My Quest to be a Know-It-All

Professional Development is something that I take seriously, and I am constantly researching about the latest developments in education and I am eager to share with my colleagues what I have learned. When I’m not reading, I’m engaging in Educational “Hangouts” or Twitter chats. I love MOOCs and take at least 3 a year.

I have highlighted just some of my professional development that I have formally received.

Professional Development that I have attended:

• Introduction to the Primary Years Programme Curriculum Model (International Baccalaureate)
•  Teaching and Learning (International Baccalaureate)
• 3-5 Year Olds (International Baccalaureate)
• Role of the Coordinator (International Baccalaureate)
• Differentiated Instruction (Staff Development for Educators)
• Digital Learning (Intel Teach to the Future Program)
• Structured English Immersion (Arizona State University)
• Systematic Change in Reading  (Arizona Department of Education)
• Conceptual Based Learning in Math (Math and Science Partnership Grant, University of Arizona)
• Enhancing Creativity (University of Phoenix)

I also have an IB Webinar Pass and frequently listen and learn from new and archived webinars, as well as IB conference talks on iTunes. As a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), I regularly attend webinars and online courses offered on topics such as formative assessment, managing differentiation, and creating high quality units.

On My Bookshelf (or Kindle)

In my opinion, it is important to stay current and well-rounded as an educator.  With that in mind, I thought I would share a sample  of some of the books that have influenced my practice and continue to refer to when I am planning and assessing learners.

Classroom Management and Building Learning Communities:

The Compassionate Classroom by Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hodson.

Reaching All by Creating Tribes Learning Communities by Jeanne Gibbs, Carol Rankin and Pat Ronzone

Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom: Strategies and Technique Every Teacher Can Use to Meet the Academic Needs of the Gifted and Talented by Susan Winebrenner

The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners by Carol Ann Tomlinson

How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms, 2nd edition by Carol Ann Tomlison

Learning Together Through Inquiry by Kathy Short

Why are School Buses Always Yellow: Teaching for Inquiry by John Barrel

Planning and Assessment:

The Understanding By Design Guide to Creating High Quality Units by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe

Project Spectrum: Preschool Assessment Handbook (Project Zero Frameworks for Early Childhood Education) by Howard Gardner, David Henry Feldman, Mara Krechevsky, Jie-Qi Chen

Literacy:

Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide by Ralph Fletcher and Joann Portalupi

Writing Developmental Continuum (First Steps) by Education Department of Western Australia

 Reading Map of Development (First Steps) by Education Department of Western Australia

Talking, Drawing, Writing: Lessons for Our Youngest Writers  by MarthaHorn,  Mary Ellen Giacobbe

Literacy Work Stations by Debbie Diller

Math:

Classroom Discussions: Using Math Talk to Help Children by Catherine O’Connor, Suzanne Chapin, Nancy Canavan Anderson, and Toby Gordon

Math Work Stations by Debbie Diller

It Make Sense!: Using Ten-frames to Build Number Sense, Grades K-2 by Melissa Conklin

Number Talks: Helping Children to Build Mental Math and Computation Strategies, Grades K-5 by Sherry Parrish

Creativity and Critical Thinking:

Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for ALL Learners by Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church and Karin Morrison.

Habits of Mind Across the Curriculum: Practical and Creative Strategies for Teachers by Arthur L. Costa

In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Multiple Intelligences by Thomas Armstrong

The Secret Spiritual World of Children by Tobin Hart

Teaching English As A Second Language:

Using the SIOP Model with Pre-K and Kindergarten English Learners (SIOP Series) by Deborah Short, Carla Peterson, and Jana Eschevarria

Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners (SIOP Series) by Deborah Short, Carla Peterson, and Jana Echevarria

No Limits to Literacy for Preschool English Learners by Theresa A. Roberts

One Child, Two Languages: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators of Children Learning English as a Second Language by Patton O. Tabors