Coastal Plains RESA

After 16 years of educational service at Coastal Plains RESA, it has been my privilege to work with you for 15 of those years. In 2008, the three newest employees (Darlene, Laura, & Paulette) were grouped together at the end of the hall and formed the “newbie suite.” Through the years, we changed offices as something more spacious became available, but you remained loyal to the suite location. You were instrumental in the initiation of our very own word wall. My vocabulary grew tumultuously, rather tremendously, thanks to you. And, I don’t mix metaphors as badly now. It’s still “no walk in the cake” without you around though.

Thank you for the memories and the laughs. You’ve earned your retirement. Now, go write a book. Or, read one! ~ Paulette

As you prepare to embark on a new chapter in your life, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the many contributions you have made during your time here. While we are sad to see you go, we are excited for you to begin this new adventure. Your talent, skills, and passion for reading has been influential to many teachers within our RESA districts. Darlene, you will always be a valued member of our staff, and we wish you all the best. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for your dedication to education.

As summer approaches, take time for yourself. It is important for your overall well-being and can help you recharge, reduce stress, and increase your overall happiness.

Coastal Plains RESA looks forward to serving you in the upcoming school year. If there are specific ways we can serve your district, please contact our office.

Regina Purvis

Professional Learning Director

The International Dyslexia Association of GA and The Reading League of Georgia offered a Spotlight on Structured Literacy Webinar Series. In this 4-part series, speakers discussed both how to most effectively instruct reading based on the science of instruction AND what content to instruct to ensure students become competent readers and writers. The webinar topics include the Science of Instruction, the Science of Reading Comprehension, Strategies to Improve Student Writing and Strategies to improve Vocabulary. These webinars provide insight into evidence-based reading practices that are aligned with the science of reading and can be integrated into reading instruction. You can view all 4 webinars and materials in the 2023 Spotlight on Structured Literacy Webinar Series here.

Stephanie Butler

ELA Specialist

During this past school year, I have heard numerous third, fourth and fifth grade teachers discussing how their students are struggling to read because they lack decoding skills. Due to COVID closures, these are the students who missed the important foundational skills in kindergarten and first grade.

When I look for answers to reading issues, I search to see the views of Dr. Timothy Shanahan that I have followed since he helped lead the National Reading Panel (April 2000). As usual, he had suggestions for the reading issues of our third, fourth and fifth grade students.

I know you are thinking that this is a little too late since your system administered the GMAS last week or will administer the GMAS in the next two weeks. However, these students will continue to struggle in reading until they can master the basic foundational skills. In Dr. Shanahan’s article, he gives suggestions for what needs to be done in the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

Shanahan on Literacy

Darlene Watson

Growing Readers Specialist

IGNITE THE FIRE!!

Register NOW for TWO days of professional development

opportunities focused on the following:

• Become familiar with the Georgia K-12 Mathematics Standards
• Explore tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving
• Become equipped with effective instructional practices and resources
• Engage in meaningful dialogues with fellow educators

Cost: $50 for members and $70 for non-members

DATES:

June 12 - 13, 2023 (8:00-4:00) Tift County High School, Tifton, GA

June 15-16, 2023 (8:00-4:00) Statesboro High School, Statesboro, GA

June 21-22, 2023 (8:00-4:00) North Oconee High School, Bogart, GA

K-8: Choose your Grade Bands (K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8)

High school teachers will select sessions from the topics including:

Geometry/Precalculus, Algebra/Advanced Algebra, and Statistical Reasoning/AP Statistics

REGISTER HERE: https://www.gctm.org/academies

Amy Casper

Paulette Shoupe

Math Specialists

Coastal Plains RESA will be hosting the GADOE Mathematics Team’s

Interdisciplinary Content Support Specialists, Denise Castleberry and Jackie

Hennings as they share the possibilities for mathematics content connections with

computer science, ELA, social studies, fine arts, science, work force and CTAE at

every grade level in every unit. All content areas connected to the mathematics

standards provide inspiration to teachers to implement interdisciplinary instruction.

Interdisciplinary teaching and learning provide strong connections with

mathematical modeling. Register soon.

Gr. K-5 June 14, 2023 9:00 am – 11:30 am

Gr. 6-12 June 14, 2023 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Paulette Shoupe

Math Specialist

Jenni Anderson

ELA Specialist

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU for all of the work this year in helping your

schools to have a positive school climate. We appreciate your participation and

input in our meetings, workshops, and trainings. The programs that you are

implementing in your systems are amazing and so beneficial. As district

coordinators, coaches, counselors, social workers, and other staff, you are making

such a difference in the lives of your students. You are not only helping students,

but your coworkers as well. We appreciate all of your hard work and dedication.

Please remember to carve out some time this summer for rest and relaxation. It’s

important to take care of yourselves and enjoy your time off.

Each school year begins with the excitement and hope for new opportunities and

possibilities. As we are in the final weeks of the 22-23 school year, we want to

share some upcoming dates. Have a wonderful summer, and we look forward to

working with you soon.

May 12, 2023—Deadline to enter TFI scores in PBISapps

June 30, 2023—Deadline for PBIS schools and DCs to submit EOY data and recommendations via SLDS/jot form

DATES for Next year:

August 24, 2023- PBIS/MTSS District Coordinators meeting in Macon, GA

February 8, 2023- PBIS/MTSS District Coordinators meeting in Macon, GA

Scott Haskins scotthaskins@cpresa.org

Shannon Voyles shannonvoyles@cpresa.org

School Climate Specialists

At first glance, the attendance indicator doesn’t seem to matter a lot on the CCRPI. At the

elementary and middle school levels, the indicator has counted about five points out of the entire 100-point score, and, at the high school level, only three points. It is no wonder that attendance often gets overlooked when strategies are developed during school improvement planning. Perhaps, rather than focusing on the few points earned from attendance, we should fully understand the impact that poor attendance can have on all the other components and indicators on the CCRPI.

If students are not at school, they have less opportunity to learn the standards that will be tested by the Georgia Milestones. Absences will significantly impact student performance in ELA, math, science, and social studies and will lower scores in Content Mastery and Closing Gaps, two important components on the CCRPI as they now determine a great deal about school identification for the CSI and TSI lists.

When students are not in school, the impact is also substantial on the Progress component. This part of the CCRPI measures Student Growth Percentiles in ELA and math. SGPs are often viewed as the best measure that we have for teacher effectiveness. The impact of a highly effective teacher is totally negated if a student’s chair is empty.

Attendance also has a strong effect on the Graduation Component of the CCRPI. Students who struggle with attendance very often struggle to graduate on time. This is frustrating for students and for their families and is expensive for the school system.

Finally, poor attendance even impacts another indicator within the Readiness component: Literacy or Lexiles. Every day missed from school drags down the reading levels of students, which, in turn, will provide a headwind to learning in all content areas. The pandemic has depressed literacy rates across the state and across the country, and poor attendance will continue to plague these cohorts of students going forward.

Student attendance has not been scored on the CCRPI since 2019, so this year’s data will be

carefully dissected. Perhaps addressing this one indicator in the School Improvement Plan may be a powerful strategy to regain student performance that has dropped since the spring of 2020.

Bobby Smith

School Improvement Specialist

Sabrina W. Smith, the director of School Safety and Security with

Valdosta City Schools, presented to our group of Counselors, Social

Workers, and other school employees this month. The topic was of the

presentation was “Social Media and it’s Power, Influence, and

Dangers”.

She shared the many advantages of Social Media with some being

Building Relationships, Shared Expertise, Increased Visibility,

Educating Yourself, and Connecting Anytime. There are many

platforms that can be beneficial, but there are many that can be

dangerous and harmful as well. Some people can use the good

platforms for dangerous purposes such as exploiting minors. There are

also the disadvantages of Social Media on children which can include,

but are not limited to Inadequate Sleep, Exposure to Cyber Bullying,

and Lack of Physical Activity.

She shared with the group the many different types of Social Media

platforms that many of our youth are using, and options for monitoring

children’s social media accounts. Mrs. Smith informed our group, gave

us resources and tools to better serve our children, as well as gave us

examples as to how to handle issues surrounding Social Media. This

was an enlightening session that allowed us to take a way a new

perspective and a greater understanding of the positives and the

challenges of Social Media. We are very thankful that she was willing to

give her to time to share with our educators.

Scott Haskins

School Climate Specialist

Shannon Voyles

School Climate Specialist

As we come to the end of another year, we would like to take a moment to express our appreciation for all that you do. As educators, you are the backbone of our society, and the work that you do is nothing short of amazing.

Over the past year, you have faced incredible challenges and have had to adapt to new ways of teaching and learning. Whether it was implementing new technologies, or finding ways to engage students who were struggling, you rose to the occasion and did what was needed to ensure that your students received the best education possible.

Your dedication to your students, your creativity, and your unwavering commitment to their success is truly inspiring. You have worked tirelessly to provide them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

As we approach the end of this school year, we would like to congratulate you on a job well done. Your hard work and dedication have made a positive impact on the lives of your students, and your contributions to education are greatly appreciated.

We wish you all a happy and restful summer, and I look forward to seeing the amazing things you will accomplish in the coming year.

Sincerely,

South Georgia GLRS

Dane Heard

Amber Stevens

Haroleen Bailey

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in the field of education, but it cannot replace teachers entirely. AI-powered tools and software can provide personalized learning experiences, analyze data on student performance, and offer recommendations for improvement. However, there are certain aspects of teaching that AI cannot replicate.

First and foremost, teaching requires human connection and empathy. Teachers play a crucial role in motivating and inspiring their students, building relationships with them, and providing emotional support. AI cannot replace the human touch and emotional intelligence that teachers bring to the classroom.

Secondly, teaching requires creativity and adaptability. Teachers must be able to adjust their approach to meet the needs of individual students, respond to unexpected situations, and develop new and innovative teaching methods. AI, while highly advanced, lacks the ability to think creatively and adapt to new situations in the same way that human teachers can.

Finally, teaching requires ethical and moral judgment. Teachers are responsible for guiding their students in the development of their ethical and moral values, which cannot be outsourced to AI. Teachers must help students navigate complex ethical and social issues, promote critical thinking, and foster a sense of social responsibility.

What AI CAN do for education:

1. Personalized Learning: AI-powered tools and software will continue to analyze student learning patterns, strengths, and weaknesses, providing recommendations for activities and resources to improve student understanding. This approach will help ensure that each student receives individualized attention and support, leading to better academic outcomes.

2. Enhanced Curriculum Development: AI can help teachers develop and refine their curriculum by analyzing data on student performance and identifying areas where changes to the curriculum can better support student learning needs.

3. Improved Assessment: AI-powered assessments will become more prevalent, providing personalized feedback and suggestions for improvement. These assessments can adapt to each student's level of understanding, providing a more accurate measure of knowledge and skills.

4. Intelligent Tutoring Systems: AI-powered intelligent tutoring systems will become more widespread, offering personalized instruction and support outside the classroom.

5. Greater Efficiency: AI will help teachers and school administrators streamline administrative tasks, freeing up time to focus on more meaningful interactions with students.

In conclusion, while AI can enhance the capabilities of teachers, it cannot replace them entirely. Teachers bring a unique set of skills and qualities to the classroom that cannot be replicated by AI, and they will continue to play a vital role in public education for years to come.

The rate of change for artificial intelligence is exponential as current artificial intelligences have begun teaching the next generations of AI. One to watch is AutoGPT, but there are many others, including Microsoft's CoPilot, Google's Bard, and more. It's nearly impossible to predict the magnitude of changes that will take place before the next school year begins! I recommend re-reading stories by the Big 3 classic science fiction authors, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Robert Heinlein. We are very nearly living in the future they envisioned.

*** Note: this article was written by the artificial intelligence we know as ChatGPT-3.

Leanne NeSmith

Technology Specialist

The Afterschool Program had an awesome school year! Coastal Plains RESA was able to serve over 100 students in grades K – 5th in Lanier and Turner Counties. We are thankful for the trust and support our community and schools have for our afterschool programs. These students participated in a variety of activities. Not only were students provided with a nutritious snack, they were able to work on homework, learn about their social/emotional well-being, and engage in many STEAM projects. STEAM activities allow our students to be both challenged and engaged in hands-on learning activities. This helps increase knowledge and experience in academic areas as well. We are looking forward to continuing these activities in our summer program as well as next school year. Please reach out to our office if you have any questions.

Sonya Story

Afterschool Programs Director

All state winners are available on the GLAS website. Teachers, use these as exemplars in your classroom when teaching different writing standards and let your students know that if they so desire, they too can have their writing published for all of Georgia and the world to read!

Show students this website and use it as motivation. We all need it!