1-4 p.m. "Building Professional Learning Communities: Focusing on Results Rather Than Intentions" with Chris Bentzel & Leigh Ann Stewart, Christian Co Schools

KASA Annual Summer Institute Details

KASA Summer Institute Preconference Workshops

July 21, 2010 * Galt House Hotel & Suites

"What Is It About Me You Can't Teach? Closing the Achievement Gap"

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: $150
(includes copy of What Is It About Me You Can't Teach)

Session Description

Presenter Information

On the national front, educators are struggling to close achievement gaps by better meeting the needs of diverse learners. To assist Kentucky’s leaders in the improvement of teacher practice, Dr. Eleanor Renee Rodriguez will bring her insights and strategies, based on personal experience and current research, about how teachers can best help struggling students become active, engaged learners. Her passion is using professional learning as a vehicle to promote equity and excellence at all levels and for all students and educators. She will include in her discussion the challenges faced by struggling learners, the importance of high expectations and guidelines for how teachers can most effectively interact with students. Each participant will receive a copy of Eleanor’s book, What Is It About Me You Can’t Teach, to continue the learning.

Eleanor Reneé Rodriguez has held almost every position in public schools, including elementary and middle school teacher, principal, and superintendent, before becoming a full-time educational consultant with her own company, Rodriguez and Associates. As the Assistant to the Superintendent of the Norfolk Public Schools in Norfolk, Virginia, Dr. Rodriguez supervised staff development and greatly contributed to increasing the system's quality of instruction and education. She held the same position in the North Chicago Community Unit District 187, as well as serving as the superintendent. Dr. Rodriguez is internationally recognized for her abilities and strategies in improving the achievement of students, including those typically left behind. Dr. Rodriguez has co-authored the book What Is It About Me You Can't Teach and the professional development program Valuing Diversity in the School System.

Dr. Rodriguez holds a Ph.D. in Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. In addition, she earned an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and a M.S. in Urban Education, both from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She also holds a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

"Building Professional Learning Communities: Focusing on Results
Rather Than Intentions"

1-4 p.m. Cost: $75
(may pre-order Learning by Doing for an additional $30)

Session Description

Presenter Information

This session will help teachers and administrators transform schools into a Professional Learning Community (PLC) by following tried and true first action steps. Participants will receive fundamental tips for organizing and implementing a PLC; which includes creative schedules, common planning, and a system for administrators to monitor classroom results that closes the knowing-doing gap. Participants will be provided a 4-week PLC structure, in which educators unpack standards, create common assessments, utilize quality instruction using student work, and analyze student data. Based on the DuFour's model and handbook, Learning by Doing, participants will learn a practical approach to function as an effective PLC and receive tools necessary to develop collective capacity through the lens of Christian County educators. This is a job-embedded approach for transforming a school culture from compliance to commitment of quality instruction and student results.

Chris Bentzel is a first year principal at Lacy Elementary School in the Christian County Schools. Prior to becoming a teacher and administrator, he served in the US Military for ten years as an Army Aviator in Kentucky as well as overseas. After the military, Chris became a social studies teacher and earned his masters degree in School Administration from Murray State. He became principal at Lacy Elementary in 2009. Lacy recently finished in the bottom 10% of elementary schools in western Kentucky on the 2009 state assessment leading to the decision to incorporate PLCs in an attempt to raise student achievement school wide.

Leigh Ann Stewart has spent the last 16+ years educating students in the Christian County School system. She began her teaching career at Lacy Elementary; in 2000 she transferred to Belmont Elementary and was eventually promoted to the school's curriculum specialist. As part of the school's leadership team, she was instrumental in turning a low performing, diverse school into the top ranked elementary school in the county. Recently she transferred back to Lacy to help revitalize the school's academic status by implementing PLCs. Leigh Ann is currently seeking her second masters degree in school administration by participating in the Christian County/Murray State University Leadership Cohort program.

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Wayne Young, Executive Director
Rhonda Caldwell, Deputy Director
Clyde Caudill, Legislative Liaison
Wanda Darland, Communications Specialist
Shirley LaFavers, Director of Professional Development
Abigale Piper, Marketing/Membership Coordinator

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