EC Newsletter: March 2018
Exceptional Supports for Literacy & Learning
Welcome to the EC Department's Monthly Newsletter!
Do you have ideas for future newsletter topics, teachers/service providers who should be featured, or general feedback? Let us know by emailing ashley1.kogutkiewicz@cms.k12.nc.us.
Our staff is EXCEPTIONAL!
In October of 2013, the Exceptional Children (EC) department was awarded a $60,000 North Carolina State Improvement (NCSIP) Coaching Collaborative grant to explore, plan, and implement coaching practices aimed at improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Since that time, the EC staff has participated in training and personnel development through NCSIP, the University of North Carolina Greensboro, and the New Teacher Center (NTC).
The department currently has 33 EC staff who have completed NTC Professional Learning Series (PLS) 1 and 2, with others completing PLS 1-5. In addition to the PLS trainings, the team is actively engaged with half-day forums and in-field coaching. The range of topics in the PLS trainings include Building Relationships, Observing and Conferring, Using Data to Inform Instruction, Designing Effective Instruction, and Creating Conditions for Equitable Instruction).
The EC Itinerant Coordinating Teachers (ICTs) are currently coaching 87 EC teachers, with a focus on new teachers. In an effort to further develop the coaching skills of all staff, the EC Program Specialists coach the ICTs, while being coached by the NTC staff. If asked, it is likely you will be told coaching teachers is the most rewarding part of the job. In addition to developing our coaching language and stances, utilizing various electronic data-collection tools, and developing strong relationships with teachers, we continually seek to provide job-embedded coaching following professional development.
Additionally, our efforts are focused on the EC Department’s Wildly Important Goal (WIG) to raise reading outcomes for students with disabilities. ICTs utilize fidelity checks, student work samples and diagnostic reading data in their work to partner and offer coaching support to EC teachers providing specially-designed instruction aligned with assessed student need.
“We are building collaborative relationships by utilizing a multi-tiered, data-driven coaching approach to develop high quality teachers who take pride in their practice. Our ultimate goal is to leverage positive outcomes for all students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.”
Some pictures from our journey…
Congratulations to the Autism Society of North Carolina- Mecklenburg's 2017 Grant Winners!
Rachel Baginski, Victoria Benson, Rebecca Billow, Jennifer Caldwell, Janice Carrara, Jenna Clark, Sarah Dye, Kaitlin Edwards, Noelle Glass, Ashley Kania, Lauren Kovach, Christina Mayfield, Michelle McCullough, Kylie McKinney, Briana Numrich, Christina Oliveri, Peggy Reimels, Sheresha Russell, Lisa Resner-Concepcion, Sharon Sandifer, Lauren Schwoebel, Jessica Sellers, Lauren Stefaniak, Victoria Whitsell
Joining a Medical Team
Have you heard about our Project SEARCH program that EC teacher Paige Henderson is leading at Carolinas HealthCare System Pineville?
Read about the story at the link below:
http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/News/Pages/Joining-a-medical-team.aspxLiteracy Resource of the Month
418382: LIT Reading Strategies for Middle and High School Teachers – Canvas Course
Learning to read can occur from childhood through adulthood. Therefore, reading ability can be improved from any given skill level. The focus of this self-guided mini-module created by reading specialists in Learning & Teaching is to assist teachers in better addressing the reading needs of older students. The module addresses current teaching practices and includes strategies that encourage and enhance reading skills in middle and high school students. Enroll via MyTalent.
Compliance Tip of the Month
Although we use an electronic system for EC students paperwork, all EC students should have a paper folder that contains all of the electronic records. The EC folder should be kept with the cumulative folder in a secure place. It is the case manager’s responsibility to ensure that all documents, reports, and signature pages are filed and securely attached to the student’s EC folder using the brass brads within 24 hours of IEP meetings. The following resources are available to assist with folders/filing:
EC Folder Divider – This sheet should be printed for each meeting that occurs, preferably on colored paper, so it is easy to find documents for all meetings.
EC Folder Organization – This document is helpful when case managers are filing paperwork for meetings in the student’s folder.
Don’t forget that everything in the folder should also be faxed into EdPlan (i.e. signature pages, evaluation components/reports, etc.). That way if a folder is ever lost, it will be easy for the case manager to recreate it by printing out all documents.
Did you know...
Positioned for Learning
We can enhance student learning by providing opportunities for good seating and positioning. To learn more, check out the links and video below or contact your school-assigned occupational or physical therapist.
Classroom Chair and Desk Positioning
Do you have "creative" seating in your classroom? If so, submit pictures below! http://bit.ly/2EZuorR
Learning & Teaching Gateway
Check out the amazing resource hub that the CMS Learning & Teaching Department has created for all grade bands and content areas!
https://cms.instructure.com/courses/198074Want to receive great weekly updates from the CMS Elementary Literacy Team? Fill out this form to be added to their distribution list! http://bit.ly/2yYwOim
Professional Development Opportunities
Did you know that the EC Department regularly offers in-person, virtual, or blended Professional Development as well as role-specific Support Groups? Click the link below to see upcoming opportunities and join us for one soon!
The Cato College of Education and the Urban Educators for Change cordially invites education professionals to attend the Teacher-to-Teacher (T2T) Conference, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Center City Building. The T2T Conference will be held April 18, 2018.
Sessions will be offered on the following topics:
· Engaging your hard-to-reach students;
· Differentiating for a variety of populations;
· How to be an effective Teacher-Leader;
· Maintaining a high level of time on task;
· Becoming a clinical educator (cooperating teacher) for UNC Charlotte;
· Culturally responsive classrooms; and,
· Effective digital learning and assessment strategies
Flyer can be found here: goo.gl/ryxjDJ
Upcoming EC Department Events
Parent Round Table #4 (option #1)
Tuesday, March 6th
8:30AM-9:30AM
South Mecklenburg High School
2018 Transition Meetings (PreK to Elementary and Elementary to Middle)
Wednesday, March 21st
3:00PM-5:00PM
Spaugh Auditorium
Post- Secondary Transition Fair
Thursday, March 22nd
5:00PM-8:00PM
East Mecklenburg High School
Parent Round Table #4 (option #2)
Tuesday, April 24th
8:30AM-9:30AM
Smith Family Center
Staff Round Table #4
Tuesday, May 1st
4:00PM-5:00PM
West Mecklenburg High School
To learn more information about future Round Tables, please click HERE.
Archived Communication
Too many emails and not enough time to read all of them? Take a quick look at our consolidated EC Department Communication Archive to see recent messages that may have come your way from the EC Department and make sure you didn't miss anything important!
Happenings in the broader Special Education Community
Social Media
Important Contacts
Need help but not sure who to ask?
Our teams are here to give you the support you need! Click HERE to see who from the EC Department supports your school.
Don't forget about the EC HelpDesk who can also answer any questions that you may have!
980-343-2724