Fall 2026
Developing a Learning Environment
Dates: September 21, 2026 – December 18, 2026Day/Time: Monday; Wednesday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM EDT
Level: 400-Level, Masters-Level
Certificate: Education
Education certificate requirement: Core course.
Instructor: Aigul Karimova, American University of Central Asia Elizabeth Alibaeva, American University of Central Asia ,
This course explores two essential pillars of creating an effective classroom learning space: cultivating mental models of classroom culture (drawing on Doug Lemov's Teach Like a Champion 3.0) and implementing Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) as a research-based framework for professional practice and instructional decision-making. Participants examine teaching scenarios, analyze classroom video segments, and engage with scholarly literature on SEL (CASEL framework), culturally responsive teaching, and teacher-student relationships. They develop reflective skills, build a Classroom Culture Toolbox of practical teaching strategies, and design a series of lesson plans aimed at cultivating a positive, inclusive learning environment. Two demo-teaching rounds - one in-person and one online - allow participants to practice and receive structured peer feedback on implementation.
Credits: 3 US / 6 ECTS