As we begin to near the end of the semester and approach the season of Thanksgiving, the UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center wants every educator in our region to know that we are thankful for your service. It's often said that teaching is "an act of the heart," and we completely agree. The support, structure, care, and not to mention, learning opportunities, are planned and provided daily because you care. Thank you for caring for the students in Region Four! Thank you for leaving a legacy each day as you mold and shape our next generation.

Our newsletter below outlines many opportunities for November and December but also shares information regarding upcoming opportunities for second semester, including a new STEM certification cohort offered by NISE.

In addition to the sessions that are open to all educators in our region (found on our newsletter below), we also offer targeted professional learning opportunities designed for individual schools or districts. Administrators, please contact the center directly via e-mail (hgmorgan@ua.edu) or via the following link to request targeted support.

Continue to review our social media pages on Facebook (@uainservice) and Twitter (@UofARIC) for ongoing announcements. As a reminder, you may find any of our newsletters at: http://inservice.ua.edu/newsletter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Holly Morgan

Director, UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center

Check out the ALSDE Bite-Sized Professional Learning opportunities that are being offered throughout the month of November. Topics range from assessment, teacher mentoring, PowerSchool, and more!

Virtual Cohort begins November 2!

ATiM at the UA-UWA In-Service Center is pleased to announce that the Library Technology Professional Learning Groups are returning for the 2022-23 school year. Over the past 12 years, this has been one of the most popular professional learning groups offered by ATiM in the region. As in the previous two years, the 2022-23 PLG will be offered with both face-to-face and virtual options with three face to face cohorts and one virtual cohort. The cohorts will have four meetings (two fall and two spring). Each of the face-to-face cohorts will be limited to 15 librarians from the region, and the virtual sessions will be open to librarians in the UA-UWA Inservice Region and statewide. There is no cost for librarians to attend these sessions, but if travel or substitutes are necessary, this will be the responsibility of the school/system. Topics for this year include digital literacy, computer science, emerging technologies, drones in education, digital citizenship, and more! Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for sharing this opportunity with your librarians!

For more information, see the attached flyer and visit Course #295914 in the PowerSchool Professional Learning Portal.

Course Link: https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/course/viewCourseSearch?courseId=295914

Join APT for this session on November 9 that will focus upon the exploration of free resources offered through APT Education and PBS Learning Media to enhance your lessons. This virtual session is for all grades and subject areas.

Register in advance for this meeting using the following Zoom registration link: https://ua-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsc--hrjsiE9FM15InCrHLW1_bjc-ehOwB. Once registered and attended, you will be added to the PowerSchool professional learning roster.

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Date: November 9, 2022

We are here to support you! If you are interested in pursuing National Board Certification, please join our free, monthly support cohort! Session information, including dates, times, and PowerSchool registration can be found on the calendar located at http://inservice.ua.edu/national-board-support.html

For the fall semester, all informational sessions will be offered virtually. In the spring semester, candidates will be assigned NBCT mentors who will support them face-to-face and/or virtually in their NBCT journey.

Click here to be added to the UA/UWA NB email distribution list in order to receive ongoing updates regarding NBCT support.

Join us virtually on November 10 from 5:00-7:30 pm for "Component 2: Differentiation in Instruction." Register via PowerSchool PL Section #435573.

A Zoom link will be added to the notes section of the PowerSchool listing and will be shared with you via e-mail approximately two days prior to the session.

Join Hannah Haskin and Kelly Sherrill from Edpuzzle on November 16 to learn more about the new features from Edpuzzle for Fall 2022. During this virtual session, she will share brief demos regarding Edpuzzle and how to utilize this tool in your classroom.

Time: 3:30-4:30 pm

Date: November 16

Register in PowerSchool Professional Learning via the following link in order to receive the session's zoom link.

The next session is November 17!

We are excited to announce that our Inservice Center will once again offer regional support for secondary instructional coaches who are not served by AMSTI or ARI. Each quarterly session will be held at the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education on the following dates. If you are a secondary instructional coach who would like to participate this year, please use the links below to register in PowerSchool for these sessions. We will continue our study of the coaching process and how to use data to drive our coaching conversations.

September 23, 2022

November 17, 2022

January 27, 2023

March 6, 2023

Feel free to contact Dr. Holly Morgan at hgmorgan@ua.edu with any questions.

The UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center is pleased to announce that we will be hosting Pre-AP Readiness Workshops in partnership with College Board. Pre-AP Readiness Workshops are in-person collaborative experiences that orient participants to the content, design, and pedagogy of the Pre-AP Program. Teachers explore Pre-AP design and instructional content-specific topics that empower them to apply what they’ve learned to their own grade level or course within their content area. Save your seat now!

Who Should Attend the Readiness Workshops?

-Grades 6-12 teachers

-Leaders

Why Should I Attend?

-Learn new approaches and develop plans for instruction that can be applied in your own classroom

-Collaboratively design classroom activities that build readiness and meets the needs of all learners

-Gain new skills and insights with a supportive peer network and expert National Faculty

-Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are awarded upon completion

Workshop Objectives

-Explore Pre-AP model lessons, the course framework, teacher resources, and student learning supports

-Analyze how Pre-AP instructional design supports all students in achieving success toward AP, college, and beyond

-Learn how to apply Pre-AP shared principles and course areas of focus to yearlong planning and classroom instruction

We will have workshops on the following dates:

November 28: English Language Arts

November 28: Social Studies

November 30: Mathematics

December 1: Science

December 1: Readiness for Leaders

Sessions will be held from 8:30-3:30 PM CST. We will email you locations when you have registered the Pre-AP College Board. Each math and science workshop counts as TEAMS PD credit.

REGISTER HERE! Once you have registered through Pre-AP College Board's link, we will register you in PowerSchool Professional Learning. For more information regarding the Pre-AP events, please view the attachments and/or the following calendar: https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/c/calendar/eb69bd26-490f-44d9-bf20-1fd59f23f35f

View the November PowerSchool training opportunities offered by our state PowerSchool coaches via the following link.

Join us virtually on December 1 from 5:00-7:30 pm for "Component 1: Content Knowledge." Register via PowerSchool PL Section #435603.

A Zoom link will be added to the notes section of the PowerSchool listing and will be shared with you via e-mail approximately two days prior to the session.

The 2022 Southeast ACT Conference will be held December 7, 2022 from 8:30 AM-3:45 PM CST. The event will take place at the University of Alabama in the Bryant Conference Center. You can register for the conference here!

Next meeting is December 8!

Region 4 Administrators:

Join AMSTI and ARI for the following quarterly principal meetings on October 6, December 8, February 9, and March 23. These sessions are for building administrators of K-5 schools. This information was referenced in a SDE memo (page 5).

The sessions will be held in Capital Hall on The University of Alabama campus. Please complete the following registration form in order to receive your parking pass.

Sessions begin at 8:30 and end at 3:30. You should plan to attend all day in order to participate in both the AMSTI and ARI session.

Please reach out to your AMSTI Director Sara McGee smcgee@ua.edu or your ARI contact Tiffany Davis tiffany.davis@ALSDE.edu if you would like additional information.

If you are looking for ways to boost your school or district’s data literacy, be sure to participate in the QuantHub pilot! ALSDE has funded a pilot program to develop a software delivering personalized instruction to grades 8-12 in the following focus areas:

• Statistics
• Data analysis
• Probability
• Digital literacy

Pilot participation gives your school access to the software for up to 8 weeks during the spring semester with opportunities for summer programs. Contact Evangeline Schepper at eschepper@quanthub.com for more information or apply at info.quanthub.com/k-12.

Join us at the Paul W. Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, AL for a two-day learning event! Register for one or both days. PowerSchool experts, including Stacy Royster and regional PowerSchool coaches, will be presenting on various topics.

Day 1:

Scheduling, Attendance, Enterprise Reporting, Level Data, Asset Management, Incident Management, Health Management, GPA/Class Rank/Honor Roll, State Validation, Standards Based Grades, Q&A

Day 2:

Scheduling, Historical Grades/Storing, State AL Province Page, Performance Matters, Graduation Progress, Reports/Printing, Schoology/PS Integration, PS Professional Learning, Q&A

Dates: January 12-13

Location: Paul W. Bryant Conference Center, 240 Paul W. Bryant Dr., Tuscaloosa

Times: 8:30 am to 3:15 pm

Search PSPL Course #296865

Date: January 18, 2023

Register via PowerSchool section #458979 or use the following link

If you are a new administrator or were unable to attend training last year, be sure to mark this opportunity on your calendar!

Title: Alabama’s Teacher Observation Tool: An Overview for Administrators

Course Description: Alabama Achieves, the strategic plan of the Alabama State Department of Education, specifically focuses on providing students with highly effective teachers. The ALSDE has partnered with Cognia in creating a teacher observation tool that provides educators with specific areas of strengths/growth and aligns with the Alabama Core Teaching Standards. The instrument also assists educators in developing professional development plans and choosing informed professional learning experiences. In this session administrators will be able to

• Understand the Teacher Observation Tool

• Utilize the Teacher Observation Tool for classroom observation

• Calibrate scores on the Teacher Observation Tool

Time: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Location: University of West Alabama, Livingston, AL

Join us virtually on January 18 for the following opportunities from Metametrics!

Metametrics Lexile Framework for Reading

January 18

9:00-10:30 am

Virtual via Zoom

Register via PowerSchool PL #455847 in order to receive Zoom link.

Metametrics Quantile Framework for Mathematics

January 18

1:00-2:30 pm

Virtual via Zoom

Register via PowerSchool PL #455859 in order to receive Zoom link.

***For more information about Metametrics and its partnership with Alabama and their FREE resources, visit https://metametricsinc.com/fieldtrip/alabama/.

Save the Date for the Alabama NBCT Network Conference! The conference will be January 21, 2023 at Gulf Shores High School.

This year's theme is:

“There's Never Been a Better

Time to Make Waves!”

Sessions will focus on making waves in Technology/STEM, NB2Bs (Candidate Support), Instruction, and Advocacy/Leadership. Each wave will also include NBCT component information sessions.

Date: January 26, 2023

Time: 4:00-5:00 pm

Virtual Session via Zoom

What is the NCST?
The National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST) represents a commitment to, and understanding of, STEM instructional strategies based on the 15 STEM Teacher Actions. Once enrolled, participants are guided through the development of a portfolio that demonstrates proficiency across 15 teacher actions essential to STEM learning. Because the certificate is competency-based, skilled teachers do not need to “sit through content” they already comprehend. Rather they are invited to demonstrate proficiency through their portfolio, self-evaluation, documentation, and a focus on continuous improvement.

During this session, information will be provided on a support cohort offered through the UA/UWA Regional In-Service Center and NISE. Questions will be answered by NISE coaches.

Register via the following PowerSchool Professional Learning link in order to receive access to the Zoom session.

Update: All of these sessions are TEAMS Approved PD by ALSDE!!

Join us for the following regional Marzano workshops that are being offered through the Alabama State Department of Education at no charge to teachers and administrators in our state! The full listing of sessions and opportunities may be viewed via this linked flyer. Each workshop is a two-day commitment; all three workshops will be offered at the Paul W. Bryant Conference Center (see listing below):

• Leadership and School Improvement: High Reliability Schools in Alabama
• Effective Teaching in Every Classroom: The New Art and Science of Teaching in Alabama
• Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum: Proficiency Scales in Alabama Schools

All workshops will be facilitated by Marzano associates and are provided free-of-charge to Alabama educators. Books will also be provided to attendees.

Register via the information found in the flyer or via the section numbers listed below. Don't delay--register your school and district teams today!

• Leadership and School Improvement: High Reliability Schools in Alabama

1. February 27-28: PowerSchool Section #432475
   

• Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum: Proficiency Scales in Alabama Schools

1. February 2-3: PowerSchool Section #432485
   

• Effective Teaching in Every Classroom: The New Art & Science of Teaching in Alabama

1. January 24-25: PowerSchool Section #432479
   

We are so excited to announce that Dr. Jan Hoegh, Marzano Associate and author of A Teacher’s Guide to Standards-Based Learning, will be the keynote speaker for the annual ACGAL (Alabama Conference on Grading and Assessment for Learning) Conference!

The conference will be held February 10th and 11th at Oxford High School. You can register for the conference here!

Time of conference: 8:15 – 2:45 PM CST

Cost: Saturday only – $90 per person; $75 for groups of 5 or more; Friday and Saturday – $125 per person; $100 for groups of 5 or more

• February 16, 2023
• 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Location: UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center, 260 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
• This year, we will host 3 meetings with the curriculum directors/professional learning directors who serve as direct liaisons to the Inservice Center.
• Each of these regional meetings, beginning with September 30, will occur 2-3 weeks after the ALSDE's Curriculum and Instruction meetings. The purpose of this timing is so that we may discuss specific updates, data, and requests for support based upon the information shared at the ALSDE meetings. We will share ideas and network to share best practices within our region.

Calling all school counselors in the UA/UWA Region! Join us on February 17, 2023 for the 3rd Annual West Alabama Regional School Counselors' Conference! The event will be held at the Paul W. Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa from 8:30-2:30.

Registration is NOW OPEN! Register via PowerSchool PL Section #454408 or via the following link:

https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/454408

Join us on February 22 from 8:30-11:30 AM or 12:30-3:30 PM for Dyslexia Awareness training. (This training fulfills the "dyslexia awareness" requirement set forth on page 27 of the Alabama Literacy Act.)

Experience Dyslexia is designed to increase awareness of the difficulties and frustrations that people with dyslexia, as well as those with the characteristics of dyslexia, encounter daily. We hope this experience will provide insight into working more effectively with these students.

Register via PowerSchool Section #454298 (AM Session) or #454300 (PM Session)

AMSTI is continuing to partner with ARI to host regional principal meetings to support implementation of the Alabama Numeracy Act. For more information, please view the flyer posted above in this newsletter.

Upcoming AMSTI science training:

Registration Link- closes Nov. 30th https://forms.gle/GsjtA8MdptVfZCQC7

Please email Lisa Fitzgerald (lgfitzgerald@ua.edu) for additional information.

Science Foundational Training

• December 6th at York West End
• December 6th at Gordo Elementary

Unit training at Gordo Elementary to begin in January 2023 (Foundational Training is requires to participate.)

• 4th grade Energy and Waves
• 5th Grade Matter and Interactions
• 6th grade Planetary Systems

Unit training at York West End to begin in January 2023 (Foundational Training is requires to participate.)

• 4th grade Energy and Waves

Please contact Sara McGee (smcgee@ua.edu) if you have requests for other professional learning support.

• ASIM Biology Training and Support (Lisa Clark, lclark@ua.edu)

• ASIM Chemistry Training and Support (Brooks Moss, moss020@ua.edu)
• ASIM Physics Training and Support (Julie Covin, jcovin@ua.edu)

Contact our specialists today to request on-site instructional support as you return to school! We are here for you!

ASIM Physics

• Thursday November 17
• Open to any current Physics teachers.
• Topic will be Electricity.
• Contact Julie Covin jcovin@ua.edu 205.531.3230 to register.

ASIM Biology

• Thursday, November 3: Anatomy Training for anatomy and forensic science teachers
• REGISTER HERE
• Location: University of Alabama in the Science & Engineering Complex.

ASIM Chemistry

• Earth and Space Science Day - December 1st 8:30-3:30

• Chemistry December 8th 8:30- 3:30
• Registration information will be sent out via email. If you have any questions, contact Brooks Moss at moss020@ua.edu

ARI Quick Links Document (Includes Proficiency Scales for K-5)

Quick Links

ARI is partnering with AMSTI to host regional principal meetings to support implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act. For more information, please view the flyer posted above in this newsletter.

• ARI Literacy Leadership | Smore Newsletters for Education

The following document provides access to curated resources to support implementation of the 2021 ELA Course of Study in Grades 6-12. The link will allow you to create your own copy of the resource document.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XKFtlDduyfdOt6uN1sxM9wXu_9QPLi4Ib11JiOpaax4/copy

Upcoming OSI Virtual PD

• District Transformation Academy (for District Leaders) Register Here
• Join District Leaders around the state to fellowship and come together through a collective impact model around district critical best practices.
• 5-6 ½ Sessions - October 27, December 1, January 26, March 2, TBA, Debrief in May
• ACLD PLU
• Deep Dive 2 - Building the Learning Habit Register Here
• We'll explore the Learning Habits that help students succeed in school and beyond. By diving deeper into the four personal competencies (cognition, social/emotional, metacognition, motivation), the principal and a team of 2-3 teachers with a district liaison will discover practical techniques to build these competencies in students and find ways to encourage and strengthen learning habits that will last a lifetime. Through these discussions, we'll consider the impact of Student Goal Setting, Proficiency Scales, and Tracking Personal Mastery, as well as other high-yield practices to transform student outcomes in school and beyond the classroom walls.
• 4 Sessions - November 3, January 20, February 23, TBA
• ACLD PLU
• OSI Lunch Leading & Learning
• ACIP Guidance Virtual Session - September 21, 11- 12:30 AM Register Here
• Supporting Our Staff - October 5, 11- 12:30 Register Here
• Teacher retention is a major concern in all of our schools. Research shows that teachers stay in schools where they feel connected and supported. Whether our teachers were in a classroom or the business world last year, opportunities for their success increase when we invest in effective structures, such as classroom management and PLCs. Join us to revisit evidence-based strategies designed to create community, strengthen instructional strategies, and improve the overall culture at your school. School and district leaders are encouraged to attend.

OSI Docs and Tools

• Alabama Coaching Framework - Coaching Framework Presentations and Documents
  
• Principal Calendar - Presented at Mega
• OSI Mega Sessions - Presentation Links
• Secondary ELA COS Resources
• OSI Website (New)

Join Dr. Mayben for his technology sessions this fall! You may find all of his posted opportunities at www.uatim.org/opportunities.

Contact Dr. Robert Mayben at rmayben@ua.edu to support your school or district's technology professional learning needs.

Please use the direct link below to access the ALSDE English Learner Support Request form and to learn more about the supports available. The ALSDE is now requiring this request to be completed before any initial visit for Instructional Support.

EL Region 4 Specialist: Dr. Stephanie Reynolds (stephanie.reynolds@alsde.edu)

EL Support Request Link:
https://forms.office.com/r/pXeGunUPgb

Please also feel free to request specific sessions. Let me know what your district or school's specific needs are! To request training for your district or school, you can either reply to this email or click the link in the flyer and submit an Ed Tech ticket request via the following link: Submit Ed Tech Support Ticket

PowerSchool Coach Quandria Robinson (quandria.robinson@alex.state.al.us)

Check out the latest information from Dr. Blake Busbin, ALSDE Social Studies Education Specialist:

https://sway.office.com/Lyxg6JE4gu9CDErS?ref=email

• OSI ACAP/ACT Resource Doc: ACAP and ACT Tools and Resources

ALSDE has developed proficiency scales that can be used by teachers and students. The following link shares how to access those proficiency scales: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15eWbGs3CQ1D2wHZJUww9cl6Y4NjUDjUi/view?usp=sharing

ATLAS is a resource designed for National Board Certification, but it can also be used by teachers for personal growth or incorporated into district teacher induction programs.This resource is open to our full-time, public school educators in Alabama. Please contact Dr. Morgan at hgmorgan@ua.edu for an account.

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Dr. Holly Morgan, Director

Mrs. Tami Barron, Accounting Specialist

Ms. Angela Lewis, Office Associate for Inservice Center and AMSTI

Mrs. Banks Gordy, UWA Coordinator

Email: hgmorgan@ua.edu
Website: www.inservice.ua.edu
Location: 260 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
Phone: 205-348-3319
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uainservice/
Twitter: @UofARIC