Professional Development
Workshops attended
To view my personal notes from these conferences, please click here.
Adaptive Schools Training
Dr. Ochan Kusuma-Powell Reflection: This professional development is a whole year course aimed at studying adaptive schools. The first session was about trust and how relational trust in schools are vital. Without trust, we feel we are not safe and always worried. But with trust, we are able to rely and depend on one another to fulfill our roles in creating a collaborative environment. |
Standards-Based Grading and Assessment
Dr. Amy Nail International School of Myanmar August 3-4, 2021 Reflection: The workshop Dr. Nail gave was insightful because it emphasized the use of learning targets. The purpose of the learning trajectory is to chunk content and scaffold learning, which build on one another. Though I currently am not a class teacher, I can still use this information to guide my planning. I make sure to state the learning targets in a student-friendly manner and connect it to the performance of understanding, which allows students to know if they have successfully met the criteria. |
There Shifts in Pedagogy for Virtual Learning
Tom Driscoll International School of Myanmar November 30, 2020 Reflection: There were many things I took from this PD. It affirmed that what I was doing in my virtual classroom was enough, but also I could implement a few things that would benefit students. For example, I can record my live sessions for students to access in their own time. Another practice is to use Seesaw more for sharing their learning. This way, they can see their progress. I appreciated the speaker's emphasis on project-based learning and how that might look in a virtual space. Overall, there were many strategies and tools I see myself using more. Access his work here. |
What’s Next: Navigating Challenges to Learning Spaces - Panel Discussion
Panelists: Dr. Ahmed Hussain, Sunil Talwar, Dr. Jessica Hale, and John Steward 21st Century Learning International June 11, 2020 Reflection: Though this panel discussion was primarily aimed for administration or those who make school policies, it was still insightful as a teacher. This allowed me to reflect on furniture arrangements I currently have set up and understand the density of learning spaces. What struck me the most was the little things that mattered such as sanitation stations, temperature checks, and having constant communication with parents on what the situation is at school. As a teacher, I got a better understanding of the impact we educators face on a day to day basis. The mental shift from distance learning to being back in the classroom and having to be flexible almost all the time. |
17th Annual EARCOS Teachers' Conference 2019
Theme: "Future Movers and Thinkers" International School of Bangkok March 21-23, 2019 Reflection: Though the PD was intended for PE, Art, and Technology teachers, I gained valuable insight on various tools I could use in the classroom. I enjoyed taking part of the Design Thinking challenge where we had to create a solution for problems like grocery shopping, sleeping, etc. Another thing I took from the 3-day workshop were the apps I could integrate in the classroom. |
Project Based Learning An Inquiry Approach by Andrew Miller and Janet Claaseen
Shanghai American School Puxi Campus September 16, 2017 Reflection: This professional development was an exciting workshop to be a part of in that it allowed me to change the way I see education. I have always complained about not having enough time to teach what the kids should know. However, PBL has given me a way to integrate many core subjects and allow students to have a voice and choice in their learning. I have enjoyed the struggles that come with planning a PBL unit, but I have come to appreciate the independent learning as well as the group effort and authentic experience that comes with gold standard PBL. |
Assessing for Understanding and Transfer Facilitated by Dr. Elizabeth Rossini
International School of Myanmar September 8, 2017 Reflection: Dr. Elizabeth was insightful during her talk about UbD planning. She helped us create unit plans in which we were to implement and reflect on. It was a struggle to create one from scratch but it proved to be a valuable lesson to be an effective teacher. Having a backwards design mindset allows the teacher to plan ahead and foresee any potential hurdles that could be intervened. |
Differentiation and Assessment Strategies for ESOL Learners within the classroom from K-12 by Dr. Virginia Rojas
Phuket International Academy School March 11-12, 2017 Reflection: This was one of Dr. Virginia Rojas' last workshops before retiring and due to that, she gave us a lot of materials we can use in the classroom. I especially found her material on linguistic scaffolding strategies to be helpful since it helped me to use more graphic organizers to gain student understanding. |
Foundations in Math: Developing Mathematical Thinking and Conceptual Understanding in K-5 by Sara Garrett
Ruamrudee International School January 28-29, 2017 Reflection: Upon attending this workshop, I never realized that math could be discovered and that students have the power to come up with strategies to solve mathematical problems accurately and efficiently. I implemented Number Talks with my students after attending and still look forward to these talks with them. |
Re-envisioning World Languages for 21st Century Language Learners by Greg Duncan
International School of Yangon January 21-22, 2017 Reflection: Even if this was a workshop targeted for World Languages teachers, I still found some of the ideas helpful. It was mentioned by the speaker that high school teachers should make friends with elementary teachers as well as ESOL, which I found to be true. Because of this conference, I implemented a lot of total participation techniques such as setting up appointments, numbered heads together and gallery walk to get all students engaged. This was also to have more student talking time vs. teacher talking time. |
How to be an Effective and Successful Educator by Dr. Harry Wong
SMX Convention Center, Philippines July 28, 2012 Reflection: I still keep Wong's "The First Days of School" on my shelf for light reading. I believe that classroom management makes a big impact in how students learn. When students know the routines and procedures, these become second nature and then learning can take place. Ever since I became a homeroom teacher, I have taken the first month of the school year to focus on procedures and make sure expectations are met. |
presentations given
Supporting the Curriculum (Local Teacher Training)
International School of Myanmar September 14, 2021 Reflection: Filling a new position meant new opportunities. In this workshop, I worked alongside the Student Support Team to facilitate a conversation about the importance of local teachers in the classroom (in person and remote learning). It was a humbling workshop because I was able to impart my class teacher experience by communicating that their role is necessary and vital to the success of all parties. The feedback from the local teachers were positive in that they saw opportunities for growth and a renewed sense of self in their roles. View PDF presentation below.
|
Flipgrid: Documentation in the Time of Distance Learning
Vietnam Tech Conference April 25, 2020 View presentation here. Reflection: It was nerve-wracking to virtually be in front of almost 40 participants who were eager to learn about Flipgrid and its benefits to documenting learning. This experience was way out of my comfort zone but it allowed me to understand how to give better presentations tailored to the audience. |
Intro to Project Based Learning
International School of Myanmar February 5, 2018 View presentation here. Reflection: Attending the workshop on PBL, I was given the opportunity to echo my learnings to my colleagues back in ISM. The intro to PBL was not as well received but I tried to make it as welcoming as possible. I gave a follow up presentation to those interested and presented myself as a person they could go to if they wanted to try it out in their classrooms. |
Developing Math Fluency Through Number Talks
International School of Myanmar August 16, 2017 View presentation here. Reflection: During the staff orientation, I volunteered to give a mini-presentation on Number Talks. This was a great tool for all math teachers as it gives an opportunity to develop number sense. I would gladly give this talk again because I enjoy using this in the classroom. |
All photos above are posted with permission.
Let's connect.