sparking powerful teaching - friends university · workshops. a state and national award-winning...

Featuring keynote speaker Davis LaughlinLaughlin is a motivational speaker, in-service presenter, author, national teacherfinalist, coach, lay pastor and adjunct instructor.

June 13-16 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Registrants may earn 1-3 credits in 2-4 days, with the option of earning an additional 3 credits for extended learning through a one day blended workshop attendance, following the Ignite conference.

Renew. Recharge. Re-energize.The mission of the 2016 Ignite Conference at Friends University is to improve theeffectiveness of teachers through a variety of encouraging workshops designed torestore passion, energize attitudes and share ideas, strategies and best practices.

316-295-5516 | friends.edu/[email protected]

Sparking powerful teaching

Teacher EducationConference

Registration opens March 13, 2016

Instructor Bios and Topics with Descriptions

Schanee Anderson Curator of Education and Farms Sedgwick County Zoo | Schaneè has a BS in environmental science from the University of Nebraska and MS in elementary education and curriculum instruction from Kansas State University. She has served on the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Conservation Education Committee and Honors and Awards, is past-president of the Kansas Association for Conservation andEnvironmentalEducation,andisacertifiedinterpretivetrainerwiththe National Association for Interpretation. Her favorite animals are bats and frogs. Ignite Conference Topic: Create a Wild and STEAMy Classroom Participants will be actively engaged in hands-on activities that will bring science, technology, engineering, art, and math alive in the classroom. Educators will gain information on composting, nature’s engineers, and the technology that goes into saving species. Don’t be surprised if an animal or two makes a guest appearance!

Jena M. Cantwell, EdD Dr. Cantwell earned her BGS from the University of Kansas and received her master’s degrees from Webster University, an MBA and a MA in Human Resources Development. Dr. Cantwell received her doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Argosy University where her research topic focused on student soft skills in education and the workplace. She recently moved back from North Carolina, while there she worked at a Community College and integrated soft skills curriculum into the college classrooms and in local high schools. She has also presented at state conferences regarding Soft Skills integration into the classroom and the effects that this has on student success. Dr. Cantwell has worked in Human Resources, Training and Development, and the Financial Industry in leadership roles and providing training to employees on Soft Skills. Ignite Conference Topic: Soft Skills Curriculum: What, When, Why, Where, and How Soft skills are a hot topic of discussion in business and education. The State of Kansas recently passed SB 155 that now requires these skills to be integrated in the classroom. This seminar explores what soft skills you are already teaching, when you can add more skills, why these skills are important, where these skills are necessary and how you can measure these skills in the classroom.









Michelle Farag Michelle has 13 years of experience and is especially accomplished with the upper elementary curriculum and standards, as well as, intervention for all grade levels. She consistently uses best practices in planning and instruction with a clear focus on differentiating for all learners. Michelle was chosen by her teammates for a Good Apple Award. She collaborates with District Staff on ideas and strategies and currentlyteachesfifthgradeintheWichitaDistrict. Susan Farag Susan has 38 years of experience as an educator, principal, and curriculum director. She is recognized as a literacy specialist and staff developer. Sue received Wichita’s Distinguished Teacher Award in the Kansas Teacher of the Year program and also received the Literacy Award from Kansas’ Reading Association and Wichita Reading Council, along with a Golden Apple Award. Sue’s focus is always on students by providing the best possible learning environment and instruction for them. She currently teaches graduate workshops for teachers and continues to inspire and promote literacy. Ignite Conference Topic: #WriteAway No matter where you are as a writing instructor, prop up your students’ writing proficiency with this interactive session! Join Sue and Michelle as we focus on writing strategies and activities that provide practical application and authentic writing experiences sure to inspire you and your students! Come explore some new ideas that will be easy to implement #writeaway!

Diamond Gulick Diamond Gulick has taught high school mathematics for the past 12 years and recently earned her administrative license. In 2014 she was awarded the Golden Apple award for teaching. She has a bachelor’s degree from Wichita State in secondary education with an emphasis in math, a masters from Southwestern College in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Building Leadership endorsement throughNewmanUniversity.Shelovestofindnewwaystoactivelyengagestudents in the classroom and make learning fun! Ignite Conference Topic: Ignite the Dendrites Do you ever feel your students are not fully engaged in class? The solution is here! We will keep students focused and engaged through strategies and tools from Robert Marzano’s “The Highly Engaged Classroom”. We will focus on the four questions that Marzano poses to get students more engaged in the classroom: How Do I feel?, Am I Interested?, Is This Important?, and Can I Do This? We will reflect on current strategies, explore new ones, and share ideas!


Angela Knapp MEd of Arts in Education, Regular education elementary teacher for 12 years and currently a Math Intervention Specialist for K-5. Lisa Lajoie- Smith Lisa Lajoie-Smith has been in education for 25 years. She works for the Sedgwick County Area Educational Services Interlocal Cooperative #618 in Goddard, KS. She spentthefirst16yearsasaK-6InterrelatedSpecialEducationTeacher.Thepast 9 years she has been a PreK-12th Grade Instructional Coach. Lisa has her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Wichita State University. She is an endorsed Teacher Leader. Lisa is also an adjunct professor for Friends University. She has been an adjunct for both Baker University as well as Fort Hays University. She is a Trainer of Trainers for the Kansas State Department of Education for the Kansas College and Career Ready Standards. Lisa has also presented at the KSDE Summer Academies for the past 6 years. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops including ATIA. Lisa is also a member of theKansasInfinitecCoalitionasatrainerforthestateofKansas. Ignite Conference Topics: Hope, Mindset, and Grit This session will explore how these three characteristic can make an impact on your life and your student’s lives. We will explore the work of Dr. Shane Lopez’s Making Hope Happen, and Carol Dweck’s The Growth Mindset. What is the difference between a fixed and growth mindset? How does fostering hope with your students increase engagement? What does it mean to have grit? Participants will leave the session with a better idea on how to foster these characteristic within themselves, colleagues, and students. Ignite Conference Topics: Pom Pom Power You are the cheerleader in your classroom. Join us as we share ideas to engage students in learning, create a positive classroom culture, and celebrate successes. This session will bring activities to hook students into wanting to know…what’s next? Explore web-sites that get students up and moving for brain breaks. Share questioning strategies that help build social- emotional intelligence. Find your energy renewed with a few simple ideas that make a huge impact on your classroom climate.
















Aaron Krone Aaron Krone graduated from Friends University, Wichita, Kansas, with a B.A. in studio art with an emphasis in painting. He graduated from Ft. Hays State University with an M.F.A in painting. Aaron has exhibited his artwork in many regional exhibits. He has taught art courses for Ft. Hays State University and Hutchinson Community College and is currently Visiting Art Professor for Friends University. This is the third year he has taught summer workshops for Friends University. Ann Krone Ann Krone grew up loving art and music. In elementary school, she was the one the other kids asked to draw for them their favorite cartoon characters. Following her goal to teach art, she earned a BA in Art Education and an MFA in Studio Art. Teaching art and working with the great students at Friends University since 1991 has given Ann years of enjoyment and the satisfaction of adding the joy of art to many regular students’ and graduate workshop professionals’ lives. Ignite Conference Topic: Core Content + Visual Art Processing = Memorable Learning When kids are learning through the arts, they end up getting a deeper understanding and the concepts from core content end up sticking much better. Classroom teachers don’t have to be nervous about their own artistic abilities to successfully use art as a means to add motivating processing to their learning. The word “integrate” is used throughout the common core standards and in this hands-on workshop you will take with you a number of ideas of how to integrate visual arts into your classroom.

Davis Laughlin After spending 34 years in a middle school science classroom, Davis Laughlin ‘retired’ so he could encourage teachers and help them improve the effectiveness of their teaching through professional development events, conferences and teacher workshops. A state and national award-winning educator, Laughlin still gets to spendtimewithstudentsasasubstituteteacherandcoach.Hisfirstbook,Ripple Maker – Teaching Effectively and Loving It, has been well received and highly rated. An example of lifelong learning, Laughlin completed his Master’s Degree in Teaching at the age of 57 and continues to explore the latest educational research. B.S. Elementary Education, Bethany College 1979 Master of Arts in Teaching, Friends University 2015 37 years as teacher and coach in Circle USD 375 Longtime adjunct instructor at Friends University Adjunct instructor at Butler Community College Twice named Circle District Teacher of the Year TwicearegionalfinalistforKansasTeacheroftheYear Runner-up as America’s Top Teacher on the Live with Regis and Kelly TV Show Author of Ripple Maker – Teaching Effectively and Loving It! and Another Brick – The Dehumanization of Students in Today’s Schools Keynote Speaker for the Ignite Conference









Rachel Nally Rachel Nally has her Master’s in Educational Technology and Library Licensure from Pittsburg State University. She is a high school media specialist at Eisenhower High School in Goddard. Before moving to the library, she taught various business classes for nine years. She has 20 years of education experience as both a classroom business teacher and librarian. She has been an adjunct with Friends since 2011. She enjoys seeing people develop a life-long love for learning. Ignite Conference Topic: Unleash the Hero Within Using Social Media Social media is an easy way to connect with parents, students, and the community to allow them see what is going on in your classroom. We can’t be afraid to tell our classroom story and show all of the positives taking place inside our classroom walls! We will look at ways to use Instagram and Twitter to brag about the great things going on in our schools! Ignite Conference Topic: Set Fire with QR Codes QR Codes are a great way to actively engage students and decrease the amount of paper you give them and their parents! Here you will learn how to use different QR Code (Electronic and Plain Text) websites and how to use them in your classroom. QR is short for Quick Response. They are used to take a piece of information that can be read by your cell phone or tablet.









Jeanine Phillips Jeanine Phillips is Executive Director of the Fundamental Learning Center, Inc. (FLC),aneducationalnot-for-profit,501(c)(3)corporationlocatedinWichita,Ks. FLC was co-founded by Gretchen Andeel and Jeanine Phillips in 2000 (both elementaryschoolteachers)withamissiontoservechildrenwithsignificant reading,spelling,andwritingdifficulties,includingchildrenwithdyslexia.The organization’smissionspecificallyaddressestheimportanceofteachingchildrento read utilizing research-validated literacy instruction, as well as educating parents and the community with the same intention and resolve. Jeanine talks openly about the fact she is dyslexic and has a son, Cooper, who was diagnosed with profound dyslexia in 1991. As a result of Cooper’s diagnosis, she soughteducationalsolutionsthattookhertoDallas,Tx.TodaysheisaCertified AcademicLanguageTherapist(CALT),aswellasaQualifiedInstructorforthe Academic Language Therapist Assn. (ALTA). Jeanine and her partner, Gretchen Andeel, opened the Fundamental Learning Center in 2001 out of a need in the community to provide appropriate literacy instructionforchildrenwithdyslexia,ADHD,andotherreadingrelateddifficulties. Jeanine and Gretchen, as well as the instructional staff at Fundamental Learning Center, are specialists in bringing literacy to the lives of children who are resistant to classroom literacy instruction. AllclassesandcoursesattheFundamentalLearningCenterfocusonthefive componentsofliteracyinstructioncurrentlyidentifiedandproveninresearch garnered by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)readingrelatedstudies.Allqualifiedparentsandeducatorsmaytake FLC’s classes and courses for graduate level credit. All Children Reading…All Children Succeeding is the vision of the Fundamental Learning Center. Ignite Conference Topic: “Walk in Their Shoes” Fundamental Learning Center, will facilitate a “Walk in Their Shoes” simulation. This popular workshop allows participants to experience six separate simulations that will raise awareness of the struggles children with learning disabilities have, as well as the kinds of meaningful accommodations that are helpful to children in the classroom. This session will leave a lasting impression.









Sylvia Schmidt Working with and learning from animals has been a lifelong interest of Sylvia’s from childhood. Come and learn about dogs and how they can be used to help children and adults alike to enhance learning, positive behavior, and character traits. You will be surprised to see what your dog may be telling you with body language and how you can train your furry partner to increase enthusiasm and engagement in curriculum and character education. Best practices for the ethical and professional uses for therapy dogs as well as the USD 259 Professional Therapy dog policy model will be discussed. Sylvia has been training a variety of breeds of dogs in her practice as a school counselor for 22 years. Ignite Conference Topic: Canines, Curriculum, Counseling, and Character Have you encountered or heard about how dogs are being used to not only create a positive environment, but enhance learning and deepen meaningful lessons in character? We will be focusing on the selection, training as well as the professional and ethical utilization of dogs in the educational environment. Prepare for fun and laughter and be ready to walk away with expanded knowledge along with concrete ideas of what your relationship with a special dog can do to change kids and adults alike.

Amy Snodgrass Amy Snodgrass, MA Educational Leadership, has been an educator in Wichita Public Schools for 18 years. She is passionate about Social Emotional Learning and equity issues, which is evident in her work through mentoring and coaching throughout the state of Kansas. She has served as the Executive Coordinator of New Teacher Induction since 2011. She is national trainer for New Teacher Center and has served as a Peer Consultant (full-release mentor) in Wichita Public schools. She is currently leading mindfulness practices in professional learning for the Peer Consultant Program to increase resiliency in coaching practices. Ignite Conference Topic: Mindfulness for Educators If you are educator who is working to make a difference for all students, but struggling to meet the social and emotional demands of a classroom, this is the session for you! In a time of high stress in our society and education system, science is showing us what many have known for thousands of years, the simple practice of attending to the present moment can change our lives. We will explore Mindfulness strategies to reduce stress and improve self-awareness, self-regulation and reflective capacities, which support a healthy classroom environment. Participants will also leave with an understanding of the research that shows how stress changes the brain and the importance of Mindful Awareness for teachers and students to cultivate a positive learning environment.



sparking powerful teaching - friends university · workshops. a state and national award-winning...

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