The Connection

Are you looking for professional learning to support a positive classroom environment? Look no further, Metro RESA has a new learning series developed with your needs in mind. View the professional learning flyer here.

These full-day workshops, hosted by Metro RESA Whole Child Supports, are designed to equip novice-level teachers or instructional coaches with effective strategies centered around five essential classroom practices: building relationships, classroom structure and teaching, active engagement, responding to appropriate behavior, and responding to inappropriate behavior. Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in hands-on activities and collaborative discussions to solidify their understanding and application of these practices. Please join us in taking the first step toward transforming your classroom environment! Find more information on the Metro RESA website.

2024-2025 Empowering Educators Series Opportunities:

· For Teachers: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (Register Now)

· For Teachers: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 (Register Now)

· For Instructional Coaches: Thursday, September 12, 2024 (Register Now)

Cost: $25/session

For more information about the Metro RESA Whole Child Support Team services, contact the Director of Whole Child Supports, Michelle.Sandrock@mresa.org.

Two separate Buff Nuggets sessions will run this 2024-2025 school year. Sessions will be held at the Metro RESA Campus. The cost/session is $149. For more session details, visit the Metro RESA Special Session General PL page. Use the Metro RESA Course Catalog or click the links below to register today!

• 11/15/24: Cranking Up Student Creativity with Technology
• 1/13/25: Using Technology to Engage and Inspire

Join Metro RESA as we once again host Amie Dean, The Behavior Queen. Amie has a passion for helping students and teachers across the world. Her behavior-focused workshops offer right-on-time strategies to minimize and process behaviors in the classroom successfully. Leave the workshop ready to implement positive and practical strategies that can be used right away.

Three separate Amie Dean sessions will run this 2024-2025 school year. Sessions will be held at the Metro RESA Campus. The cost/session is $199. Session descriptions can be found on the Metro RESA website under Special Sessions General PL Opportunities. Use the Metro RESA Course Catalog or click the links below to register today!

• 9/17/24: Correcting Problems Now
• 12/4/24: The Reboot: Start the New Year Off Right
• 1/29/25: Behavior Interventions That Work

Are you ready to elevate your instructional expertise? Enhance your math teaching skills with the 2024-2025 Exploring Georgia’s Learning Plans Through Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices Series! Join the Metro RESA team in an immersive professional development experience designed to deepen your understanding of research-based instructional strategies. This series focuses on the NCTM’s Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices, aligned with Georgia’s K-12 Mathematics Standards. Find more information on the Metro RESA website.

Sessions cost $99/session. Registrants wishing to participate in all three sessions must register for Session I, Session II, and Session III.

Session I: Goals, Reasoning and Problem-Solving, Representations

• Establishing mathematics goals to focus learning
• Implementing tasks that promote reasoning and problem-solving
• Using and connecting mathematical representations

Session I Elementary Dates:

• Kindergarten - First Grade: Monday, September 16, 2024- Register Now
• Second - Third Grade: Wednesday, September 18, 2024- Register Now
• Fourth - Fifth Grade: Friday, October 4, 2024- Register Now

Session I Secondary Dates:

• Sixth - Seventh Grade: Monday, September 16, 2024- Register Now
• Eight Grade + Algebra C&C: Wednesday, September 18, 2024- Register Now
• Geometry: C&C + Advanced Algebra C&C: Friday, October 4, 2024- Register Now

Following the success of Metro RESA's Mathematics Diving Deeper Series, the MRESA ELA Team is rolling out a similar series for K-12 English Language Arts educators. Each separate training session will focus on a domain of Georgia’s new K-12 English Language Arts Standards. Participants will have opportunities to collaborate to deepen their understanding of the Big Ideas, Standards, and Expectations for each domain. The Overview and Practices workshop sessions will provide an overview of the alignment and structure of the new standards. Participants will then dive deeper into the Practices Domain, designed so that students will continuously cultivate key practices that will sustain their literacy endeavors throughout their K-12 education experiences and beyond. To learn more about the Metro RESA ELA Team or more ELA workshops, visit the Metro RESA website.

Practices Domain 2024 Sessions: 9 AM - 3 PM

• September 25th (Grades K-5) - Register Now
• October 3rd (Grades 6-12) - Register Now

Join GaDOE as they kick-off the 2024-2025 school year with the GaDOE Statewide ELA Launch Tour. Metro educators are invited to attend the sessions at no cost. Sessions will be held at the GaDOE Towers in Atlanta. View the GaDOE informational flyer for more session details. For additional questions, contact the Metro RESA ELA team for more information.

Fall Semester GaDOE ELA Launch Tour Registration is Now Open!

• Monday, 9/30/24: Elementary Session (Register Now)
• Tuesday, 10/01/24: Secondary Session (Register Now)

Join Metro RESA and GaDOE for the second annual Teaching and Learning Summit on September 17, 2024! This virtual event will allow educators across the metro and beyond to learn more about the opportunities and updates ahead at Metro RESA and GaDOE in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Sessions will be held throughout the day, with each session focusing on specific content and departmental area needs. More information will be available on the Metro RESA website. Virtual meeting links for each session will be shared before the summit with all registered attendees.

Click now to register for the Teaching and Learning Summit 2024-2025 today!

Join Metro RESA, businesses, and partner school districts to learn how districts around the metro creatively collaborate to meet the demands of today's students, educators, leaders, and various district support departments. Each month Metro RESA will focus on a specific topic relevant to improving stakeholder engagement and success. During sessions, private companies will share opportunities for support through new tools, products, and services. In addition, sessions will include a partnering district perspective. Participants will learn more about the process and specific success directly related to the current partnership. Monthly webinars will run from August 2024 through April 2025. More information and updates will be available on the Metro RESA website.

Quarter I Session Topics: Register Today!

• August 27th: Helping GA Districts Fill Vacancies with On-the-Job Teacher Prep Programs - Register to Attend
• September 24th: Meet Student Course Needs through Teaching Technologies
• October 29th: Inspire the Next Generation to Find Their Grind/Preparing Students for the Future of Work - Register to Attend

Metro RESA is proud to offer a five-month, in-person academy created for both new and experienced instructional coaches led by expert leaders in the field.

The Metro RESA Coaching Connections Academy is a focused, engaging, and intensive professional development opportunity available to Metro Atlanta instructional coaches that will begin in the Fall of 2024. The academy aims to provide a big-picture view of instructional coaching, while still diving in deep to develop crucial skills and strategies instructional coaches need to know to become successful coaching partners with the educators and students they serve.

Target Audience: K-12 Building and District-Level Instructional Coaches and Coordinators

Cost: $299 (Click here to register today!)

Sessions:

• September 11: Personalized Learning
• October 30: Building Relationships + Creating Positive School Climate and Culture
• November 6: Diving Into the Data + Improving Outcomes
• December 18: Small Group/Station Rotation and Action Plan Reflection
• January 22: Aspiring Leaders and Graduation/Celebration

Find more updates on the Metro RESA website.

Online Teaching Endorsement

Registration closes on August 20th for the Online Teaching Endorsement Cohort that begins August 27th. Be sure to register TODAY so you do not miss this great opportunity! It will not be offered again until 2025!

Metro RESA Online Teaching Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: Wendy.Grey@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

Informational Video: Click Here

The Online Teaching Endorsement at Metro RESA is a GaPSC approved preparation program that provides approved candidates with the coursework and related field experience required to add the Online Teaching Endorsement to a current standard Georgia Professional Certificate. The Online Teaching Endorsement classes will consist of K-12 educators who have a desire to strengthen their online instructional knowledge, skills, and disposition toward online teaching. There will be opportunities to differentiate the tasks across grade levels, content areas, and service areas.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

Join us for an interactive session designed to equip K-8 educators with the tools and strategies needed to host a successful Family Math Night at your school. This session will explore innovative ways to engage families in mathematical learning outside the traditional classroom setting. From fun math games and activities to fostering a positive math mindset, participants will delve into practical techniques for creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for students and their families. By the end of this session, you will leave feeling inspired and ready to orchestrate an unforgettable Family Math Night that promotes mathematical literacy and strengthens the school-home connection.

When: Friday, September 6th from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Where: Metro RESA Campus

Cost: $125

Registration: Click to register today!

Julie Weatherly LEA Representative Leadership Training: LEArn & LEAd

Join Metro RESA as we LEArn & LEAd with Julie Weatherly.

• One-day Training Program
• Designed specifically for School Administrators and other personnel who serve as LEA Representatives at IEP meetings.
• Incorporate various media, process aids, strategies, and group activities.
• Includes overview of IDEA regulations and legal case studies relevant to the LEA Representative's role and responsibilities.
• Provides effective strategies, aids, and checklists for leading an organized, efficient and legally compliant IEP meeting.
• Includes data-based outcome measurement via Pre and Post training survey results reflecting participant knowledge and skills.

When: Monday, October 28, 2024

Where: Metro RESA Campus

Cost: $249/participant

Register Today: Register by September 28, 2024 to secure your spot!

Our Metro RESA specialists want to keep you informed. Receive the latest updates in ELA, Mathematics, Science, School Climate, and Whole Child Support. Head to our catalog and search "mailing" and you can register for one, or all!

When writing is used as a tool for learning rather than just a tool of learning, students not only become more proficient writers but also show increased achievement. This session will share literacy strategies that promote the shared ways of reading and thinking that students need to be successful. Participants will learn a variety of instructional approaches to incorporate authentic writing tasks.

Learn more about the Metro RESA ELA team and other upcoming professional learning opportunities on the Metro RESA website.

Location: Metro RESA, 1870 Teasley Drive, Smyrna, Georgia 30080

Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

2024-2025 Workshop Sessions:

• K-2 Educators and Literacy Coaches: Thursday, October 24, 2024- Register Now
• 3-5 Educators and Literacy Coaches: Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - Register Now
• 6-12 ELA Educators and Literacy Coaches: November 14, 2024- Register Now

For more information about the Metro RESA's The Write Stuff workshop, please contact Erika.tucker@mresa.org and Kelley.york@mresa.org.

MTSS Facilitator Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: Brandi.Roberts@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

Are you interested in being an MTSS Coordinator in your school or school district? Join the MTSS Facilitator Endorsement Program. During this 3-course endorsement, you will explore the history and foundations of RTI/MTSS/SST, the problem-solving model, and develop plans for successful implementation.

Our Open Course Cohort model is a 100% asynchronous/self-paced version of the endorsement and registration for this cohort is ongoing. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please view the admission requirements and tuition costs on our MTSS Facilitator Endorsement website page.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

We are excited to announce that registration for the Metro-wide Reading Endorsement 2024-2025 Cohort is now open!

This course is the first of three courses required for completion of a Reading Endorsement Add-on that may be applied to a clear, renewable professional teaching certificate. This course will focus on the foundational concepts of reading, including the pillars of Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension. This course is designed to provide and extend candidates' knowledge of reading and effective reading instruction. This course is also aligned to meet the expectations of HB 538. Candidates will explore current research, challenges, materials, strategies, and approaches to teaching reading to P-12 children in our pluralistic society.

This course will last for 10 weeks (August 12, 2024- October 14, 2024) with 50 hours of graduate-level seat time.

View the Metro RESA Reading Endorsement page for more information.

Specially Designed Instruction Cohort-Metro West GLRS

This 5-session professional development series for school teams will focus on developing a deeper understanding and application of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). ATSI schools will have priority registration. Find more Metro West GLRS information on the MWGLRS website.

Mark Your Calendars for the Kick-off on August 6, 2024.

Register Today!

The Continuous Improvement Team from the McNair Discovery Learning Academy (MDLA) in Dekalb County recently presented at the summer Federal Programs Conference. The school team included Principal Shaun Wells, Assistant Principal Rhonda Turner, and Academic Coaches Maya Rozier and Tracey Young. The external support team consisted of School Improvement Specialist Dr. Melanie Mitchell and School Effectiveness Specialists Sherri Forrest and Cindy Winter. The team presented their session titled, Evolving from Compliant Grade-Level Meetings to Effective Collaborative Planning Practices, which detailed the school’s reflective journey of developing instructional planning practices aligned to the Georgia Department of Education’s High Impact Rubric. The practices have empowered the teachers by building teacher capacity and creating a culture of operational teacher practices. At the presentation's close, the team was given an Advancing Achievement School banner for exiting the federal identification list. The team will continue to prioritize collaborative planning practices and ensure the planning efforts transfer into the daily delivery of classroom instruction.

Learn more about MDLA.

Congratulations go out to the new Campus Supervisor of KIPP Vision Primary and KIPP Vision Academy, Dr. Donald Rucker! This veteran principal was selected by the KIPP Region to oversee the instructional programs at both schools for the 2024-2025 school year. His experience and expertise in the areas of curriculum, instruction, leadership, and school culture make him an ideal fit for his new position. Former assistant principals Ebonique Miller and Paris Allen have been promoted to Principals in Residence at the Primary and Charter schools, respectively.

Working in partnership with these hard-working, academically focused, and passionate members of the Kipp Vision team has been a rewarding process this year, and we look forward to creating new opportunities for success in 2024-2025. Both schools will continue to focus on using the KIPP model and Get Better Faster strategies for creating a positive and proactive school culture that is pervasively academic.

Goals for the new school year include establishing sacred times and protocols for collaborative planning, aligning all instruction with GaDOE standards, creating more opportunities for the use of critical thinking skills in daily instruction, and increasing the amount and complexity of student writing throughout the program. In addition to KIPP Vision’s focus on Reading, ELA, and Mathematics, plans are in place to increase the use of the GaDOE instructional framework in Science and Social Studies and to create a Gifted Program schoolwide. As always, KIPP teachers and leaders will collaborate with parents and the community to create and maintain a school environment that is supportive of all students.

Learn more about Kipp Vision Primary

Learn more about the Metro RESA MTSS Facilitator Endorsement.

The Metro RESA MTSS endorsement would like to put a spotlight on two amazing candidates. Marina Berry and Tiffany Plowden successfully completed the MTSS endorsement and stood out as phenomenal candidates.

Since then, Marina Berry has accepted a promotion with Atlanta Public Schools as Coordinator of Disproportionality where she will use knowledge and skills gained from the endorsement to implement clear data-based decision-making rules for students and evidence-based behavior intervention practices.

Tiffany Plowden was recently promoted within Fulton County Schools as Coordinator of Intervention Services. She is using the knowledge gained from the endorsement program to strengthen MTSS implementation in her district. She will continue to provide excellent guidance to schools in the important work of intervention services. We are so proud of these two ladies’ accomplishments and wish them well in their new endeavors!

If you are interested in supporting your school or district with MTSS knowledge and implementation, be sure to register today! For more information, click here!