2024 RISE Conference

In this session, I will share my experience as a James Madison Fellow, a program designed to improve the teaching of the U.S. Constitution in secondary schools. As a fellow, I had the opportunity to complete graduate coursework focused on constitutional history and attend a four-week Summer Institute on Constitutional principles in Washington D.C.

During this session we will share a methodology to help support a well-rounded, comprehensive, inclusive instrumental music program. Topics will include vertical alignment, content and curriculum choices, differentiated instruction, budgeting, scheduling, recruitment / retention, and other common topics. I'm always asked "how do you build a strong program" from other directors. This session will pull back the curtain and share tips and tricks for engaging, developing, and challenging young musicians of all skills and backgrounds.

This session will be hosted as a round table discussion about Music performance mindset for conductors and student performers exploring resources such as "The Inner Game of Music", "Effortless Mastery," "Golf is not a game of Perfect," and the Scott Rush Pathways book that many directors use. This would allow directors to talk about how we help our students to focus on building culture as much as we try to build it within our band programs.

Do your students struggle to start writing tasks? Do final products never reach initial expectations? Do you avoid writing instruction due to time, lack of student interest, or challenges with self-confidence in your own writing? Self-regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) can support you in addressing these challenges and others. SRSD, an evidence-based practice for writing, is consistently rated as the instructional strategy for writing with the strongest impact on students’ performance (e.g., Graham et al., 2012).

The framework includes explicit instruction to support students in self-regulation throughout the writing process while addressing deficits in initial schema, genre knowledge, and self-efficacy. SRSD works for students in general education (e.g., McKeown et al., 2023), with learning disabilities (FitzPatrick & McKeown, 2021), with behavioral challenges (Ennis et al., 2013), and with Attention Deficit Disorders (e.g., Reid et al., 2014). Studies have spanned the three common genres -- persuasive, informative, and narrative. Studies have included students from first grade (e.g., Collins et al. 2023) through college (e.g., Ray et al., 2021).

In this presentation, we review the scientific findings supporting SRSD, the six stages of SRSD, share experiences and artifacts from three practitioners who implemented SRSD in their classrooms, model lessons, and have practitioners conduct portions of the lessons themselves. We will provide digital resources, text recommendations, and contact information for further exploration. Participants will have a clear understanding of the framework and access to additional resources if they choose to implement in their classrooms.

Collaborative opportunity for elementary SLMC to review BOY

This session will provide attendees with the opportunity to learn how to build a supportive classroom community through collaboration between teachers and teacher assistants.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide teachers and teacher assistants with information, strategies and tips for supporting one another and building a collaborative classroom community.
The objective of this is to support teachers and teacher assistants to work collaboratively to create the best possible learning environment for their students.

I will engage the audience through small group discussions and engaging and humorous presentations of the materials.

The attendees will receive strategies and tips to implement building a collaborative, classroom community.

Whether you are brand new or a seasoned school librarian, join me for a lively exploration into the world of collection development! In this session, we'll delve into the crucial factors to consider when analyzing and enhancing library collections. From the importance of mindful curation to the role of inventory management, we'll uncover strategies to optimize your library's offerings. Discover the power of community engagement through effective surveying techniques and learn how to weed out the unnecessary to make room for the extraordinary. Explore methods to strengthen curriculum connections and secure vital funding for your library's growth. Plus, we'll share tips on effectively communicating findings with your school community. Get ready for an enlightening and entertaining journey through the twists and turns of collection development!

Media Coordinators and school administrators are invited to join me in learning about the essential components to increase library circulation. We will explore how curated materials tailored to diverse interests can serve as the cornerstone for increased circulation. We will delve into the significance of circulation statistics by using data to make informed decisions and optimize resources.. Additionally, we emphasize the pivotal role of understanding curriculum, as aligning library offerings with educational needs and how that can increase circulation. Through this presentation, attendees will gain actionable strategies aimed at revitalizing library circulation and fostering a vibrant reading culture.