Professional Development

• Gifted Endorsement cohort through Ottawa University
• Masters in Gifted Education cohort through Arizona State University (beginning Fall 2007)

Workshops, Conferences & In-services

Professional Development Offerings
Fall 2008

1.  Gifted 101- What Does it Mean to be “Gifted?”

Understand the nature of giftedness, and the characteristics and unique needs of gifted students.  Identification and ways to meet the needs of these students will be discussed.  A “gifted glossary” of terms and definitions will be shared and studied.
           
Instructor:  Donna Campbell
Dates:  Mondays, August 18 & 25           
Time: 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location:  CRC Ivory
Participants:  K-12 teachers
Contact Hrs.:  4 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard

2. Three Strategies to Differentiate your Curriculum to Meet the Needs of Gifted Students

Learn how to easily implement three of the best differentiation strategies in your curriculum and instructional planning.   Flexible Grouping, Tiering Activities and Compacting will be discussed with several models presented.  Participate in an exchange of ideas with your colleagues as well.

Three strategies in three sessions:  Learn to incorporate flexible grouping, tiered lessons, and curriculum compacting into your lesson plans. Bring your lesson plans and planning materials to develop learning activities using these differentiation strategies.

Instructor: Donna Campbell           
Dates:  Thursdays, August 14, 21, 28, 2008
Time:  3:30-5:30
Location: CRC Ivory- Aug. 14
                DAC East- Aug. 21 & 28
Instructor:  Donna Campbell
Participants: K-8 Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:  6 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard

3. Workshop:  Questioning Strategies for Teachers of Gifted Students

This 2-day workshop will focus on creative and critical questioning strategies that teachers can use to challenge students and raise the level of complexity in classroom discussions. Materials will be supplied.

Instructor: Dennis Schuman
Dates: Thursdays, October 2 & 16
Time:  3:30-5:30
Location: Copper Canyon Elementary School, Rm. 315           
Participants: Gifted Cluster Teachers, Gifted Specialists, and Honors Teachers  (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:  4 hrs.
Registration:   Course Wizard

4.  Workshop:  Using Critical Thinking Skills in Language Arts Instruction for Gifted Students

Artful questioning and engaging strategies are essential for dynamic dialogue with critical, reflective thinking.  This workshop will focus on a Socratic approach to these elements and how it relates to productive, thoughtful writing.

Instructor: Dolores Salisz           
Date: Tuesday, September 23 & October 7, 2008
Time: 3:30-6:00 p.m.
Location: Sonoran Sky Elementary School
Participants: Gifted Cluster Teachers, Gifted Specialists, Honors Teachers, all Teachers K-8
Contact Hrs.:  5 hrs.
Registration: Course Wizard

5.  Workshop:   Practical Strategies for the Gifted Cluster Classroom

You have gifted students clustered in your class...  Are you now wondering what to do with them? This workshop provides practical strategies to engage gifted students in the cluster classroom. Learn how to offer opportunities that enrich and extend your curriculum to meet the needs of gifted students. The instructors will introduce a variety of resources for primary cluster teachers, offer ideas for cluster classroom organization, and provide hands-on opportunities to create materials you can use immediately in your classroom.

Instructor: Elizabeth Warner and Alyssa Letendre
Dates: Thursdays, September 18 & 25, 2008
Time: 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Location: Cactus View Elementary School, Rm. 314
Participants: Current of prospective Gifted Cluster Teachers, grades K-3
Contact Hrs.:  4 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard

6.  Workshop:  Literature Links for Gifted Readers 

This workshop will provide you with the tools and strategies you need to move your gifted readers through an accelerated reading program while at the same time providing opportunities for students to think critically and creatively.  Integrate appropriately selected trade books into your classroom to promote intellectual and social and emotional development.  Several examples of differentiated learning activities with reproducible pages, graphic organizers and instructional insights will be shared.

Instructor: Donna Campbell           
Dates:  Mondays, September 8, 15, and 22, 2008
Time:  3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Sandpiper Elementary School Media Center
Participants: Gifted Cluster Teachers, Gifted Specialists, and Honors Teachers Only  (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.: 6 hrs.
Registration:   Course Wizard

7.  Grade Level Gifted Cluster Teacher Workshops*

Gifted cluster teachers are invited to spend time planning curriculum and instruction with other grade level cluster teachers from around the district.  Bring your planning materials and standards to share ideas and develop plans with your colleagues.

*It is RECOMMENDED that Gifted Cluster Teachers participating in the planning sessions have previously taken (or simultaneously) taking one of the other gifted workshops.

Instructor: Donna Campbell
Dates: Tues., Sept. 23
Time:  3:30 – 5:30 PM
Location:  DAC, Ivory
Participants:  Current or prospective gifted cluster teachers, grades K-1*
Contact Hrs.:  2 hours per session
Registration:  Course Wizard

8.  Grade Level Gifted Cluster Teacher Workshops*

Gifted cluster teachers are invited to spend time planning curriculum and instruction with other grade level cluster teachers from around the district.  Bring your planning materials and standards to share ideas and develop plans with your colleagues.

*It is RECOMMENDED that Gifted Cluster Teachers participating in the planning sessions have previously taken (or simultaneously) taking one of the other gifted workshops.

Instructor: Elizabeth Warner
Dates: Sept. 3 & Nov. 12, 2008
Time: 3:30 – 5:30 PM
Locations: Cactus View Elementary School, Rm. 314
Participants: Current or prospective gifted cluster teachers, grades 2-3*
Contact Hrs.:  2 hours per session
Registration: Course Wizard

*Teachers are welcome to attend either of these sessions, regardless of the grade level targeted.

9. Workshop I*:  High-Impact Teaching for Gifted Learners: Get Students Off Their Can’ts

Teachers have an incredible opportunity to impact lives, but what most adults remember about their favorite teacher is not Hamlet or theorems.  Most remember the teachers who instilled a positive attitude and unlocked positive self-worth.  Learn how to model and teach these invaluable skills to give academic and interpersonal advantages necessary for success in today’s world.  What attitude will your gifted children learn from you?  Let’s get students off their can’ts!

Instructor: Susan O’Daniel
Date:  Monday, October 6, 2008
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Desert Shadows Middle School, room TBA
Participants:  MS & HS Honors Teachers, Gifted Specialists, all Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:  2 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard
*We recommend taking these High-Impact Teaching workshops in the order listed if possible.

10. Workshop II*:  High-Impact Teaching for Gifted Learners: Gaining Altitude through Attitude

How high can your gifted students fly?  Teach them how to reach new heights.  Attitude adjustments come through recognizing when we’re off course and then making corrections.  In this workshop you will learn how to teach students to stretch their comfort zones and use their abilities to reach higher altitudes.

Instructor: Susan O’Daniel
Date: Monday, October 13, 2008
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location:  Desert Shadows Middle School, room TBA
Participants: MS & HS Honors Teachers, Gifted Specialists, all Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:   2 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard
*We recommend taking these High-Impact Teaching workshops in the order listed if possible.

11. Workshop III*:  High-Impact Teaching for Gifted Learners: Accelerating Achievement through Affirmations

Imagine unlimited achievement for you and your gifted students.  Can you picture it?  Most of us have developed hidden beliefs that prevent us from achieving our full potential.  Teens are at a ripe time in life to realize and release the blocks that prevent them from soaring to success.  Learn how to teach the power of the creative sub-conscious mind through affirmations and visualizations, and get ready for powerful change in you and in your students!

Instructor: Susan O’Daniel
Date: Monday, October 20, 2008
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Desert Shadows Middle School, room TBA
Participants: MS & HS Honors Teachers, Gifted Specialists, all Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.: 2 hrs.
Registration: Course Wizard
*We recommend taking these High-Impact Teaching workshops in the order listed if possible.

12. Workshop I*:  High-Impact Teaching for Gifted Learners: Get Students Off Their Can’ts

Teachers have an incredible opportunity to impact lives, but what most adults remember about their favorite teacher is not Hamlet or theorems.  Most remember the teachers who instilled a positive attitude and unlocked positive self-worth.  Learn how to model and teach these invaluable skills to give academic and interpersonal advantages necessary for success in today’s world.  What attitude will your gifted children learn from you?  Let’s get students off their can’ts!

Instructor: Susan O’Daniel
Date: Monday, November 24, 2008
Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Desert Shadows Middle School, room TBA
Participants:  MS & HS Honors Teachers, Gifted Specialists, all Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:  2 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard
*We recommend taking these High-Impact Teaching workshops in the order listed if possible.

13. Workshop II*:  High-Impact Teaching for Gifted Learners: Gaining Altitude through Attitude

How high can your gifted students fly?  Teach them how to reach new heights.  Attitude adjustments come through recognizing when we’re off course and then making corrections.  In this workshop you will learn how to teach students to stretch their comfort zones and use their abilities to reach higher altitudes.

Instructor: Susan O’Daniel
Date:   Monday, December 1, 2008
Time:  3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location:  Desert Shadows Middle School, room TBA
Participants:  MS & HS Honors Teachers, Gifted Specialists, all Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:  2 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard
*We recommend taking these High-Impact Teaching workshops in the order listed if possible.

14. Workshop III*:  High-Impact Teaching for Gifted Learners: Accelerating Achievement through Affirmations

Imagine unlimited achievement for you and your gifted students.  Can you picture it?  Most of us have developed hidden beliefs that prevent us from achieving our full potential.  Teens are at a ripe time in life to realize and release the blocks that prevent them from soaring to success.  Learn how to teach the power of the creative sub-conscious mind through affirmations and visualizations, and get ready for powerful change in you and in your students!

Instructor:  Susan O’Daniel
Date:   Monday, December 8, 2008
Time:  3:30-5:30 p.m.
Location:  Desert Shadows Middle School, room TBA
Participants:  MS & HS Honors Teachers, Gifted Specialists, all Teachers (Max. 25)
Contact Hrs.:  2 hrs.
Registration:  Course Wizard
*We recommend taking these High-Impact Teaching workshops in the order listed if possible.

15.  District Gifted Specialists Meetings:           

            Location: Liberty Elementary School
            Instructor:  Dina Brulles
            Participants:  Gifted Specialists
            Time: 8:30 – 11:30 AM
            Dates:  Tuesdays: August 26, September 16, October 21,  January 13, February 10, April 28

16.  District MS/HS Gifted Liaison Meetings

            Instructors: Dina Brulles & Cathy Flesner
            Time:  HS Gifted Liaison Mtgs. – 2:15 – 3:15 PM
           MS Gifted Liaison Mtgs. – 3:45 – 4:45 PM
            Dates:   Mondays: 8/18, 9/15, 10/20, 11/24, 1/12, 2/9, 3/30, 5/11
            Participants: MS and HS Gifted Liaisons
            Location:  HS Meetings – Pinnacle HS; MS Meetings – Explorer MS