Teaching Students Living in Poverty

Teaching Students Living in Poverty

The number of East Texas students living in poverty is rising.  Join educators who seek to make a difference in the lives of these students.  Participants will come away from this learning session with a new understanding of how poverty and "hidden rules among classes" impact student learning, communication and behavior.

Register for Jan. 26, 2015 or
Register for April 24, 2015.

EACH PARTICIPANT WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE BOOK:
A Framework for Understanding Poverty, by Ruby Payne, PhD

For more information, contact:
Sheila Thrash
Specialist, Federal Programs
Region 7 Education Service Center
Phone: (903) 988-6855

Middle School EdCamp 2015: Jan. 31st

The Texas Middle School Association invites you to attend...

East Texas EdCamp 2015

It is better in the Middle with EdCamp!  An ultimate learning festival for middle level educators, this workshop will follow the UNconference model and be totally participant driven. EdCamps are UNconference events organized by groups of educators, specifically designed to create a participant-driven, fun-filled day of professional development. Educators can connect with like-minded individuals, collaborate ideas, brainstorm solutions to common education problems, have group discussions, and receive information that can immediately be applied in the classroom.   There is no cost to attend this workshop.  A complimentary, light breakfast will be provided.   Bring an idea / book / blog to share, your phone, tablet, computer or something to take notes on, and the desire to network and   learn from your peers! Click here for a schedule of the event.

When

SATURDAY January 31, 2015 From 8:30 am - 12:00 noon

Where

SPRING HILL JUNIOR HIGH 3101 Spring Hill Road Longview, TX 75605

Reserve your spot by RSVPing today! (There is no cost to attend but you must RSVP)

Get Prepared with Practice on the STAAR-A Test

Are you looking for hands-on STAAR A module practice?

Join other educators on January 6, 2015, for either of the two ½ day sessions.  

To register or for more information, contact:

Sonya Burnett

Special Education Specialist

Region 7 Education Service Center

1909 North Longview Street

Kilgore, Texas 75662

Phone: (903) 988-6894

Destroy the Achievement Gap for African American Students

Click to the View Flyer

Are you a transformational leader? Is your district challenged to make improvements and address the achievement  gap? Are you focused on ensuring positive outcomes for all students? 

If so, please post THIS FLYER and spread the word in your district and campuses!

Dr. Mack Hines is a dynamic presenter who shares strategies and practices teachers can use to more effectively engage their students and foster productive relationships. He uses collaborative role-play and stimulating discussions to help teachers understand how to plan and deliver culturally responsive instruction.

For more information, contact:

Henryett Lovely-Watson, Ed.D.

Associate Director, Special Education

Region 7 Education Service Center

HLovelyWatson@esc7.net

Phone: (903) 988-6854

Bringing a Growth Mindset to the Classroom: Save the Date - Feb. 6th

Save the Date Feb. 6, 2015

How do students (or teachers) handle failure? How do they grapple with hard problems or tasks? Why do your "smartest" students sometimes resist challenges?  The work of Dr. Carol Dweck, provides the foundation for this learning session.  You will explore the idea of growth mindset, which is very different from the fixed mindset.   Every so often a truly groundbreaking idea comes along. This is one. Mindset explains: Why brains and talent don’t bring success How these can stand in the way of success Why praising brains and talent doesn’t foster self-esteem and accomplishment, but jeopardizes them How teaching a simple idea about the brain raises grades and productivity What all great leaders, parents, teachers, athletes know Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference.  Watch this short video to learn more. Join us in the session, February 6, 2015, as we look at research-based ideas on how to motivate students to believe that focus and effort are the keys to success. Register for this session - Click Here

Testing: Can We Find the Rational Middle? An Interview with A. Duncan

The following article and interview on video is from a blog that serves as the official blog of the US Department of Education.  Secratery Duncan and the department sends out periodic updates, for which you can subscribe to get in your own email box.  This topic caught my eye, and the video with Secretary Duncan sheds light on a question many people in education and in our communities are asking:  Can we find a rational middle ground on the emphasis of testing?

By Emily Davis, who is a Teaching Ambassador Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education.

Recently I visited Glen Iris Elementary School in Birmingham, Alabama to meet with a group of teachers and their principal. I was in Birmingham as a Teaching Ambassador Fellow and it was highly recommend by local educators that I visit Glen Iris while in Birmingham to see the incredible work going on at the school.   Since returning from Birmingham, much has happened in the “testing” world.

I recently sat down with Secretary Duncan to hear his perspective on the current state of testing and accountability. While the testing pendulum has swung from one side to the other, my hope is that we will land somewhere in the rational middle. And as I continue in my education journey, I will forever keep those timely words of Dr. Wilson at the forefront of my mind and will challenge all of us to be “ever-growing.”  Click here to view the entire article and watch the interview video.