Winter 2010 Professional Development Workshops

 

Gleaves Whitney became director of Grand Valley State University's Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies in 2003. Prior to his arrival at Grand Valley, Gleaves worked 11 years in Michigan Governor John Engler's administration, serving as senior writer, chief speechwriter, and historian. This workshop will use historical examples to illustrate timeless lessons of self-leadership, team leadership and organizational leadership to gain insight into the art of leading your school organization.

The “Attainment Process” includes a series of strategies used to create a school culture that implies all students will receive some form of post secondary education. The objective of the Attainment Process is to improve K-12 classroom performance by creating content relevance, based on the premise that if students envision themselves in college, the work in high school classrooms becomes more relevant. The “Code” is the information some parents provide their children on how to be successful in school. Participants in this workshop will receive information that will help parents help their students be successful in school.

Response to Intervention (RtI) is an educational process for monitoring and responding to student progress in the area of reading and math. RtI is rooted in the belief of support for all students, using multiple steps and data to make educational decisions to assist students in reading or math. Participants in this workshop will learn about the RtI strategic model of Students and Teachers Enhancing Personalized-Educational Strategies (STEPS) model. The STEPS model allows teachers to progress monitor students to provide them with the most effective reading or math interventions. Participants will get the opportunity to learn about 7 interventions currently being used in an elementary school setting. Finally, participants will walk away with a framework in order to begin their own RtI journey.

This presentation will showcase the work that’s been done by our teachers and administrators in the area of data-driven differentiated instruction at the classroom, school, and district levels. We will provide strategies for using NWEA Map, Dunn & Dunn Learning Styles, Explore, Plan, and ACT results, as well as other classroom data, to drive daily instruction.

The purpose of How to Use MAP Data to Drive Instruction is to help participants understand and apply the data provided on the MAP reports so as to be a more informed instructional leader. This session will incorporate direct instruction, interactive activities, and group collaboration while learning to explore the basics of MAP data and utilizing the NWEA website. Topics that will be covered include NWEA/MAP language, understanding/analyzing reports, and application to classroom instruction and school level decision-making. Participants are encouraged to bring laptops and NWEA username and password.

The Respect and Dignity Model is a systematic change from punishment for poor choices in the school setting to a relationship building model that teaches the student to reflect, take personal responsibility, and make positive choices with the help of caring adults. This connective and caring model forms a positive relationship with the student, classroom teacher, and building administration. The Respect and Dignity Model is nationally researched and proven to be effective in working with students in grades 5-12. This workshop is designed for principals, assistant principals, and lead teachers to look at a proven option to current detention and suspension systems.

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled.

This presentation will be an overview of professional learning communities. A panel of educators will share experiences working together as a team in a collaborative manner using data and sharing strategies to increase student success.

This workshop will help participants gain a better understanding of individual donors, their needs and how to manage relationships. Individual donors are the largest financial resource for nonprofit organizations. Four general content areas will be addressed: 1) Prospecting and managing relationships with individual donors; 2) The board's role in individual giving; 3) Campaigns; 4) Staffing and structure.

This workshop will help participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the grant procurement process. The focus will be on private and community foundation grants. The workshop will be divided into four parts: 1) Strategic planning for grant procurement and developing a strong case statement; 2) Prospecting and managing foundation relationships; 3) Specific Grant Writing "how to's"; and 4) Evaluations and reporting.

This workshop will help participants gain a clearer understanding of how to approach special events sensibly. The workshop will be divided into three parts: 1) Common types of special events; 2) Advantages and pitfalls of special events; 3) Evaluating special events.

Teachers may receive training in instructional technology best practices for the classroom in their building. Mr. Patterson will travel to school sites to assist teachers in technology strategies including: video streaming, document cameras, digital photography, Google Earth, SMART Board and Promethean instruction, etc. Follow up onsite training will also be available to interested schools.

If you have any suggestions for additional Education Technology in the classroom that was not mentioned please leave a comment, or email Devin Patterson by CLICKING HERE