Grossmont Union High School District
Professional Development 2008-2009
Click here to view the list of workshops now!

It is with great pleasure that we present the selection of professional development workshops for the current academic year. A great deal of effort has gone into the planning and scheduling of these activities to provide growth opportunities in the areas of greatest need and topics requested by teachers. Presenters have been researched and invited to our district based on their content expertise and their reputation of being presenters of the highest caliber.

Please register early, as we are limited to the number of subs that we can secure for workshops on any given day. The registration forms are located in the back of the brochure and can be placed in district mail or faxed to the Professional Development Office at 462-5721. You may also register online. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy or Judy at 644-8040.

Thank you!

Cindy Douglas
Director of Instruction & Professional Development

Workshops

Conscious Classroom Management
Date: October 14, 2008
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Grace Dearborn
Description:
Why is it that good classroom management is often invisible? How can we understand and utilize these invisible skills with our students? Conscious Classroom Management is a lively, fun, and interactive workshop that addresses these questions. In this fast paced, laughter-filled seminar, you will learn and explore:
• Practical approaches for motivating your reluctant learners
• How to “hold your ground” in ways that invite student cooperation
• “Student friendly” lessons and easy classroom management
• Strategies that result in reduced anxiety and a fresher, more positive approach to teaching.

Differentiating Instruction for the Teenage Brain
Date: October 30, 2008 – Part II
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Ernie Mendes
Description:
This interactive session will address key questions facing today’s high school teacher such as:
How can I teach a diverse group of learners?
How can I get my students to care about what I am teaching?
How can I connect with all of my students?
Participants will:
• Learn tips for student motivation
• Learn ways to optimize student test-taking
• Learn research-based relationship strategies that promote an effective learning environment
• Discover the role of emotional intelligence in engaging today’s high school students
• Gain self-management strategies to keep sanity throughout the school year

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Effective Teambuilding
Date: January 27, 2009
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Jacob Clifford
Description:
This is a great workshop for teachers and program coordinators that want their students to buy into their programs and learn teamwork/leadership skills. Teambuilding can revolutionize a variety of different programs including: ELD, AVID, ASB, PLUS, AP Courses, Academies, Clubs, etc. Using AP Boot Camp as a model, this workshop shows the benefits of skillbuilding and proven methods that get results. In addition to giving strategies and activities that create unity and student engagement, this workshop allows teachers to develop action plans that best fit their programs. See article regarding AP Boot Camp: (http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/08/01/news/inland/17_01_137_31_06.txt)

Equity & Diversity Training
Date: February 12, 2009
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Beth Lincoln & Dee McFarland
Description:
The purpose of this workshop is to provide educators with an opportunity to explore their own cultural beliefs, values and biases, compare and contrast with other ethnic groups, and find common ground in which to work with students and families more effectively. With this information educators can create a welcoming environment in which students and teachers learn and grow.

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Making Common Assessments Meaningful Using Edu-Soft
Date: October 8, 2008 or
October 23, 2008
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Technology Resources – Computer Lab
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Jacob Clifford
Description:
This workshop is similar to “Using Edu-Soft in AP”, however it focuses on using Edu-Soft to guide student mastery of the State standards. In addition to providing general Edu-Soft training, this workshop pays special attention to strategies for using Edu-Soft and formative assessments to guide and improve teaching. It is ideal for Department Chairs and teachers that want more collaboration and seek to accelerate their PLC.

Outrageous Teaching!
Date: November 18, 2008
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Dave Burgess
Description:
Join teacher and professional magician Dave Burgess for a walk on the wild side of education. This interactive seminar will be an entertaining day filled with magic, mayhem, and most importantly, methods that will capture the attention of your hard-to-reach, hard-to-motivate students. You will learn how to infuse the lessons you already teach with cutting-edge techniques designed to transform your class into the most exciting and talked about class on campus.
Topics will include:
• How to create “hooks” to draw students into your content
• How to use principles of staging and showmanship
• How to easily change the look of your room for a single lesson
• How to create and teach mnemonics so that students retain key information

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Special Ed in the Regular Ed Classroom
Date: February 25, 2009
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Karen Rodifer
Description:
Karen Rodifer, an experienced Special Educator in the Grossmont District, will offer a workshop designed for general education teachers who are experiencing the reality of inclusion and collaboration. Strategies, lesson planning, and behavior tips will be discussed.

Strategies for Great Teaching
Date: November 20, 2008
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Mark Reardon
Description:
What if you had a pocket full of strategies that enhanced your students’ retention of information while they gained mastery? In this day of standards, assessments and accountability, the moments we spend with students is crucial. When we focus on the quality of learning during instruction we gain greater results and students gain greater competence. Here are a few strategies you’ll acquire:
• KnowBooks
• Little Professor Moment
• Go With The Flow Moment
• Hieroglyphics Moment

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Working With Challenging Students
Date: January 20, 2009
Times: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Instructional Resources
Appropriate for: All Content Areas / All Grade Levels
Presenter: Ernie Mendes
Description:
Challenges come in a variety of forms from the “You can’t make me!” type to the “Why try?” type. In these sessions we will explore four challenging learner types:
• The Defiant Learner
• The Unmotivated Learner
• The Impulsive Learner
• The Stressed-Out Learner
Participants will learn strategies for minimizing resistance with oppositional students, motivating the unmotivated, managing the impulsive, and calming the anxious.