Monday, June 27, 2016

Annual Minnetonka Summer Teaching & Learning Academy


Each summer hundreds of Minnetonka teachers spend time learning in professional development classes and trainings that we offer our staff in June, July, and August. Last summer over 400 Minnetonka teachers attended technology professional development classes. This summer there will be technology classes related to iPads, Schoology, computer coding, and more. In addition to technology classes, there are also many non-technology sessions offered such as classes on assessment, engagement, special needs, our teaching and learning framework, and much more. Some of our training options are online. We also offer extensive training sessions in August for all of our new teachers.

We use My Learning Plan to manage all of this. Teachers can sign up and drop classes, automatically be notified and reminded of classes and locations, and we can track rosters, waitlists, and CEUs. Teachers receive a stipend for the time they spend learning in summer technology sessions.

More details about this summer's technology options are below:


All Summer:
As TIES members, Minnetonka staff qualify for unlimited access to most professional development workshops at the TIES Training Center in St. Paul on an as available basis. Choose from Google, iPad, SMARTBoard, and many other classes June - August listed in their Workshop Catalog.


June Options:
Monday, June 20   A Curriculum Blueprint for 21st Century Learning
Workshop Leaders: UbD’s Jay McTighe and EdLeader21’s Valerie Greenhill
A menu of half-day workshops that support a systemic curriculum framework for developing 21st century skills. Jay McTighe is one of the founders of the Understanding by Design framework. Valerie Greenhill is the Executive Director of EdLeader21.


PBL 101: Tue June21 – Thu June23
Based on the Buck Institute for Education's model for Gold Standard PBL, this three-day workshop engages participants in learning how to design, assess, and manage a rigorous, relevant, standards-focused project. The workshop models the project process. Facilitated by one of BIE's expert National Faculty, the workshop is a balanced blend of direct instruction, video analysis, hands-on work, resource sharing, and peer collaboration. Participants have substantial time to plan their own project, and receive formative feedback from peers and the facilitator.
Coaching Academy: ThuJune23/FriJune24
The Coaching Academy engages instructional coaches in best practices for providing sustained support to teachers using PBL. The academy focuses on strategies for coaches to support and enable high quality PBL design and instruction. Participants will review the essential elements of PBL through a coaching lens, access resources and protocols, learn coaching best practices, and create deliverables to support their teachers.


July Options:  
online.jpg
Once again this summer there will be online options for learning.  These classes allow you to work at your own pace at a time of your choosing while learning.  Choose from Framework Creativity, Framework Collaboration, Screencasting with iPads or Formative Assessment Toolkit.

August 22-29:
A Closer Look: 504s vs. IEPs (Staff Development, State Areas 1 and 2)
Mandy Kasowicz (District-wide Academic Strategies) & Carrie Raddie (District 504 Coordinator)
During this session, which is suitable for all levels, participants will dig into the similarities and differences between 504s and IEPs, discuss the general education teacher’s role with both, and organize a system for tracking/supporting students’ needs.
Target Audience: General Education Teachers K-12
Collaboration, Communication


Authentic Assessment:  Converting Traditional Assessments (Assessment, State Area 2)
Matt Rega, (additional presenters TBD)
As we move toward implementation of the Understanding by Design (UbD) model in Minnetonka, there is a need to focus on Stage 2 in the three-stage process.  Stage 2 highlights Authentic and Performance-Based Assessments.  This 90-minute overview is designed to provide insight on what converting the traditional assessment to an assessment that is more authentic and real world.
Authentic & Real-World


Auto Mechanics 101, or Some Differentiation Ideas for your ELL Students  (Staff Development, State Area 7)
Kathleen Terhaar
This is a workshop about differentiation with ELL students as the main focus, but it can certainly be applied to other students as well. I believe differentiation makes all the difference in a classroom and it doesn't have to mean lots of extra work. If you would like some quick, practical ideas to use right away in your classroom, please join us.  
Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Global Learning, and Use of Technology for Learning


Best Practice in Developing Social Emotional Learning for Secondary (6-12) Students in Special Education (SpEd Class, State Areas 1 and 2)
Kristen Laffe-Thao
Topics will include:
  • Setting up groups/classes – how to develop routines and structure to promote maximum learning.
  • Activities to support social emotional learning
  • How to measure student growth in social emotional learning
  • Begin to discuss strategies to incorporate into your teaching.
Target Audience: Secondary Special Education Teachers
Authentic & Real-World Learning, Collaboration, Communication


Coding Grades K-3 (Staff Development, State Area 5)
Tonka <codes> Team Member
As our students grow in their coding abilities, we see the need for new tools to encourage their development.  This class will introduce you to the new application we will begin using during the school year to provide opportunities for students to go beyond coding.  
Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Use of Technology for Learning  


Coding Beyond the Lessons Grade 4-5  (Staff Development, State Area 5)
Tonka <codes> Team Member
Over the past 2 years, our students have developed a foundation of coding skills.  This class will introduce you to ways to build on those skills to integrate coding with your current lessons.  
Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Use of Technology for Learning


Cognitive Coaching in Your Daily Interactions (Staff Development)
function.jpgDiane Daniels
Cognitive coaching strategies allow adults and students to become clearer and more resourceful in how they plan and problem-solve. In this session, you will learn questioning and reflection techniques which will help focus on the thinking processes that make up decisions. Build capacity in developing the reflective muscle within yourself and those who you interact with daily.
Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking


Computer Science Grades E-5 (Staff Development, State Area 5)
Tonka <codes> Team Member
As our students have experienced coding in classrooms over the past few years, we have identified the need to build on these skills. This class is designed for E-5 teachers to bring elements of computer science into their classroom. Teachers will gain a foundation in computational thinking and  collaboration in relation to computer science through unplugged lessons.
Authentic and Real-World, Collaboration, Critical Thinking


CS in Science Project GUTS- Middle School Science (Staff Development, State Area 5)
Instructor from Code.org/Lisa Reed
Monday August 22nd – Full day (8-3:30) – Computer Science in Science Overview (Pre-Requisite to all CS in Science trainings)
During this training you will get an overview of the CS in Science (otherwise known as Project GUTS) curriculum. The goal of the program is to situate computer science practices and concepts within the context of life, physical, and earth sciences, and to prepare students to pursue formal, year-long courses in computer science during high school. CS in Science is based on a crosswalk identifying areas of overlap between the NGSS and Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 Computer Science Standards.
Audience: All Middle School Science Teachers
Goal: career and college-ready
Tuesday August 23rd – Full day (8-3:30) – CS in Science Life Science
The Life Science module begins with an exploration of a simple predator-prey model to consider who eats whom and what happens when one population grows faster than another. After learning more about ecosystem dynamics, producers and consumers, and interdependent relationships within an ecosystem, students develop their own model of a local ecosystem.
Audience: 7th Grade Science Teachers
Goal: career and college-ready
Wednesday August 24th – Full day (8-3:30) – CS in Science Physical Science
The Chemical Reactions module explores the conditions under which chemical reactions occur, the evidence of a chemical reaction, limiting reactants versus reactants in excess, and the conditions under which chemical reactions stop. The chemical reaction simulated is that of silver nitrate and copper.
Audience: 6th Grade Science Teachers
Goal: career and college-ready
Thursday August 25th – Full day (8-3:30) – CS in Science Earth Science
In this Earth Science module students will investigate the importance of ground water and the impacts of water usage on aquifer levels as well as explore how to model important parts of the water cycle including evaporation and infiltration of water into different types of soils to recharge the aquifers.
Audience: 8th Grade Science Teachers
Goal: career and college-ready


Consultation and Collaboration in Early Childhood Settings - Next Steps (SpEd Class, State Areas 1 and 2)
A follow up to Book Study Consultation in Early Childhood Settings.   ECSE participants will engage in the discussion and development of the framework for consultation in community early childhood settings.
Outcome: Using the framework …
  • Participants will bring and review their Knowledge and Skills Inventory
  • Participants will set goals for the upcoming school year.
  • Participants will work with their colleagues to identify training/collaboration plan for 2016-17
Target Audience:  ECSE Licensed Staff


Co-Teaching Collaboration and Class Development (SpEd Class, State Areas 1 and 2)
Mandy Kasowicz- District Academic Strategist
Participants attending this session will be given time to work with their co-teaching partner in order to start planning, creating, and developing the framework for their new co-teaching course. Guided work time and resources will be provided during this 3 hour session. Co-teacher teams are strongly encouraged to attend together.
Target Audience: Co-teaching partners identified for the 2016-2017 school year
Required Pre-Requisite: Purposeful Collaboration through Co-Teaching:  The Basics
Collaboration, Communication, Personalized Learning, Creativity


DAPE Due Process Evaluation and IEP writing (SpEd Class)
ell.jpgLaurie Harkness, Mary Miller, Christine Breen
DAPE teachers will be guided through the requirements and expectations for evaluations which include DAPE. DAPE teachers will work through the differences between evaluations and IEPs and how to document evaluations and service delivery within our new IEP system, Sped Forms.
Target Audience: DAPE Teachers


Design for Learning: Remake Your Space (Staff Development)
Nicole Snedden
How might we create spaces where students can engage in authentic and real world learning?  How can the design of my classroom space change the way students think creatively and apply critical thinking to design original work? Join us for this 90 minute introduction to Design for Learning  and Design Thinking, and explore what happens when teachers and students have a voice in the creation of the learning environment.  This session will also serve as a prerequisite for teachers who are interested in “hacking” their space and serve as a prerequisite to apply for funding in 2016-217.
Collaboration, Personalized Learning, Communication, Creativity, Use of Technology


Documenting and Analyzing Data Related to Behavior (SpEd Class)
Kaitlin Dornbusch-Fenner, Behavior Analyst
All behavior is communication! In this session, teachers will learn how to track behaviors, analyze data, and subsequently make changes to instruction/programming to positively impact the student's behavior. Discussion on creating effective Functional Behavior Assessments and Positive Behavior Support Plans will also be a component of this training.
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers


Engaging Classrooms 2.0 (Staff Development, State Area 1)
According to Dr. Robert Marzano, keeping students engaged is one of the most important considerations for the classroom teacher. The state legislature agrees, as one component of teacher evaluation under the new law is based on student engagement. Which leads to many questions: Is the job of teachers to entertain students? What does engagement look like at different levels? In this era of high stakes testing, how can I engage my students in meeting all of their standards. This session will explore how to generate high levels of student attention and engagement through four key questions that students ask relating to their engagement: How do I feel? Am I interested? Is this important? Can I do this? This workshop builds on previous workshops, but does not require that you have attended the initial training.
Authentic & Real World, Collaboration, Personalized Learning


Engaging Students in Reading Non-Fiction Texts (Staff Development, State Area 3)
Stephanie Brondani
Wondering what you can do to make sure your students can read and understand your course’s texts? Come to this session to learn about and practice effective, research-based instructional activities with text that have a real impact on student learning. Collaboration, communication, and critical thinking will be front and center. Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking


First Aid
Ann Foss
Teachers are often on the front line of medical situations, particularly when on field trips. This class will prepare you to care for an injury or illness until professional help arrives. This idea was put forth in the 2015-16 Big Hunt for Ideas.


First Year in a Grade 5-12 iPad 1:1 Classroom (Tech Class, State Area 5)
(First Year iPad teachers need to attend this session once during pre-workshop days or during teacher workshop days.)
Jeremy Engebretson,  Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology K-5
Andrea Hoffmann, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology E-5
This training session is for new 5th grade homeroom teachers, 5th grade English Language and math teachers who support a 5th grade classroom and all grade 6-12 teachers new to Minnetonka for the 2016-17 school year.  Learn about the new updates and management of student iPads.  We will discuss classroom management strategies, show example lessons, and expand the ways iPads can be part of your teaching routines to encourage student learning.  
Use of Technology for Learning, Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Personalized Learning, Critical Thinking


Formative Assessment Toolkit (Online Tech Class, State Areas 2 & 5)
Ben Stanerson
Interested in an efficient way to give more formative assessments and develop strategies using formative data to drive instruction? Need to save time grading?  Want your students to get more from a formative assessment than just a score?  Learn how to use a wide variety of formative tools (Skyward Quizzes, Google Forms, Socrative, Schoology, Pear Deck, etc.) to create assessments online and use the automatically scored multiple choice, matching and true/false items to help guide teaching and learning.  This online class is designed as an overview of formative tools for 1.5 CEUs.
Use of Technology for Learning, Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Personalized Learning, Critical Thinking


Framework Collaboration (Online Staff Development Class)
Jeremy Engebretson,  Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology K-5
Andrea Hoffmann, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology E-5
In this online course, you will progress through materials to explore the Collaboration strand of the Minnetonka Teaching and Learning Instructional Framework. Knowing that collaboration is a key component of many lessons, this course is designed to help you identify the levels of complexity that currently exist in your lesson plans and to help you plan for other levels of complexity in your next steps of collaboration. We encourage you to work at your own pace. The content of the course is equivalent to the amount that would be shared during a three-hour training. As long as you complete all of the requirements by August 19, 2016, you will be awarded three hours worth of CEUs.
Collaboration


Framework Creativity (Online Staff Development Class)
Jeremy Engebretson,  Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology K-5
Andrea Hoffmann, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology E-5
In this online course, you will progress through materials to explore the Creativity strand of the Minnetonka Teaching and Learning Instructional Framework. Knowing that creativity is a key component of many lessons, this course is designed to help you identify the levels of complexity that currently exist in your lesson plans and to help you plan for other levels of complexity in your next steps of creativity. We encourage you to work at your own pace. The content of the course is equivalent to the amount that would be shared during a three-hour training. As long as you complete all of the requirements by August 19, 2016, you will be awarded three hours worth of CEUs.
Creativity


Framework Deep Dive (Staff Development)
The Minnetonka Teaching and Learning Framework has become the lens through which all aspects of curriculum, instruction, and assessment are viewed. This 90-minute overview will provide additional background on each of the eight dimensions. Please come with a specific unit, lesson, or assessment in mind.


Framework by Department and Level  (Staff Development)
Please note in the schedule: a series of these 90-minute workshops have been organized by departments and/or teaching level; determine which session or sessions are most relevant for you.  Come with members of your team or department to take an existing unit to the next level through the lens of the Framework.
  • Art
  • English Language Arts & ELTs (Elementary)
  • English Language Arts (Secondary)
  • FACS & Technology Education
  • Math (Elementary)
  • Math (Secondary)
  • Music
  • Physical Education & Health
  • Science (Elementary)
  • Science (Secondary)
  • Social Studies (Elementary)
  • Social Studies (Secondary)
  • Student Support Services & ELL
  • World Languages


Global Learning Across the Curriculum (Staff Development, State Area 2)
Stephanie Glaser, Erin Groene, MaryBeth Huttlin, Emily Nelson, and Gina Nelson
Global-learning.jpgThe “Authentic and Real World Learning” and “Collaboration” dimensions of the Minnetonka Framework converge in a third Framework dimension, “Global Learning.”  To help students develop and apply Global Perspectives in various facets of their work and lives and experience success in a global world, Global Perspectives can be incorporated into many different areas of study.
In this session, we will discuss what Global Learning is and how it relates to the Framework, share examples of current global integration in classrooms throughout the district, and offer tried-and-tested strategies for incorporating Global Perspectives into many diverse learning scenarios. Work time will be provided so that participants have ideas ready to pursue in the upcoming year.
Authentic & Real-World Learning, Collaboration, Global Learning


Integrated Performance Assessment for Language Immersion Grades K-10 (Curriculum & Assessment, State Area 2)
immersionlogo_sm.jpgMatt Rega, Director of Assessment (Immersion staff)
Grade K-9 Immersion teachers will learn about Integrated Performance Assessment (IPA) and the role of the assessment in the language immersion program districtwide.


Interconnected Teaching: An Introduction (Staff Development)
This session focuses on how to accomplish the often elusive goal of making our classrooms authentic and relevant to students and their futures, while staying true to our content. We describe this as Interconnected Teaching, which bridges the gap between schools and the local community. During the session, we will cover the philosophy of Interconnected Teaching and introduce you to the Interconnected Achievement Model (IAM). This covers concrete ways to incorporate guest instruction, mentors, and projects in a way that enriches rather than distracts from your core classroom instruction. Moreover, your students will find purpose behind your content that resonates with their professional growth.  
Authentic & Real-World Learning, Collaboration, Communication, Personalized Learning


iStation (Curriculum & Assessment, State Area 5)
iStation Trainer
K-2 Spanish Immersion teachers will learn about the iStation System and the basic functionality of the tool.  This test will replace the DORA-Spanish and add a curricular tool to supplement the assessment.  With this hands-on opportunity, Spanish Immersion teachers will learn how administer the fall assessment, view student data specific to their classrooms and school site, and learn how to use the instructional tool that complements the assessment.


Operation Grade 5 iPad Elementary (Tech Class, State Area 5)
Intermediate iPad teachers need to attend this session once - either during pre-workshop days (stipend) or during teacher workshop days.
Jeremy Engebretson,  Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology K-5
Andrea Hoffmann, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology E-5
Before attending class, you must have picked up your iPad, completed basic set-up using the provided checklist, and know your Apple ID and password. This training session is for 5th grade homeroom teachers, English Language and math teachers that support a 5th grade classroom, and elementary media specialists.  Come learn about the new updates and management of student iPads.  We will further discuss classroom management strategies, creativity and assessment activities for the iPad, as well as expanding the ways iPads can be part of your teaching routines to encourage student learning.  Use of Technology for Learning, Collaboration, Creativity, Communication, Personalized Learning, Critical Thinking


Minnetonka’s Teacher Evaluation Growth Model 2.0 (Staff Development)
Sara White
We learned a lot in the first two years of the Minnetonka Teacher Evaluation Growth Model. This 60-minute overview is designed to set you up for a successful experience in designing your student engagement plan and setting your student learning goal.
Authentic & Real World, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Personalized Learning


Personalized Learning: Engage Advanced learners at the PreK-2, Grades 3-5, or Middle School (Staff Development, State Areas 1 & 2)
Diane Rundquist, Director of High Potential Services
A personalized learning approach challenges all students by capitalizing on their individual interests and strengths.  Join us to learn do-able strategies for personalizing  learning in your classroom in ways which don’t require hours and hours of preparation time. You’ll see how students can grow through the same essential learnings even though they are very different learners. Discover how personalized learning capitalizes on students’ innate curiosities to develop their diverse academic skills and achieve deeper levels of learning.
Personalized Learning, Authentic & Real World, Use of Technology for Learning


Project Based Learning 101 (Staff Development, State Area 2)
Join Minnetonka teachers who were recently trained through the Buck Institute for Education for an introduction to Gold Standard PBL. Come with a unit in mind that could be transformed by replacing an existing assessment with one that emphasizes an authentic challenge for your students.
Personalized Learning, Authentic & Real World, Use of Technology for Learning


Purposeful Collaboration Through Co-Teaching: The Basics (Staff Development, State Areas 1 and 2)
Martina Wagner (MetroEcsu Trainer)
Are you excited to start co-teaching? Or hesitant because you just don’t know where to start? Join this session to get all your co-teaching needs met! Participants attending this session will be introduced to the trends in co-teaching, learn the pre-requisite skills, develop critical skills necessary for successful and sustainable co-teaching partnerships, investigate tools to begin setting the stage for co-teaching roles and responsibility, as well as, develop a foundational understanding of co-teaching models that can be used and expanded in the co-taught classroom. This session is ideal for those co-teachers who are new to co-teaching, beginning a new co-teaching partnership, or have not yet had formal professional development on co-teaching. Co-teacher teams are strongly encouraged to attend together.
Target Audience: Already identified secondary staff involved in co-teaching for 2016-2017 school year
Collaboration, Communication, Personalized Learning


Schoology Digital Classroom 2.0 Grades E-4 (Tech Class, State Area 5)
Jeremy Engebretson,  Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology K-5
Andrea Hoffmann, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology E-5
Explore the possibilities with Schoology! It’s much more than just a warehouse for digital resources.  Learn how to utilize Schoology to its fullest, see examples of exemplary courses and have time to develop your course for student learning!
Authentic and Real World, Communication, Personalized Learning, Use of Technology for Learning


Schoology Digital Classroom 2.0 Grades 5-12 (Tech Class, State Area 5)
Take your Schoology use to the next level!  Schoology offers so much more than a simply a place to post due dates and collect homework. Explore ways to embed Youtube videos and other content, create Pages, add video/images into quizzes, create student groups to differentiate assignments and/or discussion boards, as well as try out new tools like Schoology Portfolios.
Authentic and Real World, Communication, Personalized Learning, Use of Technology for Learning


Screencasting and Interactive Lesson Design: Explain Everything App (Online Tech Class, State Area 5)
Ben Stanerson, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology 9-12
Your iPad and Explain Everything are a perfect combination for recording tutorials, video lessons, and using your iPad as an interactive whiteboard. This is an interactive course that highlights recording tips, potential workflows, and teacher created examples.  You will be using Explain Everything to make your own screencasts while learning to use the various tools in the app. In addition, learn how to create lessons and teach them using Explain Everything in a similar a SMART board.  The course will also explore ways to have students interact with EE project files you create as living worksheet templates for homework or class instruction. Please download Explain Everything before you start the class. Explain Everything is available in the staff MTKA store. 1.5 CEUs.
Use of Technology for Learning, Creativity, Communication, Personalized Learning, Critical Thinking


SEL in the Elementary Classroom (Staff Development, State Areas 1 and 2)
Participants will explore the Social and Emotional Essential Learnings (adopted as part of the 2014-2015 Elementary Health Review) as well as instructional tools and strategies to support students Social and Emotional Learning.  We will also take a new look at the Responsive Classroom through the SEL lens. These strategies tie to the Critical Thinking and Communication components of the Minnetonka Framework as instructional strategies will guide students to construct new learning and apply their understanding of social and emotional learning to every context in their lives as well as support their respectful interactions with others
Communication, Critical Thinking

Seesaw: Online Learning Journal for PreK-4 Teachers (Tech Class, State Area 5)
Andrea Hoffmann, Teacher on Special Assignment for Instructional Technology E-5
Pam Wertjes, Kindergarten Teacher, Groveland
Seesaw empowers students to independently document what they are learning at school.  Students can “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. You can also import directly from most popular apps.  This class is designed for K-4 teachers to learn how to facilitate using Seesaw in your classroom to showcase student learning.

SpED Forms (SpEd Class)
SPED Form Trainers and District Trainers
Beginning July 1, 2016 our district will move to SPED Forms as the web-based platform for all due process documentation. SpEd Forms has been making it easier for teachers to complete special education due process paperwork and for administrators to have up-to-the minute access to special education data in a cost-effective manner since 1993. Every year more school districts discover the value of using SpEd Forms. Approximately 85% of Minnesota school districts and charter schools currently use SpEd Forms.  The three most important features of SpEd Forms have always been simplicity, reliability and power.
All licensed staff will be responsible for the content of this training.  The outcomes for this three hours training will be:
Special Education staff will set up their passwords, profile and be able to demonstrate the ability to access SPED Forms to complete all future due process.
Special Education staff will be able to locate and complete all due process forms.
Special Education staff will have the opportunity to learn about the special features available within SPED Forms to guide and help manage their due process compliance responsibilities.
Target Audience: All Special Education Licensed Staff including SPED teachers,        Speech/Language Pathologists, DAPE, Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists


Speech & Language Service Delivery Model:  Ready – Set – Go (SpEd Class)
Mary Miller
K -12 Speech and Language Pathologists will have time to share with each other parent           and staff communication regarding the new model, learn effective ways to improve their consultation skills, share scheduling ideas and get input from leadership on how to document the changes on a student’s IEP.  There will be work time to personalize your communication and data collection documents and also go into SpED Forms and learn how to make changes to student plans.  Bring your caseload list to reference.
Recommended pre-requisite:   SPED Forms training
Target Audience:  K-12 Speech and Language Pathologists
Collaboration, Creativity


Supporting Mental Health Needs in the Classroom (Staff Development, State Area 4)
Carrie Radde, Jonna Hirsch, Melissa Feller
Teachers and school staff will be informed about early warning signs of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders in adolescents. Participants will also learn strategies to use with these students as well as supports that are available within the school system


Technology Boot Camp: High School Edition (Tech Class, State Area 5)  
All returning teachers need to attend this session once - either during the August 2016 Teaching and Learning Academy (stipend)  or during teacher workshop days.
Taught by Minnetonka High School Technology Integration Coaches
*Before attending class, you must have picked up your iPad, completed basic set-up using the provided checklist, and know your Apple ID and password. This required training session is for all high school teachers.  We will share information about new updates to Schoology, Google, and Skyward. We will also share useful tips and tricks for your new iPads.  This course is designed to inspire thinking about teaching and learning with technology for the first day of school and beyond.


Technology Boot Camp: Middle School Edition (Tech Class, State Area 5)
Experienced and Intermediate iPad teachers need to attend this session once - either during pre-workshop days (stipend)  or during teacher workshop days.
Carson Hoeft, Instructional Technology Coach, Minnetonka Middle School East
Sara Hunt,  Instructional Technology Coach, Minnetonka Middle School West
Before attending class, you must have picked up your iPad, completed basic set-up using the provided checklist, and know your Apple ID and password. Come and learn about new pieces to our technology integration work.  We will cover a variety of things you need to know to start off 2016-2017 school year. From classroom management/design for learning discussion to new revamped Schoology expectations and highlighting the use/workflow of favorite teacher tools/ apps.


TIES Benchmarking and Progress Monitoring with CES System for K-8 Teachers (Assessment)
Delonna Darsow, TIES Trainer
With the replacement of the current Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) assessments with an updated norm-referenced benchmark assessment, K-5 English Program teachers can learn the new system in person from TIES trainer Delonna Darsow.  The purpose of this 90-minute session is to train teachers how to administer the CES Fall, Winter, and Spring benchmarking assessments through TIES.  Assessments include:  CBM-Reading, Letter Naming Fluency, Letter Sound Fluency, and Nonsense Word Fluency


Teaching Outside the Box--Working with Your High Ability Students (Staff Development , State Area 2)
Kathleen Terhaar
This workshop will focus on those students with very different needs because of their extremely high intellectual abilities and the way they approach learning and the classroom. If you have ever been frustrated with a very bright student who is not meeting your expectations, this workshop is for you. We will look at some practical ways to modify and differentiate that will make things easier, not more difficult to teach these students. If you would like some quick, practical ideas to use right away in your classroom, please join us.
Authentic and Real-World Learning, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Personalized Learning


UbD 101: Designing Unit Plans for Meaning, Engagement, and Deeper Learning (Staff Development, State Area 2)
Steve Urbanski and Sara White
Teachers will be introduced to Understanding by Design (UbD), a three-stage design process that effectively aligns curriculum, instruction and assessment.  Working within a standards-driven curriculum, UbD emphasizes the critical role of teachers in designing student learning. The UbD framework is built upon clarifying student learning goals, devising performance assessments to collect evidence of student understanding, and crafting engaging and relevant learning activities supported by research and best practice.
Authentic & Real World, Collaboration,  Communication, Critical Thinking, Personalized Learning


UbD 2.0 A Deeper Dive into Designing Unit Plans for Meaning, Engagement, and Deeper Learning (Staff Development, State Area 2)
Steve Urbanski
The primary goal of UbD is student understanding:  the ability to make meaning of “big ideas” and transfer learning. In this session, teachers will learn how to develop meaningful essential questions and performance tasks that promote both transfer and understanding.  Please bring an existing unit to this session.


What to Do Until You Know What to Do (SpEd Class, State Area 2)
Mary Beth Solheim
This presentation will address  instructional needs for students with social/l emotional challenges through implementation of current best practice and positive behavior Interventions and supports for the elementary population.
Topics will include:
  • Setting up groups/classes – how to develop routines and structure to promote maximum learning.
  • Activities to support social emotional learning
  • How to measure student growth in social emotional learning
  • Begin to discuss strategies to incorporate into your teaching.
Target Audience: Elementary Special Education Teachers