(PAT) Parents As Teachers
Rebecca Lindquist, Principal, and a team from Sun Empire Elementary School, Kerman USD, CA

Parents As Teachers is a program designed to bring parents and teachers together to help students succeed in early literacy. Teachers model to parents best practices for developing reading skills. Parents use skills with students as students build confidence in reading under teacher supervision.

Strand: Collaboration, NEW!
Grade Level: K–6

High-Poverty Learners: School Practices that Work
William Parrett, Director, and Robert Barr, Senior Analyst, Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies, Boise State University, ID

Findings from 18 state and national studies of high-poverty/high-performing schools indicate a common pattern of improvement design and intervention. Each of these schools successfully improved aspects of its district’s and/or school’s leadership capacity to better target and serve low-SES students. This session will provide compelling research, program and policy recommendaitons, and effective classroom strategies.

Strand: Dropout Prevention Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–8

Standards Plus®—A Process for Continuous Improvement
Joe Deem, Executive Director, and Dave Ackley, Learning Plus Associates, CA

Standards Plus® is a direct instruction intervention process designed to supplement a school’s regular curriculum and instructional program. The lessons are aligned to discrete elements of essential standards in language arts and mathematics. The instructional schedule is based on student needs identified by thoughtful analysis of local and state testing results. Data indicate that schoolwide use of this comprehensive reform model has been an important element in helping schools consistently reach their AYP targets.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, NEW!, Marketing Session
Grade Level: K–8

The Resilient Educator: Survival and Success in Today’s Classroom
Jeff Goelitz, Program Director, Institute of HeartMath, CA

To stay the course in today’s complex school environments, educators need stamina and vision to remain effective and healthy over the long run. Over the last decade, neuroscientists and educators have identified some of the practical tools that have been developed and field-tested to help educators better respond to stressful or challenging circumstances—key factors in health, career longevity, and overall performance. Handouts included.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Point Break Workshops: A Wave of Change on High School Campuses
Teddi Pettee, Point Break Director, and Anthony Maiden, Post-Release/Anger Management Counseling, Campus Life, CA

The Point Break program is designed to build resilient character traits in junior and senior high school students. Its purpose is to help students take responsibility for their words and actions, and choose behaviors that show compassion and respect. Attendees will participate in a number of activities taken directly from the Point Break workshop in order to gain an understanding of what students experience. Marketing session for a great program; funding options discussed.

Strand: Safe Schools, NEW!, Marketing Session
Grade Level: 7–12

Skills for Bridging the Emotional and Academic Connection
Brian Kabaker, Associate Director, Institute of HeartMath, CA

There are direct links between a student's ability to self-manage emotions and academic performance. In this visually rich presentation, participants will learn scientifically validated techniques and specific strategies that can be used to boost students’ learning capacity. Participants will learn about neuroscience research findings that have new implications for educators who are seeking to reduce student at- risk behavior, improve higher-order thinking skills, and foster emotional health. Handouts included.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Creating a Shining Star School
Panel facilitated by Marco Orlando, Consultant, California Department of Education & CSS Colleague

This panel of principals of effective schools will share their secrets for moving a school from low-performing, high-priority status to being a model of improvement for the state. Principals will give you practical strategies for improving your school based on their experience.

Strand: Best Practices, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Empowering Struggling Writers with Framing Your Thoughts: A Student-Friendly Writing Program
Andrew Stetkevich, Staff Development Specialist & Field Colleague, Riverside Staff Development Center, Riverside USD, CA

Participants will learn a metacognitive, multisensory approach to teaching writing. The presenter will demonstrate how to apply these strategies to help students succeed in class and state writing prompts. Work samples will be shared, and video excerpts will help participants understand how to use the strategies across grade levels and content areas. Teachers and support staff will leave with practical strategies to engage students in the writing process and help them to become independent writers.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Thinking Maps™: Guaranteed to Improve ALL Students’ Critical Thinking, Test Scores, & Writing Skills
Bill Deeb, Principal/Educational Researcher & Field Colleague, Creekside Elementary School, Alisal Union ESD, CA

Hundreds of schools across the nation are using Thinking Maps™ to revolutionize their approach to teaching higher-order thinking skills, writing skills, vocabulary, and reading comprehension across the curriculum. Each Thinking Map™ mirrors an essential thinking process that forms the basis for success in school, at work, and even at home: describing, sequencing, comparing and contrasting, and illustrating cause-and-effect relationships. Handouts provided.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Mindfully Resolving Conflict: Facilitation Training for Diversity Issues
Rainbow Markell, Diversity Trainer

This experiential professional development workshop involves discussion, role play, and training vignettes/exercises designed to build skills in facilitating community diversity. Participants enhance their visual and auditory acuity by observing keywords, intent and impact, and nonverbal messages inherent in communication, as well as nuances of multicultural communication. They learn conflict resolution skills, replacing adversarial/defensive statements with culturally receptive responses; and skills to train others in group process, conflict mediation, and a variety of cross-cultural communication techniques.

Strand: Safe Schools, NEW!, Marketing Session
Grade Level: K–12

Behind Closed Doors: Secrets to Effectively Facilitating Classroom Learning Activities
Cristal McGill, Ph.D., Education Consultant, Impact Learning, Inc., CO

Participants will leave with one of the biggest secrets to lead any group to the most productive mental viewpoint from which to maximize learning. Effective instruction means finding ways to keep students physically and emotionally engaged in the learning process. This fast-paced, innovative, and dynamic session explains why, while demonstrating how to put these ideas into practice.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

The Face of Test Stress: Teacher & Student Graphics & Test-Stress Solutions
Robert Rees, Director of Education, Institute of HeartMath, CA

Teacher and student drawings of their feelings about important tests reveal high levels of stress and even deeply disturbing emotions. Conversely, drawings by teachers and students who learn how to address stressful emotions associated with high-stakes tests show dramatically different feelings. This workshop provides graphic illustration of before- and-after emotional states related to high-stakes tests, and introduces specific tools and technologies to counter test stress.

Strand: Dropout Prevention Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Reaching and Teaching Homeless Students
Kate Bishop, CWA Coordinator, and Ellen Montgomery, Outreach Consultant, North Sacramento School District, CA

Learn how to comply with No Child Left Behind regulations and provide quality services to homeless students and their families. This session will focus on identification of homeless students, staff training, community collaboration, and providing appropriate services to children. Children living in homeless situations do not have to repeat the cycle. When we focus on resiliency-based strategies, these students can and do succeed!

Strand: Dropout Prevention Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–6

Strategies That Build Rapport and Connections and Motivate Students to Stay in School
Nancy Blackwell, Md.E, Longevity of Success, CO

Eighty-two percent of teachers’ messages are nonverbal, especially when managing the classroom. Learn to positively influence the student relationship with practical application and practice. Become aware of the difference between the influence of power and the power of influence. Also, receive strategies such as music, modeling, paired shares, and discussions. Learn how to have more time to do what you entered the profession to do—teach.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: 9–12

Inclusive Interactive Teaching Strategies
Andrew Stetkevich, Staff Development Specialist/Field Colleague, Riverside Staff Development Center, Riverside USD; Vicki Butler, Coordinator & Field Colleague, Corona-Norco Special Education, Corona-Norco USD, CA

This presentation will focus on best practices for meeting the needs of all students in order to bring up underperforming subgroups. Strategies for slower learners, second language learners, special education students, children of poverty, and other children who learn differently will be demonstrated and shared along with interactive teaching techniques. Come prepared to participate and activate your power to learn new and exciting ways to engage all students in mastering the state standards.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, Special Education, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Moving Schools Beyond Risk to Resiliency: A Practical Approach to Protective Factor Enhancement for the School Community
Tim Burns, Director, Educare Institute, NM

This workshop brings the latest research on resiliency building and protective factors to a proven action-training format through which participants become more resourceful in creating the best possible environment for healthy development and learning. Staff and community come together to learn to reduce risks, build community, and foster greater social and academic well-being for students. The workshop framework is based on the premise that risk factors can be starting points for deep change.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

The Importance of Humor in Education
Cristal McGill, Ph.D., Education Consultant, Impact Learning, Inc., CO

Humor strengthens the relationship between students, teachers, and staff, enhances communication, reduces stress, makes a course more interesting, increases retention of subject material, and could raise test scores. This interactive workshop will help you see, hear, and feel what effective strategies are all about. Combine these techniques to create a blast of positive energy that propels learners quickly and easily toward achieving the desired instructional objectives.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Developing Responsible Learners: Sharing Responsibility with Parents for Character Development, Student Success, and Academic Achievement
Janie Hamilton-Marchini and Marla Loew, Teachers, Pearson Elementary School, Modesto City Elementary Schools, CA

This interactive workshop links school, home, and community for student success and increased academic achievement. The Character Connection becomes a bridge to success, focusing on strategies for achievement where socioeconomic and cultural differences create challenges. It models how underperforming schools motivate and engage parents in the education of their children to meet state standards. Portfolios highlight diversity, patriotism, conflict resolution, and citizen projects. Activities are translated into Spanish.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–6

Proactive Solutions to Address Bullying and Reclaim your School
John Vandenburg, Coordinator of Student Support, Murrieta Valley USD Support Center, CA

This session looks at bullying through the lens of youth development and provides practical strategies to address aggressive behavior in youth from a strength-based perspective. This session will introduce you to proactive student-centered strategies that can help parents, teachers, and the whole school community reclaim their school and create a positive place for all students to thrive.

Strand: Safe Schools, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

How to Identify Hate-Motivated Youth Gangs in Your School so You Can Prevent Violence
Terry Wilson, Detective Constable, New Westminster Police Service, DVRT and Hate Crime Unit, Canada

Hate-motivated crimes are on the rise, on the streets and in the schoolyard. There are haters all around us, of all ages, races, and genders. The effects of these crimes not only devastate victims but can cripple an entire student community with fear. This riveting and informative seminar will help school principals, teachers, and counselors accurately identify a hate-motivated incident, and will arm them with the skills they need to respond quickly, safely, and effectively.

Strand: Safe Schools, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

In Their Own Words
Lauren Weiss, Teacher & DPS, Sun Valley Middle School, Los Angeles USD, CA

Learn how middle school teachers can start a dialogue about high school with middle school students. Our input helps you demystify fears about high school, teach resiliency, explain the importance of a high school diploma, discuss the CAHSEE, and make the transition to high school seamless for middle school students. Learn about the real- life fears 8th graders from this demographic have regarding high school. See examples of the tools used in real-life scenarios.

Strand: Dropout Prevention Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: 7–8

This Kid Is Not Someone Else’s Problem: A Coordinated Approach to Educational Options
Dan Sackheim, Community Day School Consultant, Educational Options Office, California Department of Education, CA

Over 12% of California schools are educational options schools, including community day schools, continuation high schools, opportunity education, and county court and community schools. Dan Sackheim, CDE consultant in the Educational Options Office, will present specific means for successfully referring students to educational options schools and programs, supporting their academic and socio-emotional development there, and supporting a successful transition back into traditional schools, if appropriate.

Strand: Collaboration, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Kids in Chaos
Ray Culberson, Director, San Bernardino City USD, CA

Do you have the skills to educate the emerging population of students who live with violence, neglect, and poverty? Whether African American, Latino, white, or any other race, Kids in Chaos are in and from all racial backgrounds. In this unique session, you will learn strategies for handling difficult students, as well as techniques for maintaining your own personal sanity as you try to effectively engage families who live in this environment.

Strand: Dropout Prevention Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Handwriting: What Every Teacher Should Know!
Kim Desch, President, WriteEase Products, CA

This workshop shows educators how to get kids writing legibly without spending additional time in the classroom. Attendees will gain the ability and tools to improve handwriting while enhancing the child’s self-esteem. This is not a handwriting program; rather it is a set of techniques and tools that can be started immediately with or without a writing curriculum in use. These techniques can be applied to children of all abilities in all classrooms.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–6

SAP Referral-Intervention
Marlena Uhrik and Robin Rutherford, School Health Education Consultants, Safe and Healthy Kids Program, Learning Support & Partner Division, California Department of Education, CA

This session will discuss heavy use of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in California high schools and co-occurring behaviors indicative of such use. We will look at current trends and decisions teens are making and the need for intervention. Find out how Student Assistance Programs (SAP) can be used as a referral-intervention process for students exhibiting at-risk behavior associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Handouts about SAP policy and sources of funding will be discussed.

Strand: Dropout Prevention Strategies, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Improving AYP Special Ed Subgroup
Jim Huckeba, Ph.D., Director, Special Services, Hesperia USD, CA

For the past eight years, Hesperia USD has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of students being identified as special education students, while at the same time seeing improved academic achievement for all students. In this workshop, learn to apply an RTI model in which all students are evaluated and research-based strategies are used to address the needs of all students, regardless of their labels.

Strand: Instructional Strategies, Special Education, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Changing the Odds: Practical School-Wide Strategies that Reduce Youth Violence, Aggressive Behavior, and Bullying on Campus
Mark Katz, Ph.D.

We will review common risks and adversities that place children and youth at serious risk for chronic school failure, bullying, and aggressive or violent behavior. We then present programs and practices that are yielding hopeful outcomes for several of these risks. Finally, we review a process of combining these programs and practices in a school setting, and discuss how this process can positively alter the social climate of a school campus.

Strand: Safe Schools, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12