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
Support for teaching and learning
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
AB7
Culturally Proficient Learning Communities
Linda Jungwirth, President, Convening Conversations, Inc., CA; Jarvis Pahl, Executive Director, Pahl Educational Consortium, CA; Kathleen Steele, CASLE Coordinator, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, CA
Learn how SLCs can cultivate cultural proficiency through convening conversations about issues that arise from diversity. Experience four tools of cultural proficiency in relation to SLCs and the five domains of SLC best practices. Through appreciative inquiry, examine applications of the cultural proficiency tools within your SLCs.
Strand: Support for Teaching & Learning, NEW
B8
Instructional Coaching: Program Design and Implementation
David Holden, Instructional Coach/Co-Founder AAIS (American Alliance for Innovative Schools, Inc.), Mar Vista High School, Sweetwater Union High School District, CA
This session is for teacher-leaders and instructional coaches who would like guidance on how to begin or strengthen an instructional coaching program and how to most effectively work with all staff members. Administrators will learn how to best support an instructional coaching program at their sites. Participants will review video and develop strategies to become more effective with their peers. Attendees will receive suggested coaching guidelines, sample forms, and conversation protocols.
Strands: Support for Teaching & Learning
C6
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
C8
Professional Learning Communities: A Key Strategy for Affecting Student Learning and Achievement
Keith Greer, Principal, Coolidge High School, Coolidge Unified School District, AZ
Professional learning communities (PLC) are an effective, cost-efficient way for educators to learn what changes are necessary to improve their classroom practice. This presentation will review how a low-performing large rural high school affected student achievement and staff interaction through a highly focused school-wide PLC.
Strands: Support for Teaching & Learning
C9
Conscious Classroom Management: Bringing Out the Best in Students and Teachers
Grace Dearborn, Educational Consultant, Conscious Teaching, LLC, CA
Why is it that good classroom management is often invisible? In this lively, fun, interactive session, learn key ways that K-12 teachers can grow from inner apology to inner authority. Receive dozens of practical eye-opening strategies for managing classes effectively. Leave with your tool kit overflowing with stuff you can use.
Strands: Support for Teaching & Learning, NEW SESSION
DE7
The Next Step: A Protective Factor Framework for Student Well-Being and Resiliency
Tim Burns, Educator/Author, Educare, NM
This workshop focuses on how best to utilize the Significant Six protective factors shown by research to bring about positive social, health, and academic outcomes for students at all levels of education. Using this research as a starting point and conceptual framework, we will explore and employ a set of mental models, tools, and activities designed to reduce risk factors while enhancing positive school climate. The framework has been successfully used in many school settings where the presenting problems were such seemingly intractable issues as chronic student disciplinary problems, lack of respect, high dropout rates, bullying, alcohol and drug abuse, and low staff morale.
Strand: Support for Teaching & Learning, NEW SESSION and KEYNOTE
DE8
Differentiated Coaching
David Holden, Instructional Coach/Co-Founder AAIS (American Alliance for Innovative Schools, Inc.), Mar Vista High School, Sweetwater Union High School District, CA
This session is for teacher-leaders and instructional coaches who would like guidance on how to identify and overcome the many challenges instructional coaches face on a day-to-day basis. In addition, participants will learn how to most effectively work with reluctant/resistant staff members. Participants will review video and engage in scenario-based activities to develop strategies to become more effective with their peers. Attendees will receive suggested coaching guidelines, sample forms, and conversation protocols.
Strands: Support for Teaching & Learning
D9
Building Developmental Assets in School Communities
Matthew Barnes, Trainer, Vision Training, CA; Tobias Gautschi, Teacher; Kevin Potter, Teacher, El Dorado High School, El Dorado Union HSD, CA
This workshop will describe the connections between Search Institute's Developmental AssetsĘ and student achievement, show you how to build assets for every student and empower educators to initiate, increase and strengthen the asset-building efforts that already exist in their school. As a result of participation in this training, teachers, counselors, administrators and other education professionals will be familiar with the asset model, begin to create a plan for the asset model in their school or classroom, and commit to becoming an asset builder for youth.
Strands: Support for Teaching and Learning