2021 Session Listings

As general sessions and breakout sessions are approved, sessions will be added to this page.

Please note: Sessions are subject to change.*

General Sessions

Ronnie W. Harvey, Jr.

Elmer Noah, II

Partner

Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins, LLP

Bernell Cook

Federal Programs Director

Breakout Sessions

Bias and It's Impact on our Work

Bias plays a part of everything we do. It also impacts the policies we make, the ways with which we enforce those policies, and the expectations we hold of ourselves and others. Join Dr. Andy to examine the origins of bias, how bias takes a role in our everyday work and personal lives, and learn ways to recognize and adjust biases in our work with students.

Dyslexia: The "Bad Word" We're Allowed to Say

This will be a review of the recently updated Bulletin 1903 and how these changes will influence how we identify and service students with characteristics of dyslexia at different age levels.

Facilitating Reflective Practice and Team Building

If a team is only as strong as it's weakest link, then it is necessary to strengthen the links! A team is based on connections and relationships. We all do our best work when we are connected to support and resources. Those supports and resources come from our peers and co-workers. It is necessary to build connections within our departments and schools to be able to effectively impact students. Teams are made of individuals who contribute to the progress towards the mission and vision of the school/department. Therefore, individuals must be able to reflect on their practice. Self-reflection and team-building go hand-in-hand to create a climate of growth and foster a positive work environment.

Meeting K-12 students' Social Emotional needs with LearnZillion Illustrative Mathematics

Can you attend to the Social Emotional needs of ALL students and still implement a rigorous, coherent K-12 Mathematics program? Yes, you can! We will engage in LearnZillion Illustrative Mathematic's (IM) research-based curriculum routines that support teachers and students in a problem based, collaborative classroom. This session will provide district leaders with concrete take aways, including IM's guidance on creating mathematical community and developing positive mathematical identities. Be prepared to experience math in a way that is changing classroom's across the country, exploring one of the top rated curricula!

McKinney-Vento in Action: A Look Into One School District's Homeless Education Program

This session will focus on the components of a homeless education program. Ideas will be shared for setting up intake and registration, for providing educational support services, for creating community partnerships, and for building communication between the program office, district-level supports, and the school sites.

Parent and Family Engagement: Beyond Compliance

Purpose Driven Assistance and Support to Engage Families to Meet Educational Goals: Supporting the district, the schools and the families

State of Early Childhood in Louisiana

Representatives from the Louisiana Department of Education will deliver an interactive overview of Louisiana's progress toward improving learning opportunities for young children.

Supporting English Language Learners

Overview of instructional strategies to support English Language Learners in today's ever-changing climate. Participants will engage in hands-on activities and leave with new ideas to aid in bridging the gaps for these students.

The Importance of Connection in the Classroom

This one hour presentation will explore the impact of trauma on a developing brain and explain how fear, chronic stress and trauma damage the structure, wiring, and chemistry of the brain, putting the child at risk for social, learning, and behavioral problems. It will also provide insight into tools that can help at school and evidence that supports that change is possible for those students.

Trauma-Informed Education Training for Schools

Senate Bill (SB) 211 (Act 353) requires teachers and certain other school personnel to receive 1-hour of in-service training on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed education, beginning in the 2021-22 school year. This training is available at no cost to you and can be hosted at your school/facility, via the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Educator Program of Louisiana Department of Health's Bureau of Family Health. Join this session to learn more about what this training will cover, who will benefit from it, and how to sign up.

Wellness and Self-Care of YOU

Stressed, tired, burned out? Learn strategies for personal self-care, building resilience, and why taking care of ourselves isn't selfish! These strategies can help a leader guide their staff and themselves to make it to the finish line.

Your TRSL Retirement

You'll get answers to these questions (and more):

• When will I be eligible to retire?

• How is my benefit calculated?

• What happens to my annual/sick leave?

• What is DROP?

• How do I apply for retirement/DROP?

• When will I receive my first retirement check?

It’s never too early to start thinking about retirement! Get the answers now, be in the know, and be confident about planning for your TRSL retirement.