Allegheny Intermediate Unit

Minds in Motion: Thinking Routines & Maker Learning
2025-11-05 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Spark creativity and critical thinking with versatile routines, then dive into festive maker projects inspired by seasonal picture books.

In this session participants will learn about effective thinking routines and strategies that can be applied in any classroom to promote creativity, critical thinking and problem solving. Then, in the afternoon, participants will complete 5 engaging maker activities inspired by seasonal picture books, perfect for sparking imagination and connection in your classroom. Each project is tied to stories that celebrate the end of November and December—think gratitude, winter wonder, and holiday cheer. Everyone will walk away with resources, strategies and even some materials that are ready to use!
Background | The mission of the Matt’s Maker Space PD Division is to provide FREE professional development to all of Matt’s Maker Space educators and others in our communities who are interested in STEAM, design thinking and maker learning. The goal is to help establish foundational skills to new makers as well as offer refresh training opportunities to all adults who utilize maker spaces.
What to Bring | A laptop or tablet, it possible
Who Should Attend | K-8 Teachers and Librarians

Local Task Force 3 Meeting
2025-11-05 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.aiu3.net/event/local-task-force-3-meeting-3/
Local Task Force 3 Meetings are VIRTUAL only.
Link to Online Meeting will be sent to Task Force members.

Structured Literacy for Special Educators K-12
2025-11-06 08:30 - 15:00, 2025-12-11 08:30 - 15:00 | PA
This comprehensive professional development series is designed specifically for special education teachers to deepen their knowledge and instructional practices in literacy. Participants will explore the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy frameworks, equipping them with the tools and strategies necessary to support students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. Meets Chapter 49 requirements.
Content will include:
Foundations of the Science of Reading -Understand the interdisciplinary research behind how the brain learns to read and the implications for classroom instruction.
Principles of Structured Literacy -Learn the essential components of explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction, including phonology, sound-symbol association, syllable instruction, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
Understanding Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities- Identify characteristics of dyslexia and other reading difficulties, debunk common myths, and explore the neurobiological basis of these disabilities.
Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction – Gain hands-on experience with screening tools, diagnostic assessments, and progress monitoring measures to inform instruction and intervention planning.
Intervention Design and Implementation – Apply knowledge of reading science to deliver effective, individualized interventions and accommodations tailored to diverse learners.

Getting It Right from the Start
2025-11-07 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-11-14 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-11-21 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-12-05 08:00 - 09:00 | PA
This practical and engaging, virtual series is designed to equip special education professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to develop compliant, student-centered transition components within transition age Individualized Education Plans (IEP). Participants will learn how to write clear, individualized transition grids and craft meaningful postsecondary Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs) with a primary focus on the PELs of Postsecondary transition. Participants will also enhance their knowledge of alignment with students’ goals, strengths, and needs. Through real-world examples, compliance guidance, and best practices, attendees will leave better prepared to ensure each student’s transition plan supports a successful path to adulthood—whether that includes postsecondary education, employment, or independent living. Perfect for new and veteran educators, case managers, and administrators committed to “getting it right from the start.”

Small Group, Big Impact: Structuring Groups for Student Success
2025-11-07 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
Ready to strengthen your Tier 2 small group instruction? This session will guide participants in building effective, systematized small groups within a PBIS framework by focusing on the key features that lead to strong outcomes, including the use of data, systems, and instructional practices. Attendees will explore how to identify students for targeted support, select relevant group topics, structure engaging instruction, and use data to monitor and evaluate effectiveness. The session will also include guidance on selecting and implementing evidence-based SEL programs appropriate for Tier 2 support.

Design, Create, Innovate: Laser Cutting for an Enhanced STEAM Experience
2025-11-10 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Enhance student-centered projects with laser cutting and engraving as you design—no experience needed!

Join us for a hands-on experience to learn how you can level up your projects with laser cutting and engraving! In this workshop, we will review the basics of laser cutting/engraving, provide an overview of design thinking and the importance of rough prototyping, and share examples of projects you can do with your students. You will get the full experience of designing, engraving, and cutting with various materials, start to finish, and will leave with your own custom-made project.
Topics covered in this workshop apply to most models of laser cutters. Don’t have a laser engraver at your school (yet)? This is the perfect opportunity to learn how it can enhance your STEAM, makerspace, or other content programming.
*No prior experience needed.
Background | The mission of Fluxspace is to help educators, schools, and organizations experience the future of learning environments and understand the innovative programs, products, experiences, and mindsets that should take place in them.
What to Bring | Please bring a laptop, if possible.
Who Should Attend | STEAM teachers, tech ed teachers (upper elementary, middle school, high school)

English Language Arts Symposium
2025-11-10 09:00 - 15:00 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
2025-26 Topic: Tips for Shifting to Online PSSA

The English Language Arts (ELA) Symposium is the Reading Achievement Center’s annual workshop addressing a critical need for strengthening teacher practice that improves student achievement.
Price: Free

ELA Symposium (Grades 3-5)

Date: November 10, 2025
Register

ELA Symposium (Grades 6-8)

Date: January 13, 2026
Register

Learning Together: Trying Tech with Tomorrow’s Teachers
2025-11-11 09:40 - 12:00 | Point Park University, 201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222, United States
Experience the excitement of learning educational technology side-by-side with future educators

Learn alongside Point Park University undergraduate students in their educational technology class!
UPDATED TOPIC: The topic for this session will be AI. Discover college students’ uses and questions, learn how AI actually works, and how we can all make the most of AI in a school setting, for teachers and students.
The partnership of current teachers and preservice teachers will make for a rich experience for all!
Background | “Who you are is how you lead—that’s the guiding mantra of Point Park University’s School of Education…Through professional networks, we provide students with local, regional, and global opportunities to design, facilitate, implement, and assess learning in innovative ways.”
“EDUC 101 introduces pre-service teachers and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to the intentional integration of technology into lesson planning.”
What to Bring | A laptop or tablet, if possible
Who Should Attend | K-12 school-based teachers interested in learning to use and apply STEAM-related gadgets, such as Spheros and MakeyMakey, in their content area. Participants should also be excited for the opportunity to learn side-by-side with undergraduate students.
Open to educators of ALL grade-levels and content-areas.
Special Location | Point Park University 716 Academic Hall at Point Park University, 201 Wood Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
*Garage parking is recommended; directions will be provided to registrants prior to the event.

Workshop DLM: Plot the Path to Propel Progress
2025-11-14 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-12 08:00 - 17:00 | PA
Drop in the second Friday of each month to workshop your IEP goals, lesson plans, and instructional strategies for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This workshop is your go-to space for hands-on support, where special education consultants guide you in aligning your instruction with grade-level standards, while leveraging the Essential Elements and Linkage Levels from the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM).
Together, we can:
– Review assessment resources
– Summarize data
– Align Essential Elements to IEP goals
– Connect data to instruction
– Plan for inclusion
– Explore Instructional Strategies
Whether you’re new to DLM or refining your approach, this is the place to connect with fellow educators, get personalized advice, and develop strategies for navigating the complexities of teaching students with significant cognitive disabilities.
Please note this is an open forum to receive instructional and IEP development support, this is NOT about the PA Alternate State Assessment (PASA).

Functional Behavior Assessment to Positive Behavior Support Plans: Assessing Behavior & Designing Effective Interventions
2025-11-17 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
This series is designed to build internal capacity within schools for staff to conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and develop positive behavior support plans (PBSPs). Across three full days all steps of the FBA & PBSP process will be explored. Time will be allotted to discuss function-based interventions, crisis planning, and implementation fidelity. Participants will be expected to attend all in -person sessions as content connects and builds from one topic to the next.

STEM Educator & Innovator Role-Alike
2025-11-17 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Join our role-alike day for STEM/STEAM teachers to share ideas and build skills.

This role-alike group is designed for STEM/STEAM teachers and coordinators to build skills and gain new ideas. Hear how others are integrating everything from maker education to coding and beyond. This group will meet twice during the school year. You are welcome to join us for one or both sessions. (Content will be different each time.)
Background | What is a role-alike? Role-alike events bring together educators from around the region holding a similar position or role.
What to Bring | A laptop or tablet, if possible
Who Should Attend | Both experienced STEAM educators and those newer to STEAM education are encouraged to attend.
Lunch will be provided.

AI for Absolute Beginners
2025-11-18 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Discover AI basics in this supportive, judgment-free, education-focused workshop.

Do you hear about AI everywhere, but you’re not quite sure what it actually is? You will leave this workshop with a basic understanding of what AI is and will have opportunities, through guided exploration, to try some well-known tools. The implications of AI on teaching and learning will also be discussed in this judgment-free workshop.
What to Bring | Please bring a laptop or tablet, if possible.
Who Should Attend | Teachers and Administrators who are brand-new to AI.

25-26 Transition Council of Allegheny County (TCCAC) Meeting Series
2025-11-19 08:30 - 14:30 | PA
Pennsylvania’s transition community has a rich history of helping youth and young adults successfully transition from school to adult life. Since 1990 PA’s Local Transition Coordinating Councils (LTCCs) have played an instrumental role in this process. With cross-stakeholder representation, the TCCAC will host 4 meetings during the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting series will be conducted as a full day, in-person experience to afford attendees time for professional development, networking, coordination, and resource development. Each session is designed to educate transition coordinators, educational professionals, parents, and agency providers to better coordinate, collaborate, problem solve, and support transition age youth with disabilities successfully navigate their pathway toward graduation. Please consider attending each council meeting to expand your professional network, enhance your knowledge and expertise, gather meaningful tools and resources and learn about upcoming events to assist you in your profession or community network.

Executive Function 101
2025-11-20 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-12-16 08:00 - 09:00 | PA
Student success extends beyond academic skills as all children and youth require essential cognitive and behavioral skills to be prosperous at home, school and the community. Join this virtual, nine-part professional learning series focused on developing and integrating the two domains and 11 core skills of executive functioning in K–12 classrooms. Each session will spotlight one skill, offering a concise overview, classroom integration strategies, resource sharing, and collaborative discussion.

Check and Connect: Building Connection Through Mentoring at Tier 2 & 3
2025-11-20 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
Check & Connect is an intervention used with K-12 students who show warning signs of disengagement with school and who are at risk of dropping out. At the core of Check & Connect is a trusting relationship between the student and a caring, trained mentor who both advocates for and challenges the student to keep education salient. Students are referred to Check & Connect when they show warning signs of disengaging from school, such as poor attendance, behavioral issues, and/or low grades.

Moving Beyond Indicator 13: Advancing Student Centered Transition
2025-12-02 08:00 - 14:30 | PA
This two-part series guides school district teams in developing a comprehensive, research-based transition system that strengthens programming, services, and compliance. Attendees will explore sustainable frameworks, leverage transition data for informed planning, and engage in district-centered action steps. Emphasis will be placed on building collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders and applying best practices to enhance and sustain high-quality transition outcomes.This series is ideal for school district teams involved in secondary transition planning, programming, and services. Teams should include a combination of special education administrators, transition coordinators, secondary educators, school counselors, vocational rehabilitation counselors, related service providers, and work-based learning coordinators. Participation by individuals who oversee compliance and data analysis, as well as those who foster community partnerships, will ensure a well-rounded and effective transition system development.

Utilizing Trauma Responsive Practices in the Classroom Setting
2025-12-02 09:00 - 11:00 | PA
This training series is designed for classroom practitioners to gain a deeper understanding on the prevalence and impact of trauma in the classroom as well as the greater school community. The session will focus on specific trauma responsive classroom practices that can be embedded within daily classroom routines.

Local Task Force 3 Meeting
2025-12-03 18:30 - 20:30 | https://www.aiu3.net/event/local-task-force-3-meeting-4/

Ten AI Tools to Transform Your Teaching
2025-12-04 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Explore the top 10 AI tools for education: see them in action and unlock new ways to elevate your teaching!

It feels like new AI tools for education are popping up each day. Which tools are worth your while?
Let us take out the guesswork as we highlight 10 powerful AI-based tools that will enhance your practice as an educator. You will have the opportunity to explore each and to discover inspiring use cases that relate to the work you do.
What to Bring | A laptop or tablet, if possible
Who Should Attend | Educators interested in leveraging AI in their practice

EBP's in Mathematics: Assisting Elementary Students Struggling with Mathematics
2025-12-07 08:30 - 15:00 | PA
This practice guide provides evidence-based practices that can help teachers tailor their instructional approaches and/or their mathematics intervention programs to meet the needs of their students. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/PracticeGuide/26

Build, Fly, Code, Compete: An Introduction to Drones
2025-12-09 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Explore flight basics, block coding, and how to bring drones into your classroom.

Description
Introduce your students to exciting new opportunities in flight and coding! This hands-on workshop will begin with the assembly of a FTW Hopper drone. Once assembled, participants will learn basic flight terminology and safety before using a joystick, smartphone, or tablet to fly the drone. The remainder of the day will focus on an introduction to block coding to plan and execute a series of flights. Participants will also learn about the opportunity to borrow drones for classroom use.
What to Bring | A laptop or tablet, if possible.
Who Should Attend | General education teachers, special education teachers, assistive technology specialists, occupational therapists, and other STEAM-curious individuals!

Grow Your Canva Skills with Portfolio Projects as Your Guide
2025-12-11 08:30 - 15:30 | Allegheny Intermediate Unit, East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, USA, 475 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA, 15120, United States
Boost your Canva skills while learning creative ways to showcase student work.

Take your Canva skills to the next level! In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to support students in crafting dynamic, multi-media portfolios that capture and showcase their learning over time.
Along the way, you’ll build confidence with intermediate Canva features. Whether or not you plan to use portfolios in your classroom, you’ll leave with practical design skills and creative ideas to elevate student work.

*Note: Many of the Canva features highlighted are the same as those shown in previous “Canva: Beyond the Basics” sessions.

What to Bring | A laptop or tablet
Who Should Attend | Educators looking to advance their Canva skills and potentially have students use Canva to create multi-media portfolios of their learning.
For success in this workshop, you should already have familiarity with the basic features of Canva, such as accessing your account, using templates, and adding text and elements (like images/shapes).

Emotional Support Teacher Training
2025-12-16 08:30 - 09:30 | PA
Join us for a series of professional learning that centers on the development of teachers of students receiving emotional support. Teachers will begin with two days of training where they will establish beginning of the year rules and routines with a trauma-informed lens. Teachers will also learn how to use the Pennsylvania Career Ready Skills Continuum to center social emotional skill development in their daily teaching. Additionally, teachers will have the opportunity to participate in ongoing networking sessions throughout the year, which will focus on topics targeted at the core components of being an emotional support teacher.

Writing Across the Tiers: How to Provide Whole Class, Small Group, and Individual Supports
2025-12-16 08:30 - 15:30 | PA
Writing is one of the most complex subjects we teach in school. It requires students to combine their reading comprehension skills with their executive functioning and self-regulation skills. This session will provide participants with an overview of the science of writing along with evidence-based strategies that can be used at the tier 1 level. Participants will also learn about effective ways to assess students’ writing and support students who struggle with writing beyond tier 1 instruction.
