Professional Development

At The Kirkland Group, we are dedicated to empowering educators through dynamic, research-based professional development solutions. We specialize in enhancing instructional practices across key content areas, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Special Education Services.
Our expert-led sessions are tailored to meet the diverse needs of educators, equipping them with innovative strategies, practical tools, and actionable insights to elevate student achievement. Whether you’re seeking support for curriculum implementation, data-driven instruction, or effective classroom management, The KirklandGroup is here to help you succeed.
Explore how our professional development programs can transform teaching and learning in your school or district. Together, we’ll create a pathway to educational excellence!

English Language Arts (ELA) Professional Development

Implementing the Science of Reading in the Classroom

This session provides educators with an in-depth understanding of the Science of Reading, a research-based approach to literacy instruction. Teachers will explore strategies for teaching phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension to build foundational skills in all readers. Emphasis is placed on applying these principles to real-world classroom scenarios.

Close Reading Best Practices

Teachers will learn techniques for guiding students through the process of close reading—careful and purposeful analysis of complex texts. This session focuses on helping students identify key ideas, analyze text structure, and make evidence-based interpretations. Practical tools for annotation, text-dependent questioning, and scaffolding are included.

Modeling Expectations in the ELA Classroom

This professional development equips teachers with strategies to model high expectations for reading and writing tasks. Participants will learn how to demonstrate effective reading strategies, structured writing approaches, and vocabulary usage, ensuring students have clear examples to emulate.

Collaborative Conversations in the ELA Classroom

Teachers will discover techniques for fostering meaningful discussions about texts in the classroom. Strategies include teaching students how to engage in academic conversations, build on peers’ ideas, and use evidence to support their thoughts. These practices aim to develop communication skills and deepen text comprehension.

Math Professional Development

Classroom Ready Math Tasks

This session emphasizes the importance of engaging, standards-aligned math tasks that promote critical thinking and problem-solving. Teachers will learn how to select, modify, and implement tasks that balance conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and real-world application.

Moving the Unmovable Math Student

Designed to address the needs of reluctant or struggling math learners, this session offers strategies for building confidence, breaking down complex concepts, and engaging students through hands-on activities and personalized instruction.

Station Teaching in the Mathematics Classroom

Participants will learn how to implement station teaching effectively to create a dynamic, student-centered learning environment. The session includes strategies for setting up stations, managing time, and incorporating differentiation to meet diverse learner needs.

Science Professional Development

Engaging Students in Inquiry-Based Science Practices

This session introduces teachers to inquiry-based learning, where students actively explore scientific concepts through questioning, investigation, and experimentation. Strategies for aligning these practices with standards are emphasized.

Integrating Hands-On Experiments with Standards-Based Instruction

Teachers will discover ways to design and implement hands-on experiments that align with state and national standards. This session emphasizes the importance of experiential learning to deepen student understanding of scientific principles.

Educators Using Data to Drive Science In

will learn how to use assessment data to identify learning gaps, tailor instruction, and measure student progress in science. This session includes practical tools for formative and summative assessment.

Developing Higher-Order Thinking in the Science Classroom

8. This session focuses on teaching students to analyze, evaluate, and create as they explore scientific concepts. Participants will learn strategies to promote critical thinking and problem-solving in science lessons.

Social Studies Professional Development

Critical Thinking and Historical Analysis for College and Career Readiness

Teachers will learn how to teach students to critically evaluate historical events, primary sources, and secondary materials. This session emphasizes skills like identifying bias, constructing arguments, and making connections to modern-day issues.

Building Engaging Lessons Using Primary and Secondary Sources

Participants will explore methods for incorporating primary and secondary sources into their lessons to bring historical events to life. Techniques for analyzing documents, images, and artifacts will be demonstrated.

Making Connections: Teaching Civics and Current Events

This session focuses on linking social studies content to current events, fostering student understanding of civics and their roles as informed citizens. Teachers will learn strategies to promote engagement with real-world issues.

Scaffolding Social Studies Concepts for Deeper Understanding

Exceptional Education Professional Development 1. Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners 2. This session focuses on practical strategies to differentiate instruction for students with varied learning n

Exceptional Education Professional Development

Differentiating Instruction for Diverse Learners

This session focuses on practical strategies to differentiate instruction for students with varied learning needs. Teachers will learn to adapt content, process, and product to ensure all students access the curriculum effectively.

Scaffolding Strategies for Students with Special Needs

Teachers will explore step-by-step scaffolding techniques to support students in mastering challenging content. This session emphasizes breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps while providing appropriate support.

Incorporating Assistive Technology in the Classroom

This session equips educators with knowledge and skills to integrate assistive technologies into daily instruction. Tools for communication, organization, and engagement will be highlighted, ensuring students with disabilities thrive.

Building Social and Emotional Learning in Exceptional Education

Participants will learn how to incorporate social and emotional learning (SEL) practices into their classrooms to support students’ emotional well-being and interpersonal skills. This session focuses on fostering resilience, self-awareness, and collaboration.

Each professional development session from The Kirkland Group is designed to be interactive,