2020 Center of Excellence Summer Institute: Full Schedule

TBA

Best Practices and Resources for Persons Experiencing a Housing Crisis

This presentation will provide the participant with an understanding of the definitions and causes of homelessness, collaboration through HUD Continuum of Care (CoC), the coordinated entry system (CES), housing first, along with working with local housing and homeless providers.

Speakers

E. Ann Gowdy

Chief Programs + Innovation Officer, Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO)

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Books That Build

Social-emotional learning and literacy is a very important part of the growth and development of young children. As educators, we try to set good examples for the students to follow, but sometimes nothing does it like curling up with a good book. Books That Build is a presentation incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL), culturally sensitive literature, and research-based strategies to assist educators in making these concepts real to students.

Speakers

Devin Milling

Darlington County School District

Ryan Milling

Assistant Principal, Florence School District 3

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Building Best Practices for Engaging Families in Trauma-Responsive School Communities to Reduce the Impact of Trauma on All Students

This workshop addresses the impact of ACEs on student learning and behavior with an emphasis on students from disadvantaged families. It focuses on the importance of developing skills for all school staff to respond to trauma effectively. Family engagement is essential in building resiliency in youth to promote change and break the cycle of trauma. A best practices framework for working with families to promote equity and reduce the impact of trauma will be presented. Participants will gain hands on experience applying the framework principles to mitigate the impact of trauma impacted students.

Speakers

Lorilei Swanson

Upstate Family Engagement Liaison, Carolina Family Engagement Liaison

Julia Beaty

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Building Capacity for Effective Family-School Partnerships

Carolina Family Engagement Center (CFEC) Project Director Karen Utter will lead an interactive session covering several of the key concepts that underlie effective family-school partnerships. Participants will learn about and practice using 1) the SC Family Engagement K-12 Framework to assess strengths and challenges in family engagement at their school and 2) the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships to build the capacities of both educators and families to work together to support student learning, using a Family Literacy Night as an example. We will also discuss how to apply these frameworks at the classroom as well as school level. Participants will have an opportunity to share their successful practices and challenges with the group.

Speakers

Karen Utter

Project Director, Carolina Family Engagement Center, UofSc College of Education

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Connecting the Dots of English Language Arts (ELA) to Social Studies Through Relationships and Literacy

What connections do students make from English Language Arts (ELA) to Social Studies in your classroom? Do they even see that there is a connection between the two disciplines? This session will focus on the craft of connecting ELA to Social Studies through building relationships and literacy.

Speakers

Ed.D. Patricia Moseley

Social Studies Teacher, Edgefield County School District

Patricia Ann Moseley is Social Studies Teacher at Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton (J-E-T) Middle School in Edgefield County, South Carolina Previously, she served in the Richmond County (Georgia) School System as Principal of Tobacco Road Elementary School (2014-2015); Assistant Principal... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Continuous Improvement in High Poverty Schools

This workshop provides an overview of our implementation of Continuous Improvement strategies in the ‘Four Highest Poverty Schools’ in Spartanburg County, SC. It will focus on the strategies employed including training and coaching as well as the early results to improve ‘early grade reading’. Learn from those working closest to the result how CI has been used in their daily work to improve systems and practices that will add up to big differences for improved results.

Speakers

Mendy Mossbrook

Director, Wardlaw Continuous Improvement Institute, Spartanburg Academic Movement

Victoria Bradley

Alanda Posey

Vivian Ann Shaver

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Countering the Deficit Mindset Approach to Poverty

Countering the deficit mindset approach to poverty is a workshop that explores what poverty mindset really is, the misconceptions surrounding it, and how it effects both teachers and students in classrooms around the world.

Speakers

Machell Dailey

Program Advisor, Arkansas Department of Eduaction

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Crime Scene Investigations: Snooping Out Three Ways to Make Learning EVIDENT in Your Classroom

Magnify the success in your classroom by investigating active and engaging literacy strategies using these three takeaways guaranteed to PROCESS your classroom into a fun and captivating environment. It's so elementary, you don't have to be Sherlock Holmes!

Speakers

Barbara Ann Hawkins

Kelli Floyd

Teacher of English, Lake View High School

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Engaging Students and Families with Class Dojo

In this session we will discuss how we have greatly increased the amount of parent involvement as well as student participating using ClassDojo.com. We will highlight features other than the "point system"

Speakers

JoAnne Boulware

3rd Grade Teacher, Cayce Elementary

Caroline Sherpy

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

For the Love of our Boys

Boys love to learn and they indeed have a “learning language”. Teaching boys is deeply rewarding, especially when you are equipped with the tools on how to connect and engage with them. There is 1-R and 5 E’s that makes this all happen. This interactive and fun session will equip school officials and teachers with tools that will: Increase academic performance by male students, decrease disciplinary actions and referrals, increase engagement/participation in class, and strengthen communication with male students.

Speakers

Patrick Patterson

Male Engagement Facilitator, Global Partners for Fathers and Families

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

How to Build Authentic Relationships with Children living in Poverty

Not only was I born and raised in poverty, I have diverse experiences as a teacher, principal, faith leader, author, speaker, and humanitarian. My extensive work with Title 1 schools, led me to conclude that authentic relationships with students is a necessary catalyst for transforming the way children of poverty learn. Many teachers desire to have healthy and authentic relationships with their students but struggle with how. In this session, participants will learn relationship building strategies, classroom engagement, and sensitivity to increase positive educational outcomes. According Mafu (2020), authentic relationships between teacher and student form a central process in transformative learning in the classroom

Speakers

Dr. Yvonne Commodore

Director of Social Emotional Services, Florence School District 3

Dr. Yvonne Commodore has over 25 years of educational experience serving as; school social worker, special education teacher, alternative school administrator, student services coordinator, adjunct instructor, asst. principal, Title 1 turn-around principal, and social emotional counselor... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

How to Promote Success with your At-Risk Students

Interactive session designed to encourage the use of positive strategies in the classroom and school to promote building a successful culture, fostering relationships, and increasing cognitive capacity in a school setting. Presenters and participants will share activities used with reflections on successes and failures.

Speakers

Tammy Burnham

Teaching Faculty, Winthrop

Richard Ball

Amy Fenton

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

It's So Good Lovin Somebody When Somebody Loves You Back!

This workshop will help educational professionals develop techniques that enable them to create productive loving relationships with students, parents, administration and the community as a whole.

Speakers

Beverly B Campbell

Professional School Counselor, Dr. Ronald E. McNair School of Digital Learning

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Level the Playing Field: Get in the game!

In this presentation, participants will learn how one school has leveled the playing field for some of the state's most impoverished students. School-wide ELA and STEAM strategies will be shared, which can be easily replicated in your school. Methods to address the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of the children will be explored.

Speakers

Michelle Traynum

STEAM Teacher/Math Coach, Homeland Park Primary

I have taught 1st grade for 20 years. This is my 2nd year as the STEAM Teacher and Math Coach at Homeland Park Primary School. I have been married to Rafael Traynum for 20 years and we have a 16 year old son. I enjoy spending time with my family, watching my son play basketball, and... Read More →

Gary Bruhjell

Principal, Homeland Park Primary School/ Anderson School District 5

Elizabeth Bowen

Patsy McGregor

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Making the Case: Restorative Practices in a High School Setting

This high energy session will introduce participants to the foundational aspects of restorative practices. Learn the “why” behind restorative work and how it aligns to the neurological development of secondary students. Participants will leave this session understanding the continuum of restorative practices, examine the basic tenants of restorative practices and alternative strategies to suspension along with tools to begin implementing immediately.

Speakers

Matthew Large

Carlos Grant

Principal, Wade Hampton High School, Greenville County Schools

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Mid Career Crisis - How Can Rural Schools Keep Their Strongest Teachers?

Recent research dives into determining why middle and late career teachers are leaving current schools, districts, the profession altogether. This session shares some surprising data and offers strategies to help incorporate the use of teacher leaders to sustain professional development and teacher efficacy in schools.

Speakers

Jodi Zeis

Assistant Professor, Francis Marion University

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Mindfulness Practices for Disadvantaged Youth

Mindfulness programs have become increasingly more popular over the last several years. Many schools have found difficulty in finding the time and resources to implement these strategies. In this session, you will learn about how you can easily teach evidence-based classroom management and emotional regulation strategies from a Mindful Schools certified instructor.

Speakers

Abby Rucker

Professional School Counselor, Monaview Elementary, Greenville County Schools

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Personal Learning Network for Teachers in High Poverty Schools

Teachers in high poverty/ rural school districts don't often have mentorship that teachers in urban schools often take for granted. Teaching in high poverty schools can be challenging when you don't have other teachers nearby to learn from or share your ideas with. One way to overcome this challenge is to create an online Professional Learning Network (PLN) to share, connect, collaborate, and learn from educators across the globe.

Speakers

Daljit Kaur

Faculty, Francis Marion University

Drs. Boatwright and Kaur are faculty at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. They both teach technology courses in the School of Education. Dr. Boatwright's research interests include educational technology, social studies pedagogy, and supporting First Year Students. Dr. Kaur's... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Providing the Support for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities and Behavior De-escalation Strategies

It’s easy to think of discipline as exclusionary strategies such as removing students from class, sending them to the principal, suspending them from school, or proceeding with an expulsion. The goal of this presentation is to focus on proactive strategies using positive behavioral interventions and supports with an intentionally reduced focus on exclusionary methods.

Speakers

Brent Chavous

Charles Redfearn

Adrian Goodman

Special Education Teacher, Heyward Gibbs Middle School

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Small Group Instruction with How Many Different Learning Needs?

Using small group station rotations is a highly effective way to differentiate for the needs of students in our diverse middle school classrooms. This session will focus on when and how to incorporate small group instruction into teaching using electronic devices, helpful packets, and small-group teaching strategies.

Speakers

Sara Dew

Art & ELA Teacher, Florence 3, J Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School

Catrina Filyaw

Literacy Coach, Florence County School District 3

Diane Carter

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Social Emotion Health Is More Than a Hashtag: Authentic Investment in Students and Staff

Building relationships is critical for success in any organization, and in order to build relationships, you have to take care of your people. For the past three years, Saluda County Schools has maintained a focus on the social and emotional health of its students and staff members. Learn how the district has worked to approach professional learning on topics such as supports for ELLs, teaching children of poverty, and MTSS through the lens of social and emotional health

Speakers

Abbey Duggins

Assistant Superintendent, Saluda County Schools

Harvey Livingston

Robert Etheredge

Christy Roberts

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

The Children Are Well

According to the African Masai Warriors, “All the children are well,” means that the daily struggles of existence, even among a poor people, do not preclude proper caring for its young. We, like the Masai Warriors, want to provide care for our young children. The most successful way to improve reading achievement of low-income children is to increase their access to print media/books.

Speakers

Arlene Bakutes

Director of Grant Initiatives, Richland School District 2

Dr. Bakutes, a former secondary ELA/English teacher, has been writing grant proposals for more than ten years. She supports Richland Two staff in seeking foundation, state, and federal grants. On average, the Grants Initiatives Office has been awarded $6 million in competitive grants... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

The Literacy Triangle: High Impact Tools for Every Classroom

The Literacy Triangle uses high impact reading, discussion, and writing tools to maximize learning. These tools and strategies not only prevent gaps but can also close 2-3 year gaps in literacy skills. Receive “use-the-next-day” strategies to help students read for deeper comprehension, activate discourse tools, and write with intriguing prompts.

Speakers

LeAnn Nickelsen

K-8 teacher, Author, Educational Growth Coach/Trainer, Maximize Learning Inc.

As a former teacher of the year and 20+ year Jensen-certified brain research trainer, LeAnn’s enthusiastic energy, practical ideas, engaging processing opportunities, and use of the latest research have made her a popular presenter at the local, state, national, and international... Read More →

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

The Missing Link: Father Absence and It's Effect on Poverty

Father absence has a significant impact on poverty, child wellbeing, and the state's economy. This session will focus on the impact of fatherlessness and discuss strategies on how to minimize its impact on children.

Speakers

Marc Himes

Program Manager, SC Center for Fathers and Families

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Trauma-Informed Literacy Practices for the 21st Century Classroom

This experiential workshop teaches participants trauma informed literacy practices for 21st Century learners.

Speakers

Emily Meeks

CEO, Co-Founder, Focused Minds Education Group, LLC

Emily Meeks, M.Ed., is a dynamic individual with demonstrated capabilities of utilizing instructional best practices to obtain desired results. As the daughter of a retired educator, she has been passionate about learning and education all of her life. Ms. Meeks has served as an educator... Read More →

Taneesha Thomas

Co-Founder, Focused Minds Education Group, LLC

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Understanding How Social and Cultural Capital Impacts Student Success

Social and cultural capital refers to a collection of elements such as skills, material belongings, credentials, economic resources, access, mannerisms, and opportunities that an individual acquires through being a part of a particular social class. Every child comes to the classroom with varying experiences and different levels of cultural capital. As educators, we must understand how social and cultural capital can impact our students’ understanding of schools policies and systems, access to resources, self-efficacy towards academic achievement, and overall sense of belonging. This presentation provides educators with an understanding of how social and cultural capital impact student success and highlights best practices for maximizing students’ academic and personal success.

Speakers

Kate Blanton

Adjunct Instructor, PhD Student, University of South Carolina

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

We Are Still Here: NEXT School Eagle Ridge's Successful School-Community Partnership

This session will highlight the ways that NEXT School Eagle Ridge, a public charter school in Salem, SC, that was created following the closing of the traditional school, partners with its community members to provide the necessary resources and experiences that are not provided by local, state, or federal governments. The presenters will share the ways that school personnel and community stakeholders work with students to create project-based learning experiences that empower students to become the agents of change who will work to better their home town and the world around them.

Speakers

Trixi DeRosa-Davis

Teacher, Next School Eagle Ridge

Trixi DeRosa-Davis is focused on implementing mastery/standards based learning for students in all content areas. Trixi has worked to help create proficiency based courses in World Languages. Trixi was named the both iNACOL and VirtualSC online teacher of the year for 2016.

Angela Rogers

English Teacher/ Department Chair, South Carolina Public Charter School District

Tuesday June 16, 2020 TBA

TBA

Who, What, When, and Where in the Workforce -- Soft Skills to Pay the Bills

This session will provide an insight into what skills are necessary for the South Carolina graduate will need that enters the workforce upon graduation. It will share strategies and best practices to instill in students to assure that they smoothly transition into the workforce.

Speakers