 Deborah Kadair The McNeese State University Burton College of Education will present the 2nd annual literacy conference for PK-12 educators July 17-18 on the McNeese campus. "Reading, Writing and Technology: Pathways to Differentiated Instruction" is the theme of this year's conference, which is supported by the college's Burton Endowment.
Participants will learn and share ideas about the influence of reading,
writing and technology in PK-12 literacy. Breakout sessions and keynote
addresses will present strategies and content for PK-12 educators to improve
student literacy in their classrooms, according to Dr. Debbie King,
conference coordinator.
"This year's conference is focusing on pathways to instruction using
technology as the avenue," said King. "Learning in the classroom is
interactive at all levels and research shows us that knowledgeable teachers
make the difference in the classroom."
King said that today's students are much more "tech savvy" and that teachers
have to meet those needs. "Professional development is important for
teachers," she said. "Not only do we need to know the latest teaching
strategies, but also the most up-to-date classroom technology. Good
teachers are lifelong learners and are always looking for ways to reach
their students.
Steven Layne "Today's learning styles are much quicker and more fast paced," King
continued. "Teachers incorporate PowerPoint presentations, virtual tours and
learning centers in the classroom to create pathways to learning and
retention."
July 11 is the registration deadline. Registration is $100 a person and must
be completed in advance of the conference as there is no on-site
registration. Registration information and other conference details are
available online at http://literacy.mcneese.edu.
Keynote speakers include Deborah Kadair, a teacher from Austin, Texas, Steven
Layne, a faculty member in the department of education at Judson University
in Elgin, Ill., and Dr. Debbie Silver, consultant and humorist, from
Melissa, Texas.
Kadair has worked with young students in the classroom for more
than 15 years and understands what children like to see and hear when
reading picture books. She is the author of several books, using
imaginative, collage-style illustrations to bring her stories to life.
Layne is a respected literacy consultant, motivational keynote speaker and
featured author who works with large numbers of educators and children
during school visits and at conferences each year. His work has been
recognized with awards for outstanding contributions to the fields of
educational research, teaching, and writing from such organizations as USA
Today newspaper, The Milken Family Foundation, the National Council of
Teachers of English, the Illinois Reading Council and the International
Reading Association.
 Dr. Debbie Silver Silver, an award-winning educator with 30 years experience as a classroom
teacher, staff development instructor and university professor, is known for
her humorous presentations as well as her deep insights into both student
and teacher behavior. Her awards include 1990 Louisiana State Teacher of the
Year and the 2007 Distinguished Alumnus from the college of education at
Louisiana Tech University. Along the way she has taught almost every grade
level and most every kind of student. She is the author of the bestselling
book, "Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers: Finding the Rhythm for
Differentiated Learning." |
