Kim Walters

The Academy focuses on a high rate of interrater reliability using the required performance evaluation ratings. Using case studies, the participants will collect evidence and use the Illinois Standards for Principal Evaluation to rate the principals. Participants will use data collected from the case studies and compare the data to best practices for evaluating principals and assistant principals. This data will also be analyzed to prepare administrative and school-level professional development plans. Participants will prepare targeted professional development, in a…

This two-day Academy is designed for individuals who are seeking the Initial Training Qualification for Teacher Evaluation. All new teacher evaluators in Illinois will need to pass AA #2001 on the topic of Initial Teacher Evaluation training. This training replaces the existing initial teacher evaluation training provided through Growth Through Learning CEC & TeachScape and aligns to the competencies for Part 50, Section 50.420 (a-b). **Day 2 includes the training assessment which may extend past the 3:30 session end time.…

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (20 USC §1681 et seq.) is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity, including K-12 public schools. Title IX was first signed into law on June 23, 1972 and is considered a civil rights statute. The Title IX regulations (34 CFR Part 106) were significantly amended in 2020 and will be effective on August 14, 2020. The new regulations…

Participants will:1) examine different aspects of their individual cultural identities (race, gender, nationality, linguistic affiliation, etc) and reflect on how these aspects affect their interactions with others; 2) be introduced to specific dimensions of cultural variability (individualism/collectivism, high - context/low-context, power distance, time orientation) and their effects on intercultural encounters; 3) explore techniques for effective intercultural communication in a globalizing world; 4) comprehend the role of the principal/school leaders in facilitating a positive learning environment by fostering a culture of…

This course will allow participants to learn effective skills and strategies for using Charlotte Danielson's Frameworks in a summative setting in order to more effectively: 1. Identify evidence at the component/element level during formal and informal observations; 2. Use evidence to effectively rate staff on the levels of performance for each domain; 3. Acquire strategies to support effective collaborative conferencing around formal and informal observations; and 4. learn techniques, strategies and protocols to use when conferencing with staff.

By leveraging social media, educational leaders can connect with experts across their communities and the world to expand their perspectives, build relationships, and create opportunities for student learning. Face-to-face networks provide leaders with opportunities to engage local peers in deeper conversations about the educational landscape. Understanding the social media landscape will also equip leaders to help professional staff as they integrate these powerful tools in their instruction. This course will provide the knowledge and skills required to become connected leaders…

This two-day Academy is designed for individuals who are seeking the Initial Training Qualification for Teacher Evaluation. All new teacher evaluators in Illinois will need to pass AA #2001 on the topic of Initial Teacher Evaluation training. This training replaces the existing initial teacher evaluation training provided through Growth Through Learning CEC & TeachScape and aligns to the competencies for Part 50, Section 50.420 (a-b). **Day 2 includes the training assessment which may extend past the 3:30 session end time.…

This Administrators' Academy course gives essential legal information as it applies to the instructional program, religion in public schools and student rights and shows how these areas articulate with teacher liability. A special component of the academy will be addressing the rights, employment, retention and dismissal of teachers. Time will be devoted to how administrators can proactively take steps to avoid legal pitfalls in their roles. Role-playing "court in action" will help to master the concepts of the academy and…

The Academy focuses on a high rate of interrater reliability using the required performance evaluation ratings. Using case studies, the participants will collect evidence and use the Illinois Standards for Principal Evaluation to rate the principals. Participants will use data collected from the case studies and compare the data to best practices for evaluating principals and assistant principals. This data will also be analyzed to prepare administrative and school-level professional development plans. Participants will prepare targeted professional development, in a…

This is the one required student growth retraining course for teacher and administrator evaluators who are renewing their designations required to evaluate educators. Participants will learn how to: 1. Use assessments and measurement models identified by the joint committee in determining the student growth attributable to individual teachers/principals and understand how different types of assessments are used for measuring growth; 2. Use data from the evaluation rubric, other evidence collected, and best practices relative to evaluating student growth to link…

This course is a detailed review of the laws and regulations relating to use of social media and similar technology in schools, with a specific focus on issues relating to students with disabilities. It includes the implications and use of social media by staff and students during school and personal time, including a review of the relevant laws and regulations, case law, and current legal disputes relevant to those issues.

Administrators who evaluate teachers must demonstrate a high rate of inter-rater reliability and communicate evaluation outcomes in constructive and supportive ways. Administrators who evaluate teachers must also recognize and control for bias when conducting an evaluation and determining results. School districts in Illinois must provide professional development to administrators to strengthen these skills on a sustained basis. This course focuses on Domains 2 and 3 of the Charlotte Danielson 2013 Framework for Teaching. This course requires participants to view teaching,…

This course is designed for administrators and teacher leaders and will provide strategic ways to advance educational equity in their respective districts. The course will address practical considerations when systemically shifting and embedding a focus on equity. Participants will be able to reflect on their professional responsibilities toward the organizational commitment of equity and serving all students, especially marginalized populations. This course aligns and supports Illinois Performance Standards for School Leaders, Standard V: Leading with Integrity and Professionalism.

Although schools are moving forward, change is always something that many struggle with. Focusing on an innovator’s mindset and our “why”, this workshop will focus on high impact leadership as you lead your educators and organization through accepting and embracing change, and providing better powerful learning opportunities for your learners. It is not focused on the “how to” of technology, but is more focused on the conversations that will help staff move forward in a way that they will be…

The Academy focuses on a high rate of interrater reliability using the required performance evaluation ratings. Using case studies, the participants will collect evidence and use the Illinois Standards for Principal Evaluation to rate the principals. Participants will use data collected from the case studies and compare the data to best practices for evaluating principals and assistant principals. This data will also be analyzed to prepare administrative and school-level professional development plans. Participants will prepare targeted professional development, in a…

This course will allow participants to learn effective skills and strategies for using Charlotte Danielson's Frameworks in a summative setting in order to more effectively: 1. Identify evidence at the component/element level during formal and informal observations; 2. Use evidence to effectively rate staff on the levels of performance for each domain; 3. Acquire strategies to support effective collaborative conferencing around formal and informal observations; and 4. learn techniques, strategies and protocols to use when conferencing with staff.

This course takes proven ideas from research and weaves them into practical applications that guide administrators when communicating difficult messages to staff regarding their performance. Participants will learn how to proactively develop an essential foundation of trust, respect, and confidentiality in their buildings. Strategic research and tools will be presented to help administrators predict and deal with others' difficult behavior, especially when they are under stress. Multiple opportunities will be provided to practice using listening and questioning strategies when confronting…

This two-day Academy is designed for individuals who are seeking the Initial Training Qualification for Teacher Evaluation. All new teacher evaluators in Illinois will need to pass AA #2001 on the topic of Initial Teacher Evaluation training. This training replaces the existing initial teacher evaluation training provided through Growth Through Learning CEC & TeachScape and aligns to the competencies for Part 50, Section 50.420 (a-b). **Day 2 includes the training assessment which may extend past the 3:30 session end time.…