November 3 & 4, 2011-AEA Professional Development Conference
Robinson Convention Center
426 W. Markham
Little Rock, Arkansas

Highlights of the 2011 Professional Development Conference
To register or see complete descriptions of all the workshops offered go to http://www.escweb.net/ar_aea/catalog/session.aspx

We're very pleased to offer a wide array of innovative and creative workshops at this year's Professional Development Conference. Foremost on the agenda is the new statewide teacher evaluation system – a topic that will be thoroughly explored by our Rozzell Lecturer, Representative Johnnie Roebuck.

We're offering some excellent workshops on quality in the classroom – highlights include ESL – Access the Core, literature circles, assessment of students with disabilities, and incorporating live theater into the classroom. You'll also learn how to infuse new energy into your history lessons with sessions on using wartime art to teach history and the Arsenal Crisis. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to learn about safe technology practices in the classroom, something every teacher today needs to know.

Student welfare, both in and out of the classroom, is another important focus this year. Be sure to attend the workshop on NEA's family, school and community partnership training, as well as the youth suicide awareness and prevention session presented by the Jason Foundation at Pinnacle Point Hospital.

Rozzell Lecture: Getting Ready for the New Arkansas Teacher Excellence and Support System
During the 2011 session of the Arkansas General Assembly, comprehensive legislation was passed creating a new statewide teacher evaluation system that will be implemented over the next four years. Representative Roebuck, who was the sponsor of this important legislation, will talk with teachers and administrators about how the new evaluation system legislation was developed and the impact this new system will have on public schools in Arkansas. ADE 5.01.1,
The Dr. Johnnie Roebuck State Representative, former Graduate Dean, Henderson State University, Presenter

ESL – Access the Core – Level 1
This two-day institute provides educators and administrators with research-based, effective first best practices for closing the achievement gap in today’s classroom for: English Language Learners (ELLs), Native English-Language Students Advancing Their Academic English (AELLs), and High-Poverty Learners. This institute is intended for teachers in culturally and academically diverse schools. It provides a platform for collegial conversation related to differentiated instruction and providing students with rigorous learning experiences.

Access the Core – Level 1 aims to improve, refine and positively affect English language instruction within the content areas. This workshop summarizes what is known about effective teaching practices and the conditions that support measurable achievement and success when students ACCESS the CORE curriculum. ADE 5.01.2, 5.01.3, Ana Filipek PhD, Presenter

The Power of Family School Community Partnership - Some measure of parent and community involvement has always been a cornerstone of public schools. However, that involvement has usually been directed and guided by the schools and focused primarily on fundraising, volunteering and supporting school activities. We now understand that families and the broader community must be included in decision-making and school governance. We also recognize that the learning which occurs within the family and community contributes to school success, so we must give greater attention to these collaborative efforts. This workshop will introduce the NEA family, school and community partnership training, a program designed to help schools to intensify efforts to establish partnerships with families and communities in schools. ADE 5.01.3, Richard Hutchinson, Presenter

Technology and Cyber Security Awareness Strategies –Do you understand the reasons for State IT Security Policies (i.e. lockouts, secure passwords, etc)? Technology is an essential element for educators moving forward into Schools of the 21st Century and Common Core Curriculum. Learn about safe technology practices, the issues behind the Security Policies and where to find resources to reinforce this important information for students. ADE 5.01.02, Dana Thompson, Presenter

Incorporating Literature Circles with the Core - Do you want to regain joy in teaching reading and writing? Literature Circles are small, peer-lead book clubs with discussion groups whose members have chosen to read the same story, poem, article or book. The nationwide phenomenon of Book Clubs (Thank you, Oprah) should be extended to our kids. ADE 5.01.2, 5.01.3, Kathy and Michelle Howell, Presenters

“The Art of War” Using Wartime Art to teach History – This session will use original artwork to teach students about war, human suffering as well as take a look at Henry Sugimoto’s work from Arkansas. This cross-curricular workshop for K-12 teachers will combine literature, art, language arts, Arkansas History, and US History. One segment of the workshop will take a descriptive look at the work of Henry Sugimoto, who was an internee at both of the Japanese Internment Camps in Arkansas. Teacher will also take a look at other pieces of military art including political cartoons, sketches by POW”s photography and poetry. The session will focus on the emotional impact that military art has on our views of history and society. ADE 5.01.2, 5.01.3, Heather Bettinardi, Presenter

“The Arsenal Crisis: To Avoid an Effusion of Blood” – This session will cover the historic Arsenal Crisis that could have been the starting point for the Civil War instead of Ft. Sumter. Hands-on activity included. The teachers will compare and contrast the attack on Ft. Sumter and the Little Rock Arsenal. Use of primary sources, Civil War History, Arkansas History and some fun will be involved in this workshop. ADE 5.01.2, 5.01.3, Heather Bettinardi, Presenter

The Jason Foundation at Pinnacle Pointe Hospital – The Jason Foundation provides a Staff Development program for teachers and youth leaders on the topic of youth suicide awareness and prevention. The program introduces the scope and magnitude of the problem on a national and state level. It discusses the student teacher relationship that often allows teachers to recognize when students are struggling or changing and how to respond. The learning objectives for the training include: 1. become aware of the national and local statistics regarding youth suicide attempts and completions. 2. Learn general warning signs of possible suicidal ideation and information about elevated risk factors. 3. Learn how to possibly recognize at risk students and ways to help recommend the services they need. 4. Identify support services available to help students at risk and their families. ADE 5.01.3, Donna Monk, Presenter

Cultural Competence in the Assessment of Students with Disabilities - This workshop will focus on the importance of cultural competence in the assessment of students considered for special education eligibility. Critical skills required for the non-discriminatory assessment of English Language Learners will be presented. Additionally, the presenter will provide information related to BICS and CALP and the importance of the student’s language proficiency in his/her native language in order to be successful in the classroom. ADE 5.01.2, Loretta Wallace, Presenter

Bringing Live Theatre to Your School: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – The Arkansas Arts Center’s Children’s Theatre on Tour provides a unique opportunity to infuse a live theatre experience into Language Arts curriculum without leaving the campus. The one-hour performance of classic and contemporary children’s literature includes a “talk” with the actors. This holiday play breathes new life into Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story. ADE 5.01.2, 5.01.3, Ned Metcalf, Presenter


Other workshops include:

A Research-Based Look at Discipline in Schools
Adapting Your Teaching Style to Your Student’s Learning Style
Alternative Education: One Room School House with a JAG Component
Alternative Education: One Room School House with a JAG Component
Arkansas Code of Ethics
Arkansas History at the State Capitol
Bringing Live Theater to Your School: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Brown Bag and Books
Central High School Visitors Center
Children at Risk
Closing the Achievement Gap in Arkansas: Model for RtI Implementation
Communicating with Caregivers
Cultural Competence in the Assessment of Students with Disabilities
Culture, Abilities, Resilience, and Effort (C.A.R.E.)
Drama Integration: More Than Just a Play
Dream Seekers
Earth and Space Science for Primary Grades
Education in the Arkansas Juvenile Justice System
Ending the Bullying Epidemic: A Blueprint for Change
ESL – Access the Core – Level 1
Exploring Science through Technology
Facebook in the Classroom
Family Math Nights: Using Multicultural Literature as a Context for Problem Solving
For Peace Sake (Elementary)
For Peace Sake (Secondary)
Foreign Language Across the Bo(a)rd(er): A Cultural Approach
Free Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom
Get the Bull out of School: Empowering Students to Deal with Bullies
Getting Ready for the New Arkansas Teacher Excellence and Support System
Gifted Education and Common Core State Standards
Guided Tour of the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
Guided Tours of the Clinton Presidential Library with Presentation
Heifer Resources for Teachers
Incorporating Literature Circles with the Core
Informational Texts: Print and Digital Resource Utilization for Common Core State Standards
Integrating Science in the Common Core Curriculum Grades K-5
It’s All in Your Mind: Brain Research and Learning
Just Do the Right Thing in the Classroom
Kathy’s Research and Literacy Mall (KRLM)
Learning with Clickers: Using Classroom Performance System for Instruction
Making Parents Allies and Helpers
National Training for Counselors and Mentors (NT4CM)
PALS (Pets and Learning Success)
People at Work in Early Arkansas
Power Point in the Classroom
Power to the Teachers: Creating Lesson Plans via PowerPoint
Preparing 5th Grade Students for Science Benchmark Exam
Quick Steps to Student Achievement
Restoring Respectable Classroom Behavior
Taking a Stand: Creating Safe Schools for All Students
Tall Ships: Building Effective Teams
Teacher Empowerment and Leadership: Working toward School Improvement
Teaching a Child in an Emotional Crisis
Teaching: A Class Act
Technology and Cyber Security Awareness Strategies
Technology in the Classroom
Test Taking Skills
The Arsenal Crisis: To Avoid an Effusion of Blood
The Art of War: Using Wartime Art to Teach History
The Central Arkansas Library System’s Children’s Initiative
The Jason Foundation at Pinnacle Pointe Hospital
The Power of Family School Community Partnership
Tools for Creating Critical Thinking Skills in the Classroom
Uncovering the Engineer in Your Classroom
Unlocking the Magic in Learning
Using EXPLORE and PLAN Data to Prepare for CCSS
Using Flip Cameras to Improve Learning
Using Movie Maker & Photo Story 3 in the Classroom
Using Music to Enhance Math Instructions
Walking the Talk: Classroom Strategies for Addressing Bias
Web-Based Classroom Tools: Protopage, EudBlogs & Engrade
Writing for All Ages


AEA Conference
1500 West 4th Street
Little Rock, AR 72204
or FAX to:
Brenda Walton
(501) 375-4620