Events for 2012-2013

The Episcopal School of Dallas and the Independent Curriculum Group cordially invite you to Fostering a Culture of Conversation: Students, Parents, Colleagues on Monday, January 7 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program will explore ways in which schools can use conversation as a powerful tool to create community, broaden horizons, resolve conflicts, challenge conventional thinking, and hone vital skills in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. We welcome administrators and teachers of all grade levels and academic disciplines to join the conversation.

"The Secrets of Communication: What I Learned From Newspaper Editors, a Nobel Prize
Winner, and Julia Child"
As an award-winning newspaper journalist and author, Rena Pederson has interviewed leading figures from Margaret Thatcher to Fidel Castro. She learned something from every one of them and will share valuable insights on communication and leadership.
Rena Pederson, Communications Director, National Math and Science Institute

“Merging Conversations: How Public Assessment of Student Learning Unites Community Discourse”
This session will examine FWCD’s new interdisciplinary program called Praxis. Last year, high school teachers began to adopt an array of activities to encourage students to demonstrate their learning publicly through academic poster presentations, documentaries, panel discussion groups, debates, case-study analyses, and simulated experiences. Each Praxis begins with an interdisciplinary set of readings, visuals, and research, followed by a series of classroom assignments and culminating in one demonstration session or a series of demonstration sessions.
Eric Boberg, English Teacher, Fort Worth Country Day School

“Transcending Isolation: How Three Schools Reached Out, Formed Learning Communities, and Collaborated Beyond the Classroom”
High standards of fellow colleagues at competing institutions can spur educators to think more creatively and sharpen their ideas. Three teachers and their classes, from three different schools, responded to such an opportunity, took some risks, and discovered some exciting results. This presentation will demonstrate the merits of pedagogical courage, false starts, reboots, and good ol’ fashioned Socratic dialogue among professionals in pursuit of the good.
Deborah Moreland, English Department Chair, The Hockaday School
Joel Garza, English Teacher, The Greenhill School
Jared Colley, English Teacher, The Oakridge School

"Making the Most of Language Arts Conferences in the Elementary Grades (K-6): Three Models"
Participants will learn how to lead the “research-decide-teach” conference, the “coaching” conference, and the “proficient partner” conference in order to create meaningful academic conversations with students. Participants will leave with a tool kit of rubrics, examples of successful conversations, and strategies.
Allison Hogan, Lower School Teacher, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Supporting Teachers and Partnering with Parents: Creating Meaningful Conversation During the School Day”
Due to the rapid pace of today’s society, it can be difficult to find an opportunity to create meaningful conversation. Vicki Raney and Jill Wiedman of The Lamplighter School will share creative, innovative ways to meet the needs of teachers and educate the parent population during the school day. As a result of this approach, teachers and parents gain knowledge and support, which in turn directly benefits students.
Vicki Raney, Assistant Head for Academics, The Lamplighter School
Jill Wiedman, Student Services Coordinator, The Lamplighter School

“Ice Breakers, Tension Relievers, and Check-ins”
ESD Outdoor Director Andy Perry will demonstrate a series of quick techniques that classroom teachers and advisors can use to generate positive energy, build community, and head off potential tension. Come ready to participate in this hands-on workshop and to share any activities that work for you!
Andy Perry, Outdoor Education Director, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Digital Portfolios”
This session will demonstrate an assortment of processes, strategies, and tools for developing digital portfolios with K-12 students. The session will cover types of portfolios, learning outcomes, artifact selection and the reflection component. A variety of electronic portfolio tools will be showcased with student samples.
Dolores Gende, Director of Instructional Technology, Science Department Chair at Parish Episcopal School

“Implementing and Sustaining Social Emotional Learning in a College-Preparatory School”
“Twenty-First Century Skills” – we hear it often, but what are those skills, and how do we make certain that our students leave us having learned those skills necessary for success in a twenty-first century world? Social Emotional Learning is the crucial part of a college-preparatory curriculum that will not only enhance the time our students are with us but ensure that they leave us prepared to navigate the journey ahead with confidence and resilience.
Cathleen Eclarinal, Social Emotional Learning Director 1-12, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
Colleen Lynch, Social Emotional Learning Coordinator 7-12, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

“The Social Studies RAFT: A Flotation Device for Classroom Participation, Point of View Practice, and Genuine Inquiry-Based Fun”
The RAFT (role, audience, format, topic) session will cover lesson plans for all ages in the social studies classroom. This interactive class format will stimulate a wide range of learning styles and classroom personalities.
Marc Salz, History Teacher, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Conversations to Leadership: Strategies for Developing Teacher Leaders Within Your School”
This presentation will chronicle the work of The Hockaday School’s faculty and administration in building and supporting an excellent faculty. We'll start with the work our teachers did to define what we mean by "excellent," continue the journey by looking at how that initial work has informed our recruiting, evaluation, and professional growth efforts, and discuss our current focus on intentional leadership development.
John Ashton, Head of Upper School, The Hockaday School
Cathy Murphree, Assistant Head for Academic Affairs and Provost at The Hockaday School

“Let the Conversation Begin: Equipping Younger Students with Safe Strategies for Communication in a Global, Digital Society”
How do we prepare younger students to communicate and to collaborate in the digital world? The session will begin with a focus on safety and digital citizenship. Participants will then preview and discuss age-appropriate platforms such as Edmodo, Schoology, Voicethread, ePals, Kidblog, etc.
Martha Bowden, Lower School Computer Teacher, Episcopal School of Dallas
Ben Bray, Lower School Technology Coordinator, Episcopal School of Dallas
Erin Rupe,Lower School Curriculum Coordinator, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Forensic Debates and Authentic Assessment”
This session will demonstrate how to transform the use of debates from “an interesting activity” into a more rigorous unit for teaching critical thinking. We will discuss the use of effective modeling of student performance, rubrics, and self-assessment. The examples in the presentation are drawn from an English class but are immediately applicable to any field .
Peter Gurnis, English teacher, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Challenging Behavior in the Elementary School Classroom: How Teachers Can Communicate with and Assist Children Struggling with Symptoms of ADHD and Other Learning Differences"
Symptoms of ADHD and other learning disorders may present themselves in the elementary classroom long before parents have had a psychological evaluation or have sought professional help. Teachers are often on the front lines of identifying deficits in attention and confronting impulse control issues in the classroom. This session will address the ongoing research surrounding ADHD and how teachers can communicate better with children exhibiting behavior that is counterproductive to the learning environment. We will also touch on tips for successfully communicating with parents about disruptive behavior in the classroom.
Cristina Sevadjin, LPC-S, LMFT, Sparrow House Counseling
Erica Kimball, LPC, Sparrow House Counseling

"Tapping into your Talented Team"
The session offers one school's innovative approach to meaningful, in-house professional development.
Jon Kellam, Headmaster, The Oakridge School
Sarah Kramer, College Advisor, The Oakridge School

“Professional Learning in the 21st Century”
This session will show strategies for designing, implementing, and assessing a school-wide sustained professional development model. At the core of this model is the understanding that for professional development to be effective, it has to be meaningful, relevant, and differentiated (individualized).
Dolores Gende, Director of Instructional Technology, Science Department Chair at Parish Episcopal School

“From Polarization to Moral Conversation: Talking About Difficult Topics in the Classroom and at the Dinner Table
How do you talk about difficult or sensitive news stories with young people? During our time together, we will discover generative and appropriate ways to raise issues of the day. After a basic introduction, we will conduct an interactive discussion on what has worked and what has not worked in our own experiences.
Workshop leaders:
Father Michael Wallens, Middle and Upper School Chaplain, Episcopal School of Dallas
Father Michael Harmuth, Lower School Chaplain, Episcopal School of Dallas
Renee Phillips, Middle and Upper School Counselor and Licensed Psychologist, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Drawing Introverts into the Conversation”
Author Susan Cain's recent 2012 TED talk and the publication of her new book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking have sparked discussion about how best to reach all learners in our classrooms. Join us to preview Cain's talk, to review recent articles, and to share ideas about how to create meaningful opportunities for introverts in the classroom. Participants will also have the opportunity to share strategies for student success that moves beyond traditional classroom discussion.
Tolly Salz, Upper School English Teacher, Episcopal School of Dallas

“Leaving Home: Guiding Seniors and their Parents through the Transition of Students Leaving High School and Home”
Parents have sent their students off to pre-school and summer camp, so why does sending a senior off to college feel so different? Students have traveled around the world with school groups and to relatives’ houses for extended periods of time, so why does leaving home and high school for college feel so different? Through a program that provides a safe space for both parents and students to share their hopes and fears – both with one another and in peer groups – we open the conversation between parents and students about a transition that is on the horizon for our families and for each student.
Elizabeth Guice, Director of College Counseling, St. Andrew’s School, Austin
Jim Heck, Dean of External Affairs, St. Andrew’s School, Austin

Facilitating Difficult Conversations: Navigating the “Isms”
Learn strategies for navigating difficult conversations that focus on some of society’s most controversial topics: The “Isms:” Racism, Sexism, Ethnocentrism, Heterosexism, Mentalism, etc. Preparing students for success in the twenty-first century demands that both teachers and students purposefully seek to become culturally competent individuals. In addition to providing a framework for developing cultural competence, this session will provide strategies to help teachers navigate conversations about these relevant topics in an insightful, respectful, and productive manner.
Sharon Stout, Diversity Director, Episcopal School of Dallas
Karen Bradberry, Director of Bickel & Brewer Future Leaders Program

Growing Teachers, Growing Students: Developing the Self-Regulated Learner through the Practice of Metacognition
The goal of any effective learning program is to develop students who will not only be successful learning in our class but will also be able to continue their personal learning journey long after their class is over. To be a lifelong learner is to have developed a set of self-regulatory skills for learning. High among these skills is the practice of metacognition or the practice of thinking about thinking. This session seeks to engage participants in the practice of metacognition and ways that we can develop the practice with our students. The session will briefly present a theoretical framework for metacognition in our practice and then explore ways we can formally incorporate self-reflection in our professional practice and with our students.
Chris Bigenho, Director of Educational Technology, The Greenhill School

“Open Up: Encouraging, Guiding, and Extending the Classroom Conversation”
How might we create a respectful climate for conducting open conversations in our classrooms and advisories? What strategies might we employ to foster critical thinking, model guidelines for civil discourse, and extend the conversation through the use of blogs and other media?
Deb Goudy, CORE Curriculum Leader and Computer Department Chairperson, Episcopal School of Dallas
Elaine Murphy, Curriculum Coordinator and English Department Chairperson, Episcopal School of Dallas
Angie Sessions, English Teacher, Episcopal School of Dallas