Professional Development at FEA

AFT's $200,000 Groundbreaking Grants: The AFT Innovation Fund is a groundbreaking plan to seek and share successful local educator and union-led reform efforts in public schools. AFT is leveraging “top-down” support for “bottom-up” reforms by harnessing the strengths, experience and know-how of our teachers and their unions. Application Deadline is May 25, 2009. http://webcast.aft.org/

This interactive, Problem Based Learning workshop entitled: Show Me the Money: Take Action to Find the Funds You Need will enable participants to have a working understanding of the grant writing process, understand the relationship between school level planning and proposal writing, use quantitative and qualitative data to substantiate a grant proposal, understand and access the basic sources of funding including government, private foundations and corporations, interpret instructions and application guidelines, evaluate proposal strengths and weaknesses, and coordinate a grant proposal with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Grants Administration. Through focused learning activities, participants will create and submit grant proposals whose implementation will lead to enhanced learning opportunities for teachers and students. For more information, please contact Bob Husbands at bob.husbands@floridaea.org

The Regional Training Center (RTC) project is designed to make union-sponsored, outstanding professional development opportunities available across the state and to develop a group of experienced trainers in each of five geographic regions. This summer Regional Training Centers will be held in:

• The Panhandle at the Gulf Coast Community College, June 8 – 12
• The Crown Region at Pacetti Bay Middle School, St. Augustine, June 15 --18.
• East Central at the Volusia Teachers Association office in Daytona Beach, June 15 --18, and June 26; and the Edith J. Starke Elementary School in DeLand, June 15 -- 19.
• The South Region at Michael Krop Senior High in Miami-Dade, June 15 -- 19
• West Coast at Southeastern Nova University in Ft. Meyers, June 22 – 26

Each center has developed a list of course offerings targeted to address the needs and interests of their educators, both teachers and ESPs.

Why is a Regional Training Center a great idea?
We know that a primary motivator for newer members and potential members is professional growth. We also know educators have limited time and money. Regional Training Centers will make union-based, professional development opportunities more accessible and available. In addition, our members can develop their teacher leadership skills through the Regional Training Cadres.

What do we hope to accomplish and how will we measure progress?

• RTC gives local unions a calling card for members, and it reinforces the union’s role in professional issues. Project directors will monitor the increase member participation in professional development activities and other union efforts.
• Newer teachers are particularly interested in professional growth. RTC will attract potential members new to the profession and retain members who want their union to be a professional organization along with negotiating contracts, ensuring benefits, and providing legal protection. Membership numbers and density levels are the measurements.
• RTC gives educators a place to demonstrate their knowledge and skill with other members. The project directors will track leadership participation and advancement.

For more information, please call Danielle Montes at 850-201-2968.

It’s time to plan your summer of FEA Professional Development activities. Please note that we have new curriculum strands this summer.

The PD Institute curriculum is designed to build cadres of highly skilled trainers in a variety of content areas. The Institute begins on June 20 through June 27, 2009. Courses will meet during this time period. PD Institute strands are:

• Managing Anti-Social Behavior for Support Staff
• Meeting the Standards for Paraprofessionals
• English Language Learners (an NEA course for teachers of linguistically diverse learners designed to address student achievement gaps)
• Grant Writing
• Instructional Strategies That Work
• Making Data Work for YOU (an AFT course addressing student achievement gaps through the informed and effective use of data)
• Managing Anti-Social Behavior
• National Board Certified Teachers Leadership Training
• Thinking Mathematics Middle School: Journey to Algebra

 

Look for details on each of the courses listed in the drop down boxes below.

 

Date and Location

The FEA Summer 2009 PD Institute has been scheduled for June 22 – June 27, 2009 at Saddlebrook Resort, Wesley Chapel, Florida. Saddlebrook is located 12 miles north of Tampa. Take I-75 to SR 54, then east one mile. Tampa International Airport is 30 minutes from the resort via shuttle service. The phone number for Saddlebrook Resort is 1-800-729-8383.

 

Registration

Please complete the registration form that accompanies this bulletin and submit it as requested. The deadline is close of work on May 15, 2009. Registration is done on a first come-first serve basis. Space is limited. Please return your registration application and fee as soon as possible. Before registering, please be advised that all course participants are expected to attend the Fall Institute in September 2009. The registration fee varies based on the course. Please see the course descriptions on the back for costs. Registrations received after the deadline date will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Registration fee covers lodging, conference meals and materials. No refunds will be made after May 22, 2009.

 

Rooming Information

Rooms will be assigned on a double occupancy basis. FEA will pay ½ the cost of a double room. If you indicate a roommate preference, please coordinate with your roommate so that your names appear on both forms. Every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. Single rooms may be requested, but the local or individual is responsible for the additional cost of such requests. The cost differential for single occupancy is $94.00 per night. The single room differential payment must be included with the registration materials. Single room requests will be accommodated on a first come-first served, space-available basis.

 

Contacts

General Information: Danielle Montes Phone: (850) 222-7769 E-mail: danielle.montes@floridaea.org Lodging/Registration Joyce Hunter Phone: (888) 807-8007 ext. 2333 E-mail: joyce.hunter@floridaea.org

ER&D Thinking Mathematics Middle School: Journey to Algebra Saturday, mid-morning, June 20 - Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $500

This Thinking Mathematics course will provide middle school teachers with the background to help students who reach middle school still struggling with the mathematics of earlier grades as well as those who are ready to tackle beginning algebra. Participants will engage in traditional Thinking Math topics: 10 Principles, Number Sense, Additive and Multiplicative Structures, and Algebraic Thinking, and examine them through the middle school lens. They will learn interactive activities and develop challenging strategies to engage early adolescents in mathematical thinking. For information, please contact Charley McClaren at charley.mcclaren@floridaea.org

ER&D Managing Anti-Social Behavior Monday, mid-morning, June 22 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $450

Managing Antisocial Behavior (MAB) is an ER&D module that presents the most recent research on antisocial behavior and provides educators with effective strategies for managing antisocial behavior across a number of learning environments. The module reviews what is found in the ER&D Beginning of the Year Classroom Management (BYCM) and takes the research to the next level for students who do not respond to basic prevention through effective classroom management. MAB will provide teachers and support staff with the information, tools and skills they need to prevent a great deal of antisocial behavior and/or to manage this behavior when it arises. For more information, contact Charley McClaren at charley.mcclaren@floridaea.org

ER&D Managing Anti-Social Behavior for Support Staff Monday, mid-morning, June 22 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $450

Managing Student Behavior for Support Staff (MSBSS) is an ER&D module that recognizes that the increasing numbers of students with behavior problems are found in non-classroom environments: cafeterias, hallways, playgrounds and school buses. This course reviews what is found in the ER&D Beginning of the Year Classroom Management (BYCM) and takes the research to the next level for students who do not respond to basic prevention through effective classroom management. MSBSS will provide support staff with the information, tools and skills they need to proactively address antisocial behavior and/or to manage much of this behavior when it arises in settings where support staff work. For more information, contact Blanca Sotelo at blanca.sotelo@floridaea.org

ER&D Instructional Strategies that Work Monday, mid-morning, June 22 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $450

This course provides practical applications of highly effective instructional strategies outlined in the research base and proven to support student learning. At the center of this course are cognitive strategies that foster critical thinking and the transferability of skills learned. Course participants will learn how to evaluate curriculum materials for any content area, organize content for learning, and develop or evaluate scoring guides for student tasks. These differentiated instructional strategies can be applied in K-12 settings and are particularly helpful for at-risk students. For more information, contact Charley McClaren at charley.mcclaren@floridaea.org

AFT Making Data Work for YOU Monday, mid-morning, June 22 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $400

Making Data Work for YOU was developed collaboratively by the American Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers and their Teacher Center, Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals, and the Toledo Federation of Teachers. Participants will learn knowledge and tools to use data effectively in improving schools, informing instruction and advancing learning individually and collaboratively. Participants will surface their assumptions about data; will begin to identify what is meant by “data”; learn two types of assessment data, their uses and limitations; and learn how to analyze data to make informed decisions about school improvement and instruction. For more information, contact Pam Burtnett at pam.burtnett@floridaea.org

NBCT Leadership Training Monday, mid-morning, June 22 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $400

The agenda for this session includes the skills and tools to make NBCTs invaluable teacher leaders for their schools, districts, and local associations. Topics include a close look at personal leadership skills, an examination of leadership prospects within the Florida’s Differentiated Accountability plan, and the latest information on action research and professional learning community structures that are emphasized by the National Council on Staff Development and the Florida Staff Development Protocol. The strategies and information exchanged in this session will equip NBCTs for expanding teacher leadership opportunities. For more information, please contact Bob Husbands at bob.husbands@floridaea.org

ER&D Meeting the Standards for Paraprofessionals Tuesday, mid-morning, June 23 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $100

This course is designed to satisfy NCLB’s requirement related to a highly qualified workforce and provide an ER&D professional development experience for paraprofessionals. Content includes background information and activities related to beginning reading, reading comprehension and thinking mathematics. Participants will prepare for and take tests that demonstrate their knowledge of and ability to assist in instructing mathematics and reading. Important note – For these tests to satisfy the highly qualified requirement, these assessments must be accepted and approved by the paraprofessional’s school district prior to taking the course. For more information, contact Blanca Sotelo at blanca.sotelo@floridaea.org

NEA English Language Learners Tuesday, mid-morning, June 23 – Saturday, mid-afternoon, June 27 Registration: $300

This course will address closing achievement gaps strategies and is designed for teachers who instruct linguistically diverse learners. This session will provide hands-on best teaching strategies, curriculum resources, research-based classroom management and differentiated instruction methodology to use in classrooms with English Language Learners and culturally diverse students. Emphasis is on understanding the “whole” student by embracing a number of issues related to students’ educational outcomes, e.g. culture, socio-economic status, language acquisition, and language learning differences, in order to produce “whole school reform”. For more information, contact Blanca Sotelo at blanca.sotelo@floridaea.org

Emerging Infectious Diseases: Identifying and Responding to Public Health Threats at Work Wednesday, mid-afternoon, June 24 – Thursday, mid-afternoon, June 25 Registration: $50

Is the threat of a rapid, worldwide spread (pandemic) of Influenza real? Yes. In the event of an influenza outbreak a pandemic will migrate rapidly among populations, causing serious illness in an extremely short amount of time. Although we cannot predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur; we can prepare for the potentially wide spread impact it may have on the human populace. Learn how to respond and be prepared in the home and workplace if there is a pandemic outbreak.

Infectious diseases are a continuing danger to everyone. Some diseases have been effectively controlled with the help of modern technology. Yet new diseases—such as SARS and West Nile virus infection—are constantly appearing. Others, such as malaria, tuberculosis, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA-CA) and bacterial pneumonias, are now appearing in forms that are resistant to drug treatments.

This interactive one-day session will explain how the complexity of human and environmental interactions, as well as, environmental issues and polices affect the health of the public, how you can identify areas of potential threat at your workplace, and what you can do about them. For more information, contact Blanca Sotelo at blanca.sotelo@floridaea.org