January 10, 2024
MVYPS Professional Development Day
This half day of professional development is entirely structured around teacher-directed professional learning and development. It is MVYPS' hopes that teachers will take advantage of this day to engage in professional development that is collaborative, authentic and relevant to their practice, related to individual professional development plans, and enriches the learning experience of the students in their classrooms (see note below). ESPs have a normal contractual work day on this PD day.
MVRHS- 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
K-8 Schools- 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: System-wide and school-sponsored PD will be offered on these days, but teachers/staff are not contractually obligated to participate in these offerings.
Professional Development Opportunities
The following opportunities have been organized by MVYPS leaders and educators to provide rich, high quality PD options on this day. Except where noted, these options are all voluntary. This is a teacher-directed PD day.
Communities of Practice (CoPs) at MVYPS
For 2023-2024, MVYPS will support the ongoing work of Communities of Practice as a high quality form of professional development. Through entitlement grant funds, the Superintendent is able to provided CoPs that have experienced ongoing success and support in the past with the opportunity to continue their work. In addition, a new AI CoP has be specifically developed to help support a professional position on AI in education at MVYPS that is informed by its eduactors specifically. CoPs are required to meet for no less than 6 hours across the school year, with times being organized by the facilitator and the CoP members. Some CoP facilitators may choose to offer meeting times during teacher-directed PD time, while others may also meet after school and during other non-contractual times.
Click the arrow to the right to expand the list of available 2023-2024 CoPs for MVYPS educators.
Focus Areas(s):
Many of the CoPs focus on different buckets related to MVYPS' Commitments 2023-2024. The most common buckets are as follows.
Bucket 1: A System-wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on teaching models that better support all learners
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2: A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within our Schools
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Emphasis on strategies to improve school climate
8th Grade Core CoP (1/10/24 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
This CoP will focus on core topics of curriculum and the bridging of learning across the 8th to 9th grade transition. At times, this group may be meeting with 9th grade core teachers to collaborate.
Science - Facilitator: Sara Hoffman (1/10/24, Edgartown School Rm 248)
History - Facilitator: Stacey Morris
English - Facilitator: Amy Wallace (1/10/24, West Tisbury School Rm123 @ 3:15 pm)
Math - Facilitator: Vanessa Forrester
4th Grade CoP (1/10/24, Oak Bluffs School Rm 216 @ 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm)
This CoP supports the networking and discussion of 4th grade teams across MVYPS.
Facilitator: Emily Brown
9th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) CoP (1/10/24, 3:00 - 4:00 pm)
This CoP will support the MVRHS' 9th grade ELA team in coming together to discuss changes to ELA programming at this grade level.
Facilitator: Christine Ferrone
AI in the Classroom at MVYPS (1/10/24, MVRHS Room 515 @ 2:00 - 3:00 pm) Rescheduled- contact Kate H.
Agenda for 1/10 [revised for 1/31/24 ]linked here
This CoP will focus on the evolving presence, demand, and need for AI in the classroom and in other learning spaces across MVYPS. It is the hopes that this CoP will help to inform that position of MVYPS on AI.
Facilitator: Kate Hennigan
Desmos Math CoP
This CoP will discuss and problem solve the implementation of Desmos Math into your curriculum with other educators at MVYPS.
Facilitator: Eve Heyman
K-8 Art CoP
This CoP will discuss topics together related to the instructional practices of art education in the elementary/middle schools at MVYPS.
Facilitator: Nichole Shank
K-8 Health/Family & Consumer Science CoP (West Tisbury School Rm 317, 1:30-2:30 pm)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to instructional practices of health education at the elementary and middle school level. Special focus topics may be on the Michigan Model Curriculum and other related curricula for health education at MVYPS, as well as the new MA Comprehensive Health and PE Frameworks (2023).
Facilitator: Jane Taylor
K-8 Library Science CoP (1/10/24, Oak Bluffs School Library)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to supporting library sciences at the elementary and middle school level.
Facilitator: Caitlyn Clark
K-8 School Counselor CoP (1:30 - 3:00 pm)
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to school counseling at the elementary and middle school level. In addition to professional cooperative learning practices, this CoP will also engage in case and practice consult with Jim Levine and Associates.
Facilitator: Joanie Creato
K-8 Spanish CoP
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to the instructional practices of Spanish language education at the elementary and middle school level.
Facilitator: Theresa Holmes
K-12 Performing Arts CoP
This CoP will engage in ongoing topics related to supporting the performing arts education at MVYPS, including all levels k-12.
Facilitator: Abigail Chandler
MVRHS Science CoP
This CoP will support the MVRHS science team in coming together to discuss instructional practice, curriculum, and student learning as relevant to high school science.
Facilitator: Louis Hall
School Psychologists CoP
This CoP will support the coming together of school psychologists at MVYPS to discuss related topics of practice in the field of school psychology pk-12.
Co-Facilitator: Mariel Garcia
Co-Facilitator: Jennifer Russell
Speech & Language Pathologist CoP
This CoP will support the coming together of SLPs at MVYPS to discuss related topics of practice in the field of Speech and Language pk-12.
Facilitator: Hannah Beford
Co-teaching Planning with Kelly-Ann Cooney
Who: All teachers who have signed up for the stipend co-teaching initiative this year are required to attend the following session. However, all other co-teachers are invited to participate and can register for this session by contacting Leah Palmer.
Time: 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Purpose: Kelly-Ann Cooney, the current co-teaching coach working with many MVYPS educators, will support teachers in using protocols that maximize & enhance co-planning time.
Location: Edgartown School Library
Contact Leah Palmer with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Emphasis on Strategies to Improve School Climate
ABA* Programming for Preschool Teachers
Who: All Project Headway teachers
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Purpose: Continue the ABA programming that was started in October, 2023.
Location: Project Headway classroom at MVRHS
Contact Jen Royal with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Strategies to improve school climate
*Applied Behavior Analysis
Introduction to Collaborative Problem Solving
Who: All MVYPS educators and staff interested in learning the foundations and theory behind Collaborative Problem Solving*.
Time: Self-directed, self-paced virtual learning series
(You do not have to complete all of this module on 1/10/24, however, in order to get credit towards PDPs, you do need to complete it within 8 weeks.)
Purpose: MVYPS has worked with Think:Kids to provide MVYPS educators and staff free access to this learning module.
This 2-hour, self-paced course introduces the basic principles of Collaborative Problem Solving, an innovative, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach to understanding and helping kids and adults with behavioral challenges. The principles of Collaborative Problem Solving® will be discussed, while outlining how the approach is uniquely suited to the needs of today's educators and students. The CPS approach aligns with CASEL's 5 core competencies, integrates with MTSS frameworks, PBIS, and restorative practices, is evidence-based, neurobiologically and trauma-informed, and child and family-centered.
Participants learn a more empathic and accurate understanding of what causes unmet expectations and challenging behavior and are exposed to an overview of the three key components of the approach. These courses lay the foundation for attending Essential Foundation in Collaborative Problem Solving (Level 1).
Objectives:
Understand what really causes challenging behavior or unmet expectations in others.
Discover the limitations of motivational approaches as a solution to unwanted behavior.
Learn three ways to respond to unwanted behavior and the best times to use them.
See how the approach can positively change interactions and outcomes with youth and adults.
Location: A link to the learning platform will be provided upon registration. Please register here.
Contact Hope MacLeod with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Prioritize alternative approaches to discipline
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Strategies to improve school climate
*Note: This course is not for those educators who have been trained in Level 1 or Level 2 CPS Practices. This course is for those educators/staff who are curious about CPS and want to develop a foundational understanding for the practice.
Pyramid Model Overview
Who: Open to Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers and teams, as well as administrators who are interested in learning about this framework/program
Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Purpose: Julia Sayles, LMHC, is offering an overview of the Pyramid Model-a framework for supporting social and emotional development in early childhood settings. This model has been utilized in pre-school environments on MV, and the model is now expanding into K-1 environments. Julia will provide an overview of the model and answer questions that teams might have.
Julia Sayles is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician (LMHC) who has spent the last decade serving early childhood populations through direct clinical work, training and technical assistance, and product development. Julia is a research instructor at Georgetown University. Julia is a member of the pyramid model master cadre for Massachusetts where she supports Pyramid Model implementation across a variety of settings.
Location:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mvyps.zoom.us/j/85220434227?pwd=bDNJdTgvNUplK2lueTR3REZlM2lJUT09
Meeting ID: 852 2043 4227
Passcode: 406828
Contact Jen Royal with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Prioritize alternative approaches to discipline
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Strategies to improve school climate
ABA Strategies for ESPs to Use in Individual, Small-group, and Inclusion Classrooms
Who: Shared Services ESP's
Time: 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Purpose: Sue Conlan will provide training on ABA strategies for ESPs working with students in MVYPS shared services programs.
Location: Edgartown School- Room TBD
Contact Sue Conlan with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Strategies to improve school climate
Everyday Speech (SEL Curriculum)
Who: Open to all MVYPS educators (k-12) and specialists
Time: Self-paced, virtual learning
Purpose: New in 2023-2024 MVYPS has purchased a full site license for MVYPS educators to access the Everyday Speech SEL Curriculum. In October 2023, on-boarding support from Everyday Speech was provided to MVYPS staff interested in previewing/using the curriculum in their classes. This opportunity is again available to interested educators who would like a license to the program, to view the pre-recorded onboarding session, and to explore the grade-level curriculum.
In order to access a site license, please contact Kim Garrison requesting an account. The pre-recorded onboarding sessions will be sent to you once you have an account. You can also access the MVYPS Everyday Speech PD Guide here. This will help you to engage in self-directed professional development for using Everyday Speech's SEL Curriculum.
Those individuals who completed the on-boarding PD, or who have been collaborating as a team in using Everyday Speech may want to meet and discuss its use, implementation, and or collaborate on scope and sequence.
Location: Virtual (and in-person as self-directed)
Contact Kim Garrison with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on teaching models
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Strategies to improve school climate
Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center Equine Assisted Learning Session and Volunteer Training
Who: Open to all educators
Time: 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Purpose: Misty Meadows is actively seeking volunteers to help with our horsemanship classes. This training would be an excellent opportunity for teachers, ESPs and high school students to become familiar with the programming that Misty offers all age groups. By getting involved they could incorporate giving back to the island community into their education, as well as becoming part of our Misty Team for extra-curricular fun!
Taught by Liz Adams, Misty Meadows Program Manager and Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International Master Instructor.
Benefits of participating include:
Opportunity for the team to connect in a different environment
Network with others who have a passion for helping others
Discover what Misty Meadows has to offer your students
Exploration of non-verbal communication skills and awareness of body language
Learn how horses can help with disability - physically, emotionally, intellectually
Hands on time with horses
Mindfulness activities to reduce stress
Have fun
Location: Misty Meadows - 55 Misty Meadows Ln West Tisbury, MA
Contact Liz Adams at Misty Meadows to register.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Bucket 3- A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
Explore programs that increase support of our community
Offshore Wind Program for 5th grade (possibly other grades)
Who: Suggested for classroom teachers, Enrichment/Flex block leaders, STEM/Industrial Arts teachers
Purpose: Topics/Activities include Virtual Reality, Mapping, Innovation and Inventions, Renewable Energy, and more. This is an extremely engaging hands-on program presented to your classroom by the educator at Vineyard Wind. Come see the materials and meet Jeanine from Vineyard Wind!
Time: 3:00-3:45
Location: West Tisbury School, Room 311
Please RSVP interest to Rebecca Solway by 12 pm Tuesday, January 9.
Can't make it in person?
Meeting ID: 829 2461 5000
Passcode: 817116
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on teaching models that support all learners
Bucket 3- A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
Explore programs that increase support of our community
Solar Cars in School for 6th/7th grades
Who: Suggested for classroom teachers, Enrichment/Flex block leaders, STEM/Industrial Arts teachers
Purpose: View curriculum, learn to build solar cars, discuss support needs, and brainstorm for the return of the Island Wide Race.
Time: 3:45-4:30
Location: West Tisbury School, Room 311
Please RSVP interest to Rebecca Solway by 12 pm Tuesday, January 9.
Can't make it in person?
Meeting ID: 829 2461 5000
Passcode: 817116
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children
Emphasis on Teaching Models that Support all Learners
Bucket 3- A Commitment to a Strong School Community Approach
Explore programs that increase support of our community
Other school-based PD
Edgartown MTSS Meeting
Who: Edgartown MTSS Team/Leadership
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Purpose: Mariel Garcia will lead the Edgartown MTSS team in developing and refining procedures, etc. for MTSS.
Location: Edgartown School- Room 247
Contact Mariel Garcia with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Teaching models that better support all learners
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Focus on strategies to improve school climate
Safety Care Training for Edgartown School Staff
Who: Open to specific Edgartown School staff*
Time: 11:30 - 2:30 pm
Purpose: Edgartown staff who are trained in the first three chapters of Safety Care will continue their training with Deb Debettencourt and Laurie Jennings.
Location: Edgartown School
Contact Deb Debettencourt with questions.
Focus Area(s):
Bucket 1- A System-wide Commitment to Our Children >
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our students
Bucket 2- A Commitment to Nurturing the Culture within Our Schools >
Emphasis on physical and emotional welfare of our staff
Emphasis on relationships and themes of care
Focus on strategies to improve school climate
MVRHS School-based PD Options/Agenda
Who: Open to MVRHS staff*
Time: 11:30 - 4:00 pm
Purpose: MVRHS has voluntary PD offered throughout the day to support it's local initiatives and focus areas for the school.
Location: MVRHS
Contact Justine DeOliveira with questions.