Professional Oklahoma Educators

Professional Oklahoma Educators and the Professional Oklahoma Educators Foundation offer specialized professional development workshops that meet the unique needs of specific schools and teachers. Choose from our list of popular workshops or contact our office to customize a workshop for your school.

E-mail ProDev@ProfessionalOklahomaEducators.org or call toll-free 888.331.2763 for more information.

SUBJECT SPECIFIC

MATH:

• Making Algebra Child’s Play (Hands-On Equations)
Hands-On Equations gives your students a sound understanding of fundamental algebraic principles, such as the subtraction property of equality and the distributive law in a fun, hands on, visual way. This teaching method also gives students a head start in solving verbal problems. Two hours.

• Custom Math Workshops
Take advantage of these hands-on math workshops! Sessions are customized to fit your needs. From Kindergarten through 5th grade, from place value to algebra, these workshops are designed to focus on areas of weakness that you have identified from your assessments.

ART:

• Painting in the Style of the Old Masters (high school level)
This oil painting demonstration aids teachers in the instruction of advanced high school art students. This technique requires a basic knowledge of color, composition and brush technique. Recommended time: 2 hours

• Painting in the Non-Representational Style (middle or high school level)
This acrylic painting demonstration would work with high school or middle school art students at any level (beginners, intermediate and advanced). The demonstration requires easy access to the outdoors or a room with a ventilation system. Recommended time: 2 hours

• Birds and Branches (grades 6-12)
This workshop demonstrates how to make simple terra-cotta sculptures of birds on realistic branches. This is a fun and exciting project that would work for students in grades 6 - 12. Recommended time: 2 hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE:

• Interactive Foreign Language via IETV in the 21st Century Classroom
With Oklahoma's Promise criteria and the new college prep diplomas coming down the pike, foreign language teachers will be in even higher demand. Teaching via Interactive Television to other school sites is the wave of the future. Learn how you can expand your classroom beyond the four walls at your school and open the door of language to other communities in your area. LANGUAGES: All, Spanish. LEVEL: Secondary

• Teaching Foreign Language Using TPR Storytelling
Learn a great way for your students to get language acquisition quickly. Meets OK PASS requirements - and your students will LOVE it! This interactive method makes learning a language fun and exciting.  

READING & COMPREHENSION: 

• Stretching Student Minds with Strategic Comprehension Instruction (Elementary or Secondary)
This fast-paced, interactive workshop explores the specific comprehension skills essential for reading proficiency. Following several lesson demonstrations using a variety of reading materials, teachers have an opportunity to apply the teaching strategies with text from their own curriculum. Participants will leave this workshop with a better understanding of the developmental process of reading comprehension and a number of effective new tools in their “strategic teaching toolbox.” Time Required: Full-day or half-day in-service. Due to time constraints, the half day workshop will not cover all skills.

• Custom Reading Workshops
Half day or full day custom reading workshops may be developed to meet the specific needs of a teaching staff. Topics may include:

• Comprehension Strategies for Non-fiction Text, Elementary
• Comprehension Strategies for Non-fiction Text, Secondary
• Retelling/Summarizing Strategies for Fiction and Nonfiction, Elementary
• Summarizing Strategies for Fiction and Nonfiction, Secondary
• Intensive Reading Training for Secondary Teachers
• Intensive Reading Training for Special Education Teachers

• Coaching Services – Reading
Maximize the professional development benefits and transfer new learning to the classroom. As a follow-up to a previous in-service, Cheryl will meet with teachers individually and/or in small groups, demonstrate lessons with students, and provide one-on-one observations and coaching as requested. Principals are strongly urged to be an active participant on coaching days.

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION

• Common Core
This workshop will provide educators with strategies to help implement Common Core standards throughout the curriculum.
• Character-Based Discipline
Is it possible to curtail negative student behavior and maintain a positive relationship with students? We will discuss discipline methods and procedures that will address behavior problems and promote good character. Grades 9-12; 1 hour.

• Girl Bullying & Relational Aggression
This workshop explains the recent phenomena many call “Mean Girls!” Presenting new research, the presenters guide the participants through strategies and ideas on ways they can help prevent and eliminate the problems associated with relational aggression and girl bullying. From educating bystanders to take action, to empowering victims, from understanding the differences between girl and boy bullying, to understanding the implications and effects of Cyberbullying, and finally providing some valuable resources for educators and students to use in changing school climates to prevent bullying and relational aggression.

• Classroom Management
What separates a good teacher from a great teacher? Many times it all comes down to management skills. This workshop explains how to effectively manage your classroom and increase positive student behavior. Time Required: 1 hour or ½ day

• New Teachers – What College Didn’t Prepare You For!
Get prepared for the real, not virtual, classroom! This presentation is designed for college seniors majoring in education and new or beginning teachers. Almost all of the pitfalls and tips given are never taught in the college setting, and usually must be experienced before the beginning teacher is aware they exist. Even experienced teachers can benefit from the personality information presented. The presenters bring over 60 years of classroom and administrative experience in public education to the workshop.

• Our Daughter Was a Kindergarten Dropout!
Unsolved personality conflicts can lead to dysfunctional families and dysfunctional classrooms. This workshop aids teachers and/or parents in the understanding of how and why personality conflicts with children arise. Learn how to maximize personality strengths and minimize personality weaknesses to improve communication and interaction skills. Time Required: 3 hours.

• Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated instruction is no longer something that is merely suggested; it is required. This workshop will give educators the tools they need to tailor their instruction to meet the needs of students with diverse backgrounds and abilities. Time Required: 1 hour or ½ day

• Teaching to Different Learning Styles
“Why are you always out of your seat?” “Turn on the light. You’re going to ruin your eyes.” The behaviors that prompt comments like these may be indicators of students’ different learning styles. Before these issues accelerate into discipline problems, try this workshop! Time Required: 1 hour or ½ day

• Autism
Autism is a complex and often misunderstood disorder. This workshop will provide educators with valuable information on Autism, its different forms, its prevalence and its affect on instruction. Hear from an educator, who is also a parent of an Autistic child, about the real and practical issues of understanding an Autistic student.

LEGAL ISSUES

• Bullying and Classroom Violence
School violence is a growing epidemic. This workshop deals with how to identify bullies and what steps we can take to prevent this type of behavior. Time required: 1 hour

• Child Abuse
How do you identify child abuse? What are your obligations as a teacher? Be aware and prepared. Time Required: 30 minutes-1 hour

•Confidentiality
Overview of FERPA, IDEA, HIPAA obligations for teachers.

• Correct Documentation
This workshop shows educators how and what to document in difficult situations.

•Due Process
Overview of due process protections for teachers, including explanation of procedural and substantive due process, plan of improvement prerequisites, bias issues with school board members, etc.

•Employment Leave for Oklahoma Teachers
Covers topics such as sick leave, sick leave sharing, personal leave, FMLA, leave of absence, options and consequences for mid-year job departure, etc.

•First Amendment: Speech and Religion
Overview of First Amendment law for schools with an emphasis on what teachers need to know.

•FMLA
Shorter presentation focusing specifically on FMLA issues.

• Hot Topics in Education Law
Current presentation includes information on child abuse, bullying, social media, and harassment. We can present on all topics or focus on just one or two. Subject to change as new issues in education law arise. Our most-requested presentation.

•Issues with Continuing Contracts
Overview of teacher termination issues, what constitutes “cause” for termination, RIFs, bumping, etc.

• Legal Issues for Payroll Clerks
Covers topics such as payroll deductions, employee vs. independent contractor status, garnishment, liens, FLSA, FMLA, and Oklahoma leave laws.

• Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Educators
This workshop provides educators with an overview of areas and issues in which they have particular rights, requirements, and responsibilities. This information will equip educators to protect themselves.

•Legal Protections for Teachers
A look at statutory protections for teachers including protection from physical harm (e.g., school protection act), privacy protection (e.g., privacy of employment records), etc.

•RIFs
Shorter presentation of teacher rights and vulnerabilities in a RIF.

• School Board and Administrator Relations
A discussion of how teachers can and should relate to local school board members.  This workshop will deal with both legal and ethical conduct for teachers in their relations with both school board members and school administrators. 

• Support Staff Law 101
Basic legal issues for support staff including FLSA (wages, hours, breaks, etc.) and discipline/due process statutes.

• Teacher Admonishment, Dismissal and Plans for Improvement
This workshop will explain the teachers' rights, responsibilities and legal requirements in this process.  It will explain what administrators can and cannot do as well as provide information which will assist teachers in staying out of trouble. 

• Teacher Education Law 101
Geared toward new teachers and/or college students, this presentation focuses on basics of teacher contracts, due process rights, teacher conduct, teacher termination, extra duty contracts, and “other duties as assigned.” We explain the difference between temporary contract teachers, probationary teachers, and tenured or career teachers.

•Tenure
Shorter presentation on benefits and implications of obtaining “tenure,” including what tenure means after loss of trial de novo and how tenure is achieved under the new TLE.

• The School Board Policy Manual and State Law
This workshop gives a complete explanation of how the local board policy manual and state law interrelate.  It helps teachers to understand how to locate their school policy manual and research it for issues related to their employment. 

WORKPLACE/PROFESSION

• The Tulsa Model of Teacher Evaluation

• Ace your interview!
Learn the do’s and don’ts of the interview process from currrent and former school administrators with years of experience in hiring and placing new teachers. This workshop is designed for college seniors majoring in education, but can be beneficial to any teacher looking for a new position.

• Building Student Relationships
This workshop provides educators with tips and strategies to build a rapport with students that will open doors to learning opportunities. Appropriate limits and boundaries on student relationships are also discussed.

• How to Read Your Paystub
Take a line-by-line tour of your pay stub! Professional Oklahoma Educators’ staff will conduct research to clarify the confusing layouts and formulas that make up your pay stub and then present the findings in an easy-to-understand Power Point presentation. Time required: 1 hour  

• Preparing for a Bond Issue
This workshop provides information that can be used to assist teachers and other school personnel to prepare to sell a bond issue to the community. 

• Public School Finance for Teachers
This course will offer a basic discussion of how public schools are financed.  It will address sources of funding, funding priorities of administrators, bond expenditures as opposed to general fund expenditures, and general budgeting principles.  The purpose of the workshop is to help teachers understand how decisions are made about school expenditures and to give them an understanding of the budgeting process.

• The Importance of Professionalism
Great for all teachers! Review the basic principles of professionalism in the classroom (speech, dress, organization, etc.) and get pointers about how to professionally and effectively communicate with parents and students. Time required: 1½ hours

COMMUNICATION & INSPIRATION

• Personality Profiles for Business Professionals
Personality conflicts can lead to performance and productivity loss in the workplace. Ultimately, if unresolved, such conflicts can lead to physical conflict and/or dismissal. This workshop aids business professionals in the understanding of how and why personality conflicts arise between employees, co-workers, supervisors and business associates. Learn how to maximize personality strengths and minimize weaknesses to improve communication and interaction skills. Time Required: 3 hours.

• Personality Profiles for Parents

• Personality Profiles for Teachers

CUSTOM DEVELOPMENT
Contact Professional Oklahoma Educators to create a customized workshop that meets your school’s specific needs. We can also arrange for motivational or inspirational speakers if your school has a specific request.