Join us June 27-29 for APSRC’s 2023 Summer Professional Learning Retreat where we will be Personalizing the Learning, Support Special Populations, and Focusing on Change.
Below are the sessions offered as well as the links to register. Each session qualifies for professional development credit hours. Participants will be asked to complete a survey which will allow them to generate and print a certificate for their records.
Day 1 – June 27
Personalizing the Learning
Virtual Engagement for K-12 audience, school leaders & teachers
8:30 – 10:30 am (2 hrs)
Focus Skills & Trip Steps: Vital Tools to Accelerate Learning
Dr. Gene M. Kerns, Renaissance
Join Renaissance and APSRC to learn more about free tools and resources available for identifying the most critical skills for progress in reading and math and new research on those skills that are disproportionately difficult for students to master.
10:30 am – 12:30 pm (2 hrs)
Mission Resilience: Cultivating Hope for Each and Every Learner
Dr. Crystal Beshears Duncan, Office of Innovation for Education (OIE) and Arkansas educators
How do we avoid the mentality of “one more thing” and start leading our schools in resilience? We start by seeing each student and their uniqueness as an opportunity. With multiple tools in our belt to meet the needs of students, structures in place to empower educators and learners, and best practices — we can meet each and every one of our students where they need us. Join OIE and innovative leaders from across the state to learn how leaders and teachers are cultivating hope for each and every learner!
12:30 – 3:30 pm (3 hrs)
Cultural Competence
Dr. Melanie Desmuke-Battles
Arkansas Leadership Academy REACH Workshop
Join Dr. Melanie Battles for this informative and thought-provoking session in which cultural competence will be defined, measurable outcomes and indicators of cultural competence will be defined, the 3B’s (ways of being, beliefs, and behaviors) will be interrogated, and personal and professional goals for moving along the cultural competence will be identified. Through the use of brain-based instruction, Dr. Battles will provide the participants with powerful Tier 1 instructional equity strategies.
Day 2 – June 28
Supporting Special Populations
Virtual Engagement for K-12 audience, school leaders & teachers
8:30 to 9:30 am (1 hr)
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 101
Rhonda Smith, DESE
Melissa McLendon, DESE
Join us as we examine the three Principles of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework in K-12 classrooms. Participants will explore UDL strategies that eliminate barriers, facilitate access to content, and support student learning.
Arkansas AWARE (Advanced Wellness and Resiliency in Education)
Beth Mathys, M.Ed., DESE
Ryane Owens-Sorey, LCSW, DESE
This presentation will introduce learners to the Arkansas AWARE statewide training project. Participants will learn how Arkansas AWARE can support your staff and students with a variety of professional development opportunities ranging from team-building to trauma.
9:45 – 10:45 am (1 hr)
Building a Roadmap for High-Quality, Curriculum-Based Professional Learning
Dr. Kiffany Pride, DESE
Karli Saracini, DESE
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is committed to ensuring that every student in Arkansas has access to high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), grade-level instruction, and responsive practices, leading to opportunities to reach college, career, and life goals. This session will provide an overview of the Arkansas Initiative for Instructional Materials (AIIM) with a focus on high-quality instructional materials and high-quality curriculum based professional (HQPL). Participants will leave the session with an understanding of the resources and tools available to support the implementation and scale of HQIM and HQPL.
Easterseals Outreach Program and Technology Services: Supports for You and Your Students
Nancy Dunn, Director
Easterseals Outreach
This presentation will provide an overview of various supports available through Easterseals Outreach Program and Technology Services. Included will be information on trainings around the evolving role of the special educator, teaching the science of reading to students with complex learning needs, and assistive technology. Other resources will be highlighted that are designed to support school staff as they provide inclusive education to all students.
12:00 – 1:00 pm (1 hr)
The What, When, Where, and Why’s of Special Education Finance
Josh Hart, DESE
A general overview of Special Education fiscal requirements throughout the fiscal year.
Tier 1 Strategies and Supports to Strengthen Core Instruction
Rhonda Smith, DESE
Melissa McLendon, DESE
Join us as we focus on strengthening Tier 1 and Core Instruction in K-12 classrooms. This session will focus on evidence-based strategies and supports, feature the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Framework’s three principles, and highlight the importance of high-quality instructional materials.
1:15 – 2:15 pm (1 hr)
Project SEARCH
Rebecca Seljan, Director
Project SEARCH
Participants will learn about Project SEARCH and who would be the best fit for this 9-month internship program for young adults with developmental disabilities.
Communicating through Conflict
Kelli Olson, Mediation Clinic Director
William H. Bowen School of Law
Information on the Arkansas Special Education Mediation Project and Arkansas Early Intervention Mediation Project including how to access requests for assistance. Participants will be able to identify differences and similarities between special education mediation and facilitated IEP/IFSP meetings. Identify instances when these alternated dispute resolution services may be helpful. Identify how to access these services and understand the processes.
2:30 – 3:30 pm (1 hr)
Access to Core Content for English Learners
Carrie Acre, DESE
Meaningful access to core content (ACC) is one of the two essential components of any Language Instructional Educational Program (LIEP) for English Learners/ multilingual learners. All identified English Learners/multilingual learners must be provided meaningful access to the full curriculum which involves the use of strategies, scaffolds (such as graphic organizers and other visuals), and specific instruction related to the academic language of the content.
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Niketa Nash, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Darlene Owens, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services
Participants will learn about the earliest set of services available for students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services which are short-term in nature and designed to help students identify career interests, which may be further explored through additional VR services, such as transition services and other individualized VR services. These services are provided to all who meet the definition of a student with a disability who may need such services.
Day 3 – June 29
Focusing on Change
Onsite Engagement for K-12 audience, administration, school leaders & teachers
8:30 – 9:45 am (75 min)
Culture of Celebrations
Kelley Krogman, Principal
Westside Elementary
Participants will learn how celebrations can improve the school culture, teacher morale and student achievement from a current school leader through intentional planning and implementation all throughout the school year. Participants will receive examples and learn how to begin now to plan for the upcoming school year.
8:30 to 11:30 am (3 hours)
A Pathway to Meaningful Instruction
Cheryl Blue, APSRC
Jessica Wright, APSRC
Stephanie Smithey, APSRC
How do we move from basic lesson planning to being fully prepared to provide effective instruction for our students? Participants will come away with in-depth knowledge of instructional strategies and practices that support the shift from lesson planning to effective lesson preparation.
10:00 – 11:30 am (90 min)
Day 1 Ready for Administration
Bradley Webber, Master Principal Program Director
Arkansas Leadership Academy
School leaders will strategically plan for the start of the school year by identifying “best-practices” for supporting students, staff members, and families from Day 1. From teaching and learning tools to celebration strategies, we will craft a toolkit that lends itself to a culture of high expectations and outcomes.
12:30 to 2:15 pm
ELA Standards
Presenter TBD
Participants will review the new English Language Arts standards.
12:30 – 2:15 pm (75 min)
Math Standards
Presenters TBD
Participants will review the new math standards.
2:30 – 3:30 pm (1 hr)
Arkansas’s New Assessment System
Michelle Johnson, DESE
Attendees will learn about Arkansas’s new assessment system, ATLAS. Guided by Arkansas’s Theory of Action about assessment, this session will provide information about test design, blueprint, and use of data. The new assessment system has been developed by Arkansas for Arkansas with focus on assessment as part of the teaching and learning cycle.