Our most requested and popular professional development sessions.
These workshops are taught by Gateways staff who are experts in their respective fields, under the umbrella of inclusive Jewish education.
Topics are tailored, where appropriate, to fit your educational setting, whether you’re at a supplementary school, preschool & early learning centers, Jewish day school, or informal Jewish educational space. Similar organizations may choose to partner with one another to participate in joint learning. See below for detailed course descriptions.
Core Workshop Pricing
| Workshop Type | Local | Beyond Boston |
|---|---|---|
| In-Person | $575 | $675 + travel costs |
| Virtual | $525 | $625 |
All workshops are two hours in length.
Core Workshops 2025-2026
Jump to: Supplementary School, Jewish Day School
Preschools & Early Learning Centers
Bridging Home and Classroom: Engaging Parents with Inclusion in Mind
Gateways Instructor: Brian Coonley, M.Ed., Director of Professional Learning & Consultation
Strong partnerships between educators and families are essential for creating inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive. This interactive workshop will equip educators with practical strategies for building trust, fostering open communication, and engaging parents as collaborative partners in their child’s education.
Disability Equity & Belonging: Building a Shared Language for Inclusion
Gateways Instructor: Tali Cohen Carrus, M.S.Ed., Senior Director of Programs
The ways we think and talk about disability shape the communities we create. In this session, participants will explore how mindset and language influence inclusion, build a shared vocabulary about disability, and distinguish between the medical and social models of disability. Participants will also gain practical strategies and tools to assess and improve accessibility across programs, events, and spaces.
Teaching Inclusion Early: How to Talk with Children About Disability
Gateways Instructor: Tali Cohen Carrus, M.S.Ed., Senior Director of Programs
Children are naturally curious, and the way we respond to their questions shapes how they understand difference and disability. This session will equip participants with the language and confidence to talk about disability in ways that foster understanding and challenge stigma and ableism. Participants will gain age-appropriate strategies to: answer tough questions with honesty and kindness, use books, media, and everyday moments to teach inclusion, and build classroom cultures where every child feels valued.
Starting Strong: Foundations for a Successful School Year
Gateways Instructors: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist and Ali Shwartz, Ed.M., Mental Health Specialist
This interactive session is designed to help educators create a positive, well-structured classroom from day one. Learn practical strategies for community building, setting clear routines, and managing behavior proactively—so instructional time is focused on learning, not problem-solving.
Supporting the Social-Emotional and Mental Health Needs of Young Children
Gateways Instructor: Ali Shwartz, Ed.M., Mental Health Specialist
Explore actionable strategies, targeted classroom activities, and evidence-based interventions to address the escalating social-emotional and mental health demands of children. Learn about mindfulness practices, trauma-informed teaching techniques, and cognitive behavioral strategies that will support your most vulnerable students.
Proactive Behavior Management: Planning for Success
Gateways Instructor: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist
Educators today are feeling more overwhelmed than ever by challenging behaviors in the classroom. Behavior is a form of communication, and by understanding the functions of behavior, you can address it more effectively. Learn the “ABC” approach for identifying what a child might be communicating through their behavior. Empower yourself with proactive strategies and systems to set children up for success and to support them when challenging behaviors do occur.
Creating an Inclusive Early Learning Classroom
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Explore inclusive strategies for setting up the early learning classroom environment and designing curriculum so all students can thrive. Strategies covered include: using visual aids, developing effective schedules and routines, embracing open-ended play to maximize learning potential, individualizing strategies to meet students’ needs, partnering with parents, and what to do when you notice developmental red flags.
Supporting Neurodivergent Students in the Early Learning Classroom
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Children experience and interact with the world around them in many ways. This workshop will help educators understand neurodiversity and create early learning learning environments in which neurodivergent students can thrive and find a true sense of belonging.
Supplementary Schools
Bridging Home and Classroom: Engaging Parents with Inclusion in Mind
Gateways Instructor: Brian Coonley, M.Ed., Director of Professional Learning & Consultation
Strong partnerships between educators and families are essential for creating inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive. This interactive workshop will equip educators with practical strategies for building trust, fostering open communication, and engaging parents as collaborative partners in their child’s education.
Disability Equity & Belonging: Building a Shared Language for Inclusion
Gateways Instructor: Tali Cohen Carrus, M.S.Ed., Senior Director of Programs
The ways we think and talk about disability shape the communities we create. In this session, participants will explore how mindset and language influence inclusion, build a shared vocabulary about disability, and distinguish between the medical and social models of disability. Participants will also gain practical strategies and tools to assess and improve accessibility across programs, events, and spaces.
Teaching Inclusion Early: How to Talk with Children About Disability
Gateways Instructor: Tali Cohen Carrus, M.S.Ed., Senior Director of Programs
Children are naturally curious, and the way we respond to their questions shapes how they understand difference and disability. This session will equip participants with the language and confidence to talk about disability in ways that foster understanding and challenge stigma and ableism. Participants will gain age-appropriate strategies to: answer tough questions with honesty and kindness, use books, media, and everyday moments to teach inclusion, and build classroom cultures where every child feels valued.
Starting Strong: Foundations for a Successful School Year
Gateways Instructors: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist and Ali Shwartz, Ed.M., Mental Health Specialist
This interactive session is designed to help educators create a positive, well-structured classroom from day one. Learn practical strategies for community building, setting clear routines, and managing behavior proactively—so instructional time is focused on learning, not problem-solving.
Cultivating Inclusive Synagogues Through Change Management
Gateways Instructor: Brian Coonley, M.Ed., Director of Professional Learning & Consultation
Many synagogues recognize the need to support diverse members of their community, but lack the resources and staff to effectively accommodate all students. Learn about the process of change management. Discover how to take concrete steps to create more inclusive synagogues, including identifying areas for improvement, setting goals, implementing professional development, and establishing a cycle of continuous refinement.
Supporting the Social-Emotional and Mental Health of Students
Gateways Instructor: Ali Shwartz, Ed.M., Mental Health Specialist
Explore actionable strategies, classroom activities, and evidence-based interventions to address escalating social-emotional and mental health needs among children in the classroom. Learn about mindfulness practices, trauma-informed teaching techniques, and cognitive behavioral strategies that will support your most vulnerable students.
Proactive Behavior Management: Planning for Success
Gateways Instructor: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist
Educators today are feeling more overwhelmed than ever by challenging behaviors in the classroom. Behavior is a form of communication, and by understanding the functions of behavior, you can address it more effectively. Learn the “ABC” approach for identifying what a child might be communicating through their behavior. Empower yourself with proactive strategies and systems to set children up for success and to support them when challenging behaviors do occur.
Responding to Behavioral Events: Helping Students Regulate, Reconnect, and Return to Learning
Gateways Instructor: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist
When behavioral events occur with students, educators often feel caught on their back feet, struggling to figure out how to respond retroactively. This session equips educators to support student behavior with greater confidence, consistency, and efficacy, addressing the “before,” “during,” and “after,” of behavioral events. Participants will explore in-the-moment de-escalation strategies to reduce stress and manage challenging behaviors as they occur. Then, learn how to help students process their challenges through debriefing, and how to communicate with parents to foster a culture of collaboration. Additionally, educators will explore frameworks for getting proactive about behavior and building a calm, structured environment before the first student arrives.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Learn the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework used to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all students. Learn how to provide students with multiple means to engage with, represent, and express their learning. By using these principles, educators can create learning environments that are accessible to all students.
Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Supplementary School
Gateways Instructor: Brian Coonley, M.Ed., Director of Professional Learning & Consultation
Children experience and interact with the world around them in many ways. This workshop will help educators understand neurodiversity and create supplementary school learning environments in which neurodivergent students can thrive and find a true sense of belonging.
Inclusive Lesson Planning
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Explore inclusive strategies for setting up the supplementary school environment and designing curriculum so all students can thrive. Strategies covered include: using visual aids, developing effective schedules and routines, embracing open-ended play to maximize learning potential, individualizing strategies to meet students’ needs, partnering with parents, and what to do when you notice developmental red flags.
Jewish Day Schools
Supporting the Social-Emotional and Mental Health of Students
Gateways Instructor: Ali Shwartz, Ed.M., Mental Health Specialist
Explore actionable strategies, classroom activities, and evidence-based interventions to address escalating social-emotional and mental health needs among children in the classroom. Learn about mindfulness practices, trauma-informed teaching techniques, and cognitive behavioral strategies that will support your most vulnerable students.
Proactive Behavior Management: Planning for Success
Gateways Instructor: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist
Educators today are feeling more overwhelmed than ever by challenging behaviors in the classroom. Behavior is a form of communication, and by understanding the functions of behavior, you can address it more effectively. Learn the “ABC” approach for identifying what a child might be communicating through their behavior. Empower yourself with proactive strategies and systems to set children up for success and to support them when challenging behaviors do occur.
Responding to Behavioral Events: Helping Students Regulate, Reconnect, and Return to Learning
Gateways Instructor: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist
When behavioral events occur with students, educators often feel caught on their back feet, struggling to figure out how to respond retroactively. This session equips educators to support student behavior with greater confidence, consistency, and efficacy, addressing the “before,” “during,” and “after,” of behavioral events. Participants will explore in-the-moment de-escalation strategies to reduce stress and manage challenging behaviors as they occur. Then, learn how to help students process their challenges through debriefing, and how to communicate with parents to foster a culture of collaboration. Additionally, educators will explore frameworks for getting proactive about behavior and building a calm, structured environment before the first student arrives.
Bridging Home and Classroom: Engaging Parents with Inclusion in Mind
Gateways Instructor: Brian Coonley, M.Ed., Director of Professional Learning & Consultation
Strong partnerships between educators and families are essential for creating inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive. This interactive workshop will equip educators with practical strategies for building trust, fostering open communication, and engaging parents as collaborative partners in their child’s education.
Disability Equity & Belonging: Building a Shared Language for Inclusion
Gateways Instructor: Tali Cohen Carrus, M.S.Ed., Senior Director of Programs
The ways we think and talk about disability shape the communities we create. In this session, participants will explore how mindset and language influence inclusion, build a shared vocabulary about disability, and distinguish between the medical and social models of disability. Participants will also gain practical strategies and tools to assess and improve accessibility across programs, events, and spaces.
Teaching Inclusion Early: How to Talk with Children About Disability
Gateways Instructor: Tali Cohen Carrus, M.S.Ed., Senior Director of Programs
Children are naturally curious, and the way we respond to their questions shapes how they understand difference and disability. This session will equip participants with the language and confidence to talk about disability in ways that foster understanding and challenge stigma and ableism. Participants will gain age-appropriate strategies to: answer tough questions with honesty and kindness, use books, media, and everyday moments to teach inclusion, and build classroom cultures where every child feels valued.
Starting Strong: Foundations for a Successful School Year
Gateways Instructors: Jodi Katz, MS, BCBA, LABA, Director of Accessible Hebrew School & Behavioral Specialist and Ali Shwartz, Ed.M., Mental Health Specialist
This interactive session is designed to help educators create a positive, well-structured classroom from day one. Learn practical strategies for community building, setting clear routines, and managing behavior proactively—so instructional time is focused on learning, not problem-solving.
Cultivating Inclusive Day Schools Through Change Management
Gateways Instructor: Brian Coonley, M.Ed., Director of Professional Learning & Consultation
Many Jewish day schools recognize the need to support diverse learners, but lack the resources and staff to effectively accommodate all students. Learn about the process of whole-school change. Discover how to take concrete steps to create more inclusive schools, including identifying areas for improvement, setting goals, implementing professional development, and establishing a cycle of continuous refinement.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Learn the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), a framework used to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all students. Learn how to provide students with multiple means to engage with, represent, and express their learning. By using these principles, educators can create learning environments that are accessible to all students.
Supporting Neurodivergent Students in the Classroom
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Children experience and interact with the world around them in many ways. This workshop will help educators understand neurodiversity and create Jewish day school learning environments in which neurodivergent students can thrive and find a true sense of belonging.
Inclusive Lesson Planning
Gateways Instructor: Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Special Education Consultant
Explore inclusive strategies for setting up day school classrooms and designing curriculum so all students can thrive. Strategies covered include: using visual aids, developing effective schedules and routines, embracing open-ended play to maximize learning potential, individualizing strategies to meet students’ needs, partnering with parents, and what to do when you notice developmental red flags.
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