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2008-2009 News Articles
Executive Evaluation Training Sessions Happy Retirement, Mardy!  

 

Northwest RESA Hosts Executive Evaluation Training Sessions  
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School Executives gather at NWRESA for training

 

NWRESA welcomed hundreds of principals to Wilkesboro for the Executive Evaluation Training during June and July 2008. The training was mandated by the Department of Public Instruction and to meet the new NC Standards required for School Executives. In addition to the summer sessions, NWRESA consultant John Caldwell will  present a two-day session (a repeat of the summer training for superintendents/evaluators and principals), on September 18 and 19, 2008 at the Holiday Inn express in Wilkesboro. This training will review the seven standards and the evaluation process for the new instrument.

North Carolina Standards for School Executives
As Approved by the State Board of Education
December 7, 2006
 

Public education’s changed mission dictates the need for a new type of school leader – an executive instead of an administrator. No longer are school leaders just maintaining the status quo by managing complex  operations, but just like their colleagues in business, they must be able to create schools as organizations that can learn and change quickly if they are to improve performance. Schools need executives who are adept at creating systems for change and at building relationships with and across staff that not only tap into the collective knowledge and insight they possess but powerful relationships that also stir their passions for their work with children. Out of these relationships the executive must create among staff a common shared understanding for the purpose of the work of the school, its values that direct its action, and commitment and ownership of a set of beliefs and goals that focus everyone’s decision making. The staff’s common understanding of the school’s identity empowers them to seek and build powerful alliances and partnerships with students, parents and community stakeholders in order to enhance their ability to produce increased student achievement. The successful work of the new executive will only be realized in the creation of a culture in which leadership is distributed and encouraged with teachers, which consists of open, honest communication, which is focused on the use of data, teamwork, research-based best practices, and which uses modern tools to drive ethical and principled, goal-oriented action. This culture of disciplined thought and action is rooted in the ability of the relationships among all stakeholders to build a trusting, transparent environment that reduces all stakeholders’ sense of vulnerability as they address the challenges of transformational change.

In addition, these standards will serve other audiences and purposes. These standards will:

  • Inform higher education programs in developing the content and requirements of school executive degree programs;

  • Focus the goals and objectives of districts as they support, monitor and evaluate their school executives;

  • Guide professional development for school executives;

  • Serve as a tool in developing coaching and mentoring programs for school executives.

 

 

 

  MARDY BROWN RETIRES

The Northwest RESA staff bid farewell to long-time educator and fellow consultant, Mardy Brown during a special luncheon in her honor on June 30, 2008. Mardy recently elected to retire after 33 years of service, eight of those as a NWRESA Language Arts consultant. Mardy's knowledge and expertise has enriched the lives and provided training for thousands of teachers and students throughout northwest North Carolina. Her dedication and service to her profession has earned her the utmost respect and admiration among her peers. We wish Mardy the very best of luck in her retirement and future  endeavors to come!

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2007-2008 News Articles
Forensic Science Workshop NWRESA & USA TODAY Practicing Leadership Academy 2007-08
January 7, 2008 Meeting JASON Workshop Appalachian Region Math & Science Partnership Grant
Visual Literacy The Mathematics of Quilt Making NWRESA Principal's Council
Altered Books Workshop 2007 NCAEE Conference Literacy in a Bag
Critical Stance Science Matters Workshop MVP Grant
AIMS Workshops Science Safety Training Library Media Conference 2007
The Impact of Globalization:
Spanish for Educators
Milkin' the Mornin' and Squeezin' the Afternoon Leadership in the 21st Century
Put Pizzazz into your Students’ Writing: Using Fiction Techniques to
Write Grab-You-by-the Collar Expository Essays
Hands-On Science Experiences:
Efficacy in Selection, Design and Assessment (Grades 3-4)
Everyone is a Storyteller - Kerry Madden
A "Thank You" from Texas Instruments Writing on Demand Creative Teaching with an After-Christmas Budget
Reaching All of Our Students Just Say Poetry Writing on Demand
Reading, Writing and Social Studies Strategic Reading 6-12 Strategic Reading in 3-5 (Mardy Brown, NWRESA Consultant)
 Creative Teaching with an "End of  the Year" Budget   Visual Journaling
     

 

Strategic Reading 6-12

Knowing effective reading strategies builds confidence and enhances reading comprehension.  Mardy Brown, K-12 Language Arts Consultant for the Northwest RESA, presented a workshop filled with helpful strategies, interesting selections, and valuable resources.  This well-paced workshop provided helpful ideas to motivate students.

Participants shared the following comments:

  • “Multiple, useful strategies were shared!”
  • “I got some great ideas and samples I can use…also, time flew by…I was never bored and did learn a great deal!”
  • “Great ideas! Great presenter!”
  • “Join Mardy for another workshop!”

 

 

 

 Visual Journaling

Artists and non-artists alike were given the opportunity to explore visual journaling with practicing art teacher, Mindy Essic of Winston Salem, North Carolina.  Mindy provided an inspiring, hands-on day using cross-curricular strategies to enhance learning.  Participants found a wonderful modality to enrich their teaching and enhance student learning.  

 

Mindy will return July 31, 2008 to repeat an initial visual journaling workshop and again September 26, 2008 to do a follow-up training.  Watch for registrations on the Northwest RESA website. (www.nwresa.org

 

Read what teachers had to say about their day::

 

  • “I got just what I expected and MUCH, MUCH, More!”
  • “The examples were great!  I loved the Iguana idea, watercolor and written word, the portraits, and bookmaking.”
  • “…information, ideas, motivation, and laughter!”
  • “I look forward to another workshop with Mindy!”

 

 

 

 


2007-2008 Leadership Academy Schedule
 

July 26, 2007
August 8, 2007
September 12, 2007
September 25, 2007
October 9, 2007
November 13, 2007
December 4, 2007
March 4, 2008

Location:  Holiday Inn Express, Wilkesboro, NC

 


 


 


 

 

 

2007-2008 Practicing Leadership Academy Begins

Dr. Joe Sinclair, Director of NWRESA, welcomed over 40 school officials to the 2007-2008 Leadership Academy for Practicing Administrators which began on July 26, 2007 and will continue through March 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Wilkesboro.  Some of the top educators in North Carolina are on tap to present and the purpose is geared toward providing school administrators with ideas and strategies designed to benefit them professionally.  At the conclusion of the Academy, participants will have earned 54 hours of intense instruction and 5.4 renewal credits.  This satisfies the new mandate:  "Effective July 1, 2007, school administrators shall earn at least five renewal credits during each renewal cycle that focus on the principal’s role in teacher effectiveness, teacher evaluations, teacher support programs, teacher leadership, teacher empowerment, and teacher retention.”  (GS 115C-12(9)a)

“There was much preparation in organizing an event of this magnitude,” stated Sinclair, “as well as an immediate need to provide training to satisfy the new state requirements, mandatory for school administrators beginning with the 2008 school term.  We are extremely fortunate to have such a wide array of experts from all over the state of North Carolina to assist with this endeavor.”

Linda Suggs, a former Legislative Director for the North Carolina State Board of Education and ranked by the NC Center for Public Policy Research as one of North Carolina’s most influential lobbyists, presented intense sessions on Interviewing Skills for Administrators and Politics in Education. Ms. Suggs earned her bachelor's degree magna cum laude at Meredith College and holds a master's from Duke University, with postgraduate work in curriculum and supervision at NC State University. She also is now working as an education consultant with her chief client being the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Also presenting for the academy was Jack Hoke, now in his 7th year as Superintendent of Alexander County Schools and a 31 year veteran in education. In August 2007, he was appointed by Governor Mike Easley to serve on the Professional Teaching Standards Commission to represent the 115 state superintendents. He also completed the Executive Leadership Academy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006, served on the State Superintendents Advisory Council, the Board of Directors for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and served as Chairman of the NWRESA Board of Directors. His most recent honors include the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2007 Superintendent of the Year and the Northwest RESA Superintendent of the Year in 2006.

In addition to Linda Suggs and Jack Hoke, other important topics pertaining to teacher recruitment and retention will be presented by some of the top state leaders in education including Hank Hurd, Doris Jones, Gordon Millspaugh, Steve Moree and Alisa McLean.

During the 2006-2007 school year, the first Leadership Academy, which was also organized by the NWRESA, produced very positive results. Due to the high demand and limited space availability for the second academy, registration had to be limited.

LITERACY IN A BAG

A popular session for K-2 teachers has been “Literacy in a Bag.”  This “Make and Take” workshop gave teachers the opportunity to create high-interest, book bag activities to integrate into the curriculum. Workshop presenter, Tori Wise, T.O.Y. for Moore Magnet School in Winston Salem, NC is currently teaching kindergarten. The workshop has been a favorite and repeats have been requested.

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Strategic Reading in 3-5
Mardy Brown, Presenter
 

Knowing how to use effective reading strategies in the classroom builds confidence and enhances reading comprehension.  Mardy Brown, K-12 Language Arts Consultant with the Northwest RESA, gave teachers a day filled with helpful strategies, interesting selections, and valuable resources.  New ideas were shared as participants explored “hands-on” activities. 

Here are a few comments from participants:

  • “Excellent presentation!”
  • “The day went by fast due to the presenter making it so interesting. I feel energized in going back to the classroom with new ideas.”
  • “It was phenomenal!  I plan to take more workshops with Mardy.”

 

 

 

“Reading, Writing, and Social Studies”
March 7, 2008

 


Media specialists, classroom teachers, and instructional coaches gathered on Friday, March 7, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Express/Northwest RESA to hear Joyce Hostetter, renowned author of Blue and Healing Water, share her research and writing expertise.  Joyce’s selection, Blue, has been recognized by Parents’ Choice- Silver Honor, IRA Children’s Book Award for Intermediate Fiction, and Best Children’s Book of the Year-Bank Street College of Education.

 As Mardy Brown, Language Arts Consultant shared, “It is not very often that you have the chance to have a real author spend the day with you to share the makings of a novel!”

 Polio and leprosy instilled great fear and tangled emotions for many during troubled times.   However, President Roosevelt focused on his abilities rather than his disabilities as he confronted the challenges of polio.  Students face many obstacles today.  Much can be learned as both teachers and students examine President Roosevelt’s remarkable life.

 An integration of themes took place throughout the day.  A luau took place in the afternoon!   Participants sampled an array of Hawaiian goodies!

What a delightful day with Joyce!

 


 

 

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Just Say Poetry
January 25, 2008

 


Colleen Dixon, Ashe County Schools, and Mardy Brown, Language Arts Consultant, NWRESA brought “poetry to life” in this fun-filled workshop. These two, energetic ladies provided practical lessons, integrated activities and a wealth of resources. Genres were explored and modeled! 

Participants made the following comments:

·         “I received wonderful ideas and am not afraid to write poetry with my students!

·          I wish this had been a two-day workshop instead of one!”

·         “I got more than I ever expected…new ideas, literature, and wonderful presenters!”

 

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Reaching All of Our Students
February, 4, 2008

 


Kindra Filson, Bobbi Siefert, and Heather Mullins provided an interesting and helpful session addressing instructional strategies that help to engage all learners.  The presenters were enthusiastic and the workshop was quick-paced. Participants practiced the suggested activities and enjoyed sharing ideas in their content areas. 

Participants shared the following comments:

  • “The conga line was a blast!”
  • “I enjoyed learning a variety of ways to keep my students motivated and learning.”

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Writing On Demand
February 8, 2008

 

Racheal Moyer and Mardy Brown

 

Twenty-seven, English teachers gathered together to hear suggestions and writing tips from practicing teacher, Rachael Moyer, Hickory City Schools. Participants received practical, sensible ideas for writing practice in the classroom.  In addition to testing information, helpful websites were shared as well.  Thank you, Rachael!

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Put Pizzazz into your Students’ Writing: Using Fiction Techniques to
Write Grab-You-by-the Collar Expository Essays

 

Twenty-seven elementary and middle school teachers joined Carol Baldwin recently at NWRESA in Wilkesboro, NC.  With the common goal of improving students’ test scores (the specter which haunts many language arts teachers), they looked at how students can improve their essays by adding voice, using “show don’t tell writing,” and utilizing effective syntax.  Along the way participants detoured into “the land of critical thinking” as they analyzed low-scoring narrative and expository essays (from Jane Kiester’s book, Blowing Away the State Writing Assessment Test) and re-wrote them in a student’s voice.  Collaboration ruled the day as teachers enjoyed the interaction with their peers, were further validated in their teaching skills, and learned a few more tricks of the writing trade to take back to their classrooms.”

 

Carol Baldwin, author and writing consultant recently addressed strategies to enhance style and voice in student writing.  Qualities of dynamic writing were explored.  Participants shared their ideas and effective strategies, as well.  Rewrites went from boring to brilliant!

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April 24, 2008

Creative Teaching with an “End-of-the-Year” Budget

Energy and ideas can be contagious!   Contagious energy was shared when Emile Blake and Rita Lail, kindergarten teachers from Catawba County, recently conducted an exciting workshop for the Northwest RESA.  Teachers received a tremendous amount of ideas and inexpensive activities to use in their classrooms.  

Sample comments from participants’ evaluations included:

  • This workshop was too short!
  • I will put these ideas to work in my classroom right away!
  • I received useful info and ideas to make my kids more interested in learning.

 

Creative Teaching with an After-Christmas Budget

January 11, 2008

Two, energetic, practicing teachers from Catawba County, Emile Blake and Rita Lail, presented several ways to utilize inexpensive and free materials to enhance their classrooms. Participants examined various samples and received many creative ideas. The afternoon passed quickly with a “Make and Take” session.

Watch for the return of these creative teachers!

 

 
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Creative Teaching with an After-Christmas Budget workshop

 

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Everyone is a Storyteller  - Kerry Madden, Presenter - November 8, 2007

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Mardy Brown and Kerry Madden

Everyone is a Storyteller
November 8, 2007

Kerry Madden, children’s author from Los Angeles, California, scheduled a day with the Northwest RESA while touring North Carolina to do a workshop for area teachers.  Kerry took the “Red Eye” from L.A., having had her flight “bumped.” No one could tell that Kerry had lost sleep, as she was able to deliver a fun-filled day for participants.  For all attendees, this was a day well-spent! 

Kerry has successfully completed three novels about the Weems family adventures in the Great Smokey Mountains. These include Gentle’s Holler, Louisiana’s Song, and Jessie’s Mountain.  Kerry has also written a helpful writing resource for teachers entitled Writing Smarts.  

Teachers explored many writing exercises and learned how to coach and inspire their “budding authors.”  When the workshop was over, Kerry signed autographs and visited with participants.  Kerry believes we need to help children appreciate literature and tap their creativity.   What a delightful opportunity everyone had to spend a day with a talented, compassionate writer such as Kerry!

 

 

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Texas Instruments

 


Barbara Simpson - Texas Instruments Regional Representative

Congratulations to Dee Hanlin

Deanna "Dee" Hanlin is Northwest RESA's Math Consultant and a Texas Instruments T³ National Instructor. We congratulate her for the many math contributions she has made to educators throughout North Carolina!

 

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Leadership in the 21st Century
presented by Dr. Alisa R. McLean

Dr. Alisa R. McLean presents at the
Practicing Leadership Academy on October 9, 2007.