Professional Development Offerings
CMSS is a opens in a new windowMassachusetts DESE accredited PD Provider for the following content areas: Safe & Supportive Learning Environments, Arts: Performing Arts, and Special Education-General. We are happy to provide PDP Hours Certificates for MA educators for the PDs below after completion of an assessment of learning.
Adaptive Music and Neurodivergent Learners
Note: Below are two overlapping training opportunities. Current music teachers can register for the two-day Adaptive Music Foundations PD, while pre-service music teachers (college/grad students) can apply to be an intern in the Adaptive Music Education Foundations certificate. Both groups will participate in the same training sessions on January 5th and 6th.
Adaptive Music Foundations training
This two-day training is for future and current elementary general music teachers who are interested in developing their philosophy and skills in teaching music to disabled students with high support needs. This training will closely examine relevant topics including anti-ableism, neurodivergence affirmation, culturally responsive music pedagogy, accommodations and music-specific teaching strategies. The course will include participatory demonstrations of a wide range of tried-and-true classroom activities in addition to videos of student learning. Some class time on the second day will be dedicated to question & answer, group discussion, and independent work.
Participation in this workshop will earn a total of 10 PDPs. Additional PDPs may be earned through facilitated independent study after January 6th in order to earn the 15 PDPs in Special Education required for renewing a teaching license in Massachusetts.
Each session will be held in person at the Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. Each day will include a one-hour lunch break. Email Adaptive Music Program Director Jessica Corwin at opens in a new windowjcorwin@communitymusicschool.
Adaptive Music Education Foundations Certificate for pre-service music teachers
The opens in a new windowAdaptive Music Program (AMP) at the Community Music School of Springfield (Massachusetts) is proud to present a first-of-its-kind Adaptive Music Education Foundations Certificate program for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in developing their philosophy and skills in teaching music to disabled students with high support needs. This program will combine training in anti-ableism, neurodivergence affirmation, culturally responsive music pedagogy, accommodations and teaching strategies, with hands-on co-teaching experiences in public school classrooms with experienced AMP Teaching Artists.
The 2026 program will begin with two days of training in person at the Community Music School on January 5th, 9:30-3:30, and January 6th, 9:30-3:30. Beginning on January 7th and continuing through January 30th, participants will observe, assist, and co-teach with AMP Teaching Artists in sub-separate Special Education classrooms in the Springfield Public Schools and with other school and adult day program partners, typically between 9 am and 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Teaching assignments will be based on each participant’s interests regarding age, focus, nature of disability, and schedule preferences. The program will also include weekly meetings with AMP Director Jessica Corwin to process the classroom experiences and continue building foundational knowledge about adaptive music education.
The basic program in the month of January will include at least 10 hours of training and 30 hours of classroom time. If a participant needs additional hours or other benchmarks to meet the requirements of their educational institution, AMP will comply with such expectations that are clearly laid out during the application process, including through additional assignments that lead to meaningful learning about disability justice and accessible education. Please inquire for special schedule accommodations, including the possibility of completing the classroom hours on a weekly schedule during Spring semester.
This program is offered tuition-free thanks to generous state funding that was secured by State Representative Carloz González. For further information about the Foundations Certificate, please contact AMP Director Jessica Corwin at opens in a new windowjcorwin@
Requirements:
Successful participants must:
- Complete a volunteer application and pass a background check with the opens in a new windowSpringfield School Volunteers by December 20th.
- Have reliable personal transportation between school sites. Local public transportation does not offer a sufficient schedule.
- Have a background in music performance (formal training or community-based music making), music education and/or music therapy. Must be able to comfortably sing children’s songs on pitch.
Application Process:
Candidates must submit a resume and statement of interest to AMP Director Jessica Corwin at opens in a new windowjcorwin@