PCS - 2010 Innovation and Learning Conference

Welcome!

Welcome to the PCS 2010 Innovation and Learning Conference! We hope you're as excited about the 2010-2011 school year as we are. This year Pender County Schools is focusing on preparing our teachers to deliver innovative and engaging classroom instruction as well as giving you some tools to make it happen. Today's sessions were created by teachers from all across our district, representing all grade levels and schools. Our team has worked hard throughout the summer to put together today's workshops and activities. We've identified several focus areas and have created a variety of sessions to support your professional development in each. Those areas are: 21st-Century Tools for Instruction, Differentiated Instruction, Effective Planning, Interdisciplinary Instruction, and Professional Learning Communities. In the schedule below, you'll find each session and links to session resources provided by the workshop's facilitators. Remember, workshops are considered full at 25 participants. Between sessions, be sure to visit our community sponsors. They will have booths set up in the hallways with resources and freebies. Be sure to connect with them for classroom/community projects. And, remember, if you need assistance during the day, find a workshop helper. You'll recognize them by their funny head gear.

-The ILC Committee

Conference Planning Worksheet and Maps

Download and print this file once you've signed up for your sessions to mark the room numbers and to make a note about how it ties into your professional development goals. Maps of the conference site are on the back.

Get The Worksheet Here - ILC Teacher Planning Worksheet and Map.pdf

Watch The Trailer

Schedule At-A-Glance

7:30AM - 8:00AM - Arrival, Parking, and Signing In

8:00AM - 8:30AM - Mingling!

8:30AM - 9:20AM - Concurrent Session A

9:40AM - 10:30AM - Concurrent Session B

10:50AM - 11:40AM - Concurrent Session C

11:40AM - 1:00PM - Lunch and Community Sponsor Exhibits

1:00PM - 3:00PM - Keynote Speaker and Convocation

Detailed Schedule and Session Resources

Concurrent Session A - 8:30AM - 9:20AM

Session Title	Room Number(s)	Session Description	Session Resource Link	Focus Area
Technology Boot Camp for Administrators	K104	Out of money? Out of time? @Mama_Grizzly, a.k.a. Edie, will give you a quick and dirty look at free tech tools to make your life as a school administrator easier. Tools to explore in this session include: Google Docs, Google Calendar, Twitter, and Skype. Facilitator: Edie Skipper, Principal, CFMS	Resources	21st-Century Tools for Innovation
The ABC's of PLC's	H 108 H 109	Putting PLC's to practice is essential as we leap into 21st century learning. During this workshop participants will learn everything they need to know about Professional Learning Communities and how to implement them into their school community. Facilitators: Tara Bagwell, Teacher, STES Savyilene Hawkins, Teacher, MCES	Resources	Professional Learning Communities
Designing the Experience: Why lesson planning is no longer enough…	J 119 J 118 J 120	Participants will critically examine their practice as it applies to current trends in education and society. Aspects of contemporary classroom experiences will be highlighted while teachers discuss with their peers the nature of their lesson plans. Facilitators: April Cleckler, Teacher, NTES Hill Pearsall, Teacher, THS Lee Points, Teacher, PECHS	Resources	Effective Planning
Interdisciplinary Teaching: Working Together = Power	K 103 K 106 K 107	The session will: 1) Define what interdisciplinary teaching means. 2) Interdisciplinary connection to our new evaluation tool. 3) Examine the impediments/resistance to interdisciplinary teaching. 4) Provide practice connecting your SCOS to an interdisciplinary theme. Facilitators: Kevin Hull, Teacher, THS James Parker, Principal, WPMS Janie Sessoms, Teacher, RPP		Interdisciplinary Instruction
Mission Possible: Getting Your Brain Out of the Box	K 108 K 116 J 121	Trapped by the straight and narrow? Tired of hitting walls and glass ceilings? Feel like interdisciplinary activities are complex and out of reach? Discover how interdisciplinary thought can break the ceiling, tear down the walls, save time and combine resources while crossing subject lines. Practical, sensible ways to catalyze user-friendly interdisciplinary strategies will be covered in this workshop. Facilitators: Anne Black, Teacher, PHS Rebekah Owens, Teacher, HTHS Montiel Mattocks, Teacher, TES		Interdisciplinary Instruction
The Power of Integrative Teaching	H 118 H 117	Join us for an interactive educational experience as you make sense of what interdisciplinary teaching actually is. Learn how you can start now to plan a successful and dynamic year full of lessons and units that cross multi-disciplines and bring meaningful curriculum that is of high interest to all learners. Facilitators: Michael Hackett, Teacher, BMS Catherine Towle, Teacher, NTES	Resources	Interdisciplinary Instruction
Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication and Creativity Through Differentiation	J 114 J 115	“Teachers need to envision their classroom as an 'escalator' going higher and higher not as a stairwell that takes students to a certain grade level landing where they stop.” (Carol Ann Tomlinson.) Take your students to the next level by differentiating in all subject areas and grade levels. This workshop will provide an overview of basic differentiation for all teachers, showing participants how to use the right “bait” in the classroom. Facilitators: Cynthia Clemmer, Teacher, TES Anna Romero-Lehrer, Principal, STES	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated Instruction: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles	C 108 C 105 C 106 C 107	21st Century teachers recognize the need to focus on the journey, not the destination. Differentiated instruction is the vehicle. Curriculum standards are the guideposts. Customized itineraries promote student success. Join us on the journey! Participants will receive an overview of differentiated instruction. Participants will work collaboratively to produce extension menus and choice boards. Note: Please bring an idea which you typically teach in the first quarter of school, paper, and pencil Facilitators: Heather Bridgers, Teacher, STES Lisa Handline, Title-I Literacy Coach, PCS-RC Blake Konney, Teacher, HTHS Shauna Lennon, Teacher, BES	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Working Smarter, Not Harder	H 123 H 122	Differentiating instruction does not have to be overwhelming or “more work” for teachers. In fact, we will show how you can save yourself time and engage students in their learning. We will provide an overview of differentiation as well as strategies and examples for classroom use. After a general discussion, we will break into K-5 and 6-12 groups to share implementation strategies. Facilitators: Pat Holliday, Teacher, TES Angela Szakasits, AIG Coach	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Pender's Tech Toolbox	L 101 B 122 C 110 C 114 C 111	This workshop is a romp through many exciting free tools we can use in schools. You will leave with more resources than you can ever use. Facilitators: Matt Davis, Teacher, PHS Chris Gordon, Teacher, WPMS Stephen Jeffcoat, Teacher, THS Craig Lawson, Teacher, CFMS Stephanie Willis, Principal, CFES	Resources	21st-Century Tools for Innovation
I'm Not Good At Math But My Avatar Is	Auditorium	Today's students are engaged in what some have called a parallel curriculum. This learning is not taking place in our schools. Learning in this classroom scales proportionately with the student's skill, allowing them to experiment with no fear of failure, and it's differentiated in a way that allows them to customize their learning. In this classroom, disaffected students are empowered and the quiet become leaders. This learning is taking place in video games and virtual worlds. What are students learning there? What are the implications for the classroom? How can teachers embrace the potential to facilitate the instruction in their classroom? Facilitator: Peggy Sheehy, Media Specialist/Technology Facilitator, Suffern Middle School		21st-Century Tools for Innovation, Differentiation, and Interdisciplinary Instruction

Concurrent Session B - 9:40AM - 10:30AM

Session Title	Room Number(s)	Session Description	Session Resource Link	Focus Area
Technology Boot Cam for Administrators	K 104	Out of money? Out of time? @Mama_Grizzly, a.k.a. Edie, will give you a quick and dirty look at free tech tools to make your life as a school administrator easier. Tools to explore in this session include: Google Docs, Google Calendar, Twitter, and Skype. Facilitator: Edie Skipper, Principal, CFMS	Resources	Technology as Innovation
The ABC's of PLC's	H 108 H 109	Putting PLC's to practice is essential as we leap into 21st century learning. During this workshop participants will learn everything they need to know about Professional Learning Communities and how to implement them into their school community. Facilitators: Tara Bagwell, Teacher, STES Savyilene Hawkins, Teacher, MCES	Resources	Professional Learning Communities
Designing the Experience: Why lesson planning is no longer enough…	J 119 J 118 J 120	Participants will critically examine their practice as it applies to current trends in education and society. Aspects of contemporary classroom experiences will be highlighted while teachers discuss with their peers the nature of their lesson plans. Facilitators: April Cleckler, Teacher, NTES Hill Pearsall, Teacher, THS Lee Points, Teacher, PECHS	Resources	Effective Planning
Interdisciplinary Teaching: Working Together = Power	K 103 K 106 K 107	The session will: 1) Define what interdisciplinary teaching means. 2) Interdisciplinary connection to our new evaluation tool. 3) Examine the impediments/resistance to interdisciplinary teaching. 4) Provide practice connecting your SCOS to an interdisciplinary theme. Facilitators: Kevin Hull, Teacher, THS James Parker, Principal, WPMS Janie Sessoms, Teacher, RPPS		Interdisciplinary Instruction
Mission Possible: Getting Your Brain Out of the Box	K 108 K 116 J 121	Trapped by the straight and narrow? Tired of hitting walls and glass ceilings? Feel like interdisciplinary activities are complex and out of reach? Discover how interdisciplinary thought can break the ceiling, tear down the walls, save time and combine resources while crossing subject lines. Practical, sensible ways to catalyze user-friendly interdisciplinary strategies will be covered in this workshop. Facilitators: Anne Black, Teacher, PHS Rebekah Owens, Teacher, HTHS Montiel Mattocks, Teacher, TES		Interdisciplinary Instruction
The Power of Integrative Teaching	J 118 J 119	Join us for an interactive educational experience as you make sense of what interdisciplinary teaching actually is. Learn how you can start now to plan a successful and dynamic year full of lessons and units that cross multi-disciplines and bring meaningful curriculum that is of high interest to all learners. Facilitators: Michael Hackett, Teacher, BMS Catherine Towle, Teacher, NTES	Resources	Interdisciplinary Instruction
Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication and Creativity Through Differentiation	J 114 J 115	“Teachers need to envision their classroom as an 'escalator' going higher and higher not as a stairwell that takes students to a certain grade level landing where they stop.” (Carol Ann Tomlinson.) Take your students to the next level by differentiating in all subject areas and grade levels. This workshop will provide an overview of basic differentiation for all teachers, showing participants how to use the right “bait” in the classroom. Facilitators: Cynthia Clemmer, Teacher, TES Anna Romero-Lehrer, Principal, STES	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated Instruction: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles	C 108 C 105 C 106 C 107	21st Century teachers recognize the need to focus on the journey, not the destination. Differentiated instruction is the vehicle. Curriculum standards are the guideposts. Customized itineraries promote student success. Join us on the journey! Participants will receive an overview of differentiated instruction. Participants will work collaboratively to produce extension menus and choice boards. Note: Please bring an idea which you typically teach in the first quarter of school, paper, and pencil Facilitators: Heather Bridgers, Teacher, STES Lisa Handline, Title I Literacy Coach Blake Konney, Teacher, HTHS Shauna Lennon, Teacher, BES	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Working Smarter, Not Harder	H 123 H 122	Differentiating instruction does not have to be overwhelming or “more work” for teachers. In fact, we will show how you can save yourself time and engage students in their learning. We will provide an overview of differentiation as well as strategies and examples for classroom use. After a general discussion, we will break into K-5 and 6-12 groups to share implementation strategies. Facilitators: Pat Holliday, Teacher, TES Angela Szakasits, AIG Coach	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Pender's Tech Toolbox	L 101 B 122 C 110 C 114 C 111	This workshop is a romp through many exciting free tools we can use in schools. You will leave with more resources than you can ever use. Facilitators: Matt Davis, Teacher, PHS Chris Gordon, Teacher, WPMS Stephen Jeffcoat, Teacher, THS Craig Lawson, Teacher, CFMS Stephanie Willis, Principal, CFES	Resources	21st-Century Tools for Innovation
I'm Not Good At Math But My Avatar Is	Auditorium	Today's students are engaged in what some have called a parallel curriculum. This learning is not taking place in our schools. Learning in this classroom scales proportionately with the student's skill, allowing them to experiment with no fear of failure, and it's differentiated in a way that allows them to customize their learning. In this classroom, disaffected students are empowered and the quiet become leaders. This learning is taking place in video games and virtual worlds. What are students learning there? What are the implications for the classroom? How can teachers embrace the potential to facilitate the instruction in their classroom? Facilitator: Peggy Sheehy, Media Specialist/Technology Facilitator, Suffern Middle School		21st-Century Tools for Innovation, Differentiation, and Interdisciplinary Instruction

Concurrent Session C - 10:50AM - 11:40AM

Session Title	Room Number(s)	Session Description	Session Resource Link	Focus Area
Technology Boot Camp for Office Staff	K 104	Out of money? Out of time? @Mama_Grizzly, a.k.a. Edie, will give you a quick and dirty look at free tech tools to make your life easier and more productive. Tools to explore in this session include: Google Docs, Google Calendar, Twitter, and Skype. Facilitator: Edie Skipper, Principal, CFMS	Resources	Technology as Innovation
The ABC's of PLC's	H 108 H 109	Putting PLC's to practice is essential as we leap into 21st century learning. During this workshop participants will learn everything they need to know about Professional Learning Communities and how to implement them into their school community. Facilitators: Tara Bagwell, Teacher, STES Savyilene Hawkins, Teacher, MCES	Resources	Professional Learning Communities
Designing the Experience: Why lesson planning is no longer enough…	J 119 J 118 J 120	Participants will critically examine their practice as it applies to current trends in education and society. Aspects of contemporary classroom experiences will be highlighted while teachers discuss with their peers the nature of their lesson plans. Facilitators: April Cleckler, Teacher, NTES Hill Pearsall, Teacher, THS Lee Points, Teacher, PECHS	Resources	Effective Planning
Interdisciplinary Teaching: Working Together = Power	H 117 K 106 K 107	The session will: 1) Define what interdisciplinary teaching means. 2) Interdisciplinary connection to our new evaluation tool. 3) Examine the impediments/resistance to interdisciplinary teaching. 4) Provide practice connecting your SCOS to an interdisciplinary theme. Facilitators: Kevin Hull, Teacher, THS James Parker, Principal, WPMS Janie Sessoms, Teacher, RPPS		Interdisciplinary Instruction
Mission Possible: Getting Your Brain Out of the Box	K 108 K 116 J 121	Trapped by the straight and narrow? Tired of hitting walls and glass ceilings? Feel like interdisciplinary activities are complex and out of reach? Discover how interdisciplinary thought can break the ceiling, tear down the walls, save time and combine resources while crossing subject lines. Practical, sensible ways to catalyze user-friendly interdisciplinary strategies will be covered in this workshop. Facilitators: Anne Black, Teacher, PHS Rebekah Owens, Teacher, HTHS Montiel Mattocks, Teacher, TES		Interdisciplinary Instruction
The Power of Integrative Teaching	J 118 J 119	Join us for an interactive educational experience as you make sense of what interdisciplinary teaching actually is. Learn how you can start now to plan a successful and dynamic year full of lessons and units that cross multi-disciplines and bring meaningful curriculum that is of high interest to all learners. Facilitators: Michael Hackett, Teacher, BMS Catherine Towle, Teacher, NTES	Resources	Interdisciplinary Instruction
Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication and Creativity Through Differentiation	J 114 J 115	“Teachers need to envision their classroom as an 'escalator' going higher and higher not as a stairwell that takes students to a certain grade level landing where they stop.” (Carol Ann Tomlinson.) Take your students to the next level by differentiating in all subject areas and grade levels. This workshop will provide an overview of basic differentiation for all teachers, showing participants how to use the right “bait” in the classroom. Facilitators: Cynthia Clemmer, Teacher, TES Anna Romero-Lehrer, Principal, STES	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated Instruction: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles	C 108 C 105 C 106 C 107	21st Century teachers recognize the need to focus on the journey, not the destination. Differentiated instruction is the vehicle. Curriculum standards are the guideposts. Customized itineraries promote student success. Join us on the journey! Participants will receive an overview of differentiated instruction. Participants will work collaboratively to produce extension menus and choice boards. Note: Please bring an idea which you typically teach in the first quarter of school, paper, and pencil Facilitators: Heather Bridgers, Teacher, STES Lisa Handline, Title I Literacy Coach Blake Konney, Teacher, HTHS Shauna Lennon, Teacher, BES	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Working Smarter, Not Harder	H 123 H 122	Differentiating instruction does not have to be overwhelming or “more work” for teachers. In fact, we will show how you can save yourself time and engage students in their learning. We will provide an overview of differentiation as well as strategies and examples for classroom use. After a general discussion, we will break into K-5 and 6-12 groups to share implementation strategies. Facilitators: Pat Holliday, Teacher, TES Angela Szakasits, AIG Specialist	Resources	Differentiated Instruction
Pender's Tech Toolbox	L 101 B 122 C 110 C 114 C 111	This workshop is a romp through many exciting free tools we can use in schools. You will leave with more resources than you can ever use. Facilitators: Matt Davis, Teacher, PHS Chris Gordon, Teacher, WPMS Stephen Jeffcoat, Teacher, THS Craig Lawson, Teacher, CFMS Stephanie Willis, Principal, CFES	Resources	21st-Century Tools for Innovation
I'm Not Good At Math But My Avatar Is	Auditorium	Today's students are engaged in what some have called a parallel curriculum. This learning is not taking place in our schools. Learning in this classroom scales proportionately with the student's skill, allowing them to experiment with no fear of failure, and it's differentiated in a way that allows them to customize their learning. In this classroom, disaffected students are empowered and the quiet become leaders. This learning is taking place in video games and virtual worlds. What are students learning there? What are the implications for the classroom? How can teachers embrace the potential to facilitate the instruction in their classroom? Facilitator: Peggy Sheehy, Media Specialist/Technology Facilitator, Suffern Middle School		21st-Century Tools for Innovation, Differentiation, and Interdisciplinary Instruction

Lunch and Community Sponsor Exhibits - 11:40AM - 1:00PM - Cafeteria and Hallways

Join us for a food and fun in the THS Cafeteria! This is also a great time to make connections with our community sponsors and partners, and please be sure to thank them for their support.

Keynote and Convocation - 1:00PM - 3:00PM - Gym

Kick off the year with your fellow PCS educators and enjoy a keynote session with Ms. Peggy Sheehy.

Meet the Keynote Speaker - Peggy Sheehy

After a twenty-five year career as a professional vocalist, Peggy Sheehy received a BS in Musical Performance and Education from Empire State University. She began teaching in 1997 at Mt. Sinai Elementary School in Mt. Sinai, New York and was also a district technology trainer. After receiving her Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Stony Brook University, she became an advocate for the authentic use of technology in education, and presented her ideas and experiences at conferences and workshops throughout the North East. She received the Technology Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years from ASSET, (Association of Suffolk County Supervisors for Educational Technology) where 1999 – 2001 she presented “Tomorrow’s Classroom Today”.

In 2001, Peggy moved to Greenville, SC where she taught at Stone Academy of Communication Arts. There she attended the University of South Carolina at Columbia to begin her MLIS. Ms. Sheehy is currently concluding her studies in the MLS program at Southern Connecticut State University. While in Greenville, she served as a district technology curriculum developer and teacher trainer and continued to facilitate workshops and give presentations on technology in education and 21st century literacy. Sheehy helped design Greenville County’s Technology Plan. In 2002 she was named Teacher of the Year at Stone Academy.

In 2003, she returned to the New York area and serves as ITF/ Media Specialist at Suffern middle school. She is a fierce advocate for the meaningful infusion of technology in education and in 2006 established the first middle school educational presence in Teen Second Life: Ramapo Islands. Well into their second year of learning in Second Life, Ramapo Islands now hosts over 1000 students and their teachers.

Ms. Sheehy has presented her work with education in Teen Second Life at the Tech Expo, NYSCATE, NECC, EdNet, and the Tech Forum NY. She attended the Virtual Worlds Conference in San Jose where she made a strong case for the blending of the gaming industry with educational enterprises. This year, she presented at NMC, NECC, Alan November’s BLC Conference 2008, SWTCSS, Tech Forum, NSBA, CoSN, and will be a Keynote Speaker at the California League of Middle Schools (CLMS) Annual Technology Conference.

As a true pioneer in virtual world education, she is sought out for advice, curriculum direction and professional development for those that would follow in the footsteps of Ramapo Islands. Her vision encompasses a globally collaborative 3-D virtual world campus where learning is student-centered, product-based, playful, and creative.

Her latest venture, MetaVersEd Consulting Ltd., supports the proposal, design, acquisition, and implementation of education in MUVEs. Ms. Sheehy believes that engagement, edutainment, and the authentic application of 21st Century collaborative tools in education is paramount to preparing our students for success.

Videos from Ms. Sheehy's Sessions and Keynote:

Taylor Mali on "What Teachers Make"