Toni Schrage | Online Learning for Teachers pursuing Continuing Education and Professional Development | The Connecting Link

 

Toni Schrage

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Toni Schrage has been a teacher for 24 years. She currently teaches ESL in grades K-5 at Springfield School District 186 in Springfield, Illinois. She is also a reading skills teacher for Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois. Toni teaches online and blended graduate-level courses to educators seeking their ESL endorsements for the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She has experience teaching in grades K-12, undergraduate students and master's degree-seeking students. Toni has worked with gifted students at the middle school level, and special education students at the elementary, middle school and college levels. 

Toni was born and grew up in Auburn, Illinois. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She moved to Arizona for her first teaching position and received her master’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in English as a Second Language from Northern Arizona University. Toni enjoys providing educators with information that will enhance their teaching.  

Since Toni is constantly learning and seeking new ideas she hopes you will enjoy the flexibility of the programs that are offered at TCL.

From looking beyond the ‘autism spectrum disorder’ label to preparing students for adulthood, this course is designed to empower educators with effective, research-based strategies to incorporate into their classrooms and professional practices. Course participants will examine nine strength-based mindsets necessary for navigating autism - as presented by Dr. Temple Grandin and psychologist Dr. Debra Moore. This course prepares educators by emphasizing strengths and assets of individuals with autism to maximize their potential inside and outside of school.
This course is designed to help K-12 educators provide equitable access to a high-quality educational experience for English learners (ELs), students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and students with 504 plans. Educators will discover how to design meaningful and rigorous lessons, implement academic and behavioral accommodations and modifications, and select appropriate assessments that gauge student learning and steer instructional practices. Educators will also focus on facilitating an environment in which diversity is valued and the social and emotional needs of students are nurtured - in both the traditional (physical) and virtual classroom settings. Finally, forming effective partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations in order to maximize the potential of ELs and students with special needs will be highlighted.
In our ever-changing world, a consistent focus on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) can enhance teaching and learning while supporting the overall well-being of students and educators in the classroom – both in the traditional brick and mortar and in virtual settings. In this course, educators will recognize the evolving role of SEL in 21st century classrooms by exploring research-based strategies, assessment methods, and resources focused on empowering students with essential life skills. Educators will also discover the powerful influence SEL can have in their own professional and personal lives.