Professional Development Opportunities

September 24, 2009:

"I Can Do It" (K-8) -- This workshop explores the paths to successful classroom management. Included is information about the elements necessary for successful classroom management, communication or learning styles, interventions for difficult behaviors, hints to create the smoothly flowing classroom, and tools to begin building positive parent/ teacher relationships.

The Successful Secondary Classroom "I Can Do It" (7-12) – This program incorporates essential components of the "I Can Do It" workshop which are integral to success in the secondary classroom. Transition problems in the secondary classroom, as well as solutions, are discussed. Participants also investigate successful strategies for motivating secondary students and explore techniques for handling difficult behaviors, including analyzing educators’ current discipline practices.

Teaching Strategies: From theory to practice (K-12) — This workshop allows participants to explore teaching strategies that engage students in meaningful learning activities designed to maximize student learning and achievement. Theories, descriptions, and examples related to cognitive strategies, organizers, vocabulary instruction, and memory enhancement Seminar is a research-based instructional strategy that will enhance any content area while improving student understanding.

Facilitating Student Learning – Educators will gain strategies that help students learn to grow into the group facilitator role. The dynamics and stress of group work and its impact on all will be reviewed. By being the "guide on the side" instead of the "sage on the stage," educators free themselves to more closely observe learning styles and group dynamics. Students learn more when allowed to use and build on the knowledge they bring to the class and appreciate the validation it gives them.

Assertive Discipline — Participants learn behavior management skills that form the foundation of a proper learning environment. Topics covered include developing and instituting a discipline plan, communication strategies, and methods that enable educators to maximize the success of their students.