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Come to Spokane a day ahead of the regular conference for
one of WSSDA's Early Bird Workshops. These sessions offer
concentrated learning and professional development on key
topics, as well as an opportunity to network and get a
jump-start on the conference experience. There are six
workshops running concurrently on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from
1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is by ticket for the
selected workshop only. See our
conference
registration page for information and online
registration.
1. The Exceptional Educational Office Professional
Administrative office professionals perform myriad tasks besides supporting school board meetings and activities, such as communicating with parents and community members and serving as a resource for running effective meetings. Discover techniques to communicate with your schools stakeholders with confidence and ease and polish your effective meeting skills with a certified parliamentarian. Bring your own successes and/or challenges to share and learn from your colleagues.
Learner outcomes
- Utilize new skills for effective, confident communication.
- Demonstrate the relationship between parliamentary procedures and successful meetings.
- Draw on the skills and knowledge of other participants attending the workshop.
- Transfer your learning into practice back in your district.
2. New and First Term School Board Orientation
Launch your school board service with experts who will get you started on the right foot. This fast paced, high-energy workshop will give you insight into your roles and responsibilities within the district and within the community and provide board-superintendent relationship building techniques for a smooth transition onto team. You will also discover resources for ongoing information and support and get a head start on developing a network of colleagues from around the state.
Learner outcomes
- Explain the multiple school director roles of vision, structure accountability and advocacy.
- Distinguish the differences between board and
administrative responsibilities.
- Identify resources for ongoing information and support.
- Recognize the value of developing a network of colleagues from other districts around the state.
3. Fulfilling Your Legislative Advocacy Role
This hands-on, active legislative training will prepare directors to step up to their advocacy responsibility with confidence and competence at home, in Olympia and beyond. Advocating for education is a year-round process and you will receive and practice proven techniques to build those important relationships. You will also learn to synthesize complex issues and articulate key points in a concise manner using the hot education issues of the day.
Learner outcomes
- Identify and utilize proven relationship building strategies.
- Synthesize complex issues into concise targeted messages.
- Articulate key points with confidence.
- Explore hot legislative issues in education.
4. School Board Leadership for Community Support
Is it time for your community to step it up a notch in support of education? Get the tools you need to take the lead! Review the latest research on the importance of community engagement to student learning and explore successful strategies from around the state and the nation. Then, brainstorm with your team to set a vision for community engagement and draft an action plan for getting started back home.
Learner outcomes
- Review the latest research on community engagement and student achievement.
- Explore successful strategies.
- Set a vision for community engagement.
- Identify steps to develop a community engagement action plan for your district.
5. Communication Skills for Leaders
School directors are the vital communication link between the district and the community and must be able to lead an effective meeting with confidence, target important messages to specific audiences, and think fast when approached by the media. Communication experts will arm you with the skills you need to get your message across succinctly and believably. You will also gain tips for facilitating difficult meetings and designing effective PowerPoint presentations.
Learner outcomes
- Articulate specific targeted messages at a moment's notice.
- Facilitate an effective community public comment session.
- Set a board meeting agenda and conduct an effective board meeting.
- Respond appropriately to the media.
- Make a presentation using proven communication techniques.
6. Effective Practices for Closing the Achievement Gap
Closing the achievement gap continues to be a challenge for many of us, while others are experiencing great success. A new term, opportunity gap, has evolved as a key integer in the equation. Receive the latest research on student achievement and the opportunity gap. Also, identify successful practices that are transferable to your district and begin to draft a student achievement plan that levels the playing field for all students.
Learner outcomes
- Discuss the latest research on student achievement for all student populations.
- Identify successful strategies to address achievement gaps and ensure learning opportunities for all students.
- Determine which strategies may be applicable to your district.
- Organize a team to design a student achievement plan for your district.
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