Date: August 24, 2015
Location: Middle School
Purpose/Rationale:
This professional development day will launch the school year. It will provide the teachers an opportunity to connect and reflect on their goals for the year. In a year with a larger group of new-to-the-district teachers, it will be especially important to immerse them in the culture and pedagogical philosophy and history of the district. The over-arching goal of the day, though, is to encourage teachers to take care of themselves by seeking out healthy professional relationships and finding joy in developing and mastering their craft.
Essential Questions:
How can having a vision help us enjoy our work?
What is YOUR why?
Objectives and Success Criteria: (Deliverable)
Part One:
- Each teacher will connect or reconnect with another teacher they want to learn with.
- Each teacher will be able to describe their vision for the year.
Deliverable: Vision Board
Part Two:
- As a district, teachers will build a culture of excellence and describe a vision for the year.
Deliverable: Cooperative Vision Board
Format: Opening, Breakouts, Closing
Breakout Descriptions:
Funds of Knowledge-Marvin Mumm
Avoid deficit thinking by exploring our Funds of Knowledge and building a social network of assistance to support you through the year.
Energizing Your Classroom- (appropriate for all levels, K-12)-SDE and Kristen Keller
We all want engaged, energized students ready to learn in our class. This session will involve engaging in short brain boosts that are adaptable to many audiences and content areas. Resources and links to online, free programs will be available also. Be prepared to engage and have fun! Your students will thank youJ
Centers in My Sleep- Sara Crystal, Kelly Depew, Marygrace Ahern, and Angie Haskell
As teachers, we know that small group instruction is a powerful way to differentiate, but what is the best way to set up a system that works? This session will show you how to get started.
Tech Possibilities- Brett Darrington
If you are looking for ways to add a technology component to your student's work or to your teaching, come see and share some ideas that we can implement in our classrooms.
Using a Positive Lens- Michelle Slagel
Even the most positive person can fall prey to negative thoughts and feelings, and one small negative thought can become an erupting volcano of ugliness. The purpose of this PD is to help teachers change their personal lens/viewpoint by using the power of photography when negative experiences threaten positive thinking.
STEM-i-fying the classroom- Sara Tolman and Brett Welch
Come experience a hands-on session that will help you find ways to teach STEM in any classroom.
A Spotlight on Accelerated Reader- Camille Grover and Lori Clements
Learn ways to make the most of AR to improve and increase student reading.
Language of Possibility-Denise Mumm
Explore how the language we use can make our work environment more fun. Gain insight and tips for moving our words from victim hood toward possibility.
RTI and Usable Interventions- Daneille Heuvel, Kelly Depew, and Angie Haskell
This breakout will provide a quick refresher as to what RTI is and why it is necessary. Useful Interventions as well as resources will be provided to help teachers with the process.
Making the Most of Team Collaboration- Marygrace Ahern and Katrina Rodabaugh
Whether you are at the department level or grade level, we will all be participating in meetings this year. This breakout session will give you some tips and tools for running and participating in effective meetings. We will also look at what can bring an unhealthy meeting back to health.
Making the Most of Web-pages - Jon Lund
Discover new ways of communicating and supporting your instruction with your web-page in this hands-on session.