Conferences — Page 2

Personalizing your own Professional Development & DC

April 5, 2015 by Amber 1 Comment

I’ve spoken before on how important it is to take charge of your own PD. At the Greater Clark Ed Conference I spoke to a room full of administrators on using their power for good, their admin power. This year this was a new opportunity. The Alliance for Education partnered with the National Teaching & Learning Conference to present a “Digital Learning Day Live” over Spring Break.

I first received a casual text asking if I would be interested in presenting at this event last October. It was an almost comical request. Hey Amber…Do you think you’d want to…come to DC & present on how to personalize your own personal development & growth…

You can access my session presentation here.

Watch Daisy Dyer Duerr be recognized for her tireless efforts in her rural school.

Stand where Martin Luther King Jr. stood.

Meet Governor Bob Wise, president of the Alliance.

Visit the Department of Education. (The ACTUAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.)

Have a fascinating discussion with Arnie Duncan’s staff. Have this discussion in Arnie Duncan’s conference room.

Finally meet two people who I literally talk to EVERYSINGLEDAY for the first time.

Visit the big Abraham.

Visit Arlington National Cemetery.

GO ON A TOUR OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

Meh. I guess I could do that…

(I jest. This trip was one of the most incredible opportunities I’ve experienced. Add in the amazing people that I have the blessing of calling friends…& it may not get much better than that.)

PLN humbled,

Amber

Do you offer feedback or feed forward? #ASCD15

March 22, 2015 by Amber 1 Comment

I had the opportunity t to talk to the assistant principal and two teachers from Magnolia Elementary today, winners of the ASCD Whole Child Vision and Action award today. There were several take-aways that stood out.

When asked about walk-throughs and how the administration provided guidance, one teacher mentioned that as a campus they focus on giving “feed-forward” information, asking questions that allow self discovery. It works for kids and they said it really works for them!
Mental health cohort- The team of specialists on their campus meet regularly to discuss students and their needs. The speech therapist, school psychologist, the counselor, and others..all with a vested interest in some of the high flyers on the campus…they decided if a mentor is needed or if further support is needed.
These teachers mentioned empowerment several times. One of the ways that this was evident was that for their PD, each grade decides what they need in order to grow, and work with campus specialists to get the training they need. Students struggling in interventions? Great, let’s bring in the Title I specialist. Want to add some movement in your lessons for student wiggles? Awesome, let’s ask the PE teacher if she can meet with us. They utilize their on campus experts.
Administrator support- open door policy, all the way. The staff knows that they can come with any ideas, suggestions, or questions and receive the opportunity to talk and be heard.

This should be every administrators goal. Be steady and supportive.

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I was very impressed with the positivity that emanated from this group, and know that they are all in for the right reason…their students! With the population they are working with, it cant be easy, but I guarantee its worth it!

Sharingly,

Amber

Conferencing at #ASCD15? Here’s why you better be!

March 18, 2015 by Amber 1 Comment

ASCD is having its annual this conference in Houston this weekend. I am a member of several organizations, and attend several national conferences, in addition to local region/state events, and this by FAR is my favorite. Attending ASCD provides a chance to grow, as well as make connections with other educators from around the nation.

While, yes, I may be biased because of their outstanding communications team, there is so much that this organization and conference offers.

Keynote speakers: This year offers Sarah Lewis, who will talk about the concept of grit and play, both national hot topics. Nicholas Negroponte, the first ever TED talker, will talk about how its the EFFORT that should excite and teach us, not just the end result.
Content: This conference offers sessions that are literature rich, research based, and RELEVANT. While technology will be embedded in different sessions there isn’t a device focused buzz, or any “silver bullet” discussions that would require a “tool”. Best practices here revolve around people, ideas, and most importantly, students.
Author mixer: Steven Anderson (@web20classroom), Reggie Routman (@regieroutman) Todd Whitaker (@toddwhitaker), and my instructional coach crush Robyn Jackson, (@Robyn_Mindsteps) have all recently written books for ASCD and I’ll have an opportunity to talk with each of them, gleam any gems of greatness that I can , and will share out!
The 2015-ness: From the app to the official hashtag (#ascd15) ASCD naturally has taken the “connected” pieces and integrated them into their conference. Wifi, blog lounges, and a hearty twitter stream will all be in the background, available as needed.

I am REALLY excited about this weekend! Throw in that it is in TEXAS again this year, which means I can drive and am guaranteed to see some Texas faces, and I am counting down!

The awesome Joe Mazza (@joe_mazza) has also created an #ASCD15 Voxer group, if you’re a Voxer.

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Join in!

If you are not able to make it this year, follow the twitter stream, there is sure to be a lot shared!

Take charge of your PD, make ASCD one of your growth commitments!

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ASCD ready,

Amber

An #ASCD opportunity!

October 23, 2014 by Amber Leave a Comment

FY15-PDIs-590x120 Flipping PD for educators allows them to do much of their own learning at home, at their own pace, and improves the time spent together in a large group. During the ASCD Educator Effectiveness Institute, Engaged and Inspired: High-Impact Strategies to Motivate and Challenge Each Learner, attendees will take part in both online and on-site learning.

Three weeks before the on-site meeting, participants will join an online learning community on ASCD EDge. Led by ASCD faculty member Stefani Hite, attendees will discuss student motivation theory based on the September 2014 edition of Educational Leadership, “Motivation Matters,” which includes important motivation topics such as choice, rigor, curiosity, relevance, feedback and relationships. At their own pace, participants will read articles from the EL issue that will frame their on-site professional development.

Next, participants will meet for one day on-site with Hite to explore what motivates students. Once on-site, participants will dive deep into student engagement and participation strategies that enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral engagement. Attendees will identity four strategies and set goals as to how they will use them in their classrooms.

Finally, the virtual learning community will reconvene for coaching and collaboration with other participants and Hite. Participants will discuss the strategies that they have implemented in their school or classroom and share what has worked and what has been challenging. Participants can exchange feedback and ideas and Hite will also answer questions and offer expert advice for four to six weeks after the on-site meeting.

This is a great opportunity for educators to not only take part in flipped professional learning, but also address one of the most important factors contributing to student achievement.

You can find all details, locations, and dates here: http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/institutes/engaged-and-inspired.aspx

Happy learning!
Amber

edcampDallas hosted by Wylie ISD! October 25, 2014

October 9, 2014 by Amber Leave a Comment

We have another opportunity to participate in an edcamp this month! EdcampDallas is being held October 25th, 2014 at Wylie East High School.

The tweetup, an opportunity to see and meet some virtual connections, will be held Friday night at 6pm at Houlihans.

Why should you give up a Saturday to go to an edcamp?

10. You are passionate about what you do and see the benefit in always modeling what it means to be a lifelong learner.

9. You know how tight your budget is AND how tight our budget is! Why pay to go away when you can have the best for free?

8. Differentiation is important to you and your development as well!

7. You agree that your favorite part of any staff development is talking with your peers, those who are in the trenches with you! Their perspective can give you support and strength.

6. You know that you bring something to the table. Your skills and expertise in what YOU do has value! (Think about hosting an session!)

5. There’s no pressure! Love it or hate it, you’ve invested no $$ to make you feel guilty about switching sessions during the day!

4. Meeting new friends and creating (or extending?) your PLN makes your heart happy!

3. Walking away with free, applicable tools for your classroom is a undeniable perk.

2. Edcamps are ALL inclusive. You get a breakfast, free sessions, door prizes, GREAT PD, and it’s all free. All you have to do is show up!

1. And the number one reason why YOU should come to edcampDallas at WEHS??

edcamps are EMPOWERING. It allows the true voices of the classroom to have a say in what is being done, in how it is being done, and in ways to IMPROVE what is being done. Take charge!

Take a chance! Come to edcampDallas! You won’t regret it! There are already almost 400 people from all around the STATE committed to attending!

edcampR,

Amber