Five early bird sessions will be offered at the 2016 MREA Annual Conference to feature timely education and dialogues on everything from shifting conversations about teaching and learning to managing stress before it interferes with learning. “Making Teaching Matter” kicks off Nov. 13 with 90-minute workshops that give participants a deeper understanding of the topic as well as dialogue and engagement with the presenter and other participants.
The early bird sessions are available to anyone who registers for the entire conference November 13-15.
Early Bird Workshops Sunday, Nov. 13
Learning to Look: Finding Learning, Shifting Instruction (Sarah Brown Wessling, 2010 National Teacher of the Year/Johnston (IA) High School)
Practice how to observe classrooms-in-action in ways that will help shift conversations about teaching and learning. Using classroom videos, learn to look for “moments of learning” and see how this process can bring about more purposeful instruction.
Education’s Silent Opponent: Toxic Stress … Changing Everything (Tanya Yerigan, Southwest Minnesota State University)
Learn about one of the most important topic educators are facing — toxic stress and how it changes the brain and interferes with learning. A broad array of toxic stress research will be presented and practical solutions/techniques will be explored.
Personalized Learning: The Flipped Model (Evan Gough and Gary Holmseth, Blue Earth Schools)
“Flipping” the classroom may aid educators in their quest to integrate various instructional techniques and improve student learning. This session will review a study recently conducted in Minnesota and present considerations and recommendations for effective implementation.
Why We Play/Teach (Matt Percival, MSHSL/Eastview High School, Apple Valley)
The Minnesota State High School League’s “Why We Play” initiative encourages positive outcomes from athletics unrelated to the outcome of contests but very much related to the positive and healthy development of youth. Learn how to apply this initiative within school districts to become more intentional about the opportunities provided for student growth.
Voluntary Pre-K Forum for Funded Districts (Staff from Minnesota Department of Education)
Schools that are awarded grants for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs can share with each other their issues, successes, and questions after just a few months into the program. Staff from the MN Department of Education will be on hand to support those who are beginning programs to ensure success for rural children and schools.
Conference registration will open in July. Reduced registration rates will be available for teams who register by August 5.
Learn more about the conference and Keynote Speakers.
Supporters
Special thanks to these MREA Associate Members for their additional support:
Foster, Jacobs & Johnson, Inc.
National Joint Powers Alliance
Robert W. Baird & Company
Hiller Commercial Floors
InGensa, Inc.
I+S Group
Johnson Controls