Instructional Support Services

September 2024

Welcome New & Continuing Administrators, Educators, & Staff!

About Instructional Support Services & Our Newsletter

The Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Instructional Support Services Newsletter is your go-to hub for all things teaching! Packed with handpicked resources, tools, and fresh ideas, it's here to help you level up your teaching game and make learning more engaging and fun for your students. Here at ISS, we're all about creating a space where teachers can connect, swap ideas, and learn from each other. Whether you need support, resources, or just want to pitch a professional development idea, or share a great teaching moment, we're here for you. So don't be shy—reach out, and let's make teaching a collaborative endeavor!

Click the Pictures Below to Register for Upcoming Professional Development. 🔽

Recommended Resources 📝

Curated Articles & Strategies

Empower your teaching journey with insightful resources and strategies. Here are some shareable/discussable resources the ISS team has looked over, and we think they might be worthy of your limited time! Click on the items that you think will help you and skip the ones that won't. And remember, we are here if you need us! Here's a link to our website.

Click the pictures down below to read the article. We believe these resources are worth your time!

34 Ways to Quiet a Rambunctious Class

Tired of yelling or flicking the lights to grab your class’s attention? Check out Daniel Leonard's “34 Ways to Quiet a Rambunctious Class” for creative, teacher-tested strategies that range from “Silent 20” to fun, imaginary marshmallows. Whether you’re dealing with elementary giggles or high school chatter, these calm-down techniques will help you regain control and create a more peaceful classroom environment without adding to the noise.

YouCoubed: An Everything Mathematical Resource

This incredible site offers a plethora of resources ranging from introductory activities that help set up a mathematically free classroom, to specific thinking tasks that encourage students to practice content skills on a deeper level. Just exploring the website will give K-12 math educators a treasure trove of ideas not just to start the year strong, but to keep their classes flowing and dynamic throughout the year. Dive in and see how Youcubed can transform your math teaching!

The First 5

Instructional Support Services is thrilled to share The First 5 again because it’s perfect for both new and veteran teachers! This free resource sends five ready-to-go, SEL-infused activities straight to your inbox each morning, making it easy to start your day right. With everything done for you, it’s a simple way to energize your classroom and build a positive culture from day one.

Teaching Kids to Manage Money Yields Big Returns, Research Says

A 2023 study shows that teaching financial literacy in high school can have lasting effects, like improved credit scores and smarter financial decisions well into adulthood. This article shares practical, engaging activities—such as budgeting with beans or playing "Credit Score Jenga"—that make learning about money management fun and impactful. With ready-to-use resources and lesson ideas, it's a must-read for educators looking to prepare students for real-world financial success.

Want to Know More About Disarming Argumentative Students? *CLICK HERE*

A few of Our Summer Successes! 🔆

This summer, Instructional Support Services brought educators and leaders together to learn, connect, and get ready for an exciting year ahead! At our Regional Leaders Summer Retreat, over 70 administrators from surrounding districts came together for training, discussion, and a keynote on “Better Leaders.” We welcomed 36 new staff members to Herkimer BOCES, launched mentor-mentee partnerships, and dug into curriculum work with hands-on CKLA training and PreK planning. Additionally, 129 educators participated in regional professional development sessions on various topics, including A.I. in the classroom, Earth Science and Biology investigations, and differentiated instruction. A BOCES team also attended a leadership retreat in Albany to further our commitment to restorative practices.

Science Investigations

Science teachers from eight districts attended the training at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center in Herkimer to explore valuable resources, collaborate and navigate the newly released NYSED Earth Science and Biology Investigations.

Team Leadership in Restorative Implementation training

Restorative Practices in Education is a comprehensive approach aimed at transforming school culture by prioritizing relationships, equity, and resilience. Implementing Restorative Practices can reduce out-of-school suspensions, foster social and emotional competencies, and address racial and gender disparities in discipline, creating equitable and supportive environments for all students. Our team would love to share our experience, if you want to know more about RP!

Teacher Feature! 🍎

You are Appreciated!

For our first issue of the year, we want to celebrate all the incredible administrators, educators, and staff across our BOCES and component districts. Your dedication and hard work make a world of difference for our students every day. This year, we’d love your help in spotlighting those who are going above and beyond. If you know an educator who’s doing something awesome, let us know! Instructional Support Services would be thrilled to feature them in our "Teacher Feature" and treat them to a cup of coffee as a small token of appreciation. If you know a teacher deserving of some praise, please share it with any member of the Instructional Support Services team, or feel free to contact me directly.

Corrie Clements, Instructional Coach
The Gateway Center: 420 East German St., Herkimer, NY 13350
Email: cclements@herkimer-BOCES.org
Phone: (315) 867-2602

Contact Instructional Support Services

Got Ideas? We've Got Resources! Let’s work together to make this school year great!

Our Instructional Coaching team is here to support you! Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our coaches in the field or contact our secretary extraordinaire, Amanda Chapple, at Instructional Support Services at (315) 867-2077. We can help with:

Co-planning lessons and units
Providing classroom resources and materials
Modeling instructional strategies
Supporting curriculum design and alignment
Offering professional development workshops
Facilitating collaborative team meetings