registration Deadline: January 18, 2023

Registration Link: Tales from the Podcast

Course Information

Expect More, Grade Less

Instructor: Tiffany Simoncelli
Intended Participants: K-12
Session Schedule: September 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 21, 2022

Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: CHS LMC
1 PGAP Credit
Materials Needed: Laptop, Existing lesson materials/plans
Description:This course will have participants reevaluating their teaching practice with the end goal of simultaneously grading less and expecting much of their students. Starting with the theoretical then focusing on the practical, participants will add strategies to their teaching “toolbox” as well as adjust their methodology to home assessments into both meeting standards/objectives and serving the best efficiency of the teacher.

Classroom Strategies for Hard to Reach Learner Part I

Instructor: Kim Paulus
Intended Participants: K-12
Session Schedule: September 1, 19, 26, 2022

Time: Sept. 1 – 3:15-7:15 for MS/HS and 4:15-8:15 for EL; Sept. 19 – 3:15-6:15 for MS/HS and 4:15-7:15 for EL; Sept. 26 – 3:15-6:15 for MS/HS and 4:15-7:15 for EL

Location: CMS Collab Room
1 PGAP Credit
Materials Needed: Book “Why Do I Have to Read This?”
Description:Teaching is incredibly complex and educators need ongoing ways to investigate and learn about how students learn best. In addition to academic expectations to increase content reading and include more writing, teachers often face social and emotional difficulties that plague students. Add that to the pressure to make connections to the real world, the educator is overwhelmed. Educators continually ask, “How can I do all that when there are so many standards to teach?” or “How do we do all that when students won’t engage?”and “What does my classroom look like when students are in charge of their own education?” This class will use real-world questions and issues across all disciplines and grade levels to develop an understanding of what that would look like in your classroom, with your students. By using some inquiry, some research, and an experiential approach to learning, you will be able to immediately apply strategies in your classroom. You should be willing to take a rigorous look at research and methodologies in order to hone in on essential curriculum elements that will target even the most challenging and reluctant learner and help put them in charge of their own learning.

Classroom Strategies for Hard to Reach Learner Part II

Instructor: Kim Paulus
Intended Participants: K-12
Session Schedule: October 3, 17, 24, 2022

Time: Oct. 3 – 3:15-7:15 for MS/HS and 4:15-8:15 for EL; Oct. 17 – 3:15-6:15 for MS/HS and 4:15-7:15 for EL; Oct. 24 – 3:15-6:15 for MS/HS and 4:15-7:15 for EL

Location: CMS Collab Room
1 PGAP Credit
Materials Needed: Book “Why Do I Have to Read This?”
Description:Teaching is incredibly complex and educators need ongoing ways to investigate and learn about how students learn best. In addition to academic expectations to increase content reading and include more writing, teachers often face social and emotional difficulties that plague students. Add that to the pressure to make connections to the real world, the educator is overwhelmed. Educators continually ask, “How can I do all that when there are so many standards to teach?” or “How do we do all that when students won’t engage?”and “What does my classroom look like when students are in charge of their own education?” This class will use real-world questions and issues across all disciplines and grade levels to develop an understanding of what that would look like in your classroom, with your students. By using some inquiry, some research, and an experiential approach to learning, you will be able to immediately apply strategies in your classroom. You should be willing to take a rigorous look at research and methodologies in order to hone in on essential curriculum elements that will target even the most challenging and reluctant learner and help put them in charge of their own learning.

Unraveling Math for the 21st Century Brain

Instructor: Rachel Priola and Erica Snyder
Intended Participants: K-12 Math
Session Schedule: October 6, 13, 20, November 3, 10, 17 2022

Time: 4:15-6:45 p.m.
Location: CMS Collab Room
1 PGAP Credit
Materials Needed: Laptop
Description: The way our students learn math is changing. Not only are our students wired differently, but the standards and expectations we must adhere to have also become more complex and challenging. We will delve into research and research based strategies to implement in the classroom and transform your students’ learning. There will be 6 in-person classes.

Tales from the Podcast

Instructor: Michael Doyle and Stacy Reagan
Intended Participants: K-12
Session Schedule: February 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023 / Blended

Time: 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Location: CHS LMC
1 PGAP Credit
Materials Needed: Laptop
Description:Speaking and Listening standards are across the curriculum at every level, and sometimes underdeveloped. Podcasts can help you rev up your standards while also infusing others. Take this class to learn about how to use podcasts in the classroom, how to create your own podcasts for student learning, and how to get students podcasting. Bring your listening skills, creativity, and gift for gab. This class will be offered as a blended course.