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Not at all — instructional approaches based on the science of reading are consistently shown to benefit readers of all skill levels.
A: The first step to implement reading science in your classroom is to learn the fundamental elements and effective implementation strategies. The Understanding and Implementing the Science of Reading course at the University of San Diego does just that, as well as helps educators recognize the advantages of the science of reading on student success.
A: The science of reading is “a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing.” It is important because it focuses on how the brain learns to read and prioritizes explicit and systematic instruction to help learners build foundational reading skills.
To ensure the ethical use of AI in your teaching, start by familiarizing yourself with the technology and what it can mean, focusing on transparency with students and parents about your usage and intent. Try to be mindful of equity, and look for AI resources that support all learners and protect student privacy by adhering to data security best practices. And most importantly, seek out professional development and work with colleagues to stay informed about ethical guidelines and emerging issues related to AI in education.
There are many options when it comes to AI in education, but here are three fairly easy places to start.
Some of the most popular AI education tools include:
Regular communication and clear expectation setting can help balance roles and responsibilities in the partnership. Taking turns leading lessons or dividing specific tasks can keep things fair and make both teachers feel valued.
Co-teachers can discuss their teaching styles openly and find ways to blend their approaches in a way that benefits students. Trying out each other’s methods or combining strategies can create a richer learning experience for everyone.
Planning responsibilities are usually shared based on each teacher’s strengths and the lesson needs. Some teachers take turns leading, while others focus on creating activities or assessments that support the lesson.
No application is required. Unless otherwise listed within the program specific information, there are no admissions requirements.
No, all professional and continuing education courses are open enrollment. An application to USD is not required. You can search for the course you want on the Find a Course page and click through to the course description to enroll.
Because our courses are not degree-seeking, we are unable to offer financial aid or assist with loan deferments.
All too often, grant proposals include unrealistic asks, industry buzzwords that lack real meaning, and too much room for interpretation. Instead, it’s best to be as straightforward as possible and make clear what good you will be able to achieve with grant funding.
Get specific during the grant writing process about how you will use grant funds and what beneficial outcomes are imminent. Make the grantor connect with your cause, even if this is the first time they’re learning about what you do. Include standout stories and examples to paint a clear picture of your circumstances.
Courses such as USD’s online Nonprofit Grant Writing are incredibly useful to stay up to date on the latest, most effective methods. Students learn how to identify grant opportunities, step-by-step processes of grant preparation, how to integrate budgeting, and more.
Being prepared with facts and figures to prove your organization’s needs is important. Communicating clearly, knowing the latest industry trends, and setting yourself apart are also best practices when it comes to grant writing.
Resources like Grants.gov, Candid.org, and the Council on Foundations have searchable databases of grant opportunities. Consult your local network as well to learn about any community resources that might be available.
Start by taking a close look at your organization’s circumstances — financial and otherwise — to evaluate exactly what areas need support. This will allow you to seek grant opportunities that are the right fit, also helping to ensure that you’ll stand out from other applicants.
Yes. Teachers, who historically experience high rates of career burnout, are able to find stress relief and enhance their emotional well-being by practicing mindfulness alongside their students. Everyone in the school community benefits when educators are grounded and have a grasp on their thoughts and emotions.
If you would like to learn how to properly develop and practice mindfulness in the classroom, consider taking the Introduction to the Mindful Classroom course from the University of San Diego. This course will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to fully implement mindful concepts in your classroom, and help students and other staff realize the benefits of mindful practices.
Consider this USD eBook, “18 Signs a Student is Struggling,” to help quickly recognize and act on signs of emotional distress.
Once students have a grasp on basic mindfulness concepts, they become second nature and therefore integrate into all aspects of their social lives, from sports teams and clubs to casual social interactions.
Breathing exercises, guided meditation, nature walks, and intention-setting are all simple ways to incorporate mindfulness into a classroom environment.
Enhanced concentration, self-awareness, and emotional regulation abilities are benefits of mindfulness. The benefits that students experience from mindfulness practices in the classroom last far beyond their formative years and will actually benefit them long-term.
Mindful education involves integrating meditation principles, theories, and practices into education with the goal of helping students learn techniques to calm and focus the mind that can help them develop empathy, self-awareness, and communication skills.
It depends on what kinds of content you want to share and which platforms parents and guardians are comfortable using. At the beginning of each school year, send out a survey asking parents to indicate their preferred social media platform, then use the top two results for parent-facing communications. With so many people on multiple social media platforms, it’s best not to limit school news to just one; fortunately, managing multiple accounts at once is simple with social media management tools like Hootsuite and Facebook Publishing.
According to Pew Research, 67% of U.S. teens use TikTok, with 16% on the app almost constantly. Since so many students already gather in this digital space, teachers can engage them by creatively incorporating it into lessons. Ask students to film reactions to course content using TikTok trends, conduct research via subject matter experts’ posts, or create response videos in place of traditional project reports.
To protect students’ privacy, keep all class-related social media accounts private or invitation-only and encourage them to set their own accounts to private or create new class-specific profiles. Review proper online etiquette and behavior with students and establish firm consequences for cyberbullying. As a teacher, it’s critical to maintain professional boundaries online, so avoid discussing or posting anything personal on school social media accounts. You may even want to grant access to students’ parents so they can monitor how their children are using these spaces.
Educational leaders should possess the following traits:
Teacher leaders are those who have “significant teaching experience, are known to be excellent educators, and are respected by their peers.”
Educational leadership, or teacher leadership, is when teachers go “beyond their classroom responsibilities and assume informal and formal roles within the school to influence and enhance instruction and learning for all students. Teachers who hold the professional identity as an educator who demonstrate leadership within the classroom, school, community and beyond, either through formal or informal roles.”
“Special needs” encompasses such a wide range of student abilities and challenges that no one space can accommodate all physical or behavioral needs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that all public school classrooms must be ADA compliant, meaning that they must be accessible to wheelchair users and that teachers must make reasonable accommodations when it comes to technology tools. In general, best practices for classroom design apply to students of all abilities, such as minimizing distractions, making the space safe and comfortable, ensuring every student has access to the tools they need, and that the layout supports both independent and collaborative work.
Designing or redesigning your classroom does not require expensive materials or upgrades. Big box stores like Walmart and Target sell attractive, affordable classroom organization solutions, and Pinterest features hundreds of thousands of ideas for designing a classroom on a budget.
If you experience issues enrolling, or have questions, complete our Contact Us Form or call our Enrollment and Student Services team between 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (PST), M-F, at (619) 260-4585 or toll free at (888) 321-6658.
Transcripts can be ordered online via your student account. For more detailed information, please visit the Student Transcript Request Page
Yes. The Division of Professional and Continuing Education is regionally accredited through the University of San Diego by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The credit earned is considered Graduate Level Extension Credit, in semester hours (1 semester hour= 15 contact hours). The credit earned is usually used for salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification. Graduate Level Extension credit is not usually transferrable towards a degree. Prior district approval is highly recommended and the responsibility of the student if using the units towards salary advancement, credential renewing and/or recertification.
Independent Study Self-Paced courses – USD allows 9 months from the date of registration to complete an independent study formatted course and submit all completed course work for evaluation.
Online Self-Paced courses – USD allows 6 months from the date of registration to complete an online self-paced formatted course and submit all assignments for evaluation within this period
If you need additional time and would like to make an extension request, contact us prior to your upcoming deadline at [email protected] or call between 8:30AM – 5:00PM (PST), M-F, at (619)260-4585 or toll free at (888)321-6658 for a one-time extension. If an extension is granted, it is final.
Classroom, Online Fixed-Date, and Credit Validation formatted courses do not allow for any additional time to complete assignments.
The address for classroom courses are provided at the section level detail on the course page. Once you know the address, we recommend you use Google Maps. Otherwise please contact the ESS during business hours of 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (PST), M-F, at (619) 260-4585 or toll free at (888) 321-6658.
Click here for complete details regarding our refund, drop and transfer policies
A payment confirmation is automatically sent via email once you have registered and paid for a course through the website, please save these receipts for tax purposes. In addition, you can access receipts in your Student Account, Account History.
Yes, on the course page, click on Request Information and you will be notified by email when enrollment is open for the course or you can complete the Course Inquiry form