Professional Development Offerings

Month Date Upcoming Event
September9/14/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMTeaching Standards
An in depth look at the 5 teaching standards and 25 elements within the standards. A brief history of the development of the standards and the reasons for the increase in standards and expectations for all NC teachers.
9/21/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEvaluation Process and Practice
Training on the entire evaluation process exploring both administrator and teacher roles. Practice activities using the rubric and the four rating scales of developing, proficient, accomplished and distinguished. Participants will gain a stronger understanding of what behaviors are exhibited at each of the rubric levels.
9/23/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEarth Science for High School
This session will focus on oceanography and geology.  One-half of the day will center around how the lithosphere is changing due to various forces.  Participants will use maps, charts, data and photographs to study the surface of the Earth.  The other half of the day will concentrate on ways that a high school class can simulate actual studies of the ocean, when the school is not located very close to the coast.  Handouts and resources will be shared.
9/29/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMNCReads Regional Training-Reading Informational Text
Event is Full: Accepting Wait List Registrations
As national and state standards continue to define and set high expectations for our students, our K-3 classrooms must be equipped to provide instruction using a variety of texts across content areas. This session focuses on the use of informational text to teach not only reading and reading comprehension, but to also use the text to meet other content area standards.
9/30/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PM21st Century Skills in the Classroom & Effective Goal Setting
This session will answer the question 'What are 21st century skills and how are they used effectively in the classroom?' We will also develop an understanding of how a teacher uses 21st century skills to demonstrate mastery in the new teacher evaluation process. The second part of this session will focus on writing effective goals in the evaluation process.
9/30/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMLeadership Development for Aspiring Principals
Delivered over the course of a year, the five sessions will examine the areas of School Climate and Culture, Instructional Leadership, Managment/Operations, Special Topics and School Improvement. Focus of each session will be on practical strategies & hands-on activities to increase skill and confidence in each area. The other dates are 11/18/09, 1/13/2011, 3/10/2011, and 5/12/2010.
October10/5/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMDeveloping Strong Teacher Leadership in the School
This session will look at the elements of Standard 1: Teacher Leadership and provide practical behaviors to help teachers move through the levels of the rubric. By exploring our own learning and leadership styles and learning to recognize those of others, we become stronger teacher leaders.
10/6/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEducational Leadership for the 21st Century
In this age of formative assessment, merit pay and increased accountability teachers continue to move towards excellence within the school community. This professional development opportunity is designed for teachers who want to grow their leadership skills or for those interested in becoming teacher leaders.
10/7/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMTeaching Digital Natives: Partnering for Real Learning
Marc Prensky is the author of Teaching Digital Natives/Partnering for Real Learning, which addresses the needs of 21st century learners from the perspective that learners already have technology skills. Prensky defines partnering as letting students and teachers focus on those aspects of learning they can do best.
10/14/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMInstructional Coaching
Assist instructional coaches in becoming informed practitioners. Learn how the coaching process, according to recent research, impacts the transfer of teacher learning to student achievement and success.
10/19/2010 8:30 AM - 10/20/2010 2:45 PMPrincipal Leadership for Special Education
In this two-day workshop, principals will become familiar with the legal and educational requirements in IDEA, Section 504, and NCLB and will learn approaches and skills that they can use to exercise their instructional leadership to improve their schools’ responsiveness to the needs of all learners.
10/21/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMUnderstanding Student Brains
Teaching is only profession responsible for changing brains. Today’s technology is beginning to reveal how the brain functions & what impacts human thinking & learning. These revolutionary findings offer compelling information about how to make dramatic improvements in student learning and performance. Teacher Academy trainers lead educators to a better understanding of how brain research can impact diverse learners and offer practical strategies that will transform classrooms.
November11/4/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMTeaching With The Brain In Mind
This energizing session provides two critical elements: the background and the practical. Discover how teaching actually changes brain. Learn the specific classroom tested strategies you can use to boost student achievement. 
11/9/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMDeveloping Strong Teacher Leadership in the School
This session will look at the elements of Standard 1: Teacher Leadership and provide practical behaviors to help teachers move through the levels of the rubric. By exploring our own learning and leadership styles and learning to recognize those of others, we become stronger teacher leaders.
11/18/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMElementary Math: Model Drawings
Problem solving consists of many strategies, such as guess & check, make an organized list, look for patterns, work backwards, etc. The model drawing strategies are adapted from the Singapore math curriculum, which focuses on moving students from the concrete level to the pictorial level to the abstract level, reinforcing students’ visualization & understanding of math concepts & processes.
December12/9/2010 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMMiddle Grades Math: Developing Flexibility in Proportional Thinking
The middle grades mathematics curriculum makes a transition from absolute reasoning to relative thinking.  Students need to develop flexibility in being able to visualize proportional problems from different perspectives.  Participants will learn to identify the different types of proportional reasoning problems and will identify strategies for increasing flexibility in proportional thinking for utilization in classroom instruction.
12/9/2010 9:00 AM - 3:00 PMAfter the Superintendency, What?
Planning my next life! How do I take advantage of my skills set, my experience, my learned wisdom? How do I use this continuing, unspent 'ego energy' in a different way? How can I engage differently and find the same level of performance satisfaction? What about aging - what can I expect to happen as the years close in on me - what can I do to get ready for that change?
January1/13/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEarth Science for Middle Grades
This session will focus mainly on Goal 3.01-3.04 for 6th grade and Goal 5.01-5.05 for 8th grade in the current SCOS.  Teachers will participate in activities which concentrate on forces that shape the Earth, processes occurring within the lithosphere, mapping, remote sensing and satellite imagery.  In addition, teachers will see examples of formative assessments that can be used to check students for understanding of major science concepts.
1/18/2011 8:30 AM - 1/18/2010 2:45 PM21st Century Skills in the Classroom & Effective Goal Setting
This session will answer the question 'What are 21st Century Skills and how are they used effectively in the classroom?' We will also develop an understanding of how a teacher uses 21st Century skills to demonstrate mastery in the new teacher evaluation process. The second part of this session will focus on writing effective goals in the evaluation process.
1/21/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMMedia Literacy: You Tube Generation
Designed to increase the critical thinking skills of K12 learners in all content areas, this session provides multiple methods to analyze media messages.  Expanding the concept of literacy to include all forms of media, teachers will learn innovative ways to engage students using both high and low technological options in active inquiry about messages they receive and create.
February2/8/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMTeaching Standards
An in depth look at the 5 teaching standards and 25 elements within the standards. A brief history of the development of the standards and the reasons for the increase in standards and expectations for all NC teachers.
2/10/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMRaising ESL Student Achievement
Based on researched information from the Center of Applied Linguistics, Dr. Kathleen Kenfield, and best practices in the ESL field, this session is designed to enable elementary and secondary  regular K-12 teachers to develop literacy and content skills and utilize instructional strategies for successfully teaching their ESL students
2/16/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEvaluation Process and Practice
Training on the entire evaluation process exploring both administrator and teacher roles. Practice activities using the rubric and the four rating scales of developing, proficient, accomplished and distinguished. Participants will gain a stronger understanding of what behaviors are exhibited at each of the rubric levels.
2/17/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PM21st Century Skills in the Classroom & Effective Goal Setting
This session will answer the question 'What are 21st Century Skills and how are they used effectively in the classroom?' We will also develop an understanding of how a teacher uses 21st Century skills to demonstrate mastery in the new teacher evaluation process. The second part of this session will focus on writing effective goals in the evaluation process.
2/24/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMThe Special Needs Brain
Explore practical solutions for the hard-to-reach student.
March3/2/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEducational Leadership for the 21st Century
In this age of formative assessment, merit pay and increased accountability teachers continue to move towards excellence within the school community. This professional development opportunity is designed for teachers who want to grow their leadership skills or for those interested in becoming teacher leaders.
3/8/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMDeveloping Strong Teacher Leadership in the School
This session will look at the elements of Standard 1: Teacher Leadership and provide practical behaviors to help teachers move through the levels of the rubric. By exploring our own learning and leadership styles and learning to recognize those of others, we become stronger teacher leaders.
3/9/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMUnderstanding by Design
This workshop will focus on the role of assessment in a differentiated classroom. We will explore seven practical and proven strategies for effective assessment and grading practices in a differentiated classroom.
3/16/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMWhat Great Teachers Do Differently: 14 Things That Matter Most
What are the specific qualities and practices of great teachers that elevate them above the rest? This workshop reveals what the most effective teachers do differently than their colleagues.
3/18/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEarth Science for First and Third Grades
During this workshop, teachers will participate in hands-on science activities using 5E+ Lesson cycles. First and third grade teachers will examine earth materials, soil and water. Great lesson cycles and resources will be shared.
3/18/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMEarth Science for Fourth and Fifth Grades
During this workshop, teachers will participate in hands-on science activities using 5E+ Lesson cycles. Fourth and fifth grade teachers will study rocks and minerals and changing landforms on the Earth. Great lesson cycles and resources will be shared.
3/18/2011 8:30 AM - 3/18/2010 2:45 PMEarth Science for Kindergarten and Second Grades
During this workshop, teachers will participate in hands-on science activities using 5E+ Lesson cycles. Kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers will focus on describing and measuring the weather. Great lesson cycles and resources will be shared.
April4/7/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMWorksheets Don't Grow Dendrites
This highly sought after speaker believes in keeping students motivated and actively engaged in reading and language arts learning.  Participants will experience 20 instructional strategies which take advantage of the way the brain learns best.  These hands-on techniques will help you teach reading in relevant, motivating and engaging ways. 
4/14/2011 8:30 AM - 2:45 PMGetting Started With Differentiation
Differentiated instruction is a broad term that refers to a variety of classroom practices for accommodating student learning differences and maximizing learning opportunities for every child.  This Teacher Academy Differentiated Instruction session is infused with practical strategies for meeting the learning needs in diverse classrooms at any grade level and can be tailored to be content-area specific.