Featured Sessions

Nancy Akhavan

Nancy Akhavan is an assistant professor in the Educational Research and Administration Department of California State University, Fresno. Previously, she was assistant superintendent of school leadership for middle schools in Fresno Unified School District, a large urban district in California's Central Valley. She has worked as a district staff developer, principal, elementary school bilingual teacher, bilingual resource teacher, and professional development coordinator for over twenty-five years. Dr. Akhavan is passionate about providing a high quality education for all children through authentic, purposeful instruction. She has provided staff development training across the nation to K–12 educators on topics such as literacy, vocabulary development, writing, English language development; standards- based instruction, coaching and leadership. She also has provided training to teacher leaders and administrators on the topics of systems and culture change, school reform, and classroom-based professional development. In addition to her work in classrooms and schools, she has written a number of professional books published by Scholastic and Heinemann. The titles include: Accelerated Vocabulary Instruction: Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gap for All Students, The Content Rich Reading and Writing Workshop: A Time Saving Approach for Making the Most of Your Literacy Block, Teaching Reading in a Title I School, K–3, Teaching Writing in a Title I School, K–3, Help! All My Students Don't Speak English: How to Set Up a Language Workshop in Your Linguistically Diverse Classroom, and How to Align Literacy Instruction, Assessment, and Standards and Achieve Results You Never Dreamed Possible.

Achieving Student Engagement in Literacy Across Content Areas
Featured Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Nancy will show how to lead students through texts to teach thinking, writing, and reading in specific discipline areas. Reading, thinking, and writing like historians, scientists, and language arts experts engages students in real-world applications. Teaching students to engage deeply in content area literacy improves their abilities to learn the content and helps them see themselves as successful learners.

• Learn to lead students through complex texts successfully
• Teach reading, writing, and thinking through nonfiction texts
• Examine the distinctions of reading and writing in different content areas
• Engage students deeply in content literacy to develop both literacy skills and content knowledge

Accelerating Learning with Focused Vocabulary Instruction
Follow-up Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Students who have rich vocabularies are able to read more complex texts. In this session, Nancy will discuss the power of focused vocabulary instruction on student reading and writing. She will share research and classroom-proven teaching strategies that focus on teaching discipline specific vocabulary and enrich students’ word repertoires in all content areas.

• Understand the importance of in-depth vocabulary instruction to foster learning for all students
• Create lessons of focused vocabulary instruction
• Create units focused on academic vocabulary lessons that help students read complex text
• Create content specific vocabulary lessons to develop student knowledge

Kim Campbell

I have been a proud middle school teacher for the past 19 years and still love it. I am also the PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Specialist) at my school. I am the founder and coordinator of an after-school program called SOAR (Students On Academic Rise), which I developed to address the achievement gap. I am the author of two books: SOAR: A Handbook for Addressing the Achievement Gap and If You Can't Manage Them, You Can't Teach Them.

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships: The New 3 Rs!!
Featured Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Please join me to discuss, dialogue, and learn practical strategies to create a classroom that is rigorous and relevant. Strategies will include differentiation, higher order thinking skills, and simple ways to build community and relationships. Participants will leave the session with many strategies to add to their toolboxes. Participants will take away ideas to create a classroom that is rigorous, relevant, and relationship based.

• Practical ways to increase rigor within your classroom (test taking strategies, Bloom's Taxonomy, technology, etc.)
• Practical strategies to build relationships with your students (games, activities, etc.)
• Suggestions for making lessons relevant to the middle school learner (top You Tube sites, projects, etc.)
• Ideas for revamping your grading policy to increase rigor and engagement

Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Motivating the Middle School Student
Follow-up Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Looking for a little “spice” to fire up your students? Want quick, easy activities to engage your class? If so, join me and learn hands-on activities and strategies designed to motivate the middle school student. Activities will be presented as used in a geography class, but they could easily be adapted to any subject matter.

• Games to fit any middle school content area
• Literacy strategies for any content area to make reading and writing more engaging for students
• Relationship building activities to use to build community within your classroom
• Hands-on techniques to engage middle school students
• Practical strategies to manage middle school students

Ruth Culham

Ruth Culham, Ed.D., is president of the Culham Writing Company and former unit manager of the Assessment Program at Education Northwest in Portland, Oregon. Ruth was English Teacher of the Year in Montana, the highlight of her 19-year teaching career. She holds specialty degrees in library science and elementary, middle, and secondary English education. Ruth is the recognized expert in the field of traits writing and author of over 40 teaching resources published by Scholastic, including 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide, Grades 3 and Up; 6+1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades; and Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for Middle School. She waswinner of the 2011 Teacher’s Choice Award which is not surprising, since middle school is her true love. As the author of Traits Writing: The Complete Writing Program for Grades K-8 (2012), she has launched a writing revolution. Traits Writing is the culmination of 40 years of educational experience, research, practice, and passion.

When Giants Unite: The 4Ws of Writing Meet the Common Core State Standards
Featured Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Imagine there is a simple, logical, and practical way to organize your writing instruction that includes everything important about the 4 Ws (writing process, writing traits, writing modes, and writing workshop) while also meeting Common Core State Standards. Sound impossible? It’s not! Find out how you can launch your own personal writing instruction revolution.

ASSESSmart:  Using Formative Assessment to Power Writing Instruction in Middle School
Follow-up Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Power up your writing instruction by using formative assessment to reveal the strengths and areas of greatest need in student writing. Enter: the Traits of Writing. Using new scoring guides organized by key qualities for each trait, writing teachers can learn to assess with accuracy, reliability, and speed and then plan dynamic instruction for middle school students. At this session, we’ll practice assessing writing and look at a year-long organizational plan for instruction.

Byron Garrett

One of the most compelling voices of our times, Byron V. Garrett is Chairman of the National Family Engagement Alliance and former CEO of the National PTA. A leading education advocate, he has served as a key strategist for NBC News' Education Nation and produced the first annual Building a Grad Nation Summit for the America's Promise Alliance. A former K–8 principal and education advisor to the governor of Arizona, Byron also served as a co-convener of the Helping America’s Youth Initiative for the White House. He is an advisor to Fortune 500 companies, organizations, and individuals and also directs the innovative schools program strategy for Microsoft. Byron also provides guidance to Scholastic on connecting families, communities, and schools in support of literacy. He is the author of several books, including The ABCs of Life (Scholastic 2013).

The ABCs of Life:  Helping Students Live Life to the Fullest
Featured Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Every student has the potential to achieve. Unfortunately, challenges and barriers exist that erode their confidence prompting them to view failure, rather than success, as the viable option. Based on the premise that one’s origin does not equal one’s destination, our presenter will show you strategies and resources to help meet today’s students where they are, putting them on a path towards college and career readiness. The ABCs of Life will be your game plan to help your students live life to the fullest.

• Engage peers and extend education community to develop supports for all students
• Create a successful pathway for student success based on the premise that every student needs a personalized education plan unique to them
• Share strategies and key learning points to inform the work of creating a climate for student success

Family Engagement: Education's Best Kept Secret
Featured Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Research shows that meaningful family engagement is equal to an additional $1K of per pupil funding. More importantly, an engaged family is the leading indicator of student achievement. Come prepared to discuss and dialogue about the challenges of getting families engaged in the success of their children. Dispelling the myths that parents don’t care, we will focus on practical strategies to improve engagement beyond the classroom that will directly impact student success in the classroom.

• Comprehend that family structure has drastically changed
• Create systems and programs that truly meet parents where they are
• Utilize pop culture and currents events as a means to connect to parents
• Remember that regardless of the data and demographics, every family dynamic is different

Michael Meyer

Michael Meyer has been a counselor since 2000. After September 11th, his students wanted to help our wounded nation. Their idea of a dance marathon has transformed into a tool students use to learn leadership through event planning, trial and error, and university partnerships. Eighth grade students organize their own service projects using the skills they learn. Michael has been the recipient of the North Carolina Middle School Counselor of the Year and the Penn State Alumni Leadership Award.

Curriculum Based Service-learning and Leadership That Helps Kids Help Real People
Featured Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Students have traveled from North Carolina to speak to you!  Learn how they use the curriculum to teach business skills, leadership, perseverance, and service-learning. Hear how kids have united to transform their school dance marathon into a regional youth service event at PNC Arena in Raleigh. They have raised over $150,000 for children’s hospitals, wounded military veterans, and the Special Olympics. They have volunteered countless hours to elementary reading programs, senior citizens, and other good causes.

• Gain awareness of what the Social-organization and Service Club (SOS) has accomplished, how they have done it, and how other schools can implement a similar program
• Form partnerships on service projects and leadership opportunities with schools across America
• Spread the mission and objectives of the SOS Club into other schools
• Obtain at least one idea for a new service activity for kids to organize
• Help more children celebrate more birthdays

Laura Robb

Author, teacher, coach, and speaker, Laura Robb has completed 43 years of full-time teaching in grades 4–8 and published more than 18 professional resources for educators, including best-sellers Teaching Reading in Middle School (2nd Ed.) and Teaching Reading in Social Studies, Science, and Math and the new Unlocking Complex Texts: A Systematic Framework for Building Adolescents’ Comprehension. She presently coaches teachers in Powhatan School in Boyce, Virginia, and in Staunton and Amherst, Virginia. In addition, Robb returns to the classroom each year for a semester in the winter. A speaker at national and international conferences, Robb’s mission is for middle and high school classrooms to have 700 to 1,000 books in their classroom libraries.

Teaching the CCSS Reading Standards Using Informational Texts
Featured Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

In this session, Robb will review the CCSS standards for reading informational texts, show how to plan a unit of study that incorporates writing about reading to improve comprehension, and use an anchor text to build students’ mental model of applying the standards. Robb will model in think alouds what it means to make logical inferences and identify the central idea and themes. Robb will also discuss the difference between themes and central ideas. To observe the power of writing about reading, participants will review student samples from a range of struggling through proficient readers.

Reading and Writing About Multiple Texts
Follow-up Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

After analyzing an historical poem and two related, short informational texts, participants will observe how to develop a claim for one text, develop a writing plan that supports the claim,  and develop claims and a writing plan for multiple texts.  Robb will provide a framework for teaching analytical or evidence-based writing using multiple texts that teachers can use immediately with their students.

• observe how to develop a claim for one text
• develop a writing plan that supports the claim
• develop claims and a writing plan for multiple texts

Jeffrey Wilhelm

A classroom teacher for fifteen years, Dr. Jeffrey Wilhelm is currently professor of English education at Boise State University. He works in local middle schools as part of the Professional Development Site Network, and teaches middle school students each spring. He has authored or co-authored 27 texts about literacy teaching. He has won the two top research awards in English education and is the founding director of the Maine and Boise State Writing Projects.

Let Them Read Trash: The Power of Marginalized Texts to Promote Imagination, Satisfaction and Social Action
Featured Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

This interactive workshop will share findings from a study on how passionate adolescent readers of non-traditional texts (such as fantasy [Harry Potter], dystopian [Hunger Games], vampire [Twilight], horror, graphic novels, series books, narrative video games) engage with such texts. We will explore the satisfactions and uses these readers have for such texts and the implications for psychological development, reading, and learning inside and outside of school. Implications for instruction, reading programs, and libraries will be shared.

• The attractions of “marginalized” texts for middle grade readers
• The various kinds of pleasures these texts offer
• The psychological satisfactions achieved from reading such texts
• The ways educators can use these findings in their classrooms, including providing bridges to other kinds of reading

Inquiring Minds Learn to Read, Write, and Meet the CCSS
Follow-up Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

This interactive session will explore inquiry as the model of instruction for developing deep conceptual and strategic understanding that leads to transfer and application of learning in the real world.  It will explore how inquiry is uniquely suited to assist students in meeting the next generation of standards (e.g., Common Core Standards) and assessments. Practical matters regarding the creation of inquiry environments will be addressed: composing essential questions, frontloading for success, sequencing, and identifying culminating projects.

• The research supporting inquiry as an apprenticeship into expertise
• The role of inquiry approaches in the next generation of standards and assessments
• How inquiry meets the motivational needs of adolescents
• How to frame curriculum as a problem to be solved with essential questions
• How to prepare students for success with frontloading
• How to sequence instruction and backwards plan to lead towards culminating projects

Rick Wormeli

One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick brings innovation, energy, validity, and high standards to both his presentations and his instructional practice, which includes almost 30 years teaching math, science, English, physical education, health, and history and coaching teachers. Rick’s work has been reported in numerous media, including ABC’s Good Morning America, Hardball with Chris Matthews, National Geographic and Good Housekeeping magazines, What Matters Most: Teaching for the 21st Century, and the Washington Post. He is a columnist for the Association for Middle Level Education’s Middle Ground magazine, and he is the author of the award-winning book, Meet Me in the Middle: Becoming an Accomplished Middle Level Teacher, as well as the best-selling books, Day One and Beyond; Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom; and Differentiation: From Planning to Practice, Grades 6-12; Metaphors & Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching any Subject, all five from Stenhouse Publishers, as well as Summarization in any Subject, published by ASCD. His latest book, published by AMLE is The Collected Writings (so far) of Rick Wormeli.  His classroom practice is the showcase for the DVD set of ASCD's best-selling series, "At Work in the Differentiated Classroom," and he is a contributing author to Middle School Matters, and Because You Teach, published by Incentive Publications.
With his substantive presentations, sense of humor, and unconventional approaches, he’s been asked to present to teachers and administrators in all 50 states, Canada, China, Europe, Japan, Vietnam, Korea, Australia, the Middle East, the United States Senate, and at the White House.  He is a seasoned veteran of many international webcasts, and he is Disney’s American Teacher Awards 1996 Outstanding English Teacher of the Nation. He won the 2008 James P. Garvin award from the New England League of Middle Schools for Teaching Excellence, Service, and Leadership, and he has been a consultant for National Public Radio, USA Today, Court TV, and the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural Partners Program and their search for the Giant Squid.  He lives in Herndon, Virginia with his wife and two high school-aged children where he is currently working on his first young adult fiction novel and a new education book on 21st century homework practices.

Changing the Culture of the Building for Standards-Based Grading (or Differentiated Instruction)
Featured Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Large ships are hard to turn, but there are strategies that definitely flip the rudder and maintain the new course. Want your school to move toward differentiated practices? Standards-based grading?  Block-scheduling?  A new literacy or math program? PLCs? Think of the exciting new directions your school could pursue if only your staff shared your excitement! Unfortunately, new building and district initiatives can be dead on arrival if teachers are cynical, fearful, overworked, or suffering from low morale. Based on the presenter’s work with NASSP and in hundreds of school systems in the U.S. and abroad, this workshop provides over three dozen practical and proven strategies that help teachers and their leaders embrace new initiatives, even if they are hesitant or going into it “kicking and screaming.” Join us for an inspiring look at how to get an entire faculty to set sail for the new horizon ahead.

Interacting with Differentiated Instruction Scenarios
Follow-up Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Articulating and defending one’s thinking while debating classroom situations really transforms pedagogy. Join us as we debate over two dozen real classroom scenarios and determine whether or not they are proper or improper examples of differentiated instruction, and if improper, how we could improve upon them, looking specifically at how highly accomplished differentiating teachers would respond successfully. It’s the interactive debate that opens minds and possibilities!

Principles and Practicalities: Formative Assessment, Descriptive Feedback, and Summative Judgment
Follow-up Session
Saturday, November 9, 2013
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Teaching is not a “gotcha” enterprise, yet many assessment approaches fall into that category. Join us for a provocative workshop in which we identify fundamental elements of formative assessment and contrast them with elements of summative judgment. Critical to student’s success, descriptive feedback from formative assessment will be emphasized as well. We’ll look at the validity of all three, busting a few myths along the way. We’ll emphasize collecting clear and consistent evidence over time, designing rubrics, figuring out what’s important to teach, giving descriptive feedback, correlating assessments to objectives, and we’ll learn dozens of formative assessment techniques. Use these principles and watch the dramatic, positive change in students’ performance within days!

Jack Berckemeyer

A nationally-recognized presenter, author, and humorist, Jack Berckemeyer began his career as a middle school teacher in Denver, Colorado. After two years of teaching, he was named as an outstanding educator at his school, and shortly thereafter he was identified as one of the outstanding educators in the district. In 2003, he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Falcon School District. Jack brings his energy, humor, and expertise about middle level adolescents to all staff development opportunities as he helps teachers and administrators remember why their jobs make a difference. Jack has presented in conference and school district settings both nationally and internationally. Jack served as a judge for the Disney American Teacher Awards and the selection committee for the USA TODAY All Teacher Team. Jack Berckemeyer is known for his motivating, practical ideas communicating a message of hope, laughter, and insight to the nature of the young adolescent. Jack was also the Assistant Executive Director for the National Middle School Association for 13 years and is the author of Managing the Madness—A Practical Guide to Middle Grades Classrooms, and Taming the Team: How Great Teams Work Together. He is also the co-author of H.E.L.P. for Teachers. Jack currently owns and operates the Berckemeyer Consulting Group, which works with schools all over the world focusing on school reform and professional development. Jack lives in Denver, Colorado, and has no pets or plants.

Managing the Madness—Practical Strategies for Classroom Management
Featured Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Are you looking for ideas to help deal with classroom disruptions? Are you tired of constant interruptions? This session will provide some practical ideas that you can use to help with classroom behavioral issues. Find out how your room structure can make a difference, discover ways to deal with power play issues, and explore strategies that relate to attention and humor. Author of the AMLE book Managing the Madness, the presenter provides ideas in a humorous, motivating manner perfect for all educators.

• Discover why middle level students interrupt our lessons.
• Learn new classroom management methods.
• Laugh as you learn effective ways to interact with young adolescents.
• Walk away with at least 10 new ideas regarding classroom management.

Student Motivation—Great Hands-on Teaching Ideas
Follow-up Session
Friday, November 8, 2013
2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Looking for fun and motivating ideas for your middle level classroom? This hands-on session provides real-world, quality strategies and examples in all subject areas and topics—It’s perfect for any middle level teacher. No philosophy here, just creative ideas to motivate the middle level learner.

• Learn about great, innovative hands-on activities that can be implemented in any middle school classroom.
• Laugh as you learn new ideas and share great teaching strategies with colleagues.
• Come play with paper plates and spell while riding a motorcycle!

Taming of the Team—How Great Teams Work Together!
Follow-up Session
Saturday, November 9, 2013
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

A middle school team member’s days are filled with great joys, struggles, and frustrations. This practical session focuses on the real-life issues that teams face and provides strategies for maximizing team time for collaboration on handling kids, curriculum, and professional development. The session is based on Jack’s book, Taming of the Team, and you won’t want to miss his descriptions of team members’ characteristics.

• Go beyond the basics of teaming by discovering how to effectively use team time.
• Learn how to create a 3-5-3 plan for students who are struggling with behavior or academics.
• Laugh out loud at the characteristics of middle school teachers.
• Find out why teams are all about kids, curriculum, and professional development.

Laurie Barron

Dr. Laurie Barron is in her eighteenth year in education, serving six years as a high school English teacher, two as a middle school assistant principal, nine as the principal of Smokey Road Middle School, and is currently the superintendent of the Evergreen School District in Kalispell, Montana. Barron is a National Board Certified Teacher and is a previous Teacher of the Year and STAR Teacher. Barron is the 2013 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year.

Leadership Roles in Establishing School Culture and Climate
Featured Session
Thursday, November 7, 2013
1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Join 2013 MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year Dr. Laurie Barron in a conversation about how her staff came together to put their students’ welfare first and established a model climate with a personalized environment where every student is known, feels valued, and achieves!