POSTPONED until 2026: 2025 CAES Summer Institute
Please look for more info next year!
The summer institute will NOT happen as scheduled this year. Please come back in 2026 for an updated date and schedule.
Summer Institute Program – Tentatively for Summer 2026
Day 1: Tentative 2026
Session 1: 10:00am-12:00pm Welcome & Toolkit for Strengthening & Preserving
NYS Latin Programs
Facilitator: Kitrina Finlayson
- Brainstorm a toolkit of ideas for strengthening and supporting in danger Latin programs across the state.
- Write some stock letters that could be quickly adapted by people to help write letters when a program is in danger.
- Create a rapid response network to be able to flood the district in danger with support from across the state.
- Organize some resources to guide a program on how to increase their numbers. All these materials will be behind the CAES paywall.
12:15pm-1:15pm Catered Lunch
Session 2: 1:30pm-3:30pm Hands-on Workshop Creating Test Questions for Checkpoint A
Facilitator: Kristen Griswold & Kitrina Finlayson
- Overview the NYSUT guidelines and expectations for Checkpoint A and review the work CAES has already done with the workshops hosted this year.
- Start to work on generating more materials arranged by content area of the standards so that there are readings on every topic and questions for every portion of the Checkpoint A tests by topic area.
- Work in small groups or alone.
- Stressing that materials could be used for review or assessment.
- Then have revision time on someone else’s work.
Session 3 3:45pm-4:45pm Year in Review: Successes & Revisions Round Table
Facilitator: Kitrina Finlayson
- Participants are asked to share something that was a success this year and something they could use some help improving for next year.
- Giving Participants some ideas, conversation starters for dinner, and work time on group solutions to any struggles.
6:00pm Go out to dinner together
CTLE Hours: 5
Day 2: Tentative 2026
Session 3: 8:00am-9:30am How to use AI in the Classroom with work time
Facilitator: Kitrina Finlayson
- Provide an overview of the different types of AI available and how to use them.
- Provide examples of what they can do and their limitations.
- Work time to try it and ask for help or guidance.
Session 4: 9:45am-11:45am Hands-on Workshop Creating Test Questions for
Checkpoint B – Session I
Facilitator: David Pellagrino, Keziah Armstrong & Kitrina Finlayson
- Overview the NYSUT guidelines and expectations for Checkpoint B.
- Start to work on generating materials arranged by content area of the standards so that there are readings on every topic and questions for every portion of the Checkpoint B tests by topic area.
12:00pm-1:00pm Catered Lunch
Session 5: 1:15pm-3:15pm Hands-on Workshop Creating Test Questions for
Checkpoint B – Session II
Facilitator: David Pellagrino, Keziah Armstrong & Kitrina Finlayson
- Continue to work on generating materials arranged by content area of the standards so that there are readings on every topic and questions for every portion of the Checkpoint B tests by topic area.
- Work in small groups or alone.
- Stressing that materials could be used for review or assessment.
- Then have revision time on someone else’s work.
Session 6: 3:30pm-4:30pm How Can CAES Help You to be a Better Teacher?
Facilitator: Kitrina Finlayson
- Discussion to find out what made each person choose to participate in this and other CAES Institutes. What benefits they have received from membership or participation.
- Discussion about motivating them to get involved and exploring what barriers exist that prevent them from taking a more active role in CAES.
- Try to recruit for leadership positions for Fall Institute elections.
5:00pm Go out to dinner together
CTLE Hours: 6.5
Day 3: Tentative 2026
Session 7: 8:00am-10am Hands-on Workshop Creating Test Questions for
Checkpoints A & B
Facilitator: David Pellagrino, Keziah Armstrong, Kristen Griswold & Kitrina Finlayson
- Continue to work on generating materials arranged by content area of the standards so that there are readings on every topic and questions for every portion of the Checkpoint B tests by topic area.
- Work in small groups or alone.
- Stressing that materials could be used for review or assessment.
- Then have revision time on someone else’s work.
Session 8: 10:15am-11:45pm Institute Accomplishments, Future Needs
Assessment, & Farewell
Facilitator: Kitrina Finlayson
- Overview of what has been accomplished at this Summer Institute and what additional needs should be worked on in the future.
- Identify areas where additional materials are needed for the various standard topic areas and test question formats.
- Revise and edit time for produced work.
- Thank everyone for participating.
- Pass out Participation Certificates & Institute Evaluations.
CTLE Hours: 3.5
Total: 15 hours