PRISM

2nd Annual Learning Community Workshop

Agenda Participant List Friday's Events Saturday's Events

The Southeast region leadership team hosted this annual workshop on September 9th and 10th at AASU. The Learning Community Workshop is the official start of the school learning communities (LC) and this day and a half event focused on helping LC key players get organized and educated about their role within the PRISM LC. Over 150 principals, teachers, and higher education associates and co-facilitators came together to share past experiences and new ideas. It was an energetic kickoff for the work to come as PRISM moves into year 3 and delves even further into its long-term goals. Thanks to all who participated! Below is a sketch of the agenda for the event with links to more information about sessions.

Friday's Events:

Session 1: PRISM Learning Communities: Goals, Activities & Roles: Sabrina Hessinger opened the workshop with a discussion of PRISM goals, strategies, and regional activities. Defining elements of the P-16 Learning Communities were also discussed. LC goals were addressed in an interactive discussion with a focus on feedback from participants. Follow the link below to view the power point presentation with discussion notes (on bottom of display).

Session 2: Panel Session: Implementing PRISM Learning Communities: Lead teachers and higher education associates and co-facilitators led a panel session highlighting the connection and collaboration between K-12 teachers and higher ed faculty that is integral to PRISM.

Session 3: School LC Breakout Discussions: The goals of this first meeting of LC participants were to make introductions, establish methods of communication, determine how to begin LCs in each school, and establish rough agendas for Fall 2005 LC meetings. Follow the links below to view the agendas for first and second year schools.

Session 4: Lunch and Social Time: Participants were encouraged to find a group of colleagues to share lunch and differing perspectives on PRISM. For more information on the goals of this session, click on the link below.

Session 5: Concurrent Interactive Presentations: Writing PRISM Mini-grants: Sabrina Hessinger gave a presentation on SE PRISM's Professional Development (PD) Grant program. This presentation reflected the new 2005-2006 PD characteristics and review criteria that are aligned with both the statewide leadership team's definition of PD and the Southeast Region's year 3 goals. During the presentation, participants broke into small groups to brainstorm ideas for PD that met these new criteria. A discussion ensued based on the ideas generated. Funding questions were also addressed. Concurrently, Michael Lariscy gave a presentation on the new Educational Research grant program. This presentation outlined the goals and purpose of ER and the model used to conduct ER. Participants discussed ideas for ER projects as well. To view the powerpoint presentation (with notes from discussions), please follow the links below.

Session 6: Full group report out & focus on Saturday: All participants reported back to discuss the day's sessions as well as any problems or questions they had.

Session 7: Recognition of Critical Site Visit Participants: Southeast PRISM Leaders extended a huge thank you to those who participated in the NSF site visit. The success of the visit would not have been possible without their help! Even though they were not allowed to speak to regional leaders, state level evaluators were so impressed with our region's participants that they broke the rules to compliment Sabrina and Vannie.

Session 8: Associate Demonstrations of Inquiry in K-12 Science & Math: Six of our disciplinary associates gave wonderful, hands-on examples of inquiry based learning. Linked below are copies of the handouts from some of the presentations. These entertaining demonstrations might be something you might like to use in your own classroom!

Session 9: Breakouts by Level and Subject: Participants gathered in groups based on the subject and level they teach to discuss ideas for regional programs and collaborations.

Session 10: Closing comments and Evaluation: Final questions were answered and issues addressed before participants were dismissed. All participants were asked to fill out an evaluation

Sabrina and Vannie would like to extend a sincere thank you to all participants, presenters, panel members, and regional leadership team members for helping us successfully kick off another incredible year in Southeast Region PRISM!