In October we had so many exciting things happening within our region. Our Powerful Conversations Network - North kicked off with their first meeting with over 100 participants. It has been wonderful to hear all the great ideas related to social and emotional learning that school teams have taken back and applied within their schools. Our next PCN meeting will take place in December.

There are several opportunities for professional learning this month. Check out the upcoming conferences and other PD offerings.

In addition to professional learning opportunities, there are some teacher resources included this month for use with your students. Check out the AMSTI Iron Bowl STEM Challenge, the Statistics in Schools resource on the 2020 Census, and the Art and Writing opportunity for students in grades 7-12.

Lastly, Region 2 is filled with many great educators. This month's newsletter recognizes a few of them. If you work with them, give them a high five and congratulate them on a job well done. We are all in this together.

If you have any questions about any of these opportunities or resources, please let us know. You can contact Patty Maze (patricia.maze@athens.edu) or Holly Wood (holly.wood@athens.edu) with your questions.

Have a great November!

Patty

Director, Athens State In-Service Center

The first Powerful Conversations Network - North session took place Thursday, October 3, 2019, at the Beasley Center in Athens. Twenty Six school teams gathered to learn more about social and emotional learning.

The next PCN North session will take place on Thursday, December 5. We will be at the Beasley Center again. If your school has a team attending these sessions, please be sure to RSVP by Monday, November 18, using this link PCN North #2 Registration​.

2019-2020 PCN Meetings

December 5, 2019 - The Beasley Center, First United Methodist Church, Athens (9:00-2:30 PM)

March 5, 2019 - The Beasley Center, First United Methodist Church, Athens (9:00-2:30 PM)

Instructional Rounds TBD**Participating in one Instructional Round is required for a PLU.

Congratulations to Sue Noah (center), Kindergarten teacher at iAcademy in Athens City Schools. She recently received the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching State Award in Washington D.C. The PAEMST is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States.

To nominate an outstanding STEM teacher today click on the word "PAEMST" below. it will directly connect you to the nomination site. All state winners receive a trip to Washington D.C. and a cash award of $10,000.

The Literacy Legacies Conference sponsored by the Alabama Literacy Association took place last month in Birmingham. This conference had several great keynote speakers including Stephanie Harvey, Lynne Dorfman, and Matt de la Pena. The Athens State In-Service Center provided the registration fee for several Region 2 teachers to attend the 2019 Literacy Legacies Conference. Pictured above are Emily Paschall (Limestone County Schools), Brenda Nash (Oneonta City Schools), and Jessica Wimberley (Hartselle City Schools). Pictured below is the Tennessee Valley Literacy Council Outstanding Literacy Teacher of the Year recipient Yulanda Hampton.

Twenty-three teachers participated last week in the Phonics First Primary Training presented by Brainspring. Teachers learned multi-sensory approaches to phonics instruction and had opportunities to practice teaching explicit phonics lessons. It was a great three days of training. This training will be offered again in the summer.

Congratulations to the following educators in Region 2 that passed their NBCT Renewal process this year.

Amy Williamson - Blount County

*Felicia Chambers - Cullman County

Janet Turner - Cullman County

*Morris Williams - Cullman County

*Misty Oliver - Decatur City

*Jennifer Williams - Decatur City

Shane Carpenter - Limestone County

Linda Schmidt - Limestone County

*Amberlyn Scott - Oneonta City

*The information above was obtained by the NBCT Directory and certain candidates may have obtained renewal in 2018. Congratulations to all recent NBCT Renewals. If you obtained renewal this year, and your name does not appear above, please contact us and let us know. Omissions are not intentional.

All students in grades K-12 can participate.

1. Go to www.amti.org and choose your STEM Challenge Task.

2. Create groups of 2-5 students based on their favorite team, Auburn or Alabama.

3. Each group will complete the STEM challenge to the best of their ability!

4. Take pictures or videos of each group's completed challenge and post to social media.

a. Tag @AMSTI4all (works for all social media platforms)

b. Use #AMSTiironbowl AND #wareagle OR #rolltide to vote for your team.

5. The deadline for posting your projects will be Tuesday, November 26.

• Teens in grades 7-12 can apply in 29 categories of art and writing for a chance to win scholarships and have their work exhibited and published.
• The submission portal is open from September 12, 2019-December 12, 2019.
• For more information, visit

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18G1OzwuPA6sVaY6XpFzYxV3XfV24YoeL/view?usp=sharing