Today’s teachers are focusing more on the politics (i.e., test scores, policies, and mandates) of teaching, and they’re forgetting the purpose of teaching.  This program will give teachers a “real” and renewed sense of purpose of why we do what we do, who we do it for, and proven strategies on how to do it better.  Dr. Martin will help teachers accept responsibility for their own personal and professional growth, as well as unlocking the secrets of staying motivated in rough times and leading by example, not excuses.  He’ll even show you how to overcome obstacles by identifying your “blind spots.”  Through exercises of self-reflection and self-evaluation, Dr. Martin will help you explore how to: a) serve with your heart and not your head, b) focus on the purpose--not the payoff, and c) be an example--not an excuse. 

“Teach and Grow Rich” is more than just an inspiring program; it’s a life plan for success.

"Getting Them All Engaged - Inclusive Active Participation"

Do you have students who are not attending or participating during your lessons?  In this session, Dr. Archer will present procedures for actively involving ALL students in instruction with an emphasis placed on the use of group responses, partner responses, and written responses.  In addition, procedures for involving all students in the reading of classroom materials will be presented.  Procedures will be explained, demonstrated, and practiced.  Examples will represent a variety of courses and age levels.  Participants will also analyze the best practices demonstrated in videos. 

Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

1.   Identify a variety of active participation procedures that would be appropriate for their setting and population
2.   Outline procedures for the following types of participation: choral responses, discussion, partner responses, written responses, hand signals, individual responses, response slates, response cards, and others
3.   Describe alternative procedures for passage reading.

"Cooperative Problem Solving "

According to Lev Vygotsky, “What children can do together today, they can do alone tomorrow.”  But have you thought of applying this philosophy to problem solving?  Research has shown that when used appropriately, cooperative learning boosts student achievement. The key is knowing how to use these strategies effectively to support the struggling learner while stretching the advanced learner. In this session, participants will learn fun, easy-to-implement cooperative problem solving strategies.  The following four types of math problems will be explored: brainteasers, daily word problems, exploratory problems, and complex math problems.  Don’t forget to put on your thinking cap before you walk in the door!

"From Phonics to Fluency to Proficient Reading:  Helping All Students Achieve Competence in Two Key Areas of the Reading Curriculum"

Word decoding and meaning (phonics and vocabulary) and fluency in reading have been found to be key elements of any successful reading program (National Reading Panel).  Despite their importance, many students fail to achieve sufficiently in these areas and many teachers do not feel completely competent in their knowledge and teaching of these reading components.  In this workshop, Dr. Timothy Rasinski will provide theoretical and research background and definition to phonics and fluency.  He will share approaches to assessing and monitoring progress in these key aspects of reading.  Finally, he will share effective and engaging strategies for teaching these all-important reading components that will move students toward better comprehension and greater proficiency in reading.

“One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.”

How do we grow better readers?  One word at a time!  Explore how to cultivate successful readers with research-based vocabulary and comprehension strategies using high-interest fiction and nonfiction.  Experience read aloud strategies that positively impact the development of vocabulary and comprehension skills of all students.  Discover how to use powerful books to build background knowledge, motivate readers, and improve comprehension in language arts, science, and social studies.

Will your entire class be ready to “show what they know” on the NC Reading Comprehension EOG?  This session will provide multiple high quality instructional activities and ideas that are not only great “teaching tools” but serve to provide students with awesome “learning tools” they can use to become strategic readers.

Some people may think the success of a child is determined by the environment from which he/she is raised, his/her attendance record at school, his/her innate ability to focus on learning, class size, or numerous other factors.  These factors are important but are considered less significant than the teacher in the class-room.  Attend this session to enhance your leadership skills and determine “focus factors” that will truly improve your school.  Note taking handout provided.

The teaching/learning process breaks down if the teacher and learner do not apply questioning techniques.  For at-risk students, learning how to ask questions that encourage higher-level thinking is much harder than simply asking questions.  In this breakout session, Kathy will show K-12 educators how to involve students in the process of “active” rather than “passive” questioning techniques.  Active participation throughout this session will enable participants to learn “use tomorrow” strategies that guarantee teachers will become facilitators of student learning.  If you are searching for a sure fire way to increase student achievement…questioning makes all the difference.  Don’t miss this session!

VISUAL LEARNING AND MATH – A SURE BET FOR ALL STUDENTS