How will you spend your in-service days next month … assuming you are lucky enough to have them, of course?
A weekend in Boise is always fun, and the Boise Education Association is offering a two-day Professional Development Academy at Borah High School in Boise on October 7-8. It’s free and open to all Idaho teachers and support personnel. You can register right up until the event, but if you sign up by Wednesday, September 22, you’ll be eligible to win some great prizes including gift cards from Best Buy, Borders, restaurants, and more. Online registration is available now at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BEA-PDA-registration.
Thursday’s programs will include a visit from NEA Executive Board member Christy Levings and a session on brain research and interactive movement to enhance learning. Thursday break-out sessions will include:
- Math Vintage Models and Tools – Dr. Kathi Hranac & Lucy Hahn
- ELL Essentials: Closing the Achievement Gap – Yoli Gonzales & ELL Cadre (See a video clip here of Gonzales describing this program.)
- Teacher Rights and Wrongs/Idaho Code of Ethics – John Rumel, IEA Attorney
- Interest-Based Problem Solving – Kathy Yamamoto, BEA Director
- Wellness: Stress Relief Tools You Can Use! – Kevin Geraghty, Boise EAP
- Meals on Wheels: Healthy Eating on the Run! – Staci Kidder, Nutritionist
- Smartboard Strategies for the Classroom – Travis Hunt, Boise Teacher/Trainer
- Financial Strategies for Survival During Tough Times – Charlotte Frattini, NEA Trainer
- Yep! That Kid is Different: Reflecting on Differences – R. Johns & H. Mohamed Shaltry
Friday will start with a “Native Vision” presentation by Living Voices performer Lily Gladstone and conclude with an interactive discussion on using great books offering innovative classroom strategies. Friday break-outs will include:
- ELL Essentials: Your Student’s Linguistic Needs – Kelley Moneymaker, ELL Teacher
- Understanding Your Master Contract – Andrew Rath, BEA President
- Accommodations vs. Modifications – Special Ed. Panel of Experts
- Classroom Organization Strategies – Hilaree Stephens, IEA Region Dir.
- Retirement Planning – Dick Chilcote, IEA Member Benefits Director
- School and Community Partnerships – Panel of Community Speakers
- Partnering with Your Secondary School’s Teacher-Librarian – Gregory Taylor, Sue Nickel, Pat St. Tourangeau
- Student Learning Through Drama – Rene Knappenberger, Director of Education, Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Sessions run daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Breakfast will be provided both days from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the Borah High Auditorium. Lunch is on your own, with a 90-minute break each day. Questions? Contact the BEA at 345-4450.
