Workshop Sessions and Speakers
Our interactive workshop sessions are led by UNC faculty, students and alumni
who have spent years in the teaching field and want to share their knowledge.
- Parent Seminar: Guidance to Support Networks: First Steps in the College Process
Parent Seminar
Jim Erekson (Literacy Education, UNC); Kevin Pugh (Educational Psychology, UNC); Aldo Romero (Cumbres, UNC)Room #: McKee 0020
In this session, parents/guardians/support networks will learn and have the opportunity to ask questions about various topics including the path to becoming a teacher, admissions process, available financial aid, UNC housing and residential education, basic/core/general ed classes, and more.
- Teacher Cadet Program
Christine Rotole-McConnell, (Teacher Cadet program coordinator)
Room #: McKee 282
- Early Childhood Education
Session 1: LET’S PLAY! Play-based Learning in the Early Years
Amanda Rutter (Early Childhood Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 230
Early childhood is all about play! But why? Come play and explore typical center materials to learn about the connection between open-exploration and fostering critical thinking skills.
Session 2: From Crayons to Connections
Jean Kirshner (Early Childhood Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 221
Connecting young learners to their global partners in Early Childhood Education classrooms across the world!
- Elementary Education
Session 3: Game Jam! Making Games to Support Your Students’ Social and Emotional Skill Development
Matthew Farber (Educational Technology, UNC); William Merchant (Applied Statistics and Research Methods, UNC)Room #: McKee 428
Do you like playing games? Have you ever wanted to make a game? In this hands-on session, you will learn how to make a non-digital educational game that supports students’ social and emotional skill development.
Session 4: The JOY of Teaching
Danie Souchek (5th grade teacher, University Schools) & Trish Wojurfin (K-12 literacy coach, University Schools)Room #: McKee 219
Teaching can be a rewarding yet tough profession. Learning how to sustain yourself through a variety of practices, finding your niche, and carving out time for fun in the classroom is essential. We look forward to spending some time with you and sharing the passions that have sustained us in our many years of education.
Session 5: Learning Mathematics Understanding Through Games
Jenni Harding Middleton (Elementary Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 426
Come play games and see how they connect to mathematics! Teaching number sense in early math literacy is an important component for teachers. Math games are one way for students to understand math and this session will model how to use this inquiry learning practice in the classroom.
Session 6: Can I have your attention please?...Engagement Ideas for Everyone!
Robin Duran (1st grade teacher University Schools)Room #: McKee 424
Let’s grab the attention of the students and keep them engaged in lessons. Students that are actively involved in lessons have a deeper understanding and enjoyment of learning. Let’s explore different ways to keep all students actively working and learning.
Session 7: #adifferentkindofschool- Take a look at an Innovation MicroSchool!
Tatum Monaghan (Fred Tjardes School of Innovation); Courtney LuceRoom #: McKee 253
Not all schools look and function the same! In this session, you will learn about a school that is doing things differently. Learn how they emphasize inclusion and individual student interests.
Session 8: Math is Fun!
Hannah Kang (Elementary Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 229
Math is fun! Do you agree with it? Let’s explore some fun and engaging hands-on activities to learn how to teach math in an elementary classroom. In this session, students will experience hands-on manipulatives that promote conceptual understanding of math content.
Session 9: Innovate, Instruct and Inspire through S.T.E.A.M.
Debbie Blair (retired STEAM/technology teacher, Prairie Crossing Elementary)Room #: McKee 254
S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) is an amazing way to engage students in active learning. In this hands-on session, you will have the opportunity to participate in an engineering project to get an idea of what it is like for learners to explore and learn through S.T.E.A.M. projects.
- Secondary Education
Session 10: Reflective Practice: What it Means (and How You Can Start Doing it Now)
Jeri Kraver (English, UNC); Stacy Bailey (English, UNC)Room #: McKee 140
In this session, students will explore reflections skills that they can start using right now to prepare them for becoming teacher candidates.
Session 11: Teaching as storytelling: Incorporating local relationships with place-based education
Mandi Leigh (UNC Educational Studies, doctoral student)Room #: McKee 137
We will share unique stories that live in our communities and imagine how those stories can be places for local exploration in a variety of classes. Attendees will gain an understanding of place-based education and how the practice benefits their future classrooms.
Session 12: Collaboration in the Classroom
Joey Laurx (UNC Educational Studies, doctoral student)Room #: McKee 336
Collaboration gives students opportunities for deeper learning. In this session you will learn about different ideas and strategies for getting students to collaborate with each other and take charge of their learning.
Session 13: How to Thrive
Danielle Bell (UNC Educational Studies, doctoral student)Room #: McKee 425
When you’re a first-year teacher, everyone has advice. They’ll forward you Rita Pierson TED Talks and inspirational quotes. You’ll get your keys and maybe even a district-logo tote bag and a copy of whatever book is trending in the education world. (In 2002, my first year, that was Harry Wong’s “The First Days of School”). But no one really tells you what’s about to happen, or how to navigate the next year.
In this session, students will learn tips & tricks to thrive in their first years in the classroom.
- K-12 Education: Art, Music, Sport and Exercise Science
Session 14: MOVE-ment Matters: The Power of Physical Activity in Schools
Jennifer Krause (Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership, UNC); Brian Dauenhauer (Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership, UNC); Scott Douglas (Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership, UNC)Room #: McKee 144
Play, move, and learn with us as we explore the benefits of physical activity for the mind and body! This session will describe how teachers can impact students’ overall wellbeing and academics through incorporating physical activity in schools. Come ready to move and groove!
Session 15: Where Those Crazy Enough to Think They Can Change the World Become the Ones Who Do
Connie Stewart (Art Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 138
This is session will look at the power of an arts education and give an overview of the Art Education program in the School of Art and Design
Session 16: Creativity in Art Develops Creativity in all Subjects
Zoe Tessier (Art Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 252
Everything that is created around us was all developed from a creative thought! Through looking at art projects that create a sense of puzzlement we help students to develop the same curiosity in exploring other subjects and asking more creative questions! We will talk about how to set up a classroom around positivity and how to critique artwork to lift others up so that they are encouraged to keep creating, asking questions and search for more in everything that they do!
- Urban Education
Session 17: Successful Teaching in Urban Classroom
Rosanne Fulton (Urban Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 0044E
Key questions that will be addressed in this session include:
- What teaching strategies make the biggest difference for all learners?
- What is most rewarding about teaching in urban classrooms?
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
Session 18: Cumbres Program/CLD Endorsement
Penny Mascarenas (Cumbres, UNC); Aldo Romero (Cumbres, UNC)Room #: McKee 139
Description & Recruiting for the Cumbres program.
Session 19: Teaching and Learning with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students: Myths and Facts around Multilingual Education
Deborah Romero (Teacher Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 228
Come discover what it means to be a teacher for all students. This interactive session will dispel popular myths and explore how teachers can build inclusive classrooms that support English language learners.
- Special Education
Session 20: Why Exploring Student Strengths Will Make You a Better Teacher
Corey Pierce (Special Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 223
A fun way to consider being a teacher with a strength-based mindset!
Session 21: We are Better Together!: An Introduction to Co-teaching
Jodie Rommel (Special Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 147
Learn how general education teachers and special education teachers can partner to provide students with high-access instruction in the classroom. Participants will leave with a foundational understanding of how co-teaching works and the benefits for students and teachers.
- Rural Education
Session 22: Why Rural Matters: Unique Opportunities for Teachers in Rural Colorado
Harvey Rude; Robert Fulton (Colorado Center for Rural Education)Room #: McKee 146
This session provides information on the variety of incentives and financial support available to teacher candidates who are interested in teaching in one of Colorado’s 146 rural and small rural school districts.
Session 23: Digital Classrooms for Dynamic Teaching: Supporting all Learners through In-Person and Virtual Engagement
Anne Davidson (Teacher Education, UNC)Room #: McKee 423
Learn how digital classrooms can be used to create dynamic instruction that responds to students’ needs for inclusion and equity, while facilitating interactive engagement, whether instruction takes place face-to-face within a school classroom, or virtually.
