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

ALSDE Bite-Sized Session: Integrating Robots into Elementary CS with Task-Based Challenges

Learn how to effectively integrate robotics into elementary computer science using task-based challenges. Participants will discover how to implement computational thinking skills, creativity, and collaboration into elementary classrooms with robots. Registration Link: https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/462124

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

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/.

Alabama Technology in Motion will be hosting the Bravo Cohort of the ATIM DLCS Academy for the Spring 2023 semester. We will have virtual meetings after school and provide professional development and best practices to teach computer science in the K-5 curriculum. Whether you are a K-5 classroom teacher, a STEM teacher or an after school club teacher, this PD series is for you! Join ATIM specialists from around the state to learn and grow in STEM and computer science with us! Topics will include: Computational Thinking, Coding, Robotics, Digital Citizenship, Design Thinking, Digital Artifacts and much more. Contact Nikkesha Hooks (nhooks@alsde.edu), Carol Foster (crf0021@auburn.edu) or Robert Mayben (rmayben@ua.edu) for more information. You can sign up for the Academy at PSPL Course # 295543 Section # 463916.

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.

For more information, visit the following site.

Join us for one or both of the following half-day sessions on The University of Alabama campus. These sessions will be provided by the ALSDE Department of Special Education Services.

January 23:

8:00-11:00 AM Understanding the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Discipline Provisions

(Register in PowerSchool PL via course #298374)

12:00-3:00 PM Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities

(Register in PowerSchool PL via course #298380)

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
   

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.

Join us virtually on January 26 from 5:00-7:30 pm for "Putting it ALL together--Reviewing Components 1-4 and ATLAS" Register via PowerSchool PL Section #435605.

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.

In this session, we will provide a Q&A regarding the components discussed in the fall semester and also provide an overview to the ATLAS tool.

The next session is January 27!

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 University of Alabama, together with a statewide advisory committee, will present the 15th Annual Southeast Regional ADHD Conference on January 26-27, 2023 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. Attendees also have the option to attend the conference online. This conference brings together a multi-disciplinary group of experts who share their research and interventions on ADHD.

Who Should Attend:

The conference will include content specific to educators, counselors, parents, adults with ADHD, mental health professionals, and medical professionals. The program is valuable for DHR workers, social workers, school nurses, disability ministries and home school providers. Likewise, anyone involved in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation efforts of children and adults with ADHD will benefit from attending.

Register via the following link: https://training.ua.edu/adhd/adhd-register/

Join us on either January 31 or February 15 for Beginning Sound Wall professional learning from Tools4Reading. Each day's session will occur from 8:30 am-3:30 pm. All K-3 teachers, interventionists, administrators, and special education teachers are eligible to attend.

January 31:

• Bell Conference Center, University of West Alabama, Foust Drive, Livingston
• Register via PowerSchool section #461261

February 15:

• University Hall, University of Alabama, 270 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa
• Register via PowerSchool section #461250

Join Dr. Blake Busbin, ALSDE Social Studies Education Specialist, on January 31 and March 9 for these two sessions. Each session will be held from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm at the UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center, 260 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

If you cannot attend both sessions, feel free to join us for one of them!

Register in PowerSchool PL via the following links:

January 31, 2023

https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/454553

March 9, 2023

https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/462141

PLUACLD926 Digital Citizenship Best Practices that Just Make Sense

PLUACLD926 focuses on supporting educational leadership as they educate their staff members and students on the digital literacy topics of appropriate, safe, ethical, and legal use of technology. There will be three after school Zoom meetings (February 1, February 8, and February 15), and all other work will be completed online by participants between the virtual meetings. Registration Link:

https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/462497

If you are a new math teacher or need a review/refresher training, AMSTI is offering math course-of-study training on the following dates:

• K-5: February 7 from 8:30-11:30 am---PowerSchool Registration Link
• 6-12: February 23 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm--PowerSchool Registration Link

Location for both sessions: University of West Alabama, Young Hall

Please contact Lisa Fitzgerald at lgfitzgerald@ua.edu with questions.

Please review the attached flyer for upcoming spring workshops in February, March, and April that will be offered by Hudson Alpha. The first session begins on February 8.

THE NEXT SESSION IS FEBRUARY 9

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.

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!

Date: Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11, 2023
Location: Oxford High School (1 Yellow Jacket Drive, Oxford, AL 36203)
Time: 12:30 – 3:30 on Friday and 8:15 – 2:45 on Saturday
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

Quality Questioning: Effective Questioning to further Student-Centered Learning

February 11

8:30-11:30 am

Location: UA Capital Hall, 270 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Facilitated by Kim Daily and Jennifer Smith, AMSTI-UA specialists

Register via the following PowerSchool PL link:

https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/461291

Introduction to the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Course of Study.

February 11

12:30-3:30 pm

Location: UA Capital Hall, 270 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Facilitated by AMSTI-UA specialists

Register via the following PowerSchool PL link:

https://alsde.truenorthlogic.com/ia/empari/learning2/registration/presentRegistrationDetails/464898

• 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)

Join us at the UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center (260 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL) on February 23 from 5:00-7:30 pm for our February mentoring sessions. Register via PowerSchool PL Section #435607.

You will receive support from Candidate Support Providers as you work on your selected component(s) in a small group setting.

Date: March 1, 2023

Register via PowerSchool section #461413 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: UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

In this session, provided by Dr. Carolyn Jones (ALSDE) and Dr. Patrick Chappell (Publishers' Warehouse), educators will investigate the following: Goals of the Textbook Committee; Formation of the Local Textbook Committee; Best Practices for the Local Textbook Committee; Work of the Local Textbook Committee; Publisher Expectations; Textbook Caravan; Final Steps for Local Textbook Adoption; Samples Timeline will be provided; Adoption process forms; Procedures for adopting textbooks outside the State approved list; Sample Oath of Office; Textbook Disposal Procedures; Textbook Law; Textbook orders with Publishers' Warehouse.

Date: March 2, 2023

Time: 10:00-11:30 am

Virtual via Zoom

Register via PowerSchool PL Section #454312 or via the following link in order to receive the Zoom link.

If you are a new ELA teacher or have not received an overview regarding the transition to the 2021 ELA Course of Study standards, ARI Region Four specialists are offering an overview session on the following date:

• March 2 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm

Location: University of West Alabama, Young Hall, Livingston, AL

Register via PowerSchool PL Section #454304 or via the following link

Alabama Public Television is offering a one hour session just for secondary math and science teachers. Use the link below to register and receive the zoom information:

https://forms.office.com/r/A7EQ47B6Bf

March 2, 2023

3:45-5:00 pm

In this session, educators will develop an awareness of Alabama's Core Teaching Standards.

They will collaborate to apply the Core Teaching Standards in practice and identify evidence of the Core Teaching Standards in their daily practice. Educators will also align the Alabama Core Teaching Standards to the dimension within Alabama's new Teacher Observation Tool.

Date: March 28

Time: 8:30-3:30

Location: UA/UWA Regional Inservice Center, 260 Kilgore Lane, Tuscaloosa

Register via PowerSchool PL section #461411

Please make plans to join us in Alabama’s Rocket City for the 2023 Alabama Education Technology Conference (AETC) as we “Suit Up for the Mission” of improving educational technology across the state. This conference will be held on June 14-16, 2023, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL.

AETC plays a major role in assisting educators to increase their understanding of instructional technology in education. This state conference is an opportunity for educators in the state to refine skills, connect with other educators, and share ideas. Please visit www.alabamaetc.com for additional information.

AETC will offer four free registrations per LEA for educators who meet the certain criteria — names must be submitted by April 28th.Please make plans to join us in Alabama’s Rocket City for the 2023 Alabama Education Technology Conference (AETC) as we “Suit Up for the Mission” of improving educational technology across the state. This conference will be held on June 14-16, 2023, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL.

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.

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 Region Four specialists will provide an ACT Science Workshop on January 3 and a repeat session on January 4. Over 70 teachers have registered! Registration is now closed, but look for more of these opportunities in the future.

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
  

Our Facebook page grew from around 100 followers to 5000 in a little over a year. 5000 is the limit for the type of account we have, therefore, we are moving to a business-type account. Please join our new account.

• New ARI Facebook Page--Please JOIN

Also, we want to celebrate the Alabama State Board Members and thank them for the work they do to support our vision for literacy in Alabama.

• Thank you, ALSDE Board Members Video

• Happy New Year from ARI Video

The UA Literacy Center is partnering with the Alabama State Department of Education to meet the professional development needs for early literacy instruction. We invite PK-3rd grade teachers to complete a 30-45 minute survey about early literacy. The results will be used to share what type of PD is needed in different areas of our state.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please email me, cjkerch@ua.edu. Confidentiality is of utmost importance to our team. Teachers responses will remain anonymous. Participants may be randomly selected to receive a $50 gift card.

You may access the survey below or via the QR code in the flyer:

https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3TKWOmW4G81tzoy

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 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)

• ACIP Support Site

• ACAP/ACT Resource Page

• Youtube (Recorded PL)

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.

Amy Tilford joins the Office of Mathematics Improvement (OMI) as a Regional Coordinator serving Region Four. Before joining OMI, Mrs. Tilford served as the principal of The Alberta School of Performing Arts in Tuscaloosa. She also has experience serving as an elementary math specialist as well as an elementary teacher. Mrs. Tilford resides in Tuscaloosa with her husband Michael, and their two daughters Maddie and Lily.

She can be reached at amy.tilford@alsde.edu.

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

The ALSDE is proud to announce that we will be partnering with ELLevation Education, an online platform for educators of ELs! Please read the attachment for more information!

Sign Up Here for a Latte and Learn virtual session with our Ellevation partners to learn more.

December Latte & Learn Date:

Monday, December 19th at 9:30 CST

There will be several opportunities to join WIDA and gain more knowledge about ELs, ACCESS prep, and second language acquisition in the months ahead. Please see the attached Flyer for great, informative WIDA Professional Development listings!

View the most recent EL newsletter at https://sway.office.com/pBfgowS2T58I7DsW?ref=Link&loc=play

AL-MTSS Monthly - January

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/FdGY5xkTxv9GS89E?ref=email

Please find the February updates for Alabama Health and Physical Education at: https://sway.office.com/WO79HmTAiyoWkHnS?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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