Discover professional learning community strategies and activities that will transform your staff meetings into collaborative, learning-focused, capacity-building experiences … gather tools and tactics that really work for improving reading, math and writing instruction and achievement … learn the latest about the changes in state assessments … and much, much more at the Tuesday and Wednesday sessions of the OASSA/OESPA Winter Conference, January 16-17 at the Salem Conference Center.  Register today!

The event begins with a pre-conference on Monday, January 15. This daylong session for principal-teacher teams allows them to concentrate on developing or enhancing plans for school improvement in math, writing, behavior or professional learning communities. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, January 16-17, the focus of the conference shifts to providing principals and other school leaders with the professional development opportunities they desire most, including reading/math/writing improvement, state assessments, professional learning communities, Breaking Ranks II for middle and high schools, and student behavior/school violence – in all, two outstanding general sessions and 25 high-quality breakout sessions.  Access the complete Conference Program (pdf).

Internationally-acclaimed speaker and consultant Pam Robbins keynotes Tuesday morning’s general session.  Robbins will share advice about “Using Your Faculty Meetings to Promote Collaborative, Learning-Focused Cultures.”  She will offer strategies and activities to transform faculty, team or department meetings into a leadership tool for capacity building.  Once implemented, these activities promise to enhance teaching skills and generate a more collaborative, learning-focused, positive school culture that promotes student achievement.

More than a dozen Tuesday-Wednesday breakout sessions focus on improving student achievement, including:

• “Improving Reading Instruction Through Observation” by Medford Principal Janis Shade
•  “Data-Aligned Math Program for High Schools” by Newberg Principal Bill Smethurst and teacher Sharon McCaw
• “Common Assessments – Uncommon Results” by Sherwood Assessment Director John Kelly and Mastery in Motion President Michael Reeves
• “Differentiated Workshop” by South Umpqua Director of Instruction Cathy Chenail
• “Increasing Achievement for Hispanic Students” by Hood River Principal Steve Fisk and teachers Fred Trujillo and Lorenza Manzo
• From Theory to Practice: Data Teams at Work” by Hillsboro Assistant Superintendent Suzanne Cusick, Director of School Improvement Gustavo Balderas and Principal Gregg O’Mara

Other Tuesday-Wednesday breakout sessions include:

• “Breaking Ranks II: Leading High School Reform” and “Breaking Ranks in the Middle: Leading Middle School Reform” by NWREL’s Katie Whitney Luers
• “Oregon Assessment Update” by ODE’s Doug Kosty and “Making Sense of New Achievement Standards” by ODE’s Tony Alpert and Barbara Wolfe
•  “It Can Happen to You” (school violence) by Roseburg Principal Karen Goirigolzarri and Assistant Principal Steve Gorthy
• “A Culture of Achievement: PLCs and School Restructuring” by Woodburn Principal Eric Swenson and Assistant Principal Edward Tabet

State Sen. Betsy Johnson, State Rep. Arnie Roblan, COSA Executive Director Kent Hunsaker and COSA Legislative Affairs Director Chuck Bennett will discuss “Legislative Influence and the Oregon Legislature: What to Expect and How to Get Your Message Heard” at Wednesday morning’s general session.  The conference adjourns at noon on Wednesday.

Agendas for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are available.  Register online.  For more information, contact Colin Cameron.