PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Feb. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Staff Development for Educators (SDE), one of the nation's leading providers of professional development for K-12 educators, is pleased to be announce its exclusive state conference for Illinois First Grade teachers this winter. Aimed at providing Illinois first grade educators with research-based, practical strategies to increase rigor and critical thinking in the classroom, this professional development conference will take place on February 23-24, 2015 in Oak Lawn, IL.
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This highly-anticipated event offers Illinois first grade teachers two action-packed days to focus on the strategies, techniques, tips, and ideas that they need to be successful throughout the school year. From opening keynotes that illustrate the joy, enlightenment, and adventures of being a first grade teacher through a series of active, hands-on and practical sessions, the 2015 Illinois Conference for First Grade Teachers is specifically designed to make every teacher better at what they do.
The conference features some of the nation's top educational experts, including Jim Grant, Kathy Griffin, Katherine McKnight, Ph.D., Kurt Schwengel, and Reagan Tunstall. Together, they combine classroom and administrator expertise, and provide expert insight into stopping school failure, developing developmentally appropriate activities, inclusive classrooms, integrating technology, and managing standards-based lessons.
According to SDE's program planner, Kymra Kurinskas, this conference comes at a perfect time for first grade teachers who are trying to find new ways to meet the Illinois Learning Standards, add rigor to their instruction, and build student skill sets. These first grade teachers are being asked to move their students from emergent to able in literacy, meaningfully integrate technology, use appropriate interventions, and address gaps in learning.
"We are so excited to bring such as expert group of presenters to Illinois for this conference," says Kurinskas. "We've hand-picked them for their expertise in the area of first grade, and all of the content they feature at the conference targets those specific skills that are so much of the focus of the first grade year."
The 2015 Conference for Illinois First Grade Teachers was created with the latest research, unique content, and most discussed topics among first grade teachers in mind. Like with all SDE events, the conference features days packed with learning, networking, excitement, and fun. Conference sessions are practical and engaging, and hands-on learning, via make & takes and interactive activities, are interspersed throughout. Presenters help participants define exactly what first graders need to know by the end of the year, and provide them with the specific tools they need to get their students college- and career-ready.
Participants will find targeted and content-focused conference sessions, such as effective math and literacy strategies, essential intervention strategies to work with all students (even at-risk and struggling), building higher-level thinking, using guided math, flexible grouping strategies, anchor activities, behavior management, phonemic awareness, successful writing techniques, boosting achievement, cross-curricular planning, reading and writing mini-lessons, and more.
"SDE is committed to bringing a rewarding and fresh conference to Illinois first grade teachers so that they feel motivated and excited to return to their classrooms," says Kurinskas. "I am confident that they will leave with several great ideas to improve student achievement and build successful learners. "
Each day of the conferences feature a morning keynote, followed by four 75-minute blocks of conference sessions. Attendees are able to pick from 4-5 sessions for each block to help customize their experience and center it on their most pressing issues.
Designed for new and veteran teachers alike, the 2015 Conference for Illinois First Grade Teachers will be offered on February 23-24, 2015 in Oak Lawn, IL. Educators interested registering for this conference, or learning about more about SDE's national conferences, upcoming SDE events, or other professional development opportunities, can visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email [email protected].
All SDE events include a free resource book of handouts, lesson ideas, reproducibles, and more, and a free 30-day membership at TeachingMadeEasier.com. With the paid registration of a staff member, SDE extends free tuition to a principal from the same building, and also offers group discounts for groups of 10+ and 20+.
About SDE
SDE is one of America's leading providers of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.
For more information about SDE, educators are encouraged to visit www.sde.com, or to call 1-800-462-1478.
Contact:
Michelle Reed
Staff Development for Educators
[email protected]
800-462-1478
SOURCE Staff Development for Educators
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