CENTER FOR THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION OF TEACHERS
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Build a blueprint for better teaching

Plan smarter, not harder, and create lessons that spark joy and learning for your students.
Register
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Find answers to more essential questions by checking out our FAQ.
 

What You'll Learn

Strengthen your instructional core by learning methods that align your teaching objectives with meaningful, engaging lessons.

Key takeaways


  • Unpack the Danielson Framework by exploring its history, purpose, and key competencies
  • Design purposeful lesson plans to ensure coherence and rigor in your instruction
  • Implement differentiated instruction by setting outcomes tailored to your students' diverse needs
  • Engage students with effective strategies for questioning, discussion, and assessment to foster deeper learning and participation
  • Strengthen your pedagogical practice by aligning instructional objectives with tasks to enhance student success and outcomes
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Plan with purpose


Strong instruction doesn’t start at the front of the classroom — it starts in the planning. ​For many teachers, especially those early in their careers, the challenge lies in creating instruction that’s both intentional and adaptable in real time. ​Knowing what to teach is only part of the puzzle; designing how to teach it in ways that stick is where the real work begins.
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Build with intention


Planning doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch every time. By grounding your planning in the Danielson Framework, this course helps you take the guesswork out of good teaching. You’ll strengthen your ability to align what you teach with how and why you teach it — building a foundation for more consistent, confident instruction.
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Teach with clarity


With a focus on real-world strategies, Designing Coherent Instruction will help you bring clarity and purpose to your day-to-day teaching. You’ll walk away with practical tools for aligning lessons to objectives, scaffolding for diverse learners, and creating routines that make planning more efficient and effective — helping your students get more out of every moment.
 

What Educators Are Saying

Join K-12 educators from around the world in creating meaningful change in your classroom and community.
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Course Format and Topics

This course bridges theory and practice, packed with instructional videos, resources, discussions, and assignments — all designed to support real classroom impact. Explore our open enrollment and on demand formats to find the option that works best for you.

Open enrollment

•  Course & registration available for a limited time
•  Join a cohort of educators from various schools and locations
•  Learn independently with periodic feedback from a facilitator
•  Self-paced within course period
Register

On demand

•  Available at any time, with flexible pacing
•  Private access for your team, school, or district 
•  Work with a dedicated facilitator
•  Customize course content and/or receive additional coaching
Contact us
Course begins
Participants who are registered prior to the course start date can expect to receive course login details 2-3 days before the course starts. For more information on access and participation, please visit our FAQ page. 

​​​Preview an introductory video from the course:
Topic 1
Cultivating Content Knowledge
Build a strong foundation by exploring how your content knowledge and instructional choices shape student understanding.
Topic 2
Selecting Instructional Outcomes
​Learn how to set meaningful learning goals that meet your students where they are and move them forward.
Topic 3
Creating a Culture of Learning
Discover how to create a classroom environment where learning feels purposeful, valued, and shared by all.
Topic 4
Engaging Instruction
Explore strategies that spark curiosity and keep students actively involved in the learning process.
Topic 5
Moving from Q&A to Q&D
Shift from asking questions that check for recall to leading conversations that deepen student thinking.
Topic 6
Assessing for Success
Unpack practical ways to gather meaningful feedback from students — before, during, and after a lesson.
Course ends
Course participation ends and assignments close one (1) week after the final course topic is released. Within two weeks after this date, final grades and certificates will be processed. ​
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Meet Your Facilitator

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Dr. Cristina Compton

Cristina oversees a wide range of school-based projects and the Student Press Initiative, a program that supports teachers and students in developing projects that culminate in professionally designed, print-based publications. When working with educators, she focuses on areas of strength and opportunities for growth, in an effort to develop highly customized and targeted professional development plans. In her on-site work, she supports schools with curriculum design, unit planning, project-based learning, and developing literacy strategies that can bolster student achievement across the disciplines. ​

"Great instruction begins with clarity — start with the end in mind to create a roadmap for student success."

 
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Take Your Next Steps

This opportunity is designed for K-12 educators to grow independently, or as part of a team. Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page, or contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to working alongside you!

This timing doesn't work for you? Talk to us about a custom course for your team or school, that works with your schedule!
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The Center for Professional Education of Teachers (CPET) at Teachers College, Columbia University is committed to making excellent and equitable education accessible worldwide. ​CPET unites theory and practice to promote transformational change. We design innovative projects, cultivate sustainable partnerships, and conduct research through direct and online services to youth and educators. Grounded in adult learning theories, our six core principles structure our customized approach and expand the capacities of educators around the world.

ABOUT US

525 West 120th Street, Box 182
New York, NY 10027
​416 Zankel

Ph: (212) 678-3161
[email protected]

Our Team
Career Opportunities
EDUCATOR RESOURCES

Book of the Month
Online Courses
Professional Articles
Ready-to-Use Resources
Teaching Today Podcast
COACHING SERVICES

Custom Coaching
Global Learning Alliance
Literacy Unbound
​New Teacher Network
Student Press Initiative
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

​​Every gift is an investment in equitable education. With your support, we can continue to bring transformative change for K-12 teachers, leaders, and students worldwide. 
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  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Our Authors
    • Principles of Practice
    • Job Opportunities
  • What We Do
    • Services
    • Equity in Action
    • Literacy Unbound Summer Institute
    • Signature Initiatives >
      • Literacy Unbound
      • New Teacher Network
      • Student Press Initiative
  • Educator Essentials
    • Book of the month
    • Online Courses
    • Professional Articles
    • Ready-to-use Resources
    • Teaching Today Podcast
  • Support CPET