• 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
• Phone: (630) 407-5775 | Fax: (630) 407-5803

Professional Learning Communities:

This workshop can address how to begin Professional Learning Communities in your school or for those who have four or more years in the establishment of PLC’s and wish to sustain and improve effectiveness.  The following are issues that can be addressed:

• Establishing a core launch team
• Educating your key stakeholders
• Time for PLC’s
• Developing common assessments
• Use of technology to enhance the performance of PLC’s
• Developing skills to use data
• Protocols for problem solving

Response To Intervention:

This workshop promises practical day to day implementation possibilities that transfer RtI theory to practice from the elementary through high school.  The workshop will address:

• Essential features of the core reading and math curricula and its effective delivery
• Screening, progress monitoring and assessment
• Changing roles and responsibilities of staff and administrators
• Parent communication and involvement
• Special education referral and entitlement
• Successful intervention selections

Common Core Standards:

This workshop addresses the practical adoption and application of Common Core Standards in schools and districts. The workshop addresses what educators need to know about the Common Core Standards and the practical classroom issues needing to be address so that all children can benefit from their implementation.

The Relationship Between “Humor” , Brain Research and Student Learning:

This workshop provides the links between cognitive research and humor.  It focuses on how to develop a healthy humor practice using the positive energy of humor or “humergy” to promote a balanced lifestyle and reduce stress.  The workshop will explore links between positive emotions and education.

Connecting Standards Technology and Instruction: An Inquiry Approach:

This workshop centers on how to create opportunities for students and teacher to begin the journey into real-world applications that transform teaching and learning of required content into adventures of discovery.  This workshop coaches teachers in the development of engaged learning units that are inquiry based.  These units pose relevant problems to learners; use “big ideas” and concept-based curriculum to structure learning; use technology to access, organize, analyze and report information; and value student decision making and points of view.  The workshop helps practitioners systematically restore an existing curriculum unit to better align with the indicators of engaged learning and the Common Core Standards

Technology for School Leadership: Wikis, Blogs and Twitters:

Today’s educational leader also must be a leader in the use of technology for professional development.  One important method for sustaining one’s own learning and leading is through the use of wikis, blogs, Google, and social networking sites. School leaders must educate themselves on the use of these Internet tools before they can teach students and staff.  The emphasis of this workshop will be practical and hands-on.  Participants will learn ways to utilize Web 2.0 tools for their won professional development.  A laptop will be required for this workshop.

“Peace Filled Schools” – Creating a Culture of Peacefulness:

Participants in this workshop will be introduced to key ideas framing the theories of various leadership models that are closely related to an ethos of caring. Such leadership models include Servant Leadership, Transformational Leadership, and Relational Leadership.  They will learn about theories of organizational management that support a culture of caring.  Participants will also have opportunities to reflect on their own practices, behaviors, and values and begin to define an Authentic Leadership Profile. Additionally, through interaction with other attendees, the participant will create new understandings and meanings regarding the ethos of caring and walk away with practical ideas to begin building a culture characterized as a “Peace Filled School,” that does indeed promote student learning and staff professional growth.

Understanding and Working with Diverse Communities:

A myriad of cultural, social and linguistic factors impact the academic performance of linguistically and culturally diverse students.  This workshop offers insight, awareness, and interaction around the subject of intercultural competency, its development and its necessity in school communities, as well as cultural land social issues impacting home-school relations, as well as acculturation, language development and immigration reform.

Creating Common Assessments to Enhance Student Learning:

Common assessments offer one of the most effective tools for leveraging school improvement efforts.  This practical session will help build a common vocabulary and shared understanding of what a balanced and coherent system of assessment might look like in your school.  Participants will reflect on ways to become even more assessment literate and accelerate their school’s improvement efforts.