December Professional Development Updates
Please forward this email on to educators in your building. If you have any questions about professional Development, please email Rebecca Wade (rebecca@spft.org).
SPFT believe’s that the most relevant and effective professional development is led by educators. Because of this, SPFT’s Teaching & Learning Center is proud to offer professional development that is research-based and created and delivered by educators. All our courses are presented as an on-going, reflective process, rather than a singular in-service event. Through these classes, we emphasize the practical application and implementation of instructional strategies.
All SPFT members are eligible to take these courses free of charge. Courses can be taken for stipend, in-service credits (good towards lane change), or for graduate credit through Saint Mary’s University (for an additional fee). Log onto PD Express to register.
Do you need to renew your license?
If so, don’t miss these re-licensure opportunities:
The Teaching & Learning Center will offer three opportunities for educators to complete re-licensure requirements. All sessions will be held at Education Minnesota.
- January 13, 2018 — Identifying Student Mental Health (includes suicide prevention requirement), Accommodations & Modifications, Digital Technology Strategies in the Classroom
- February 10, 2018 — Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies, Supporting English Learners in the Classroom, Reading Preparation Seminar
- March 17, 2018 — Supporting English Learners in the Classroom, Accommodations & Modifications, Identifying Student Mental Health (includes the suicide prevention requirement), Digital Technology Strategies in the Classroom — participants will choose 3 of the 4 courses.
Click HERE for more information or to register.
Upcoming Courses
Instructional Strategies That Work for all Disciplines (S)
This course provides opportunities for the practical application of instructional strategies identified in the research on effective instruction. These strategies have been proven to support student learning, if implemented systematically and routinely in the classroom. Once learned by the students, the concepts in this course enable students to move from novice to expert learners. Course participants will also learn how to evaluate materials, organize content for learning, and develop rubrics. ISTW content is applicable K – 12.
Course Dates: 1/6, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
Foundations of Effective Teaching I: Organizing the Classroom Environment for Teaching and Learning (R & S)
This course addresses the fundamental aspects of teaching and learning that are relevant for teachers and classroom paraprofessionals who work with students from pre K – 12th grade. It is applicable to all subject areas. Content includes creating a positive classroom environment, increasing student engagement, maximal use of learning time, interactive guided instruction strategies, scaffolding techniques, questioning and feedback skills and using homework to extend learning. Additionally, this course makes direct connection from the course content to our teacher evaluation (Standards of Effective Teaching), Culturally Relevant Teaching and content standards (both Common Core and MN State Standards).
Saturday Course Dates: 1/6, 1/20, 2/3, 2/17 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
Tuesday Evening Course Dates: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 from 4:30-8:00 PM
Beginning Reading Instruction (T)
This course focuses on how children learn to read and ways to teach beginning reading from kindergarten to the end of second grade. This course contains the information on how children develop basic decoding skills. It is useful for teachers and paraprofessionals working with older students who are having difficulty with decoding and fluency.
The course presents a synthesis of the research consensus for beginning reading instruction. In addition, the most effective strategies for teaching beginning reading are provided with an emphasis on helping students develop phonemic awareness, knowledge of the alphabet system, phonics/decoding skills, print awareness, fluency, and comprehension.
Course Dates: 1/13, 2/10, 3/3, 4/21 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
School, Family and Community: Partnerships that Support Student Learning
Educators participating in this course will identify characteristics of an effective home learning environment by examining topics such as resiliency in children and overcoming adversity. Time will be spent learning how to create a school environment that is socially, emotionally, and academically supportive to students and their families. There will be a strong focus on using several successful strategies for improving communication between school and home. Participants will learn to maximize student engagement in and successful completion of homework.
Course Dates: 1/13, 2//10, 3/3, 4/21 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
English Language Learners 101 Module 1: Who are ELL’s
This course is targeted to preK-12 mainstream educators of English Language Learners. Participants will gain an understanding of second language acquisition to increase awareness of ELLs strengths and empathy for their needs. Participants will identify strategies to scaffold and differentiate instruction, increase knowledge of state and federal laws for ELLs, and examine research-based instructional strategies to optimize academic learning for ELLs.
Course Dates: 2/3, 2/10. 2/24 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
English Language Learners Module II: Second Language Acquisition and Literacy Development
This course is targeted to preK-12 inclusive classroom educators of English Language Learners. This course will engage participants in the learning and understanding of second language acquisition to increase awareness of ELLs strengths and empathy for their needs. Participants will identify strategies to scaffold and differentiate instruction, increase knowledge of state and federal laws for ELLs, and examine research-based instructional strategies to optimize academic learning for ELLs.
Course Dates: 1/6, 1/20, 1/27 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
English Language Learners Module III
This course is targeted to preK-12 inclusive classroom educators of English Language Learners. In this course participants will examine cultural influences that mainstream educators of ELs need to understand to ensure collaboration with families. This course will engage participants in learning about culture and cultural competency, equity and access to content, cultural impact on academic achievement, and culturally competent family engagement practices.
Course Dates: 1/6, 1/20, 1/27 from 8:30-4 PM (unless otherwise noted on PD Express)
Exciting EL Opportunity for All Educators
This professional development, designed by a multidisciplinary team of SPPS teacher leaders, taps into the assets and resources of all learners. Participants will deepen, enrich, and enhance their knowledge and practices around the following topics:
- Culturally Relevant Pedagogy for English Learners
- Who are English Learners? Data and Demographics
- Historical legal foundations of English Learner Education in the US
- Instructional planning and strategies for English Learners
- WIDA frameworks and resources that support academic language instruction
Colleagues are encouraged to attend in teams or partnerships. In this four-day training, subs will be provided. Course Numbers listed below.
Office of Academics/AT: Enrich, Enhance, Empower: Developing Classroom Frameworks for English Learners Cohort 1 – Secondary [OA1700-17Winter]
Office of Academics/AT: Enrich, Enhance, Empower: Developing Classroom Frameworks for English Learners Cohort 2 – Elementary [OA1702-17Winter]
Is there a professional development topic not offered by SPFT? Reach out to Rebecca Wade at rebecca@spft.org to share your ideas. We are working on adding additional courses to our offerings — please visit the website frequently to see what new courses are available.