Professional Development
Open Programs for all Teachers
[ It's ELEmentary ]
- It's ELEmentary is an intensive program for teachers of grades 3-5.
- It's ELEmentary emphasizes the 2006 Mississippi Language Arts Framework, MCT2, and Mississippi Fourth Grade Writing Assessment.
- It's ELEmentary begins with a four-day session in the summer, followed by four overnight retreat sessions during the school year.
- It's ELEmentary models research-based instructional strategies and assessment practices appropriate for upper elementary students.
- It's ELEmentary is facilitated by a master teacher experienced in standards-based instruction.
[ Writing Assessments 101 ]
Writing Assessments 101 is a new program being offered by MSUWTP to area school districts for the 2008-2009 school year. The program consists of 4 workshop days and 3 days of classroom demonstrations illustrating best practices in writing instruction.
Writing Assessments 101 prepares teachers to:
- Use the new Mississippi writing rubrics
- Use assessment to drive writing instruction
- Connect writing instruction to the Language Arts frameworks and multiple choice testing
- Provide effective classroom strategies focused on the tested writing genres in grades 4, 7, and English II
[ Middle School Institute ]
Middle School Institute is an intensive program designed for teachers in grades 6-8 that begins with a four-day session in the summer followed by four overnight retreat sessions scheduled throughout the school year. Middle School Institute provides teachers with the right tools to meet the increasing demands of MCT2, AYP, and NCLB.
Topics include:
- Differentiated Instruction
- Data-driven and Standards-based Instruction
- Motivating Adolescent Learners
- Brain Research
- Reading/Writing Process across the Content Areas
- Developmentally Responsive Instructional Practices
CEU credit is available.
[ WONDER of Learning ]
WONDER of Learning is an intensive program designed for teachers in grades K-2 and 3-5 that begins with a four-day session in the summer followed by four overnight retreat sessions scheduled throughout the school year. WONDER provides teachers with the right tools to meet the increasing demands of MCT2, AYP, and NCLB.
Topics include:
- Rigorous, Standards-based Instruction
- Data-driven Instruction
- Community Building
- Reading/Writing Process
- Writing to Learn
- Reflective Practice
CEU credit is available.
[ Professional Development for Schools and School Districts ]
Tailored Professional Development
MSUWTP is prepared to work with our area school districts to design unique programs to meet specific needs. Leadership teams from MSUWTP meet with administrators and leadership teams of teachers to determine content needs, delivery strategies, and scheduling. Tailored staff development provides districts with the necessary tools to meet the increasing demands of Writing Assessments, MCT2, Subject Area Testing Programs, AYP, and No Child Left Behind mandates. National Writing Project and MWTI resources are made available to schools through tailored programs. CEUs are available.
Classroom Demonstrations with Debriefing/Teacher Mentoring
Teacher-consultants present process-based lessons in teachers' classrooms, aligned with state and district standards. Small groups of teachers are debriefed on the strategies used in the demonstrations. Classroom demonstrations have been so successful that schools are now requesting scheduled classroom demonstrations as an integral part of their professional development programs.
Book Study Groups
MSUWTP staff assist school faculties in choosing relevant reading material for a year-long book study. During regularly scheduled "book club" style meetings, MSUWTP staff facilitate discussions of the reading and when appropriate, model strategies for classroom implementation. Often book study sessions are held during teachers' planning times so that this program does not interfere with daily instructional time. CEUs are available.
State Assessments 101: Preparing for MCT2 and Subject Area Tests
State Assessments 101 is a professional development program that will:
- Furnish teachers with a clear understanding of Webb's Depth of Knowledge
- Provide a format to aid teachers in examining and developing assessments to determine DOK levels
- Give teachers a method for analyzing the relationship between DOK and the state frameworks
- Prepare teachers to implement strategies aligned with DOK and state assessments
State Assessments 101 is conducted in 3 full day workshops with 3 in-class support days to include classrooms demonstrations and observations. CEUs are available.