Professional Development
Please check the most current issue of our newsletter for professional development offerings. It sometimes takes us longer to update this page.
Paraprofessional Series with Jeanine Fitzgerald
Why Do They Do That?
Everyone misbehaves and misbehavior is not the problem, nor is the person. Behavior is a symptom of an unsolved problem and a form of communication. This series is designed To answer the two most frequently asked questions, “Why do they do that?” And “What do I do when they do that?”
Session topics:
Turning Misbehavior into a Teachable Moment
Why Do They Do That?
Surfing the Emotional Waves
Draining Off High Intensity Behavior and Emotions
Not My Opposition
Brains@Risk
Freeing Children from Worry
I Want it NOW!
Cost: Free to paraeducators employed by NCES full and associate member school districts. A school-issued email address must be used during the registration process. This series is exclusively available to districts with active NCES membership for the 2026-27 school year.
Dates: Tuesdays September 22, October 20, November 17, December 15,
2026, January 19, February 16, March 16, April 13, 2027
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Register: Online or by calling NCES during office hours, 603-466-5437.
Conscious Discipline Online Series: Building Resilient Schools and Homes for Educators
Conscious Discipline is a social‐emotional learning and classroom management approach. Developed by a teacher for teachers, the philosophy of Conscious Discipline emerged after years of working with children and experiencing the challenges of a broken system full of hurting children and frustrated adults. The methodology and best‐practices of Conscious Discipline offer a different – and proven – pathway to transformation.
Join colleagues for online discussions to reflect on the 10-lesson video series, Building Resilient Schools and Homes. The video series is lead by Dr. Becky Bailey, educator, author, and child development expert. Participants will watch the videos on their own and come prepared to discuss and reflect during the online discussion sessions.
Facilitator: Gretchen Cook
Schedule: These are the dates but the video groupings are subject to change:
Tuesday evenings, 6:30-7:45 PM:
October 6, 2026 for video #1, Intro to Conscious Discipline (65 mins)
November 3 for video #2, Becoming Brain Smart (90 mins)
December 1 for videos #3, Creating the School Family (54 mins) and #4 Composure (51) mins)
January 5 for videos #5, Assertiveness (67 mins) and #6, Encouragement (54 mins)
February 2 for video #7, Choices (37 mins)
March 2 for video #8, Empathy (60 mins)
April 6 for video #9, Positive Intent (48 mins)
May 4 for video #10, Consequences (58 mins)
For: Teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel and licensed early childcare providers. Please note that the video content is geared to the elementary grades, but the practices can be applied for any age.
Cost: Free for staff from school districts with full membership in NCES, $75 for associate members, and $150 for others. Most North Country schools are members, click here to check.
Register: Online or by calling NCES M-F, 8:00-4:00 at 603-466-5437
Professional Development Hours: For those who actively participate in the online discussions (with camera on), there will be 20 hours awarded,10+ hours for watching the video lessons and 1.25 hours per online discussion participation. You must participate in at least 4 of the online discussions to receive a professional development certificate.
BioInteractive: From Sunlight to ATP: Modeling Energy Flow with HHMI BioInteractive
BioInteractive is excited to offer a professional development opportunity for high school biology educators in Northern New England. Join us for a free, daylong in-person workshop that explores best practices in three-dimensional teaching within a supportive environment that emphasizes student engagement, data literacy, and critical thinking.
From Sunlight to ATP: Modeling Energy Flow with HHMI BioInteractive
Where does the energy in a sugar molecule come from, and where does it go when a cell uses it? In this full-day workshop, we will dig into photosynthesis and cellular respiration, and you will leave with a coherent, standards-aligned way to teach them. Along the way, we will tackle the stubborn "energy is made" misconception and weave in literacy strategies that help students read, talk, and write about energy transformations using scientific language. Participants will use free HHMI BioInteractive resources to build models, work with data, and leave with a plan to bring one or more activities into their own classrooms.
Join us for a free, daylong in-person workshop that explores best practices in three-dimensional teaching within a supportive environment that emphasizes student engagement, data literacy, and critical thinking.
Date: Friday, October 9; 8:30AM-2:30PM
Location: North Country Education Services, 300 Gorham Hill Rd, Gorham, NH 03581
For: This workshop is for teachers who teach any level of high school biology and environmental science, including introductory and advanced (AP/IB) courses. Any teacher from New England is welcome (not limited to NCES membership).
Cost: Free. Catering, materials, and parking provided.
Registration: https://web.cvent.com/event/c6ccc4d1-4a8c-43cd-9dcb-1ea69a47a9af/summary?environment=P2
BioInteractive is part of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), a biomedical research organization and philanthropy. This workshop is being offered in collaboration with North Country Education Services and SAU 20. Learn more about BioInteractive
Registration
Not sure if your school is a full member or associate member? Check membership status here.
Register by calling 603-466-5437 during office hours, M-F, 8:00-4:00.
Unless otherwise noted, all sessions held at:
North Country Education Services
300 Gorham Hill Road
Gorham, NH 03581
Directions & map
Registration questions may be directed to lisa@ncedservices.org or by calling 603-466-5437.
Cancellation Policy for Professional Development Events*
All received registrations are subject to Cancellation/Refund policy. A full refund will be made for cancellations sent via email 7 days before the event.
Refunds will not be given if the request is received less than 7 days prior to the event.
Refunds will not be given for “no shows”.
NCES accepts substitution of another person. 24 hour advanced notice is appreciated.*Registration fee or signed Purchase Order is due on or before the event.
NCES reserves the right to postpone or cancel events.
*Some offerings may have additional requirements and more stringent cancellation rules.