In the spirit of the classic Choose Your Own Adventure series, this will be an interactive session with participants having an opportunity to select educator commitments that they would like to learn most about. This session will expose you to a variety of authors' best practices and fundamentals, particularly in the areas of communication, relationships, and critical thinking. Participants will leave the session with awareness of daily techniques that if implemented in earnest, will improve and strengthen your current environment whether it be a classroom, department, or school; students will grow and staff will feel empowered and valued.
As an educational leader and a mother, I am curious and interested in inclusive leadership practices that transform lives for the better. In particular, I really enjoy hearing about multilingual leadership and educational pathways, especially from colleagues and students whose family... Read More →
Self Care is a word that is heard often. We are told to practice self care, take care of ourselves, put your oxygen mask on before you help others but what does that really look like? As educators we naturally give and take care of others before we take care of ourselves, how can we fix that? Our building principal and social worker worked together using a variety of resources to put together a year long plan focusing each month on a self care habit. These habits are applicable to the adults in your system but also applicable to the youngest students. Learn more about his process and plan and take away ideas that you can implement to incorporate these habits of self care into your classroom and building.
As we looked to increase academic rigor in our school we realized that many students struggled with self regulation when confronted with a difficult or rigorous task. Our School Improvement Leadership Team utilized the Cycles of Inquiry process to develop a systematic plan to track emotional responses and then provide consistent strategies to empower students to self regulate. Learn more about our process and the self regulation strategies that students learned in this process.
This session will guide you through the exciting world of Pathway Endorsement Programs. Learn how to implement a program that validates student achievement, prepares them for college and career success, and connects them with industry partners.
Key Takeaways: Demystifying the Framework: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Pathway Endorsement Program requirements, including a brief overview of Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), career-focused Instruction, work-based learning experiences, and academic readiness.
Regional Support Systems: Learn more about how one region is providing supports for pathway implementation through resources like Xello and unique events such as the Pathway Playground, team based challegnge days, and indutry signing events.
Industry Partnerships: Learn how to forge valuable connections with local businesses to provide real-world experiences for your students.
Sharing the Journey: A school district will share their firsthand experience implementing a Pathway Endorsement Program, offering insights and best practices.
Teaching is a rewarding profession, but even the most dedicated educators face tough years. When challenges pile up, a positive mindset becomes our greatest asset. This session will equip you with strategies to: Thrive, not just survive: Learn how to view challenges as opportunities for growth, both for yourself and your students. Make it your own: Discover ways to tailor these challenges to meet your students' specific needs. Cultivate positivity: Develop a growth mindset habit that fosters a positive classroom environment and a more supportive school culture. By embracing a positive mindset, you'll be better equipped to navigate difficulties, leading to more effective teaching, a more positive school environment, and ultimately, greater student success.
"Start Strong to Stay Strong!" is a session designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies necessary to establish a conducive learning environment right from the beginning of each school day. The program emphasizes the implementation of rituals and routines aimed at fostering a sense of safety, belonging, community, and self-efficacy among students. By incorporating elements such as personalized greetings, purposeful partnering, community building activities, dedicated family time, and goal setting exercises, educators will learn how to create a nurturing atmosphere that sets the stage for successful learning experiences.
Participants will explore the significance of each component of the "Strong Start" framework and discover practical techniques for seamlessly integrating them into their daily routines. By prioritizing relationship-building and social-emotional development, educators will not only enhance student engagement but also cultivate a classroom culture where every individual feels valued and supported.
Moreover, "Strong Start" recognizes the crucial role of a positive classroom climate in optimizing tier one instruction. By laying the groundwork for a cohesive learning community, educators can facilitate more effective teaching and learning experiences, ultimately leading to improved academic outcomes for all students.
Join us in "Start Strong to Stay Strong!" and embark on a journey towards creating a classroom environment where students thrive, relationships flourish, and learning happens from the very first bell.
This session dives into the skillset needed for superintendents and their administrative team to function as a cohesive, high-performing unit.
We'll explore the importance of shared vision and goals. Participants will engage in self-reflection exercises to identify their individual strengths and weaknesses. Through group discussions, they'll learn to leverage these strengths for collaborative problem-solving and decision-making.
The session will emphasize effective communication strategies like transparent information sharing, active listening, and open dialogue. Leaders will learn to provide constructive feedback that fosters professional growth.
Building trust is paramount. The session explores methods for creating a safe space for open communication and respectful disagreement. Techniques for conflict resolution and fostering healthy team dynamics will also be discussed.
By the end, attendees will have practical skills for building a united administrative team, fostering a strong foundation for a successful school district.
Establishing a safe, positive and productive learning environment within our multilingual and multicultural classrooms is crucial for students’ academic, emotional and social success, as well as teachers’ wellbeing. This presentation will provide classroom activities, restorative practices and strategies to create an environment characterized by a climate of safety, where interactions are highly respectful and individuals background and differences are celebrated. By implementing these strategies, all education stakeholders will combine the building of relationships and positive learning environments that foster improved academic performance and intellectual engagement in challenging content. As a result of this presentation participants will: Build and strengthen their school community/classroom. Develop a better understanding of the multilingual and multicultural classroom and its components. Learn restorative practices to create a positive classroom environment. Learn classroom activities that can be integrated in the curriculum to foster student engagement and achievement.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness: three words that bring anxiety and stress to many educators. What if you were given the resources to develop formative and summative assessments that mirror IAR? We will discuss how you can incorporate IAR-style assessments into your curriculum throughout the year so you can avoid the IAR prep that is crammed into the months of February and March.
