Professional Learning Quarterly
School Improvement Offerings in August 2024
August Professional Learning Opportunities from Questar III School Improvement:
Asynchronous DASA Training - August
- Self-Paced Course Offered August 1 - August 31
- All coursework is due within thirty days of the start of the course for a DASA Certificate of Completion
- All registered participants will be sent a link to the website to access all course materials
Tackling Truancy: Resources for Addressing Chronic Absence
- August 12, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Virtual)
- Offered by School Improvement Data Analysts
- Description: This professional development session tackles the critical issue of chronic absence in schools. We'll delve into data analysis techniques to pinpoint students most at risk and equip you with self-assessment tools to evaluate your current attendance practices. We will discuss strategies for proactive school year planning to foster a culture of attendance and student success. Finally, we will discuss steps districts can take over the summer and during the first weeks of school to create a culture of strong attendance.
Kickoff Event: Collaborative Literacy Conversations Network
- August 13, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM (In Person Event at Capital Region BOCES)
- Offered by Questar III BOCES, with Capital Region BOCES, WSWHE BOCES, and HFM BOCES
- Description: Join colleagues from across the region in this multi-disciplinary series aimed at supporting evidence-based literacy instruction across grades and contents. This summer kickoff event will feature regional conversations and networking where we will discuss improving literacy outcomes for all students across content areas. The morning is an opportunity for networking, learning, and hearing from colleagues on best-practice ideas for evidence-based literacy pedagogy. Throughout the 2024 - 2025 school year, participants will also be invited to engage in several virtual continued conversations on the topic of evidence-based literacy instruction across grade levels and content areas.
Navigating the Next Frontier: Understanding New York's 3012-e APPR Framework
- August 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (Virtual)
- Offered by School Improvement Data Analysts
- Description: Join us for an insightful presentation on the New York State Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR), a comprehensive framework designed to assess and improve teacher effectiveness and, consequently, enhance student achievement. This presentation focuses on the prosed 3012-e. We will look at the differences between 3012-d, 3012-d as amended & 3012-e. Specifically, we will look at the requirements and options that 3012-e will give districts/administrators and teachers. What are the next steps districts should be thinking about?
Refresh and Enhance: Navigating the Latest Updates in Destiny Discover and Library Manager
- August 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (In Person Event at Questar III Central Office)
- Offered by School Library System
- Description: Join us for a focused 3-hour refresher designed to bring you up to speed with the latest features and functionalities in Follett's Destiny Discover and Library Manager. The session will include a segment dedicated to working on your own catalogs. Intended audience: This session is specifically designed for librarians and support staff from districts affiliated with the QII SLS Automation Service.
Empowering Language Learning: Scaffolding Strategies for English Language Learners through AI Integration
- August 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (In Person Event at Questar III Central Office)
- Offered by RBERN
- Description: Join us for an innovative and insightful professional development workshop designed to enhance your teaching strategies for English Language Learners (ELLs) through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In today's diverse classrooms, educators face the challenge of catering to varying language proficiency levels. This workshop will equip you with practical scaffolding techniques, enriched by the power of AI, to create an inclusive and effective learning environment for ELLs.
Advanced Placement (AP) Regional Professional Learning Community Kickoff Event
- August 19, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (In Person Event at Questar III BOCES Central Office)
- Offered by School Improvement Specialists
- Description: This PLC is designed to bring together AP Educators and AP Coordinators from Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer Counties. In this supportive and collaborative environment, we will focus on exchanging insights, collaborating and sharing resources for innovative teaching and learning, and providing rigorous and engaging instruction practices, in an effort to continuously improve student outcomes across diverse content areas.
Designing Three-Dimensional Assessments for Science
- August 20, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Offered by School Improvement Specialists
- Description: Performance Level Descriptors (PLDs) communicate the specific knowledge and skills expected of students when demonstrating proficiency of a learning standard. In this workshop, participants will explore how to use the science PLDs as a tool for designing three-dimensional formative and summative assessments, supporting student mastery and confidence in class as well on the NYS Science Exams. As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: -Analyze the structure of PLDs, related cognitive rigor and three-dimensionality. -Use PLDs to analyze existing assessment prompts, including the released NYS Question Clusters and/or Exam prompts, for three-dimensionality and depth of understanding. -Collaboratively generate AI-supported, phenomenon-based Question Clusters, to promote three-dimensional thinking and learning. This workshop is open to all K-12 educators, instructional coaches, and administrators.
Enhance Your Instruction in Spanish: Basic Orthography and Grammar for Teachers
- August 21, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (Virtual)
- Offered by RBERN
- Description: Have you ever thought "I can speak and read in Spanish but my orthography and grammar could be better?" If yes, this virtual session is for you. In this one-hour workshop you will learn basic aspects of orthography and grammar to help you feel more confident in your writing and instruction in Spanish. You will also receive some resources to help you practice the learnings in your classroom. Participants who register by August 1st will receive a free copy of the Ortografía escolar de la lengua española (2013).
Investigations for Earth and Space Science Workshop
- August 22, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (In Person at Questar III Central Office)
- This is the same session that was offered on July 11, 2024
- Offered by School Improvement Specialists
- Description: The high school investigations are here! Please join us for a hands-on workshop in which participants will: -Overview the structure of the NYS Science Learning Standards and their relation to the high school Earth and Space Science Investigations. -Outline the structure and function of the NYS Required Investigations. -Collaboratively conduct each investigation. -Discuss strategies for supporting student success with each investigation. The intended audience is all earth science educators, instructional coaches, and administrators.
Investigations for Life Science (Biology) Workshop
- August 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (In Person at Questar III Central Office)
- This is the same session that was offered on July 11, 2024
- Offered by School Improvement Specialists
- Description: The high school investigations are here! Please join us for a hands-on workshop in which participants will: -Overview the structure of the NYS Science Learning Standards and their relation to the high school Life Science (Biology) Investigations. -Outline the structure and function of the NYS Required Investigations. -Collaboratively conduct each investigation. -Discuss strategies for supporting student success with each investigation. The intended audience is all life science teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators.
Teacher Lead Evaluator Trainings - Initial & Recertification
Click Here to Register for INITIAL Training
Click Here to Register for RE-CERTIFICATION Training
- Initial Training: August 27, 2024 at 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Virtual)
- Recertification Training: August 27, 2024 at 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Virtual)
- Offered by School Improvement Specialists
- Description: This webinar will dive deeper into performance levels and hands on practice, with emphasis on: inter-rater reliability, impact on your role as an administrator, and how the APPR process can be used to strengthen your school's goals. We will practice scoring examples using video clips and your district rubric. Participants will hone their evaluation skills and fulfill the certification and / or re-certification requirements and use the rubrics determined in their own district APPR plan. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants prior to the training.
Spotlight on New Books with Stacey & Alicia
- August 27, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (In Person at Questar III Central Office)
- Offered by School Library System
- Description: Join elementary librarian Stacey Rattner and high school librarian Alicia Abdul, who will spotlight book titles for students at all levels. Combining their love of literature with practical discussions on reading in and out of school, participants will also leave with a booklist in addition to ideas for activities and events. Intended audience: school librarians, teachers, teaching assistants, PK-12. Registration starts at 8:30. Light refreshments and lunch are included.
New Teachers Academy - A Two-Day Kickoff Event
- August 28, 2024 - August 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (In Person at Questar III Central Office)
- Offered by School Improvement Specialists
- Description: In this two day kickoff event, new teachers from around the region are invited to gather for professional learning. Topics will include: Classroom Management, Educational Technology, Literacy, Teacher Social-Emotional Wellness, Supporting English Language Learners, School Library Resources, Data Analysis, and more... The School Improvement team, with RBERN, Model Schools, School Library System, and SI Data Analysts, will help new teachers start the year off right and will continue to support new teachers throughout the school year via virtual PLC meetings. Whether you are new to teaching, or a veteran teacher who is new to a particular position in the region, please join us for a supportive and collaborative learning environment!
Contact Questar III School Improvement
Jodi Sullivan
Jodi is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
Professional Development Program Specialist