It’s your lucky day! We’re kicking off the month of March with new engaging PD courses available on OTIS for educators. We’ve got a variety of topics ranging from celebrating Pi Day, student-led presentations, AI for school leaders, and classroom management tips for paras. Finally, we’ll introduce you to the latest addition to our STEM robotics catalog: Meet Maker & Coder. Get ready to march into spring with AI and Pi Day PD courses!

Check Out What’s Brand New This Month!

• Student-Led Conferences

Traditional parent-teacher conferences often leave the most important person out of the conversation: the student. Learn how to transform these meetings into student-led presentations where learners take ownership of their academic journey and present their progress directly to their families. We will explore how this shift reduces teacher burnout while dramatically increasing student accountability and securing total family support.

• Pivotal Pi Day Projects

Did you know that Pi Day is March 14th? In this session, we’ll discuss the importance of this annual holiday and the significance of this mathematical constant. We’ll dive into Pi Day projects that allow students to apply math to real-world applications, such as space and astronomy, technology, communication, and more.

• AI for Strategic School Leadership: Frameworks for Student AI Literacy and Ethics

This session shifts the focus to AI use by students, providing administrators with the frameworks necessary to lead staff in ethical integration. We will explore the AILit Framework, moving beyond “how-to” and into the “why” to ensure critical thinking and algorithmic bias detection are standardized across the curriculum. Leaders will leave with a clear roadmap for observing and supporting AI-driven inquiry in the classroom.

• Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction

This session will introduce mindfulness and meditation practices that can help reduce stress and anxiety in both students and teachers. Participants will learn about the science behind mindfulness, the benefits of regular practice, and simple techniques that can be easily integrated into daily routines for a more balanced and focused state of mind.

• 5-Minute Fine Motor Fixes

Help build and improve foundational skills that strengthen students’ hand muscles, improve dexterity and control, and enhance hand-eye coordination. In this session, we’ll provide you with a plethora of easy-to-implement activities for your classroom, as well as ideas to help families practice these skills at home.

• 5 Para Tips for Effective Classroom Management

Paraprofessionals are the unsung heroes of the school community and are deeply involved in the day-to-day lives of their students. To thrive in this role, they must be equipped with tools that support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs in the classroom. Join us for this session, in which we will provide five essential tips to empower paraprofessionals to become effective classroom managers.

• Getting Started with Google Drive & Docs

Are you new to Google Workspace? This session will walk you through the most basic functionality of Google Drive and Docs. We’ll take you through navigating the platforms, creating your first folder, and the initial use of documents. We will also review how to use basic features and tools, as well as sharing settings and more. Join us to start our Google journey, or to brush up if you are out of practice.

• Meet Maker & Coder

Ready to integrate innovative STEM into your curriculum? This introductory session demystifies the Maker & Coder platform for K-12 staff. We’ll break down the core features, showcase its powerful capabilities, and provide a clear walkthrough of the basics. Walk away with the confidence to leverage this tool for meaningful student growth.

An overall look at OTIS for educators

Visit the online PD course calendar for a complete list of courses for March. Furthermore, with OTIS for educators, you’ll always get: