We hope you've been able to spend time in nature and appreciate the beautiful array of fall colors in our region - they are particularly spectacular this year!

As always, the SW Center is here to meet your professional development needs and support you in engaging and learning with your students in the classroom, school, and beyond.

Shape Your Future With A Graduate Education Program

Elevate your education career to new heights at Keene State College! Whether you're aiming for a Master's or Post-Master's Licensure in Educational Leadership, or you want to dive into our innovative Special Education Teacher Licensure and Master's programs, we have the perfect path for you.

Our flexible and accessible graduate programs are designed to seamlessly fit into your busy lifestyle, proving that your dreams of advancing your education are within reach. Imagine the impact you could have as a Special Education Administrator or School Principal—your future is bright, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Don’t wait—take the leap today!

For specific program inquiries, contact Steve Bigaj at sbigaj@keene.edu or 603-358-2872. For general admission questions, drop us a line at kscadmissions@keene.edu.

Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!

Teacher Academies Support Alternative Licensure Pathways

Keene State College now offers two courses - Teaching and Learning I & II - designed to meet NH Pro-Ed requirements for new teachers working on Site-Based Licensing Plans (SLBPs), as well as paraprofessionals working toward licensure, or teachers looking to strengthen their foundational teaching skills.

These flexible online and/or hybrid courses have been accepted by the NH Education Department for use in SBLPs, and are delivered via a cohort model to educators in NH school districts. Districts can customize course delivery to fit their specific needs, and multiple districts can partner to create a shared cohort.

The teacher academy courses are a powerful new resource for growing skills, gaining licensure, and making a greater impact in New Hampshire schools. If your district is interested in offering these courses for new teachers and in support of SBLPs, contact Beth Buoro (lizabeth.buoro@keene.edu) or Steve Bigaj (sbigaj@keene.edu).

College, Community & State Learning Opportunities

SW NH Education Leaders

The SW Education Leaders (SWEL) is an inclusive group of current and aspiring school leaders working in the southwest region of New Hampshire, comprised of Principals, Student Services Directors, Special Education Directors, School/building Coordinators, and other school and district staff.

The purpose of the SWEL group is to support, empower, and sustain education leaders in partnership with Keene State College and other organizations through professional learning, staff development, collaboration, networking, sharing of information and resources, and problem-solving. Meetings are held throughout the school year at KSC with the option to attend virtually.

Email Beth Buoro (or call 603-358-2750) if you are interested in joining or would like to refer someone from your district.

Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies

2026 Conference Keynote Lecture - "Beyond Broken Glass: A Gendered Perspective of the November Pogrom"

Saturday, Nov. 7, 5:30-6:30 pm | Keene State College or via Livestream

Keene State College is honored to host Professor Marion Kaplan, an esteemed scholar of the Holocaust, to deliver the keynote lecture for the inaugural New England Conference on Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Kaplan will analyze Nazi policy toward Jews leading up to the November Pogrom (commonly known as Kristallnacht). The lecture will examine how violence and persecution were shaped by gender, and will also consider the courage shown by women who sought to secure the release of their sons, husbands, and fathers from concentration camps.

This event is free and open to everyone, but advanced registration is required. It will be hosted in person on the campus of Keene State College and also via livestream.

The hard deadline to register for in-person attendance is 5:00 pm ET on Thursday, October 29, 2026 (unless seating fills sooner). We will not be able to register any additional guests for in-person attendance after that time.

High 5 Adventure Learning Center


Navigating Challenging Dialogue^® Essentials

Navigating Challenging Dialogue (NCD) is a toolkit for building trust by developing self-awareness, emotional self-regulation, empathy, and curiosity — the skills necessary to be effective in communication and leadership. 

Every participant brings their own real-world challenges to class, conversations that you anticipate may be challenging or which they’ve been dreading. Using the 4-Stage NCD Process, you’ll learn to:

• Navigate difficult conversations with fact-based dialogue
• Improve trust, build connection
• Establish a healthier relationship with the other party

Educational & Family Resources

Edutopia's Essential Resources for Special Education

Check out this terrific compendium of resources and advice for teachers on managing student accommodations, navigating IEPs, and much more, as well as ideas for administrators on how to support teachers in this work.

High 5 Adventure Learning Center

Emotions are part of learning... not something that gets in the way of it. The Edge of Leadership (EOL) approach helps educators recognize what emotions may be communicating—and respond with three simple steps: Validate. Connect. Support.

In this blog, Ryan McCormick explores how this framework can help students navigate big emotions, build emotional awareness, and feel supported through challenging moments. He also looks at how culture, identity, and neurodiversity can shape the ways emotions are expressed and understood.

Because when we look beyond the behavior and listen for the need underneath, we create more opportunities for connection, growth, and belonging.

Assistive Technology Lending Library

ATinNH offers New Hampshire educators and families access to a statewide Assistive Technology (AT) Lending Library and Discount Purchasing Program designed to help teams make informed decisions about student supports. Their lending library allows schools to borrow assistive technology and try it in authentic educational settings before making a purchasing decision. Assistive technology can be borrowed for up to 45 days to complete a trial or to serve as a short-term accommodation. ATinNH also provides professional learning and technical assistance to support educators and teams across New Hampshire.

Secondary Transition Canvas Launch

NHED's Bureau of Special Education Support is excited to share the launch of the new Secondary Transition Canvas! Secondary Transition resources from the NextStepsNH website are now a public Canvas reference site, Secondary Transition, housed within NHED.

This reference site contains popular pages and resources from NHED's grant-funded NextStepsNH website, developed and maintained by Keene State College. Please share this flyer with your staff (especially your middle and high school-level staff that support students to prepare for life after high school). For questions, please email Amy Garceau at the Bureau of Special Education Support.

Kappa Delta Pi Fundraiser

Calling all KSC alumni and supporters! Get your Keene Teachers College shirt and support Kappa Delta Pi. Orders can be placed until November 1st.

NH School Scoop Newsletter

KSC education department instructor Bill Carozza has created a free newsletter for educators in our state. NH School Scoop is a weekly summary of significant education news impacting school personnel and families in the Granite State. A new post will appear every Tuesday morning and more often when breaking education news occurs. Click on the button below to subscribe and stay in the know!