Hit Pause with SAPDC

Dr. Trisha Sotropa of the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortia (SAPDC) visits with Structured Literacy specialist and Certified Orton-Gillingham instructor, Dr. Deborah Karrah, about some of the early skills required for reading success, and the two upcoming series of sessions at SAPDC. Dr. Karrah is involved in work that supports both reading and writing remediation for children who have dyslexia and dysgraphia and has been collaborating with Harvard University in a research study on innovative dyslexia screening technology developed by a multi-disciplinary team in Greece. Though her sessions starting on October 25th will not be recorded, they are hybrid and available in person and online visit the SAPDC website at sapdc.ca for further information and to register.

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In this episode, Kent Hollingsworth, a Certified Solution-Focused Therapist, Behavior Consultant and Clinical Consultant to a number of school divisions, with a focus on supporting neurodevelopmental disabilities introduces us to another way to look at our nervous system and its impact on our sense of safety, and ability to respond to stress and triggers in our life.

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As Amber Darroch approaches retirement we share in a reflective conversation about mentors and mentoring, leadership, education and all its aspirations and challenges. Amber has provided excellent leadership, help initiate a Women in Leadership committee for the provincial association of school superintendents in Alberta and is a great example of grace and leadership.

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Author and presenter Dr. Ron Ritchhart shares his thoughts on the importance of a culture of thinking supported by specific efforts to making thinking visible in the classroom conversations. A lifetime of research, writing and teaching have resulted in four books, Intellectual Character, Making Thinking Visible, Creating Cultures of Thinking and the 2020 release, The Power of Making Thinking Visible. Ron is a Senior Research Associate at Harvard's Project Zero. Following Dr. Ritchhart's work we can all learn to be more mindful in, and cognizant of, our thinking in our classrooms, live or virtual, and out daily interactions with one another.

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A visit in early March 2020 following day 1 of Layne's two-day visit with educators in Lethbridge as we discuss supporting students, teachers, classmates and families on the very long and wide path of the Autism Spectrum.

Layne offers a couple of book to check out - "Better Than Carrots or Sticks: Restorative Practices for Positive Classroom Management by Dominique Smith, Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey.

Albertan Jody Carrington's "Kids These Days" and

Nathan Maynard's Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice

We also recommend listeners check out the Alberta Family Wellness Website https://www.albertafamilywellness.org/ and the free online Brain Course offered on the site. (Great resource for teachers, parents, education assistants)

Layne Pethick is a Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorders Consultant for Region 10 ESC. He is holds a PhD in Leadership and has a Master’s degree in Special Education with concentration in Human Behavior, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with degrees in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Reading.

Layne has experience as a general and special education teacher, school administrator, district trainer, program director, and in higher education as a professor of special education, assessment, early childhood and teacher education. He has had several articles published and presents at local, state, national, and international conferences. He has, and continues to work with various countries in the areas of education and special education to include Mexico (2009-2011), Hong Kong (2011), Canada (currently), Vietnam (currently), and across the United States (currently).

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Julie Stern and Rhae-Ann Holoien join Rick Gilson for a conversation around the lived experience in Grasslands Public Schools where Rhae-Ann is the Assistant Superintendent and Julie Stern, Author and presenter has been sharing her work around teaching for conceptual understanding and transfer with the teaching staff of Grasslands for the last two years. Recorded March 8, 2020 in Brooks, Alberta. Visit edtosavetheworld.com for more information on Julie Stern and www.grasslands.ab.ca for more information and contact information for Grasslands Public Schools.

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I had the opportunity to visit with David Sobolewski after he'd spent two days visiting with Early Childhood Education teachers and leaders in our region exploring the advantages and importance of play in learning as well as in developing executive and social skills so critical to helping our pre-school and kindergarten students succeed as they move into the "graded" curriculum and school years. At the conclusion, as we always intend, I asked if there was anything he was reading that he'd recommend to our listeners for their life-long pursuit of learning, his answer might bring a bit of a smile to your day. It did mine.

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Rachel French shares some of her thoughts and experience supporting teachers with strategies that promote transferable understanding for students in a Concept-Based Inquiry model. Rachel recorded the visit following the first of a two-day training session with educators in Southern Alberta. Enjoy.

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A brief introduction to the Show outlining our objectives for the show and future episodes.

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