The sessions listed below are examples of past Professional Development that I have done. I can also do customized sessions based on your campus/district needs. All sessions can be presented virtually or in-person, and include interactive elements to keep participants engaged. For online courses for credit, click here.
Staff development can also be provided toward the 30 foundational hours needed in Texas that teachers need in order to offer gifted and talented services, as well as the 6 hour annual renewal courses in: The Nature and Needs of Gifted/Talented Students, Assessing Student Needs, and Curriculum and Instruction for Gifted Students.
This is a 3 hour session (can be split into two sessions) where teachers learn about the endless possibilities for using Hexagonal Thinking in the classroom to generate thoughtful analysis and meaningful discussions among students. When this strategy is implemented, students make more connections, see more perspectives, and become more aware of the complexities that exist in our world. An extremely flexible tool, Hexagonal Thinking can be utilized in ANY subject at ANY level for a variety of purposes: introduction to topics, constructing meaning, assessment, and reflection.From Script to Sound is a three hour, hands-on, workshop divided into two parts: using existing podcasts for learning, and facilitating student podcast creation. From being used to improve both listening and reading skills to stimulating analytical and creative thinking, podcasts are a fantastic way to deliver content and assess learning. Teachers will leave this sessions with tons of ready-to-use resources for their classrooms and their own podcast episode created using Canva.Do students even understand what we mean when we say, “Artificial Intelligence”? In this presentation, I give teachers tools and resources for: helping students to understand what AI is, discussing the ethics of AI in various contexts, directing students on how and when they can use AI for learning, and creating “AI Friendly” assessments that aren’t compromised by AI misuse.Teachers don’t have time to keep up with the firehose of AI tools that are being thrown at them every day. In this session, they will learn the ones that are going to help them the most, as well as how to look for ethical and safe AI sites and plugins. We’ll also talk about when and how our students can benefit from AI.Recently presented at TCEA 2023 along with NEISD Assistant Director of Gifted and Talented, Amy Chandler, this session demonstrates the use of 10 different free technology tools that can help teachers to customize learning for student needs. Whether students are academically advanced or struggling with “traditional” skills, participants will learn about tools that will allow students to demonstrate learning through choice and creativity during this 1.5 – 2 hour session.In this 2 hour session, teachers will learn about two more Visible Thinking Routines from Harvard’s Project Zero, The 3 Y’s and The 4 If’s. Both routines encourage students to make connections to themselves, their communities, and their world as they examine issues and make decisions about potential actions that they want to take.In this 2 hour session, teachers learn about a variety of math resources they can use with students who typically find math to be effortless and mundane. These free materials challenge students to hypothesize, discuss, and apply their knowledge in diverse situations that will provoke their curiosity and stimulate an appreciation for the complexities of mathematics.In this 1.5 hour session, participants learn how to use the Beauty and Truth Thinking Routine from Harvard’s Project Zero to analyze images, issues, or events by posing thoughtful questions about the overlap and divergence of attractive qualities and reality. This is a routine that can be used in any subject area from K-12, and reinforces the importance of identifying and appreciating multiple perspectives to become better problem-solvers.
In this 2 hour session, teachers will see how the Visible Thinking Routines from Harvard’s Project Zero, as well as Hexagonal Thinking, can generate thoughtful analysis and meaningful discussions among students. When these strategies are implemented, students make more connections, see more perspectives, and become aware of the complexities that will empower them to be better problem-solvers and critical thinkers.
In this 1.5-2 hour session, participants will learn how to plan for a student-directed project in multiple types of settings and grade levels. Free, downloadable resources for planning and executing this Genius Hour (also known as Passion Time, Innovation Time, or 20% Time) will be provided.
This 1.5 – 2 hour session will give participants practical ideas for integrating the Design Thinking process into an existing curriculum so that students can determine when to use this mindset and practice it regularly.
Students love to play games, but they learn even more from designing them! During this 2 hour session, learn the key elements of game design and how your students can use Scratch and other free tools to show what they’ve learned while they also develop their growth mindset and problem-solving skills.
In this 1.5-2 hour session, elementary and middle school teachers will learn how they can easily implement coding projects that support their curriculum — even if they don’t know how to code themselves.
Participants will learn how to “flatten” the classroom by collaborating with classrooms around the globe in this 1.5-2 hour session.
