Connect & Share 

(October 2021) Our third Connect & Share panel discussion session of the year took place on October  21, 2021 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the topic of "Addressing Gaps in Learning." We had 30 educators join for this session. Session attendees gave very positive feedback for the session: 100% of participants (28 out of 28 exit ticket responses) said that they would recommend this session to a colleague. Some feedback from participants:

• “I loved that teachers from various schools made it a priority to provide students a safe space, provided self-regulation strategies students could choose from and gave students the opportunity to express their emotions to self-regulate.”

• “As a speech therapist, I really appreciated hearing from teachers and paraeducators regarding the specifics of reading instruction within the classroom. It was great to hear different perspectives.”

• “I learned about how to do MAPS progress monitoring and its importance for my students.”

• “I found all of the presentations really informative! It was packed with great information!”

Thanks for joining and we hope to see you in December for our next Connect & Share session.

Resources

• Sign-In and Exit Ticket

• Opening Slideshow

• Event webpage: tinyurl.com/BPSconnect2022

• Presentations

  • Using MAP Data to Target Gaps in Early Learning  Presenter: Soyica Jackson (Early Childhood Teacher / Ellis Elem.) (Presentation)

  • Literacy and Engagement in the Elementary Classroom Presenters: Emma Patton and Jess Sareault (Grades 3 & 4 / Kenny Elem.) (Presentation)

  • Effective Teaming: Teachers and Paraprofessionals Presenters: Shaleah Tersilas and Catherine Stoddard (Early Childhood /Ellison Parks) (Presentation)

  • The Gas Station: How to help students deal with stress and self-regulate Presenters: Janine Casapulla (Grade 3 Inclusion / Haley Pilot Elem.) and Tess Milliken (Grade 5/6  Inclusion / Bradley Elem.) (Presentation)

  • Developing Adolescent Literacy for All Learners Presenter: Frank Swoboda (History Teacher / English HS) (Presentation)

  • BARR-Tending at EMK Presenter: Margaret Ann Bolick (Grade 12 Math / EMK Academy) (Presentation)

Our second Connect & Share panel discussion session of the year took place on September 23, 2021 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the topic of "Balancing Social and Emotional Learning & Content." We had 25 educators join for this session. Session attendees gave very positive feedback for the session: 100% of participants (17 out of 17 exit ticket responses) said that they would recommend this session to a colleague. Some feedback from participants:

• "I appreciated the fact that the elementary and secondary presenters were all in one group. It was nice to hear and learn about some of the SEL practices that elementary teachers are putting in place that I can use in my secondary classes as well."

• "I learned something from each presenter! Very affirming to see that SEL is so cherished by so many other teachers."

• "The presenters were amazing! They had such great resources!"

See the list of presenters and presentations below. Thanks for joining us and we hope to see you again next month!

Resources

• Sign-In and Exit Ticket

• Presenters

  • Surviving and Thriving in the Post-Pandemic Classroom Presenter: Amini Onowho (Kindergarten Inclusion Teacher / Higginson K0-K2) (Book Resources)

  • Supports for Students Struggling with Self-Regulation Presenters: Laura Higgins (Grade 3 sub-separate E.I. classroom / Edison K-8) (Presentation)

  • Social Emotional Learning Skills Through Play Presenter: Fabiola Decius (Theatre Teacher / Josiah Quincy Upper School) (Peardeck | Presentation)

  • Social Emotional Daily / Weekly Check-ins Presenter: Mark Lonergan (Instructional Coach / EMK Academy for Health Careers) (Presentation)

  • SEL Strategies in ESL and ELA Classes Presenter: Cristina Hernandez-Persia  (ESL/ELA Teacher / English HS) (Presentation)

Nominate a Bright  Spot 

• Nominate a "bright spot" colleague to be a presenter at a future session

Additional Information about Connect & Share sessions

Why is this event important?

In this Connect and Share event, educators will learn from colleagues and make connections to one another. Educators need to connect to one another to share best practices.

How were the topics chosen?

Themes for each Connect & Share session are based on the Telescope Network's needs assessment surveys of educators aross BPS.

How were the presenters chosen?

Presenters are educators who have been nominated as “bright spots” by colleagues or supervisors. 

Who is eligible to attend?

Any educator is eligible to attend.

Are Paraprofessionals welcome?   Yes.

Will PD hours or PDPs be provided?

Every participant will receive 1.5 PD hours on TeachPoint. PDPs are generally only available for experiences of 10 hours or more.