A year-long professional learning community designed to equip new special education teachers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to serve students with disabilities while meeting compliance requirements and fostering inclusive, engaging learning environments.

Format:
4 – 2-hour sessions held virtually
4 – full-day sessions held in-person
Register for all cadre dates at once
In person: 9/2/26, 12/3/26, 2/4/27, 4/1/27
Virtual: 10/1/26, 11/4/26, 1/7/27, 3/4/27
Contact susan.hall@ckec.org with questions.

This day is for all CKEC Crisis Response Team leads and other school/district team members who wish to join. The day will be focused on strategies, best practices, table top exercises, rehearsals, networking, and planning. CKEC Regional Crisis Response Team members are encouraged to bring others from their district/school teams to this meeting. Cadre meeting dates: August 31, 2026 (Harrodsburg); January 11, 2027 (Lexington). 6 hours of EILA.

The Coaching Connection is a virtual professional learning community designed for instructional coaches across elementary, middle, and high school settings. Each month, coaches will come together to learn, connect, grow, and collaborate as they navigate the opportunities and challenges of instructional coaching.

Each session will include a brief learning segment focused on practical, relevant coaching strategies that can be taken directly back to schools, followed by opportunities for coaches to share ideas, discuss experiences, problem-solve, and learn from one another. Whether you are a new coach or a seasoned coaching professional, The Coaching Connection provides a space to build your practice and connect with others who understand the work.

This 3-day session equips teachers with easy-to-use tools to improve student writing in any subject at any grade level. Based on Judith Hochman’s The Writing Revolution, this session covers clear, step-by-step methods for building sentence and paragraph writing skills. Teachers will learn ways to help students express ideas clearly, understand content better, and gain confidence in their writing. By the end of the session, participants will have a toolkit of effective, research-based strategies to transform writing instruction and boost student success.

The registration fee provides each participant with a copy of The Writing Revolution 2.0.

For more information, contact Tabor Placido at tabor.placido@ckec.org.

Beyond the Basics: ASD Cadre
Every Student Can Learn: Systematic Instruction for Meaningful Progress

Learn how systematic instruction can support skill development, engagement, and long-term academic success. In this session, you will understand the key components of systematic instruction, see how systematic instruction supports skill development, explore strategies to increase engagement and participation, and learn ways to promote independence and long-term success.

Participants will receive a 2 hour PD/EILA credit certificate.
This session continues in the Beyond the Basics: ASD Cadre. Participation in all cadre sessions is encouraged but not required.

For any questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org.

Scientists write to make sense of the world by observing, hypothesizing, arguing from evidence, and explaining. This one-hour session explores simple writing routines that strengthen scientific reasoning, build precise academic language, and make student thinking visible. Designed for K-12 science and aligned with phenomena based instruction, these strategies fit into everyday lessons and take minutes, not class periods. Leave with tools you can use in your classroom tomorrow. Format: Virtual (Zoom) - 1 hour of PD credit provided - Zoom link sent prior to the session.

Join fellow K–12 social studies educators for a monthly virtual professional networking hour designed to connect, collaborate, and share best practices. The Social Studies Cadre provides a dedicated space to discuss emerging curriculum strategies, exchange high-impact classroom resources, and build a supportive community of practice across schools and districts. Come ready to share insights, gain fresh perspectives, and strengthen your instructional leadership.

As AI shows up in classrooms, planning periods, and district conversations, the question isn't whether to engage with it, but how to do it well. The AI Empowered Teacher Cadre is a standing community for educators who want to build real skill with AI tools and collaboratively figure out what responsible and effective use looks like in K-12 schools.

This cadre will meet monthly on the third Thursday to build AI literacy and skills, think together, integrate AI into instruction, and streamline workflows. An hour of PD credit will be provided for each session attended.