Is your school interested in using the NC STEM Schools of Distinction Rubric for school improvement or to receive the STEM School of Distinction designation?  During this planning institute schools will review the overarching principles of the Rubric, consider what each principle means in the context of their individual school, assess the school’s readiness, draft a strategic plan and develop next steps for school improvement or to apply for the NC STEM Schools of Distinction. The institute will include whole group discussion to learn from best practices across the state and individual school team planning.  

Who should attend:  School teams of three to five (including a required administrator). Schools which currently have a STEM focus or have previously applied for the STEM School of Distinction designation will benefit the most from this institute. For more information, email Akua Carraway at [email protected].

There is a clear science to teaching reading. Due to advancements in cognitive science, we know more about how our students learn to read than ever before. As with any body of knowledge derived from science, the body of scientifically-based reading research builds and advances over time. It has provided us with information about reading development, reading processes, and reading instruction. Please join us as we spend quality time looking closely into best instructional practices that support the Science of Reading in grades kindergarten through fifth-grade.

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Physical education plays an important role in the overall educational process. An effective program can help boost academics for the entire school. While games have played a central role in modern day physical education, we should remember that less than 25% of adults will actively participate in sports as adults. This program will introduce a wider range of healthy lifestyle activities that students can experiment with, learn to enjoy and play, and potentially continue throughout their lives. This session is designed for K-12 physical education teachers who want to learn new and exciting ways to up their classroom “game.” 

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How can we amplify our strengths and minimize barriers to promote student success in our middle and high schools? This session will examine MTSS as a school improvement framework with a focus on building common language and understanding for educators in the secondary school setting. We will begin by exploring the NC MTSS Critical Components and discuss the roles of school-based educators in supporting academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and attendance needs to improve student outcomes. In addition, participants will explore components for strengthening core instruction and intervention in secondary schools. We will examine how data may be used to identify student needs and make instructional adjustments to better support learning. This session will provide the opportunity for participants to network with colleagues from across the state to explore optimal teaching behaviors and practical suggestions to support problem-solving. Plan to leave with ideas for immediate implementation and with MTSS resources to share with your school team for future school-improvement planning.  This program is intended for educators grades 6-12.

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Open to teachers in their first, second, or third year of teaching, this program supports motivated beginning teachers by strengthening their knowledge base and classroom expertise. Teachers will develop their craft by understanding how to teach to the depth of their standards and differentiating for multiple levels of learners.  Beginning educators will also have the opportunities to refine their teaching philosophies and class expectations.  Within this seminar, teachers will identify their most immediate needs for their classrooms, and time will be spent exploring solutions to those needs.

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Our physical, psychological, and emotional wellbeing are interconnected. Through experiential lessons learn about the latest research on the connection between our environment and our genetics. Participants will study light, circadian rhythms, genetics, body systems, macromolecules, and more found in science standards grades 3-12. Literacy, science, and social studies will be featured in our activities as we discover how to make science standards applicable to our students’ lives.

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The media center is the hub of the school, and with the many changes in education and society, the media specialist's role is more critical than ever. This session will focus on how media specialists can impact student learning by exploring accessibility, universal design for learning (UDL), blended learning, censorship, information literacy, and more. Through collaboration, media specialists will strengthen relationships with educators, form partnerships with others, and discuss ways to advocate for their school library programs.

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The media center is the hub of the school, and with the many changes in education and society, the media specialist's role is more critical than ever. This session will focus on how media specialists can impact student learning by exploring accessibility, universal design for learning (UDL), blended learning, censorship, information literacy, and more. Through collaboration, media specialists will strengthen relationships with educators, form partnerships with others, and discuss ways to advocate for their school library programs.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Open to teachers in their first, second, or third year of teaching, this program supports motivated beginning teachers by strengthening their knowledge base and classroom expertise. Teachers will develop their craft by understanding how to teach to the depth of their standards and differentiating for multiple levels of learners.  Beginning educators will also have the opportunities to refine their teaching philosophies and class expectations.  Within this seminar, teachers will identify their most immediate needs for their classrooms, and time will be spent exploring solutions to those needs.

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Research indicates that every student can be successful in math with a combination of mindset and high effect size strategies. Join us as we explore strategies that make learning visible and engage high school students in rich mathematics. Sessions for this program will include mathematical discourse, the power of reflection, and authentic problem-solving. This program is open to math teachers in grades 8-12 with a focus on Math 1. 

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