Conference Sessions
Strands
Friday, February 20
Session A 9:30 AM–10:45 AM
Session AB 9:30 AM–12:15 PM
Session B 11:00 AM–12:15 PM
Session C 2:15 PM–3:30 PM
Saturday, February 21
Session D 9:30–10:45 AM
Session DE 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Session E 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Session A
A1
Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives: Motivating Students for Higher Academic Achievement
Dean Lapham, Certified Trainer, Academic Innovations, UT
Making a successful transition from middle school to high school is critical to a student's lifelong success. Wendy Bingham explores how schools across the country use the award-winning Career Choices materials to integrate comprehensive guidance into the 8th or 9th grade without sacrificing achievement, academic rigor, or content standards. She'll discuss and distribute the Course Standards for Freshman Transition Classes from the George Washington University- an invaluable planning resource for your high school redesign efforts.
Strand: Middle School to High School Transition
A2
Incorporating AVID and AVID Strategies into Smaller Learning Communities
Julie Elliott, AVID CA Director, AVID Center, CA; Arlene LaPlante, Director, ConnectEd Network of Schools, CA
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college preparation program for students in grades 4 through 12 who are in the academic middle. With AVID support, rigor in course work, and individual determination, 96% of students enrolled in the AVID core elective program go to college. AVID strategies can also be used to support all students school-wide, and there are several models for incorporating AVID into SLCs. This session will discuss AVID strategies and philosophy, various scheduling and organization models, and how to provide AVID support within the parameters of participants' individual school designs.
Strand: College and Career Education
A3
The Magic Is in the SLC
Janis Jarvis, SLC Project Manager; Kathy Davis, Secondary ELA/LOTE/AP Curriculum Coordinator; Felicia Andrews, Secondary Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Clear Creek Independent School District, TX
Don't let your teachers get lost in the illusion that SLCs inhibit academic success. Just as an alchemist turns lead into gold, SLCs can transform boring lessons into engaging instruction. Experience the magic that happens when SLCs use research-based strategies to move instruction to a higher level for every student. Participants experience the development of an integrated unit by showing how to include each curricular area within a unit of study. This session will provide the steps to begin small and move interdisciplinary instruction forward at a pace that is comfortable for your school. Through the use of engaging multimedia, participants will be able to find the "disappearing students" who fall through the cracks every year. Enjoy learning the sleight-of-hand tricks that pull different content areas together, and see the magic that is the SLC!
Strands: Support for Teaching & Learning, NEW SESSION
A8
Professional Learning Communities: Under Construction
Cindy Douglas, Director, Instruction & Professional Development, Grossmont Union High School District, CA
Designed as an introduction to professional learning communities, this workshop provides an overview of the foundational components, as well as discussing the incredible impact PLCs have on students when implemented effectively. The workshop will also provide a behind-the-scenes look at the journey one large high school district has taken to change their culture and structure to a PLC. Participants will be provided with both the challenges and successes encountered on this journey and will be able to learn from others' experiences what to do and what not to do when starting the implementation process. Most importantly, however, participants will leave the workshop with a clearer understanding of why this structure is a winning foundation for both teachers and students and why it is worth going through the growing pains to make it happen. It's about students, it's about learning!
Strand: Support for Teaching & Learning
A10
Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Troubled Times
Luis Rodriguez, Author and Poet, Steven Barclay Agency, CA
The most important resource in a classroom is the student's own innate will and spirit to learn and be engaged. When teachers also embody the spirit of teaching, there's a vital link made with the pupils-like the spark between the contact points in electrical wiring. This often means knowing how to draw out the gifts that young people already bring to a classroom-their gifts of words, deduction, play, expression, and more. That's the root meaning of the word education-to lead out, as one would the intrinsic gifts of each pupil. Unlike instruction, the root of which is to "pack it in," we need the tools, strategies, and models for bringing in and tapping into this spirit to learn and spirit to teach. When it comes to education, the underlying premise should always be that everyone can win. If the teacher is wholly engaged in teaching, the student will be wholly engaged in learning. I call this Hearts and Hands-the emotional links that adults can properly make with students while imparting the vital life and subject skills they are hungry for.
Strands: Support for Teaching & Learning, NEW SESSION and KEYNOTE