A National Trend: Communities Working Together for Student Success
John Siskar (CEURE) and Kevin Railey (Graduate School), Buffalo State
As successful as public education has been in Western New York, a vexing challente remains: how to help all children to succeed in all schools. With graduation rates lower than fifty percent in the city of Buffalo and sinking nationwide for minority and urban youth, what do national conversations tell us about best practices for educators concerned about these issues? Some communities have embraced a cradle-to-career approach that involves community stakeholders from all sectors in supporting children. View presentation: A National Trend: Communities Working Together for Student Success
Learning from Each Other's Successes: Preparing Teachers for a Global Classroom
Pixita Del Prado Hill (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State
We are delighted to announce that our PDS Consortium is moving into the International arena with projected PDS sites in both Zambia and Chile. This presentation will share insights gained through a six month sabbatical experience in Chile through the support of a Fulbright scholarship. Discussion will focus on the projects conducted in the cities of Santiago and Temuco to promote English language learning in Chile and increase global awareness for teacher candidates in Buffalo. The implications on preparing teacher candidates for global classrooms will be explored. View presentation: Learning from Each Other's Successes: Preparing Teachers for the Global Classroom.
Public Achievement: Enabling Youth to Express Freedom, Democracy, and Citizenship in Their Community
Kathy Wood (School of Education) and Amitra Wall (Sociology), Buffalo State
Public Achievement is an experience-based civic education initiative grounded on the ideas of freedom, democracy, and citizenship as public work. This initiative, grounded in theory and history of politics, provides the means for young people to become effective civic-minded citizens. Young people identify a current public concern, work in teams to identify solutions, and implement an action plan with the help of adult coaches and stakeholders. The presenters will describe the framework and core elements of Public Achievement, explain its theory and practice, and provide examples of models. Additionally, suggestions for implementing Public Achievement in the classroom will be shared.
Circle of Practice: Teaching a Methods Course in Urban School Context
Theresa Harris-Tigg (English), Buffalo State
As teacher preparation programs across the country make plans to provide clinically rich experiences, responsive and creative collaborations with school partners is the order of the day. These critical partnerships have a direct impact on the quality of prospective teachers. The focus of this presentation is on teacher candidates enrolled in a Methods Course for secondary teachers of English Language Arts.
Utilizing Museum Resources in the Secondary Social Studies Classroom
Jill Gradwell (History), Buffalo State; Kathryn Leacock, Curator of Collections, Buffalo Museum of Science
In this interactive session, participants will learn about the vast amount of resources available in local museums in the Western New York area and how college faculty, teachers, and teacher candidates may utilize them to teach historical inquiry.
PDS in the Secondary Content Areas: Buffalo State Models & Visions
Jodelle Magner and Robin O'Dell (Mathematics) and Dr. Joseph Zawicki (Science Education), Buffalo State
This session will explore recent PDS models created by the math department as well as additional models proposed by the math and science departments for future consideration. The models will be presented and time will be provided for a discussion about facilitating the creation of PDS relationships with secondary education programs at BSC. Math, Science.
Let’s Tap That App!: Computer Apps to Enhance Classroom Learning and Teaching
Jevon Hunter (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State
From the classics to the uber-sleek to everything in between, participants will be (re)introduced to a series of mobile device and computer apps that can be used in classrooms to enrich the learning experiences of students, pre-k through graduate school. Participants also will learn about apps that may be used to complement instruction and improve productivity. Participants will have opportunities to interact directly with apps on iPads or iPod Touch devices, and if time permits, we’ll play some Angry Birds. “LET’S TAP THAT APP!” Computer Apps to Enhance Classroom Learning and Teaching
How do we educate through the visual arts?
Shirley Hayes (Art Education), Buffalo State
Participate in a dialogical interaction that explores a work of art in depth to learn how a rich artwork can have multiple layers of meaning and how those meanings might relate to personal life and world issues. Such an approach readily supports interdisciplinary possibilities for teaching.
The Power of Collaboration with Your School Librarian
Stephanie Kreutter, Library Media Specialist, Kaegebein Elementary School
Collaborating means bringing the ideas and strengths of two educators together to enhance student learning. But sometimes, it's hard to know where to start. What about with your school librarian? Learn about some of the ways you can collaborate with the librarian in your school, including working together to teach information literacy skills through curriculum centered lessons and research projects, finding expository texts to meet the Common Core Learning Standards, and learning new technology and incorporating it into your classroom.
Word Wizards
Christine Tredo (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State with her Spring EDU 311W teacher candidates: Joseph Jacobs, Michael Schuster, Matthew Brick, Brittany Dibble, Kathie Kreppenneck, Megan Hensel, and Liana Comens
A dynamic and innovative multi-faceted presentation that shows how pre-service teachers used “Morning News" to promote vocabulary acquisition. Hyde Park students from Pre-K through Grade 6 were introduced to Tier 2 words through skits that pre-service teachers created. The entire school community was motivated to use the new words and watch the school bulletin board grow. Come to hear the details!!!
Weathering the Storm: Challenges of a New Teacher
Jeffrey Furcron, Buffalo State Graduate and current Substitute Teacher
What are the first years like as a new teacher? Prospective teachers will learn of some possible struggles ahead and what they can do to help stand out from the crowd. Learn from the first-hand accounts of a new educator, and listen to the realities of those first few years. Weathering the Storm: Challenges of New Teacher.
Secondary students with mild disabilities use of StrategyTools Electronic Performance Support System
Kevin Miller (Exceptional Education), Buffalo State
Provides information on StrategyTools, a free electronic performance support assistive technology tool offering resources for secondary students with disabilities to learn and implement learning strategies, transition planning and problem solving skills. Shares a national study’s findings investigating StrategyTools usage to improve student performance and the variables influencing implementation in schools. The Use of EPSS Tools to Support Transition Programming in Inclusive Environments.
Just Good Teaching: Researched-Based Strategies in Literacy That Align to the Common Core
Tim Zgliczynski (Exceptional Education), Buffalo State
In this presentation, you will view a breakdown of the new Common Core standards in literacy and the research-based practices that align with them. These practices are traditional practices that have been proven to yield a high level of success with students at all ability levels. While many publishers scramble to create programs that support the Common Core, I will demonstrate that many of the skills that are being required for the Common Core are already present in our classrooms and being taught in a highly effective manner. The goal of this presentation is to validate current practices and to remind educators that “just good teaching" will assist in aligning our schools with the new Common Core standards in literacy. Just Good Teaching
Developing an International PDS
Hibajene Shandomo and Pixita del Prado Hill (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State
This presentation is especially designed for candidates, teachers and faculty interested in a travel abroad experience through the EER department. The presentation will introduce plans for two international Professional Development School partnerships -- one with Zambia and the other with Chile. Participants will learn about both sites and the program goals and logistics. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions about how to get involved. Becoming a Global Teacher.
Literature Circles
Angela Luka (Math Resource Teacher and Data Coordinator); Miss Janet Seel (Reading Teacher, Grades K-5); Miss Kelly Tucholka (Literature Teacher - Grades 6, 7, 8), St. Amelia’s
Our workshop presentation is designed to introduce literature circles as a cross-curricular reading comprehension strategy. We will discuss and provide various models of literature circles and an opportunity to be an active participant in a literature circle.
What impact is service learning having on Undergraduate Students?
Mary Cummings (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State
This session is the first step in looking at 8 semesters of data, both quantitative and qualitative, in order to determine the impact of the of service learning on the Undergraduate Student. Today’s presentation focuses on primarily the qualitative reflective responses. Consideration is being given to the students’ understanding of themselves in four areas both Pre-Service experience and Post Service. Those areas were; Understanding of Self, Understanding of Diversity, Making the connection to the class content, and a Desire to continue to serve. Much of the incentive for this study was driven by the work of Dr. Ernest Boyer and the Carnegie Institute for the Advancement of Teaching.
The Writing Process and Wikis
Chris Shively (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State and Teacher, Alden Elementary Schools
Wiki software enables college students to create a shared digital writing space promoting collaboration. See how undergraduate and graduate students use a wiki to co-write on lesson plans, essays, podcasts, critical interviews and literacy plans. I will demonstrate the procedure for setting up a wiki and inviting your students. Includes work from former students and how to situate the wiki in a lasting professional learning community
Establishing and Measuring the Practice of “Best” or Essential Teaching Practices at Spruce Elementary School
Peter Loehr (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State; Dr. Richard Jetter, Assistant Superintendent, Hamburg Schools
We have solid statistical confirmation that when students respond “Strongly Agree” to eight particular survey items their responses predict higher achievement levels. When “best” or essentialteaching practices address these eight areas more consistently by more teachers, more students learn at higher levels. This research project involved over 11,000 urban, suburban, and rural students over a ten-year period and will focus on North Tonawanda’s Spruce Elementary School from 2007-2011 when Dr. Richard Jetter was Principal. Establishing and Measuring the Practice of "Best" or Essential Teaching Practices at Spruce Elementary School (North Tonawanda), 2007-2011 accompanied by Increases in Student Achievement.
Fourth and Sixth Grades ~ Science Inquiry
Linda Antonio, fourth grade teacher, Rochester; Melissa Anzalone-Haywood, sixth grade MAP (Major Achievement Program) teacher, Rochester
The fourth grade did an environmental project to help clean up an area that was affected by an oil spill. A Photo Story made by the students and their science journals will be shared. The sixth grade students partnered with an area college, went to a museum, worked with scientists testing DNA, skyped, and integrated literacy. From project beginning to end, they showed a change in perspective about what a scientist is and does.
When a Children’s Book Author Becomes an American Idol
Maria Ceprano and Nancy Chicola (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State; Pam Garabedian; Stacey Blatt, Courtney Hammond, Cheryl Mohabir, Sonja Peteroangelo, Robyn Ruiz, and Nancy Beckley
Learning that Bryan Collier, a famed author and illustrator of children’s’ books would visit their school, the children engaged in various projects modeled on his literary and artistic style. Event preparations and outcomes are described, demonstrating how powerful and inspiring such a school visit can be for children.
Your Neighborhood Grocery Store: Global Book Project in a Non-Traditional Urban Professional Development School Setting
Kim Truesdell (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State
In its second year, the Global Book Hour has proven very successful in developing a community of readers at the Wegmans store on Amherst Street near Grant. In addition to EDU 211 students, art and music education students participated in creating meaningful literacy activities for children and their families. The addition of skyping to two different countries made for a truly global experience. This session will describe the program and the impact on children and their families and on teacher candidates in a foundational literacy class.
Bridging the Technological Highway: Pre-service Teachers and My Classroom
Susan Wilson (Elementary Education & Reading), Buffalo State and Special Education Teacher, Alden Primary School
Teaching 5-7 year olds and pre-service students has more technological similarities than one might think. Join me as I explore some of the online tools I utilize to teach ALL of my students. There will be time allotted for hands on activities. iPads will be available, laptops are also welcome. http://www.k12.ginet.org/webpages/skreutter/pdsretreat2011.cfm
Professional Development Schools
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