Student Teachers Conference

STUDENT TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE

Aquinas College

Monday, October 23, 2017

This professional conference provides you with an opportunity to engage in new learning. We hope that during this day you will learn information from our presentations that will help you become a more effective educator, as well as meet and interact with colleagues from other universities and colleges. Presenters at this conference volunteer their time and expertise. Please take a moment to thank them as you leave each session.

Choose to attend thesessions which appeal to you, and as you network with your colleagues, plan ahead toshare information about topics with those who attend other sessions. Check out: for handouts and website links that presenters have posted for your use.

Feedback is an integral part of providing a quality Fire Up experience. Please take a few moments at the end of each session that you attend to leave constructivefeedbackfor your presenter. The form can be placed in the plastic box near the door on the way out of each session. ITEC-WM and your presenter will know how to adapt the session to meet student teachers’ needs in today’s educational environment.

Please select alternate choices in case the session you choose is overcrowded; due to fire regulations, we must abide by room capacity sizes. A map of the buildings where sessions are held is on the reverse side. The program will help you locate the sessions you wish to attend.

Note: Lost & Found will be located at the Information Table in the foyer. Please remember

toevaluate each session you attend by turning in your paper form to the plastic bin in each presenter’s room.

FIRE UP!

STUDENT TEACHERS’ CONFERENCE

General Session

8:00—8:20Registration in the Sturrus Fitness Center

8:20Welcometo Aquinas College!

Susan English, Ph.D., Dean, School of Education, Aquinas College

Dr. Elizabeth Knepper-Muller, President, Inter-Institutional Teacher Education Council of West MI

An introduction to the Inter-Institutional Teacher Education Council of West Michigan, and an

explanation of facilities and program logistics.

8:30—8:50Keynote Address: Tracy Horodyski, Michigan Teacher of the Year, 2016-2017

9:15First workshop starts

—Program Key—

AB: Academic Building

Wege Ballroom and Loutit: Wege Student Center, Second Floor

Cafeteria: Wege Student Center, First Floor

AB 151:Hospitality Room (for presenters only)

*denotes multiple presentations

EE: Early Elementary, E: Elementary, M: Middle/Junior High, H: Senior High, G: General

—LUNCH OPTIONS—

Lunch is available in theWege Center Cafeteria

during the 2ndsession (10:30-11:30) and 3rdsession (11:45-12:45).

Take your lunchalong to your session, or dine in the cafeteria.

All lunch materials are compostable and go in the GREEN bins.

Conference Planning Committee

Stacy Slomski, Aquinas CollegeSheryl Vlietstra, Grand Valley State University

Ed Bailey, Baker CollegeKristen Morrison, Kendall College of Art & Design

Vicki Conrad, Cornerstone UniversityKimberly Arsenault, Michigan State University

Deb Warwick, Ferris State UniversityKatherine Hegele, Western Michigan University

The committee wishes to express special thanks to Aquinas College

for their assistance in sponsoring this conference.

9:15 – 10:15MINI SESSION #1 9:15 – 10:15

CHOOSE ONE TO ATTEND

After each session, please submit your Feedback Form in the plastic bin.

EE/E* Dominate Math Workshop with ZONES Math

AB 102Olivia Alkema, 5th Grade Teacher, Godfrey Lee Public Schools

Sessions 1,2ZONES will transform your math instruction using the best practices of math instruction including Guided Math, Math Workshop, Small Group work, one-on-one conferencing, and deliberate and meaningful rotations which incorporate all of the common core standards for mathematical practice. ZONES works at any grade level (K-8) and with any math curriculum. Get ready to make your math instruction data-driven, dynamic, and engaging.

M/HPhysical Education and Content Area Literacy

AB 105Dr. Duane Ambrose, Assistant Professor, Kinesiology, Aquinas College

This session will examine how to increase student learning by examining the connections between the core subject and physical education. Sciences comes alive in the gymnasium and is ever present, but math, history, reading and writing all have their place in physical education.

G* How to Handle ChallengingParents

AB 104Dave Feenstra, Principal, Hudsonville High School

Sessions 1,2Come and learn effective strategies and techniques to develop therapeutic rapport with challenging parents and students. Understand that your role as a teacher is to develop healthy relationships with parents to address the needs of their child using love and logic.

EE,E,M* Teaching Science: What a R.I.O.T.!!

AB 103Michael Fillman, All Saints Academy, Middle School Science Teacher, and Retired 5th Grade Teacher, Lowell Area Schools

Sessions 1,2Many hands-on demonstrations, experiments and ideas will be presented to use in the classroom, making science fun to teach and learning easier for your students. You won't be afraid to teach science after this session, matter of fact you'll be excited to try these demonstrations the next day!

E/M/HTrue Learning Through Fostering Creative Thought

AB 152Ryan Hipp, Author, Illustrator

Sessions 1A seminar exploring improving critical thinking in children by fostering expressive problem-solving methods. Ryan Hipp is Michigan’s leading authority on creative problem-solving in education. Ryan discusses the relationship between creativity and true learning and how to navigate with common core in mind. He will share how to identify “creativity killers” that hinder student’s emotional, social, and educational development. Using facts and research, examples will be shared of common misconceptions, Problem-solving methods like synectics and ratiocination, and how to identify when we are inhibiting creativity & free expression and not even realizing it – and most importantly, how to break the chain to positively reinforce our students’ creative sparks.

GPurposeful Practices for the Love of Learners

Wege BallroomTracy Horodyski, Michigan Teacher of the Year 2016-2017

There are many demands on a teacher's time. Being clear about our values and beliefs can help us focus our time and energy on what matters most for learners. Learning ways to be more intentional about what we say and do can maximize the efforts of our learners, empower them to take ownership of their learning, and help them discover who they are.We have a lot to learn from our learners, so let's explore some initial ideas about how to capitalize on their thinking.

9:15 – 10:15MINI SESSION #1 9:15 – 10:15

Cont.

After each session, please submit your Feedback Form in the plastic bin.

G* Teaching in the Digital Age: Get Noticed to Get Hired

AB 156Ron Houtman, Education Technology Consultant

Sessions 1,2Want to get noticed during the hiring process? Schools today are looking for much more than just your ability to deliver content. In this session you will learn some secrets about building your professional learning network, learning about technology enhanced teaching, and how to stand out from the crowd during interviews.

G The Happy Teacher Solution

AB 258TaruNieminen, Author

Wondering how you are going to fare in student teaching, and then — real teaching? Already a little (or a lot) stressed out about everything you’ll need to accomplish, create, manage? Learn how create a work/life balance, nurture relationships and family time, and establish time for yourself. The Happy Teacher Solution is here to help with a simple technique. It only requires a few minutes a day, simple breathing, and a bit of belief.

GEngaging Students through Place-Based Education

AB 154Kym Pawelka: Groundswell Manager, Grand Valley State University

This session will explore the tenants of place-based education as well as the benefits to students and teachers. We will share resources available to teachers through the Groundswell environmental education program housed in the Grand Valley State University College of Education and examples of strong place-based classroom projects.

G* Blinded by Bias

AB 117Kevin Polston, Superintendent, Godfrey Lee Public Schools

Sessions 1,2Implicit bias impacts us every day in all we do. Even when we are not paying attention, our brain is still processing and categorizing information. Participants will learn the research behind the topic. This session will help you come to understand your biases and what you can do to mitigate them.

E* Boy Brains in Elementary Classrooms

AB 303Sara Sposaro, Teacher

Sessions 1,2"There is no difference in what boys and girls can learn. There is only a difference in the best ways to teach them." -Michael Gurian, Author and Researcher This session will include a review of research on brain and learning differences in boys and girls, focusing more on the "Boy Brain". Many classroom application ideas will be shared.

EE/E* The First Five Years (Learning and Thriving)

AB 231Ashley VanDort, First Grade Teacher

Sessions 1,2,4Get tips and tricks on how to thrive as a young teacher. Setting up a classroom, getting affordable books for your library, establishing relationships with parents and colleagues, dealing with tough parents, communicating with families on challenging topics, creating charts and organizing a classroom will all be covered in this session with me. Applicable to more than just early elementary, but that is where my experience comes from. If there is time, integrating some great technology tools will also be included.

EE/ESquare Pears & Tongue Twisters—Fun and Learning With Words

AB 114Kenn Vidro, Retired Art Teacher

With such a quirky title you know this is going to be fun!! Kenn’s session will help you assist your students in practicing phonemic awareness, increasing vocabulary, using critical thinking and better understanding alliteration. Through the use of Kenn’s books a totally entertaining and educational time will be had by all. Books will be sold and a prize or two rewarded.

9:15 – 10:15MINI SESSION #1 9:15 – 10:15

Cont.

E/M* School Counselors: What Do They Do All Day?

AB 155Judy Williams, Associate Professor of School Counseling, Grand Valley State University

Sessions 1,2This session is intended to help participants answer the question: “What do school counselors do all day?” Participants will learn how professional school counselors can support new teachers in their work. This session will also provide an introduction to the profession of school counseling for those who might be considering an advanced degree in this field.

G* Quick! It’s a Fire! A Quickfire, That Is.

AB 307Sarah Wood, Technology and Media Integration Specialist

Sessions 1,2Are you looking for a way to challenge students in their thinking and problem solving? Quickfires are a great way of introducing (or reinforcing) concepts, resources, or materials in a way that keeps students engaged. They also provide an opportunity for them to own and display their learning - through technology, STEAM, or Maker activities. Quickfires are a great way for students at every grade level and subject area to learn with a emphasis on collaboration, communication, content, critical thinking, creative innovation, and confidence.

10:30 – 11:30MINI SESSION #2 10:30 – 11:30

CHOOSE ONE TO ATTEND

Lunch Options: Beat the rush this hour!

Pick up your lunch in the Cafeteria in the Wege Student Center—eat in or take it with you to your session.

Exit Academic Building (  ) by AB 119; cross to Wege Center. Cafeteria is located on the lower level.
Please remember that Aquinas College is Zero Waste. BLUE bins = recycling, and GREEN bins = compost

After each session, please submit your Feedback Form in the plastic bin.

EE/E* Dominate Math Workshop with ZONES Math

AB 102Olivia Alkema, 5th Grade Teacher, Godfrey Lee Public Schools

EE/E* Choice in Kindergarten

AB 257Anna Ball, Kindergarten Teacher

Sessions 2,3,5Learn how to have happy, engaged kids by allowing choice as well as learning how to set clear expectations and have stellar classroom management!

EE/E/M* How To Have a Kinder, Gentler Class

AB 101Tim Bennett, Associate Professor of Education, Aquinas College

Sessions 2,4Learn how to use the class meeting format to deal with tattletales, cut downs, emotional time bombs, recess runoff, and relieve the pressure cooker of daily student interactions while developing important social skills.

GMindfulness in Teaching and Learning

AB 114Susan Carson, Professor of Education, Grand Valley State University

Implementing basic mindfulness practices can change the classroom climate, helping to create a foundation of trust and good will; both students and educators can reduce their anxiety and stress and enhance learning.

G* I just Graduated! Now What?

AB 251Lyndsay Daly, English Teacher, Allendale High School

Sessions 2,3,4Mark Gotberg, Government and Economics Teacher, Allendale High School

You're so set on graduation and completing your program that it's easy to forget how much work is left even after classes are over- time to find a job! Hear job search advice, interview questions, and first year experiences from two high school teachers in their third year at Allendale High School.

10:30 – 11:30MINI SESSION #2 10:30 – 11:30

After each session, please submit your Feedback Form in the plastic bin.

G* How to Handle Challenging Parents

AB 104Dave Feenstra, Principal, Hudsonville High School

EE,E,M* Teaching Science: What a R.I.O.T.!!

AB 103Michael Fillman, All Saints Academy, Middle School Science Teacher, and Retired 5th Grade Teacher, Lowell Area Schools

M/H* Strategies for Solving Adolescent Behavior Problems and Improving Student Achievement

AB 256Dave Foley, Retired Junior High School Teacher

Sessions 2,4,5This session provides quick, easy-to-administer solutions for adolescent misbehavior problems, so teachers can

spend their time teaching instead of dealing with discipline issues. Realizing that teachers need specifics, the focus

is on what is actually said and done when dealing with student misbehavior. The presenter, who taught twenty-nine

years in junior high, will show you how to eliminate inefficiencies in teaching styles and improve performance in the classroom without sacrificing the respect and friendship of the students.

G* Teaching in the Digital Age: Get Noticed to Get Hired

AB 156Ron Houtman, Education Technology Consultant

E/M/H/GCulture in the Foreign Language Classroom

AB 112Irene BrouwerKonyndyk, Assistant Professor of French, Emerita

This workshop will focus on the importance of incorporating culture into the foreign language classroom and give some practical suggestions for doing so.

M/H* Be Ready for Student Teaching

AB 304Juan Carlos Lozano, 8th Grade Math Teacher

Sessions 2,4Former 2015 Michigan Student Teacher of the Year will give you advice and fire you up for student teaching! From his "CDC" to his everyday experiences, you will gather tips and advice that will get you ready for your first year teaching!

E/M/H* Differentiated Instruction for World Languages

AB 258TaruNieminen & Sue Hubbert, Authors

Session 2,4Differentiated Instruction for World Language learners is a student-centered, project-based approach to student language acquisition and assessment. The objective is to show participants how to differentiate instruction for language learners using menus. Participants engage in selected menu activities completing creative projects that consider students’ individual and cultural learning styles.

G* Behavior Strategies in the Classroom

AB 227Mindy Ordus, Teacher for students with autism

Sessions 2,3AUTISM: Always Unique Truly Interesting Sometimes Memorable. Autism is not a disability, it’s a different ability. Behavior is communication. It speaks volumes. Every behavior has a purpose and has been maintained due to its functionality in an environment. We can only control 100% of ourselves. So therefore we need to change what is changeable. The first place to start is the classroom environment.

10:30 – 11:30MINI SESSION #2 10:30 – 11:30

Cont.

After each session, please submit your Feedback Form in the plastic bin.

G* Blinded byBias

AB 117Kevin Polston, Superintendent, Godfrey Lee Public Schools

E* Boy Brains in Elementary Classrooms

AB 303Sara Sposaro, Teacher