RI Teacherfest 2019: Full Schedule

9:00am EDT

Morning Keynote

Keynote

Speakers

Ted Dintersmith

Ted Dintersmith is on a mission to give our kids a real chance to thrive in the innovation era. He organized and executive produced Most Likely to Succeed, an acclaimed documentary that premiered at Sundance and has been screened by thousands of communities around the globe. His top-selling... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
NHS - Auditorium Narragansett High School

Keynote

Day # 1 AM
Duration 45

10:05am EDT

Music and Children's Literature: Complementary Domains (40 min)

Teach music through language and teach language through music. The complementary nature of these domains make it a rich learning experience for children. During this session we'll explore two units for upper elementary and middle school students, grade levels that, we sometimes feel challenged to connect the two domains.

Speakers

Audrey Cardany

Audrey Cardany is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Rhode Island where she teaches courses in music education and directs choral ensembles. She is published in JRME, GMT, Psychology of Music and The Mountain Lake Reader. Dr. Cardany also serves as Education Director... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 604 Narragansett High School

ELA

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

Empathy - a Human-Centered Design Journey (40 min)

Empathy is discovering student needs by getting close to the student experience. It is at the center of the design process. We get there by placing students at the center of school systems so we better understand their social, emotional, academic, and physical needs. Come to a session to explore the mindsets and methods behind Empathy as the first step in a human-centered design journey.

Speakers

Adha Mengis

Adha is a Program Manager at the Teachers Guild, where he designs curricular offerings to district partners. Prior to IDEO, Adha was a high school teacher in the Bay Area. Adha is particularly passionate about supporting students from underserved communities to gain the exposure and... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - Library Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: Making Great Books Into Great Movies (40 min)

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is a yearly video contest in which kid filmmakers create short movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning books in about 90 seconds. Creative twists are encouraged: think "Charlotte's Web" in the style of a horror movie, or "Ramona and Her Father" as a musical! For the past 8 years the film festival has screened annually in 14 cities across the country -- in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and more -- co-hosted by author James Kennedy along with other authors like Jon Scieszka, M.T. Anderson, and Rita Williams-Garcia. In this session, James Kennedy will show some of the best movies he's received as director of the 90-Second Newbery, and demonstrate how teachers can bring this dynamic and rewarding project into their own classroom, with hints and tips on how teachers can help students make their own 90-Second Newbery movies to submit to the film festival.

Speakers

James Kennedy

James Kennedy is the author of the YA fantasy "The Order of Odd-Fish." He is also the founder and director of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival, an annual video contest in which kid filmmakers create short movies that tell the stories of Newbery-winning books in about 90 seconds... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 540 Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

“The Play-Learning Connection: Why Play Is More Important Now Than Ever in Early Childhood Settings.” (40 min)

Featured

Speakers

Diane Levin

Diane E. Levin, Ph.D. is Professor of Education at Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts where she has been training early childhood professionals for over twenty-five years. She teaches courses on play, violence prevention, action research and a summer institute on “Media Madness... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 107 Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats in Day 1 PM

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

#EdChat Live! (40 min)

#edChatRI is a weekly Twitter education chat on Sundays at 8pm EST. Raymond Steinmetz took over the dormant twitter chat about 4 months ago during the summer. Since then, a regular group of educators from around the world participate in the twitter chat each week and weigh in on pressing topics in education. Many influential educators throughout the state are actively engaged week by week in answering tough questions about education. This session is a live panel. The moderator asking questions in a similar format as the weekly edChat, and contributors will answer and discuss. (Day 2)

Speakers

Raymond Steinmetz

K-8 Math Instructional Coach, Portsmouth School Department

Raymond Steinmetz is a K-8 Math Instructional Coach in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. He is a TeachPlus Rhode Island Policy Fellow and a FuseRI Classroom Coach with the Highlander Institute. He writes a regular column for eSchoolNews.com about blended and personalized learning, he is a... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 204 Narragansett High School

General

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

Using Math Literature To Support Fraction Instruction (40 min)

Come see how I make fractions magical through literature! Let me show you some of my literature based experiences to engage students in fractions across the curriculum!

Speakers

Anne Barbour

Third grade teacher in the Exeter/West Greenwich School District. RIMTA and NCTM Member. Loves writing grants and making math magical by using math literature in my in classroom.

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 202 Narragansett High School

Math

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

Science Starters - Engaging Students from the Minute They Enter Your Room (40 min)

In this session you will learn about ways to engage your students from the moment they walk through the door. The presenter will demonstrate a variety of activities that incorporate the three dimensions of the NGSS. You will leave this presentation with the tools you need to implement this in your next class.

Speakers

Jim Kaczynski

Jim is 7th and 8th grade science teacher from Jamestown, RI. He specializes in hands-on learning and integration of other subjects in team related activities. He is a district NGSS trainer, contributing author of the Prentice Hall Science Explorer series, coach of the Science Olympiad... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 403 Narragansett High School

Science

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

Helping Students Help Others: How One School Started a Give Back Club (40 min)

Getting our high school students to see beyond themselves can be a big challenge. Starting a high school Give Back Club, may be just the answer! In this workshop, participants will learn about how Wheeler High School started their Give Back Club and what projects students have been involved in. From doing yard work and painting a fence for a mom battling cancer, to doing hurricane clean up in Texas, the presenter will discuss meeting times, project planning, and testimonies from students and community members. Pictures and videos wil be shared of students involved in projects in our community and throughout the United States. Participants wil leave the workshop with the necessary information to start a give back club at their own schools.

Speakers

Rebecca Schilke

Rebecca Schilke is a reading specialist at Wheeler Middle/High School, in North Stonington, CT. She has been teaching for 29 years and has bachelor degrees in early childhood and elementary eduction, and a master’s degree in reading education. She is also a co-advisor for Wheeler’s... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 10:45am EDT
NHS - RM 600 Narragansett High School

Social

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:05am EDT

A Better School Climate: Bridging SEL and Mindfulness to Support Student Mental Health and Build Resilience (90 min)

Join Linda as she shares how to create an improved and more effective school/classroom environment by integrating SEL and Mindfulness skills. With this, educators can support students to self-regulate and respond calmly and compassionately while learning the specific skill set to problem-solve, make decisions, and communicate effectively to form positive relationships with others.

Speakers

Linda Price

Mind You Mind

Linda Price earned her Master’s of Education Degree in School Adjustment Counseling and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in School Psychology in 1993 at Northeastern University.With twenty-five years of experience in working with schools, Linda understands the stress... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 207 Narragansett High School

Collaboration

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Going Gaga for Infographics (90 min)

Are you looking for an engaging new way for students to “show what they know”? Infographics may be just the tool you’re looking for! These visual representations of information require students to synthesize their research by prioritizing what’s most important and translating it into an eye-catching graphic. This hands-on workshop will introduce you to the basics of building infographics and give you the opportunity to explore several free online infographic tools. Attendees should bring headphones and a charged Chromebook/laptop.

Speakers

Kimberly Ramos

Technology Instructional Coach, North Kingstown School Dept.

Kim was a classroom teacher for 20+ years. In 2014, she became the Technology Instructional Coach for her school department in North Kingstown, RI. She works with PK-12 students and teachers; creates and delivers blended learning professional development for faculty, staff, and administrators... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 203 Narragansett High School

ELA

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Being a Leader Is Not Enough: Become a Catalyst (90 min)

Leadership in Education, K-12, Administrators, Grade Level Leaders, Technology Coaches, Department Heads. The key to exceeding today's academic performance standards requires not just change at the student level, but change at the staff and leadership level as well. A catalyst is defined as "an agent that accelerates change." Most seem to agree that the skills today's children need to ensure a successful future are dramatically different from yesterday's lessons of cursive writing, long division, typing, and using the card catalog.

Speakers

Mark Lamson

Marc Lamson is President of ASLAN Training & Development, an organization recognized as a Top 20 Training firm by Training Industry and Selling Power Magazines. Prior to joining ASLAN in 2006, he worked for Fortune companies including Mobil Oil Corporation and American Power Conversion... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 606 Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90
Area Follow Marc on Twitter @marclamson

10:05am EDT

Book Access is a Game Changer for All Readers (90 min)

In this session Colby will share how increasing book access impacts student achievement. He’ll share how he does this in his classroom, and the work the staff at Parma Elementary is doing to increase the book access for all of their students.

Speakers

Colby Sharp

Colby Sharp is a fifth grade teacher in Parma, Michigan. My wife and I have five children (Breslin, Dharia, Adelai, Hobbes, and Harvey). Helping kids find the books that help them fall in love with reading brings me tremendous joy. I have a classroom teacher since 2006. In 2011, I... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 610 Narragansett High School

Featured

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Having Our Say: Intellectual Rigor Requires All The Voices (90 min)

In this session, teachers & administrators will take a trip into the history of curriculum development and how conscious & unconscious biases created our "standard" curriculum. They will then hear/read research about the deleterious effects of a non-equity based curriculum, and learn how to walk in an anti-racist and anti-oppressive mindset to create learning experiences that include all facets of identity.

Speakers

Dr. Worokya Duncan

Dr. Worokya Duncan is a professional educator with 20 years of classroom experience, a Doctoral-level education, a great deal of energy, and a commitment to students. Over the course of her career, she has taught both elementary and middle school students in a variety of subjects... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 505A Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

The Innovation Playlist (90 min)

In this session, I’ll briefly describe my trip, the essence of the book, and the work I’m doing in three other states to empower teachers to do what they entered the profession to do — engage and inspire kids. I’ll talk about the important issue of Accountability 2.0 — what are effective ways to ensure schools are doing right by their kids. And I’ll listen, a lot, to what the Rhode Island education community’s goals are, and whether any of the work I’m doing could be relevant and helpful. I never presume to tell people what they have to do. I try to share with them what I’ve seen work, and offer support (grants, my time, connections) to their efforts to do what they believe is important.

Speakers

Ted Dintersmith

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - Auditorium Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Using Destiny Collections (90 min)

Review/Introduce Collection basics. Demonstrate how to create a collection, add to a collection, create a playlist. Give participants time to create a collection while presenters offer assistance.

Speakers

Kristen Mitchell

Kristen Mitchell has been a Library Media Specialist for the West Warwick Public Schools since 2003. She also serves as Media Services Coordinator for the district. Her current position is Media Specialist at Deering Middle School, where she teaches literacy and skills classes... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 103 Narragansett High School

Res Lib

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Catch the #WakeletWave (90 min)

Looking for a better way to communicate a collection of resources to your students?
Wondering how you can revamp your school's weekly newsletter to your school community?
Wanting your students to collaborate and share ideas, creativity, and questions across sections of your classes?

Grab your surfboard and let's learn about Wakelet together!
Participants will explore wakelet, create an account, and share ideas on how they may best utilize this tool that certainly promotes 21st Century Learning skills (create, communicate, think critically, collaborate and curate) in their classrooms, schools, for professional learning, and beyond.

Speakers

Jennifer Saarinen

Inquiring Minds Teacher (middle school), Bristol Warren Regional School District, RI

Jennifer Saarinen teaches at Kickemuit Middle School with the Bristol Warren Regional School District in Rhode Island. She believes in providing digital learning opportunities to her students for them to better access the curriculum as they develop their own voice and have a sense... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 501A Narragansett High School

Tech

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Digital Portfolios with New Google Sites (90 min)

Digital Portfolios and the new Google Sites
Want to discover a way to use Authentic Assessment? Digital Portfolios is a great way to assess your students, integrate technology into your curriculum while giving your them a vehicle to reflect on their growth and learning. In this workshop you will see example of Websites created in programs by MS and HS Students. Examples of student work as well as their reflection pieces will be evaluated.

Then, each participant will:
-Create their own Google Site
-Chose and Customise Themes
-Create Pages
-Insert Files
-Insert Text Boxes
-Insert and Format Images
-Publish to the Web

Speakers

Edward Davis

Edward Davis is entering his 42nd year of teaching. He is Certified Google Trainer. He has served as an Industrial Arts/Technology Educator, Tech. Integration Coordinator and a Vocational Ed. Instructor in the field of Graphic Communications. Most of his High School level classes... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 102 Narragansett High School

Tech

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Bringing Light to Suicide: Supporting School Personnel to Respond to Suicidal Statements and Actions. (90 min)

Informational- participants will listen/view a presentation followed by a Q & A

Speakers

Jon Mattleman

Jon Mattleman, holds a BA from Clark University, and an MS in Counseling from the University of Hartford. He was the director of mental health centers in Massachusetts in Stoughton and in Needham from 1993 – 2017, and has operated his practice to offer presentations, consultations... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 504 Narragansett High School

Wellness, Repeats on Day 1

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Mindfulness in Education (90 min)

Participants will participate in formal mindfulness at the start and end of the program, and, if time allows, will also make their own mind jars. I will present what Mindfulness is, the research on how it benefits practitioners, the research on the benefits of mindfulness in education, as well as snippets from my own curriculum. The participants will leave with a recipe for mind jars, a list of literature that supports mindfulness, and a brochure that provides a snapshot of my program. They will also be able to look at and explore many of the mindfulness texts and materials that I will talk about.

Speakers

CJ Meehan

CJ Meehan works in one of two Preschool classrooms at the Henry Barnard Laboratory School at Rhode Island College. CJ has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Child Development, a Master's in the Art of Teaching - Elementary Education, and will complete here second master’s... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 106 Narragansett High School

Wellness, Repeatson Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Shri Yoga & Mindfulness Curriculum (90 min) ATTENDEES MUST BRING OWN YOGA MAT

Shri is an urban outreach organization that serves more than 8,500 students every year in schools, shelters, hospitals, recovery centers, social service agencies and more. Our classes are run with a trauma-informed curriculum to help students reduce toxic stress and to increase both physical and emotional balance with safe and secular movement and meditative practices appropriate for all levels. During this session, participants will learn some of the components of a Shri Yoga class, including activities to use in their classrooms. While our home studio is in Pawtucket, we offer 4 classes every week free to educators statewide

Speakers

Stacie Zamperini

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 605 Narragansett High School

Wellness, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:05am EDT

Dissecting the Picture Book (90 min)

Exploring from a creators perspective, this session will provide a new way to understand what goes on behind the scenes during the creation of a children’s book. John will explain how the origin of an idea evolves into a finished book, sharing unique insights and lessons he has learned along the way. Come along on this journey through the mind of a children’s book creator, and learn new ways to look at and interact with the books in your school.

Speakers

John Rocco

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:05am - 11:45am EDT
NHS - RM 206 Narragansett High School

Featured

Day # 1 AM
Duration 90

10:55am EDT

Simple Ways to Create Enthusiastic Readers (40 min)

High stakes testing. New ELA curriculum mandated by the state. It doesn’t matter what point you are in your career. You need to understand (or be reminded of) some fundamentals about growing readers. You will leave this session with many tools and strategies you can implement from day one of the school year to build an environment of enthusiastic readers. My tried and true formula is proven: students in my school borrowed 1,000 more books than any other school library in the state of RI last year. Come find out why!

Speakers

Melanie Roy

Library Media Specialist, Barrington Public Schools

After working for over two decades with students, Melanie Roy has advanced knowledge in creating an environment in which readers thrive. You can find her at @mrsmelanieroy and @BMSLibraryRI.

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:55am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 604 Narragansett High School

ELA

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:55am EDT

Empathy - a Human-Centered Design Journey (40 min)

Speakers

Adha Mengis

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:55am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - Library Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:55am EDT

The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival: Making Great Books Into Great Movies (40 min)

Speakers

James Kennedy

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:55am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 405 Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats on Day 1 & 2

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:55am EDT

“The Play-Learning Connection: Why Play Is More Important Now Than Ever in Early Childhood Settings.” (40 min)

Featured

Speakers

Diane Levin

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:55am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 107 Narragansett High School

Featured, Repeats in Day 1 AM

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40

10:55am EDT

The Integration of Steps to Understanding Mathematics (SUM) into an existing RtI reading system (40 min)

The implementation of a diagnostic that actually provides information on mathematics deficiencies can be challenging. This session will provide a brief description of the Steps to Understanding Mathematics (SUM) diagnostic as well as lessons learned about the implementation of SUM into an existing system of RtI at Central Lincoln Elementary that was already efficient in identifying and monitoring areas of need in reading. Spoiler alert, it is not that easy, turns out we can get at the heart of the mathematical issues and provide the right interventions, monitoring and goals as long as we ask the right questions and provide the right evidence. Central identified Math RtI as a point of weakness and needed to be intentional about how they dealt with mathematics gaps. SUM was their answer and by the end of this session, you will learn about the journey Central went on in order to create a successful mathematics RtI system.

Speakers

Dr. Patricia Gablinske

Dr. Gablinske has been a building administrator for 10 years and the principal of Central Elementary in Lincoln for 6 years. During her tenure, Central Elementary became designated a Rhode Island Department of Education Commended school in 2016. She has a masters degree from Providence... Read More →

Tuesday July 30, 2019 10:55am - 11:35am EDT
NHS - RM 202 Narragansett High School

Math

Day # 1 AM
Duration 40