posted August 6, 2008
Nearly 425 educators from all 15 Benwood elementary schools will meet at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Thursday and Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Widely-acclaimed educational trainers April DeCesare and Cathy Jones of Innovative Learning Solutions will lead sessions on enhancing reading and writing skills through the use of a “smart writer’s portfolio” and enhancing classroom instruction in literacy through the use of music.
Farrell Artis, consultant and trainer for Urban Educators, will lead sessions on best practices for effective classroom management.
“We’re excited about the new school year,” said Clara Sale-Davis, director of the Benwood Initiative for the Public Education Foundation. “This Professional Learning Community Round-Up will give us all a great start on building a school year that will make a real difference in the lives of the children in our schools.”
The Benwood Initiative began in 2001 with a focus on improving reading and writing skills in eight urban elementary schools. Highly successful, this partnership between Hamilton County schools, the Public Education Foundation and the Benwood Foundation expanded in 2007 to include seven additional schools from all areas of Hamilton County.
The initiative continues to focus on literacy, but has expanded to include a focus on math and on moving students all the way to “advanced” status in their learning.
Tools for this work include the “3 R’s;” – rigor, relevance, and relationships, and a strong effort to make sure that each student in each class receives individualized instruction at an appropriate level.
Since 1988, the Public Education Foundation has provided expertise, leadership and financial support for a wide range of programs and reforms in the areas of curriculum and instruction, community and family engagement and leadership. This work represents an investment of more than $40 million in the academic success of Hamilton County’s public school students.
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