Regional Training ScheduleTeacher Support :

The School Improvement Division is responsible for assisting schools, districts and charter schools with continuous improvement through staff development, teacher induction, Q Comp, education technology and technical assistance programs, and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) technical assistance. Workshops are offered at a variety of dates, times and locations around the state. 

School Improvement Division 2007-08 Workshop Opportunities
We will be providing workshops pertaining to state and local school improvement initiatives that enhance teacher quality. Professional development will be provided in Teacher Observation, Principal and Teacher Leadership, Data-Driven Learning Communities, Coaching and Data-Driven Formative Assessments. 

All workshops will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., and workshops are held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The fee for each workshop is $40.00 per day.  Please click the location and date link to find specific information and registration details for that training site.

Teacher Observation I: A Standards-Driven Approach
Based on best practices of effective teaching, this workshop encourages reflection on instructional practices, student learning and the observation process. Inter-rater reliability will be examined to increase efficacy, integrity and credibility in the observation process. Participants will analyze teaching standards and rubrics as a support for increasing teacher effectiveness. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* St. Cloud, October 20, 2008
* Marshall, October 29, 2008
* Mountain Iron, November 10, 2008
* Fergus Falls, November 11, 2008
* Thief River Falls, November 12, 2008
* Rochester, November 18, 2008
* Mankato, November 20, 2008
* Minnesota Department of Education, January 12, 2009
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 17, 2009

Teacher Observation: Connecting Teacher Development and Student Learning
Suggested (not required) Prerequisite: Teacher Observation: A Standards-Driven Approach
This workshop builds on the standards-driven process introduced in Teacher Observation: A Standards-Driven Approach. Participants will share current practice to identify what works and what challenges exist. Classroom observation models will be shared with opportunities to develop a plan. Through analysis of the connections among teacher development, professional learning communities and student achievement, participants will evaluate observation processes and align teaching standards and best practices for increasing teacher effectiveness. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* Metro ECSU, September 30, 2008
* Marshall, November 4, 2008
* Mountain Iron, December 4, 2008
* Fergus Falls, December 10, 2008
* Thief River Falls, December 11, 2008
* Mankato, February 4, 2009 (New Date)
* Minnesota Department of Education, February 17, 2009
* St. Cloud, February 18, 2009
* Rochester, March 5, 2009
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 18, 2009

Professional Learning Communities: Essential Skills for Effective Teamwork
The primary focus of this workshop is engaging in first steps for building a learning community (reflection for sustaining continuous improvement will be included). Participants will align the development of professional learning communities (PLCs) with national and state standards in the context of their district, school and team goals. Topics include understanding the three pillars of successful PLC implementation, establishing norms, and using protocols. Time is provided for teams to plan next steps for PLC work. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* St. Cloud, September 25, 2008 (New Date)
* Fergus Falls, September 29, 2008
* Thief River Falls, September 30, 2008
* Rochester, October 22, 2008
* Marshall, October 23, 2008
* Mountain Iron, October 27, 2008
* Metro ECSU, October 28, 2008
* Mankato, November 3, 2008 (New Date)
* Minnesota Department of Education, March 9, 2009
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 23, 2009

Professional Learning Communities: Facilitation Strategies for Improved Student Learning
Suggested (not required) Prerequisite: Professional Learning Communities: Essential Skills for Effective Teamwork
This workshop will provide practice for improving facilitation skills and using tools to engage in professional dialogue. Participants will learn protocols (text-based, reflecting on student work, and data analysis) to enhance PLC work for improved student learning. We will observe and analyze a PLC team meeting, review decision-making (consensus), and discuss shared agreements. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* St. Cloud, October 15, 2008
* Fergus Falls, November 5, 2008
* Thief River Falls, November 6, 2008
* Mountain Iron, November 17, 2008
* Metro ECSU, November 25, 2008
* Marshall, December 3, 2008
* Rochester, December 4, 2008
* Mankato, December 10, 2008
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 24, 2009

Professional Learning Communities: Using Data and Protocols
Suggested (not required) Prerequisites: Professional Learning Communities: Essential Skills for Effective Teamwork and Facilitation Strategies for Improved Student Learning
Teams will create a results-based focus using relevant information to improve student learning, and they will practice protocols in examining student data, reflecting on classroom work and reading best-practice text. In addition to assessing their collaboration skills, teams will also participate in simulations to improve their skills for team collaboration. The four questions of PLC work will be used as a framework to plan future agendas, protocols and assessments for continuous improvement. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* Thief River Falls, January 6, 2009
* Fergus Falls, January 7, 2009
* Mountain Iron, January 20, 2009
* Minnesota Department of Education, February 3, 2009
* Mankato, February 18, 2009
* Marshall, February 19, 2009
* Rochester, February 25, 2009
* St. Cloud, March 3, 2009
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 25, 2009

Teacher Leadership: Essential Skills for Teacher Leaders
Teacher leaders such as coaches, mentors and team leaders will discuss and determine how to mobilize and energize others to sustain the vision of the school. This workshop will support Teacher Leaders in developing skills for peer-to-peer coaching, group facilitation and professional dialogue that they will need to improve student achievement. We will reflect on how teacher leader roles support sustainable change for student academic growth. Opportunity to dialogue with fellow leaders is embedded throughout the workshop. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* Mountain Iron, September 29, 2008
* Metro ECSU, October 14, 2008
* Rochester, October 23, 2008
* Mankato, October 28, 2008 (New Date)
* St. Cloud, October 29, 2008 (New Date)
* Marshall, November 5, 2008
* Thief River Falls, November 13, 2008 (New Date)
* Minnesota Department of Education, January 14, 2009
* St. Cloud, January 21, 2009
* Fergus Falls, February 4, 2009
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 8, 2009

Teacher Leadership: Supporting Teacher Effectiveness
Suggested (not required) Prerequisite: Teacher Leadership: Essential Skills for Teacher Leaders
Teacher Leaders will apply skills to lead teams, and they will analyze leadership strategies and acquire tools to guide growth for teacher effectiveness. Participants will analyze and reflect on their role for increasing student achievement and will align leadership practice with National Staff Development Council standards, Minnesota statutes for staff development and district/school goals. A process for defining responsibilities for teacher leaders and principals will be shared. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* St. Cloud, November 12, 2008
* Marshall, December 1, 2008
* Metro ECSU, December 8, 2008
* Mountain Iron, December 11, 2008
* Rochester, January 2, 2009
* Thief River Falls, February 11, 2009 (New Date)
* Minnesota Department of Education, March 3, 2009
* Mankato, March 5, 2009 (New Date)
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 9, 2009

Classroom Formative Assessment: Knowing the Essentials and Building the Foundation
Assessment designed to promote student learning is the most powerful instructional tool to increase student achievement. This two-day workshop will focus on the collaboration between the teacher and student in the classroom formative assessment process. It will provide a framework for helping students learn how to self-assess their progress toward well-defined learning goals. Learn the essentials of formative assessment on Day 1, and work with a team to learn how to build instructional support on Day 2. Discussion and activities will provide opportunities to: 1) learn about a comprehensive classroom assessment model; 2) practice effective feedback; 3) practice constructing learning goals and progressions for the classroom; 4) practice identifying formative assessments aligned to learning goals; 5) learn strategies for classroom culture to support formative assessment; and 6) learn basic common assessment structures to enhance formative assessment. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to attend as a school team and to bring curriculum maps or similar documents to support team discussions. Registration and coffee is from 8:30-9:00. Workshop is from 9:00-3:00.

* St. Cloud, September 29, 2008 Day One
* St. Cloud, December 3, 2008 Day Two
* Mountain Iron, October 13, 2008 Day One
* Mountain Iron, November 20, 2008 Day Two
* Rochester, November 6, 2008 Day One
* Rochester, November 7, 2008 Day Two
* Mankato, November 13, 2008 Day One
* Mankato, January 6, 2009 Day Two
* Thief River Falls, November 24, 2008 Day One
* Thief River Falls, November 25, 2008 Day Two
* Minnesota Department of Education, January 20, 2009 Day One
* Minnesota Department of Education, January 21, 2009 Day Two
* Fergus Falls, February 19, 2009 Day One
* Fergus Falls, March 2, 2009 Day Two
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 15, 2009 Day One
* Minnesota Department of Education, June 16, 2009 Day Two


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