Workshops

"Teaching Your Buffaloes to Fly: Leading Your Schools in Turbulent Times"

Do you sometimes question why you got into this educational leadership business in the first place? Do you ever feel like all of your hard work is for naught and is not appreciated? Does the new era of accountability have you and your staff reeling? What you need is to slow down, step back, and get your perspective in line with reality. People are depending on you to provide the vision for the desired future for your organization and you cannot do that from a defensive position. This session will delve into the critical issues of leadership that are required of the principal and senior staff of any organization if it is to successfully navigate the turbulent waters of the 21st century.

"The Impact of NCLB on School Improvement Planning"

Reaching success standards for all subgroups is a new requirement for many schools. School improvement teams must re-think traditional strategies for data analysis and plan development if we are to make AYP. This workshop teaches proven strategies from analysis and goal setting to monitoring and reporting which any team can utilize to show continuous improvement.

“Curriculum Alignment: A Critical Response to NCLB”

The demand for reform in public education has led to accountability measures linked to high stakes testing. Teachers and administrators are working feverishly to raise test scores; but with limited time, we need to be sure we are working smarter, not just harder. Content and context alignment are necessary for success in this high stakes testing environment. This session will explore the process and the rationale for curriculum alignment and suggest strategies for accomplishing this goal.

“Deep Alignment: The Next Step after Content Alignment to Ensure Success in a High Stakes Testing Environment”

If you have aligned your curriculum content to the state test and still are not making AYP, this session is for you. After the publication of statewide benchmark standards, localities rushed to align local curricula to the required content. While this is a necessary step to gain success for students, it is not sufficient. School districts must move to deep alignment if they are to move all students to high achievement levels, especially students who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This session focuses on the theory and research base behind deep alignment and gives participants some initial practice in this critical strategy.

“Developing a High Performance Learning Culture”

Schools cannot improve when the culture does not support school improvement. Often in the push to improve quickly, the school’s culture is forgotten. Participants will learn what culture is and why it must be cultivated; what roles leaders play in growing the culture; and what tools and strategies are available to help leaders foster a culture that supports improvement, high expectations and the well-being of students.

“Managing Upwards: The Role of the Assistant Principal"

How do you lead from the second position? What if you don’t understand the direction of your boss or don’t agree with it? How can you best learn from the AP role so you are prepared for advancement? This workshop will give you valuable tips to succeed and grow and help your school succeed in the process.

“Using Data to Lead Change”

Schools that successfully improve student achievement do so by regularly
using data to guide decisions about instruction, student support and professional development. Easy-to-use processes are taught and participants learn how data is a vital part of the school improvement process.

“Prioritizing, Mapping and Monitoring the Curriculum”

In a high stakes testing world, this module helps schools keep their curriculum on target. Participants will learn the benefits of prioritizing, mapping and monitoring the curriculum and more deeply understand what we want students to learn, which learning is most important, and how to know if the curriculum is being taught.

“Leading Assessment and Instruction”

Participants learn to link curriculum, assessment and instruction; to use effectively assessment for learning strategies to improve learning; to recognize good instruction; and to use effective research-based instructional strategies, tools and processes to observe/study assessment and instruction.

“Meeting the Standards: Looking at Teacher Assignments and Student Work”

Schools can adopt standards that ask students to learn at high levels, but classroom
assignments often do not match the standards. Participants learn a process that schools can use to analyze teacher assignments and student work to determine if assignments really require students to do high quality work that helps them meet the standards.

"Developing Your School Improvement Plan"

This workshop is designed for individual school teams who want personalized coaching on analyzing their data, identifying critical growth areas and developing a targeted school improvement plan that meets local and state guidelines under NCLB.

“Over The Line – When Bullying Becomes Crime”

When does harmless play become crime? When it’s taken “Over the Line.” Who is liable for bullying? Bullying has been linked to many of the high profile weapon incidents in our nation. Know where that line is and what steps can be taken to respond to and prevent bullying. Why put out fires when you can learn how to remove the fuel?

“Effective Strategies to Deal with Student Threats”

We need to pay more attention to those who pose the greatest threats instead of those who make the most threats. This session will help educators evaluate and respond to threats efficiently and safely.

“Understanding Our Families”

Many of our children live in families that do not provide the emotional, social, and physical resources that they need for healthy development. Learn the characteristics of these families, how children are affected, and what we as educators can do to meet these needs.

“The Resilient Self”

In the midst of adversity (poverty, family substance abuse, divorce, etc.) some children are able to rise above the difficulty while others succumb to the tragedy. Current research demonstrates the strengths children possess and provides educators with an asset based approach to student success.

“QPR – Question, Persuade, and Refer for Suicide Prevention”

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for children, and many state laws lay the burden for intervention upon school personnel. QPR is a straight-forward model designed for all school personnel to perform the correct steps in suicide prevention.

“Working With the Aggressive Student”

This session provides critical skills for school personnel to maintain both personal and student safety. Based upon the proven model of the game triangle and transactional conflicts, this verbal intervention is designed to de-escalate the crisis and assist adult staff members in maintaining order.

“Kids, Culture, and Kemicals”

The drugs are essentially the same, but the culture is very different. And the generation that had the most drug exposure (the “Boomers” –the parents and teachers) knows the least. This workshop takes an informative look at substance abuse, the drugs children use, how they use them, and what parents and educators are to look for.

“Are You Bully-Proof?”

Bullying, harassment, and assault are major issues for schools, and we can no longer ignore the criminal consequences of this behavior. This is not a program to implement, but a process of changing the culture of the school through the successful research of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Group.

“Getting Organized for Classroom Success”

How many times have students entered your classrooms unprepared to learn? This training is designed to equip students in grades 3-12 with the skills necessary for academic success in all content areas.

“Higher Order Thinking Skills”

The research is clear! Critical thinking is essential to success on state assessments. Learn practical strategies that lead to dramatic improvements.

“Differentiated Instruction”

Having trouble addressing the multiple ability levels and learning styles in your classroom? This session will give you practical answers to this complex issue.

“The Amazing Power of the Brain”

Experience the excitement and confidence which results from a basic understanding of the relationship between brain functions and academic achievement.

“Finishing Touches: The Series (K-12)”

Academic success without social competence often leads to failure in life. Learn how social skills instruction can change the climate and culture of your school and prepare students for life beyond K-12 education.

“Moral Minds”

When we change what students believe about their ability to succeed, we change lives. Learn how character development supports academic success.

Keynotes:
Never Love Children into Failure: Teachers
Don’t Let Friends Steal Your Dreams: Students
Work is NOT a Four Letter Word: Teachers and Administrators
Reclaiming Your Passion: Lessons in Servant Leadership: Teachers and
Administrators

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