The Western Teacher Institute prides itself on providing engaging, collaborative activities for its attendees inside and outside class.
During your time on campus, on regular business days, we will host complimentary coffee and snacks at 10:30 a.m. and an afternoon snack time at 2:30 p.m.
Additionally, we love to schedule several informal gatherings during the Teacher Institute. While you are here, please look for sign-ups at snack tables.
If you are interested in on-campus housing, please click here for more information. We will also provide suggestions and options for off-campus housing and camping locations.
Registration, General Course, and CED Licensure Information
- Early Bird Discount: First-come, first-served for on-campus courses: credits are offered at a 40% discount, thanks to the Ann Zugelder Endowment
- The early bird discount only includes the cost per credit; it does not include course fees.
- Unless you hear from Teacher Institute staff after registering, you have received the early bird discounted price rate.
- *Early bird cost is subject to scholarship fund availability; register early to guarantee a discount*
- The Deadline for Changes (No Fee) is May 15. After this date, changes may incur a $50 fee.
- Last Date for Refunds: May 15.
Register
If you are returning, log back in.
First-time users: Create an account
Start the “Center for Learning & Innovation Application 2025”
Choose “Teacher Institute/Early Childhood Education” and the program of study.
Please note: All prompts with a red star * must be completed for your application and subsequent registration to be successfully received.
Registration Confirmations
Registration will open in April. Upon registration submission, you will receive a confirmation email and further follow-up emails – if you have any questions about the registration process, please email teacherinstitute@western.edu.
Additional emails will follow closer to the Teacher Institute with course classroom location, instructor information, and instructions for payment and accessing the online web system.
- Invoices for courses will be sent in May to the email used during registration by the Center for Learning & Innovation.
- The Deadline for Changes (No Fee) is May 15. After this date, changes may incur a $50 fee.
- Last Date for Refunds: May 15.
- Cancellation Fee: Once registered, to drop/cancel a course, the Center for Learning & Innovation will assess a $50 fee.
For billing questions, contact the Center for Learning & Innovation at 970.943.2885 or center@western.edu.
Transcripts for credit courses can be obtained by visiting www.parchment.com
Cancellations
The Teacher Institute reserves the right to cancel classes and make changes when warranted. If a class is canceled, participants will be notified via email and receive a full refund. Courses with fewer than 5 participants on 5/15/2025 will be canceled.
Refunds for Withdrawals and Dropping a Course
Drops from a course will result in a refund if they occur before 5/15/2025 (drop deadline).
Non-attendance or non-payment does not constitute a drop. Full refunds are not given after the last day to drop. All drop requests must be in writing to the Center for Learning and Innovation at center@western.edu
Evaluations
At the conclusion of the class, students have an opportunity to evaluate the content and their instructor. Student input is important, as it helps improve future classes. Evaluations are anonymous.
Photograph Policy
Photos of students and instructors in various classes are often taken to promote the Western Colorado University Center for Learning and Innovation. Such photos are used in class schedules, flyers, and other marketing pieces.
The Teacher Institute at Western monitors CDE’s requirements for educators in license renewal. We have courses that meet both the EL PD Requirement and the PD of training in SPED and behavioral health. Please note that we provide these courses with CDE’s requirements in mind. Still, the participant must complete the required matrix and/or paperwork to show they have met the requirements for renewing a professional license.
June 2025 Course Catalog
Brain, Body, Connections
Instructor: Angela Carroll
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 4
Audience: All educators
This interactive course explores brain-body connectivity and how movement affects cognitive function. Learn techniques to activate the brain, engage learners, and develop neurodiversity-inclusive lesson plans.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380 + $5 fee
Cartography and Power
Instructor: Andie Speed, Ph.D.
Course Code: HIST 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 4
Audience: Secondary teachers
Explore how maps shape understanding of history and identity. Learn to analyze maps critically and use QGIS software to create interactive learning experiences.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380
Experiential Education
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 4
Audience: All educators
Enhance lesson plans with experiential learning strategies. Explore project-based learning, service learning, and interdisciplinary teaching methods.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380
From Burnout to Balance
Instructor: Lea Ann Johnson
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 1
Dates: Monday, June 2 – Tuesday, June 3
Audience: All educators
Identify causes of burnout and develop strategies to restore energy and passion for teaching.
Cost: Early Bird $114 | Full Price $190
Making Math Magic
Instructors: Jenny Hart & Allison Gomez
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 2 – Tuesday, June 3
Audience: Elementary/Middle School General Education & Special Education Teachers
Turn reluctant Mathematicians into wizards! This routine builds fluency in fractions, decimals, multiplication, and more. Using simple materials like Post-it notes, educators will create an interactive, practitioner-based math routine that supports diverse learners and fosters lifelong confidence in math.
Cost: Early Bird | $228 | Full Price $380 | +$5 Fee
Meeting the Content, Language, and Socioemotional Needs of Migrant Youth
Instructor: Casey Richardson, Ph.D.
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 2 – Wednesday, June 4
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Learn practical strategies to support migrant and newcomer students by addressing their content, language, and socioemotional needs. This course explores migration factors, trauma-informed teaching, and culturally responsive practices to create inclusive, identity-affirming classrooms.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380
Resilient Futures in Rural Colorado: Climate Change Science, Adaptation & Mitigation
Instructor: Katya Schloesser
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 1
Dates: Tuesday, June 3 – Wednesday, June 4
Audience: Secondary Science Teachers
Explore the latest climate science, local data, and teaching resources on wildfire risk, water challenges, and adaptation strategies. This course connects to CDE Science Standards and NGSS, with hands-on activities from NOAA, CU Boulder, and CLEAN to engage students in climate literacy. Additionally, we will share best practices for supporting students’ mental health and climate anxiety and resources on how to build a High School Diploma Seal of Climate Literacy program, a new option made available from the CDE.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $114 | Full Price $190 | +$5 Fee
American Sign Language
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7
Audience: All educators
Gain foundational ASL skills for inclusive classrooms. Learn sign language basics, cultural considerations, and strategies for working with diverse learners.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380
An Educational Roundtable
Instructor: Angela Carroll
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Fostering inclusivity in the classroom is a challenge for all educators. This course provides a space to discuss, share, and brainstorm strategies for embracing student diversity, including neurodivergence and cultural differences. Educators will explore ways to create inclusive learning environments, address systemic barriers, and develop actionable strategies to support all students.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$5 Fee
Bridging Language & Learning for Multilingual Excellence
Instructor: Amanda Martinez
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Audience: All educators
Explore instructional strategies for multilingual learners. Learn differentiation techniques and culturally responsive teaching methods.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380
Genre-Based Writing Within Different Disciplines
Instructor: Casey Richardson, Ph.D.
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Writing can be a challenge for students, and teaching it effectively across disciplines is equally difficult. This course introduces a genre-based approach to writing instruction, helping educators model and develop students’ disciplinary literacy. Participants will explore rhetorical analysis, genre study, and lesson creation, making this course valuable for teachers in science, history, theater arts, and more.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380
Self-Care for Teachers: Daily Practices for Stressful Times
Instructor: Lea Ann Johnson
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Reduce stress and enhance well-being with practical self-care strategies designed for educators. This course introduces meditation, restorative yoga, and journaling to build sustainable wellness routines. Participants will explore brain research and hands-on techniques to support both personal health and a positive classroom environment.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$10 Fee
Becoming a Climate Literacy Educator: Tools & Techniques
Instructor: Sarah Johnson
Course Code: ENVS 520 | Credits: 2
Audience: Secondary Educators
Learn climate literacy teaching strategies, including storytelling and climate justice frameworks.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380 + $10 fee
Building Bridges: Connecting Trauma Awareness and Behavior Strategies in Education
Instructor: Leia Henaghan
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Audience: All educators
Develop skills to create trauma-informed learning environments and apply behavior management strategies.
Cost: Early Bird $228 | Full Price $380 + $10 fee
Connecting with Our Natural Surroundings – Part 2
Instructor: Rain Bodine
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
This hands-on course explores experiential learning, nature journaling, and outdoor education through daily field trips in Gunnison, Colorado. Guided by book studies from Clare Walker Leslie and John Muir Laws, educators will develop strategies to integrate nature-based lessons into their curriculum, fostering curiosity, creativity, and environmental stewardship. (Part 1 is not a prerequisite.)
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$10 Fee
Intentional Differentiation & Language Routines in the Mathematics Classroom
Instructor: Madison Hays
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11
Audience: Secondary Math & Special Education Teachers, ELD & Newcomer Math Teachers
Enhance math instruction with accessible, equitable, and engaging strategies that support all learners. This course explores intentional differentiation, language routines, and real-world applications to improve student achievement. Educators will develop a year plan, unit lessons, and a refreshed instructional approach to foster inclusivity and success in the math classroom.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380
Nature Writing, Environmental Literature & Field Experiences
Instructor: Molly Murfee
Course Code: ENVS 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Immerse yourself in environmental literature and nature writing through full-day field experiences in the wilderness. This course explores creative nonfiction techniques, freewriting exercises, and interdisciplinary approaches to foster critical thinking, observation, and storytelling. Ideal for educators in English, composition, and natural sciences, but adaptable to all subjects.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$15 Fee
Spanish Language Learning
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11
Audience: Secondary Educators
Develop basic Spanish speaking skills to communicate with students and parents in school settings. This interactive course focuses on vocabulary, verbs, listening comprehension, and conversational practice, while also modeling experiential learning for diverse classrooms. Designed for beginners and those seeking a refresher, this course builds confidence and supports CDE’s ELPD renewal requirement.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380
Beyond Dirt: The Ecology of Soil
Instructor: Jennie DeMarco, Ph.D.
Course Code: ENVS 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
Audience: Primarily Secondary Educators, Applicable to All Levels
Explore the structure, function, and health of soil and its impact on ecosystems. This interdisciplinary course blends science, art, literature, and social systems to examine soil conservation, policy, and management. Educators will engage in hands-on activities, soil testing, and lesson planning to bring soil science into their classrooms.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$10 Fee
Engaging with Assets Pedagogies through Abbott Elementary
Instructor: Casey Richardson, Ph.D.
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Explore assets-based pedagogies through the lens of Abbott Elementary. This course examines inclusion, leadership, student engagement, and equity, using scenes from the show to spark discussions on culturally responsive teaching and systemic barriers. Educators will develop strategies for creating inclusive, high-expectation classrooms and fulfilling CDE’s English learner PD requirements.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380
Exploring the Science, History, and Art of Silk Painting, Encaustic Collage, and Felted Fibers
Instructor: Rain Bodine
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Discover the science, history, and techniques behind silk resist painting, encaustic collage, and felt-making. This hands-on course explores the chemical and historical foundations of these art forms while providing classroom-ready projects that encourage creativity and interdisciplinary learning. No prior art experience required!
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$20 Fee
From Story to Practice: Literacy for CLD Learners
Instructors: Karen Hausdoerffer & Rita Merrigan
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Monday, June 9 – Wednesday, June 11
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Use the power of storytelling to engage Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) learners. This hands-on course explores literacy strategies, diverse literature, and interactive activities such as theater, art, and discussion-based learning. Educators will leave with practical tools to create welcoming, engaging classrooms and meet CDE’s ELPD renewal requirement.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380
Outdoor Citizenry: Engagement, Skills, Connection & LNT
Instructor: Molly Murfee
Course Code: ENVS 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Gain outdoor skills, environmental awareness, and Leave No Trace (LNT) training while hiking through Gunnison’s backcountry. Learn navigation, first aid, and nature identification while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. Participants receive a Leave No Trace Outdoor Awareness Certificate and classroom-ready environmental education resources.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$15 Fee
Rivers as Your Classroom
Instructor: Sarah Johnson
Course Code: ENVS 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Bring rivers and watersheds into your teaching through hands-on field experiences. This course explores water science, macroinvertebrates, NASA GLOBE data collection, and water equity. Educators will develop lesson plans, citizen science projects, and local field trip ideas to integrate real-world environmental studies into their classrooms.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$20 Fee
Wellness for Self and in the Classroom
Instructor: Angela Carroll
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Saturday, June 14
Audience: All Levels & Types of Educators
Explore the eight dimensions of wellness and their impact on personal and classroom well-being. This course provides practical strategies, mindfulness exercises, and wellness planning tools to help educators maintain self-care while fostering a positive classroom environment for students and staff.
Cost: Early Bird Discount $228 | Full Price $380 | +$10 Fee
Online Courses
Building Bridges: Trauma Awareness & Behavior Strategies
Instructor: Leia Henaghan
Dates: June 15-August 4
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Audience: All educators
Unlock your classroom’s potential with this HB 20-1128 and HB 20-1312-compliant course, designed for Colorado teachers and administrators. Learn how trauma impacts behavior, learning, and brain development, and gain tools to create inclusive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed environments that support all students, especially those with disabilities.
Explore the basics of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), including reinforcement, punishment, and behavior shaping. Master the four functions of behavior and apply the ABC framework to tailor interventions. Through reflective practices and hands-on strategies, you’ll develop skills to manage sensory triggers, reframe negative thinking, and implement behavior contracts, group contingencies, and response cost systems. With resources like the Teacher Toolbox and ABA Visualized, you’ll leave ready to implement evidence-based strategies for a thriving classroom.
Cost: $380
Retreat, Reflect, Renew: Creative Reflective Learning
Instructor: Melanie Reaves, Ph.D.
Dates: June 15-August 5
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 2
Audience: All educators
Reflection is essential to learning. This course explores theory, research, and evidence-based methods for reflection, using journaling, metaphors, and collaboration to deepen understanding. Educators will engage in multi-genre writing, conversation, and arts-based meaning-making (no art experience needed). Participants will retreat to synthesize research, reflect on their own teaching, and renew their approach with practical techniques to help students develop reflective learning skills.
Cost: $380
Field Course
Guatemala Immersion for Educators
Instructor: Steve Foster
Dates: July 6-19, 2025
Course Code: EDUC 520 | Credits: 3
Audience: All educators
Experience a two-week cultural and language immersion in Guatemala, designed exclusively for educators. This travel course deepens understanding of language, culture, and their role in classroom instruction through hands-on experiences that go beyond traditional learning. Participants will engage in meaningful conversations, explore cultural sites, and apply learning through site-based activities.
Cost: $2,599 (travel costs included, excluding airfare & personal expenses)
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