Events

Do you have students who still have trouble mastering their basic math facts? Students who struggle with all four operations and are confused by fractions and decimals? Students who have trouble making sense of word problems – especially multistep and comparison problems?

Then join Greg Tang for his grade 3-6 Best Practices workshop. Greg will share his “less is more” approach to teaching critical concepts and skills. Learn firsthand his progression of concrete, pictorial, and abstract models (C-P-A) that gives kids a deeper, more connected understanding of number, operations, and word problems.

We will use number bonds and area models to make sense of all 4 operations, tape diagrams to model multiplicative comparison problems including fractions, ratios, and unit rates, and progressions of word problems to develop the proportional reasoning skills that are the key to higher math.

In addition to best teaching practices, we will also explore best ways to practice. We will solve cleverly designed problems that develop reasoning and logical thinking skills and are perfect for math talks, math centers, and independent practice.

As an added bonus, every teacher who attends will receive access to Greg’s elementary math curriculum, including his incredible, online teaching tools, practice materials, games, and math centers.

Time will be given for lunch (on your own), registration closes 4-5 days prior to the event unless tickets are sold out.

PDC Member Districts $325.00, Non PD Co-op member districts $375.00 (lunch is included on site). All pre-work must be submitted no later than Sunday, July 20 at 12:00pm or participants will not be able to attend the academy. The learning outcomes for the two-day academy include: - Participants will be able to use assessments and measurement models in determining the student growth attributable to individual teachers and to understand how different types of assessments are used for measuring growth. - Participants will be able to use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected and best practices relative to evaluating student growth, to link teacher and school-level professional development plans to evaluation results. - Participants will create, in collaboration with teachers, supportive, targeted professional development plans that consider past results, contribute to professional growth, and assist teachers in aligning professional development and goal-setting to school improvement goals. - Participants will communicate evaluation outcomes and findings in constructive and supportive ways that enable teachers to set goals and improve practice. - Participants will demonstrate a high rate of inter-rater reliability using the required performance evaluation ratings (i.e., excellent, proficient, needs improvement, and unsatisfactory). - Participants will observe instruction competently in multiple subject areas provided to varied and multiple student populations (i.e., English language learners, students with IEPs, students in career and technical programs, etc.) - Participants will use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected and best practices relative to evaluating professional practice, to link teacher and school-level professional development plans to evaluation results. - Participants will know how to create, in collaboration with teachers, supportive, targeted professional development plans that consider past results, contribute to professional growth and assist teachers in aligning PD and goal-setting to SIP goals. - Participants will communicate evaluation outcomes and findings in constructive and supportive ways that enable teachers to set goals and improve professional practice. - Participants will understand sources of personal bias and be able to recognize and control for bias when conducting an evaluation and determining results. Evaluators will be required to complete pre-session learning components for this course. If you do not complete the pre-session learning components in the required time frame prior to the workshop, you will not be allowed to attend the workshop and will still be responsible for the registration fee. This event has a maximum number of 15 attendees. Participants must bring a fully charged laptop to both days of the academy. Registration closes 7 days prior to the event as pre-work must be completed and submitted. Cancellations must be made 72 hours in advance or the amount will be non-refundable.

Have you ever wanted to have a day of learning and collaboration that is not the typical day of PD? One where you can laugh, collaborate with your colleagues, be creative, reflect, and discuss? If so, this is for you. Join Dr. Marlee Bunch, educator and author of The Magnitude of Us: A Guidebook to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms, and Katie Gehrt, educator, for an engaging professional development opportunity focused on culturally responsive classrooms and The Magnitude of Us. This professional development is designed to equip 6-12 educators of all subjects and ages to implement culturally responsive teaching strategies to drive engagement, center stories, and connect with students. We invite you to register and mark your calendar to join us as we connect, unlearn, relearn, discuss, and create. This professional development workshop is a 2-part series, registering will sign you up for both parts of the workshop. The first session will occur on July 29, 2025, in person from 9:00am-3:00pm (with a 40 minute lunch break - lunch is on your own). The second session will occur virtually on September 3 (4:00-5:30pm) and a virtual link will be sent prior to 9.2.25. Participants must attend both sessions to earn the full 9 hours of pd credit (partial pd hours will not be issued). What to Bring July 29, 2025: 1. An existing or recent lesson plan printed out. Choose one that you want to revise and/or use at the start of the 2025/26 school year. 2. Something to write in (journal or notebook). 3. An open mind and the willingness to engage and create possibilities. 4. Snacks (*we will break for a 40-minute lunch, but snacks for the day are encouraged*) Session I: July 29, 2025 Remember the days of a good buffet? This session will offer a buffet of learning and collaborating that will include a variety of activities and topics, with something for everyone. We will discuss culturally responsive teaching and have small group activities to discuss and examine not only what culturally responsive teaching entails but also how we can implement and sustain it in our classrooms. In addition, we will evaluate and create lessons and activities to take back into our classrooms for the 2025/26 school year. Session II: September 3, 2025 4:00pm-5:30pm Session II will occur virtually as a follow-up and extension of session I. This session will be a PJs and learn afternoon. Log on in your favorite PJs with a cup of coffee or tea and bring your Magnitude of Us book to continue the discussion and revisit lingering topics from session I. Goals and Objectives - Gain an understanding of what culturally responsive teaching entails - Discover tools, resources, and practices that support culturally responsive pedagogy and implementation - Assess and evaluate existing lesson plans - Build a new lesson/activity to take back into your classroom - Learn and reflect through discussing and actively learning with colleagues What this PD will NOT be: 1. Sit and get. We can assure you that this will not involve a long day of lecturing. 2. This will not be a PD where your voice is not included or heard. 3. Boring. As educators, we have been to enough PDs that were snooze fests... This won’t be that. This PD will include: o Active learning. o Opportunities for discussion and reflection. o Models of effective practice: incorporating poetry and writing, discussion across subject areas, etc. o Support and tools for application and implementation that are relevant to your classroom. o Opportunities to ask questions about culturally responsive teaching. o A copy of The Magnitude of Us book (Teachers College Press, Bunch, 2024). o A follow-up online workshop for continued discussion. Facilitator Bios: Dr. Marlee Bunch, EdD/MEd/MS/BA is an interdisciplinary educator, author, researcher, and lifelong learner. Her research examines the oral histories of Black female educators in Hattiesburg, Mississippi who taught between 1954-1971, and the implications that desegregation had on their lives and careers. She received her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois in 2022 in Education/Policy/Organizational Leadership. Additionally, she has a Masters in Education (MEd), a Masters in Gifted Education (MS), a Bachelors in English, a certification in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, and a certification in ESL (English as a Second Language). Bunch has been an educator for 17+ years and is the founder of the un/Hush teaching framework. You can learn more about her work at https://www.marleebunch.com/ Katie Gehrt, MA (she/her) is an educator, coach, researcher, advocate, and writer. Katie has experience as a high school teacher and experience in promoting and facilitating diversity, equity, and inclusion. Katie graduated with a B.S. in Secondary Education from Kansas State University, with a minor in Leadership Studies. She obtained her M.A. in Social Justice and Human Rights from Arizona State University, where she received an award for her capstone research examining theoretical frameworks of white supremacy and its application to the U.S. education system. Katie is a passionate advocate for students and implementing inquiry-based pedagogy to bring students’ stories to light through discussion, remain responsive to student feedback and improve engagement, and enhance her own self-reflection as a white educator.   Spots for this two-part session are limited and will fill fast. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to the event. Participants will each receive a copy of Dr. Burch's book, The Magnitude of Us An Educator's Guide to Creating Culturally Responsive Classrooms.

Join Kindergarten teacher Marsha McGuire for a fun-filled, hands-on workshop designed to reignite the joy of learning in your early childhood classroom! In this session you'll discover exciting activities that support the development of fine motor skills, boost sensory experiences, and revolutionize your math centers. Learn how to integrate creative, engaging games that not only enhance critical skills but also make learning feel like play. By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with a practical toolkit of innovative games and strategies to make your students excited to learn, eager to engage, and ready to explore! Perfect for educators seeking fresh ideas to inspire and motivate young learners. Marsha is the author behind Differentiated Kindergarten https://differentiatedkindergarten.com/. Marsha has a master's degree in early childhood education with a focus on Differentiated Instruction. While Marsha has taught preschool and first grade, she has spent most of her 20-year teaching career in Kindergarten in Michigan. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to registration unless tickets are sold out (40 minutes will be provided for lunch (on your own).

Get ready to revolutionize your classroom with a wealth of innovative strategies designed to captivate your students and transform your teaching with Kindergarten teacher Marsha McGuire! This session will explore dynamic morning work bins that set a positive tone for the day, movement-infused activities that keep energy high while reinforcing key skills, and practical handwriting tips that promote legibility and fluidity. You’ll also discover how to create literacy centers that foster independence and spark a love of reading and writing. Walk away with a toolbox full of engaging, easy-to-implement techniques that will make your classroom more interactive, exciting, and effective. Perfect for educators looking to inspire students and streamline their daily routines! Marsha is the author behind Differentiated Kindergarten https://differentiatedkindergarten.com/. Marsha has a master's degree in early childhood education with a focus on Differentiated Instruction. While Marsha has taught preschool and first grade, she has spent most of her 20-year teaching career in Kindergarten in Michigan. Registration will close 4-5 days prior to registration unless tickets are sold out (40 minutes will be provided for lunch (on your own).

This Administrator Academy is free for all to attend. Academy credit or professional development hours can be issued. Note this academy will be held at the Center for Academic & Vocational Excellence ("CAVE") 7645 Magna Drive, Suite 1 Belleville, IL 62223. Breakfast 8:00-9:00am, Academy 9:00am-12:00pm. This course provides information to school administrators on standards for the conduct, ethics and rights of school personnel. This course discusses the various standards an administrator needs to be aware of in the everyday course of doing their job; including laws, regulations, and mandates for the management of school personnel. Registration closes 7.31.25 at 12:00pm.