VASCD2024

This session examines the impact of peer mentoring in social skills groups for students with IEP goals in social communication. Peer mentors from programs like Teachers for Tomorrow collaborate with professionals (e.g. Speech-Language Pathologists, counselors) enriching interventions and fostering leadership skills. This dynamic approach provides valuable peer feedback, enhancing participant engagement compared to traditional methods. Attendees will gain practical strategies and participate in hands-on activities to optimize learning outcomes for all students involved.

The session will equip attendees with essential skills to establish, nurture, and maximize mentoring. Participants will delve into principles; building trust, effective communication, and fostering mutual respect. Techniques for initiating connection and adapting mentorship practices will be explored. Attendees will gain actionable insight to foster personal growth, enhance collaboration, and leverage mentorship for success.

Unlock the transformative power of Achievement Teams with a proven collaborative protocol. This session dives into fostering professional trust, developing collective efficacy, and promoting honest discussions on instructional practices. Participants will gain practical strategies through interactive discussions, role-playing, and case studies, leaving equipped with actionable steps to build high-functioning teacher teams. Enhance your collaboration, drive data-informed decisions, and achieve significant improvements in student outcomes.

In today's ever-changing educational landscape, fostering a culture of innovation can be difficult when teachers are resistant to new ideas. This session tackles that challenge head-on, providing coaches and leaders with research-based strategies to breakthrough resistance and ignite a passion for continuous improvement. You'll delve into the "Four Levels of Teacher Resistance" and learn targeted approaches to reduce resistance for each level. In addition coaches and leaders will experience and practice tools that breakthrough the “Nine Forms of Resistance,” understanding how to reduce resistance with varying unproductive adult behaviors. By the end, coaches and leaders will have immediately actionable steps to support a collaborative environment that embraces innovation, builds teacher buy-in, and unlocks the full potential of your entire school community.

This session explores the intersection of brain science and feedback conversations, empowering educational leaders and coaches to cultivate a culture where feedback is comfortable and impactful. Participants will learn practical frameworks for delivering constructive feedback that promotes teacher growth. By the session's end, attendees will possess the knowledge and tools to build trust, integrate feedback practices seamlessly into the fabric of their school or district culture, fostering continuous improvement and collaboration.

Elevate student learning by incorporating marginalized voices. This interactive session empowers educators by providing hands-on strategies, facilitating inclusive discussions, and positioning students as co-creators of knowledge. Participants will gain skills in revising curricula, discussions, and assignments to center diverse perspectives. Leave with a toolkit for building inclusive learning environments that develop cultural competence and engage all students.