RSAC 2024

True differentiation allows students to move through learning at their own pace. Managing a classroom full of kids that all have different needs can seem overwhelming! In this session you will hear how the general idea of "The Modern Classroom Project" was applied to a middle school science class to achieve true differentiation and self-paced learning. These strategies can be applied to any content, any grade, but the focus of this session will be how it was implemented in middle school.

Instructional coaching offers a powerful approach to not only enhance teaching practices but also to profoundly impact student engagement. In this session, participants will explore the foundational principles of instructional coaching and its direct correlation to student engagement. We will unpack strategies for leveraging coaching techniques to create learning environments where every student feels seen, heard, and motivated to excel.

Within the CCSS the term "Fluency" is used within all K - 5 grade level expectations. So just what exactly is "Fact Fluency", and how do we work as teachers of mathematics to develop student's fluency with their basic facts? This session is focused on providing an awareness of the research based progression of developing student's math fact fluency. Additionally, participants will leave with an understanding of supportive structures designed to assess student fact fluency while moving students toward a deep conceptual understanding of the basic facts that ultimately leads to fact automaticity.

Effective feedback lies at the heart of growth and improvement in education. However, providing feedback that truly resonates with educators and drives meaningful change can be a challenging endeavor. In this session, participants will explore the art and science of feedback, discovering how it can serve as a catalyst for professional growth and enhanced student outcomes.

Join this session to explore the ways that Grant Community High School District 124 supports staff SEL. During the session we will dive into the importance and impact of holding space for educators to process the often emotional realities of working and growing in this profession. This content applies to educators at any stage of their career, from first year to retirement, in any role in the school. Our instructional coaches’ will share their approach to ongoing PD for staff using a variety of curated resources from experts like Elena Aguilar, Tina Boogren, and Jennifer Abrams. Attendees will leave with examples of activities and discussions, as well as a frame for designing your own version tailored to your school’s adult SEL needs.

The Olympia District engaged with ROE 17 in 2019 to create a math framework that was rooted in responsive instruction and problem solving. The work with the ROE started with professional development around shifting the manner in which math was taught. The shift from memorizing algorithms to a strong number sense and problem solving foundation, was initially difficult for staff. After multiple years of professional development, work to make the framework more robust, and providing our staff with math coaching, our growth continues to climb. In the session we will share the key elements in our journey and provide participants with resources that they could (and should) use to move their math instruction, and student's math performance, forward.

Join me in leveraging technology to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in the classroom, with a special focus on AI integration. Whether you're a tech-savvy educator or just dipping your toes into the digital realm, this session promises practical strategies to enhance your teaching practices.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore a range of AI-driven technologies, and brainstorm creative ways to integrate AI into their teaching toolkit. Whether you're interested in data-driven insights, adaptive learning algorithms, or virtual assistants, this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of AI for greater productivity and impact.

In this 60-minute session, we'll delve into the psychology behind motivation and its crucial role in academic success. Discover techniques to ignite enthusiasm, foster resilience, and cultivate a growth mindset among your students.

Led by Kimberly Radostits, the 2022 Illinois Teacher of the year, this session goes beyond theory, offering practical tips and proven strategies gathered from real classroom experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from each other and actively engage in hands-on activities that have been successfully implemented in diverse educational settings.

Don't miss this chance to revitalize your approach to teaching and learning, and leave with actionable ideas to enhance student motivation and engagement in your classroom.

The shift to structured literacy highlights the significance of foundational skills. For numerous educators, this signifies a fresh perspective or set of skills. In this session, teachers will understand the core principles of structured literacy instruction, covering phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. They will grasp how these elements improve reading instruction effectively for students of all levels. Participants will engage in and learn diverse hands-on and digital methods that can be readily applied in their classrooms.

Spend 60 minutes being inspired by different projects and immersive experiences that the Waltham STEAM teachers create. Get ready for a hands-on, high energy environment that will make you excited to try in your classroom!

STEAM teaches all K-8 students so there is something for everyone! From basic blueprints and building to large outdoor holiday decor created by middle school students. Come join the magic!