'Call to Present. 2011 Texas Middle School Association's Annual Conference'

'Call to Present. 2011 Texas Middle School Association's Annual Conference'

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Texas Named  a Schools To Watch State

Austin, TX - Texas has been selected by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, to participate in the Schools-to-Watch (STW) Program.  The Schools to Watch designation presents a unique opportunity to showcase schools that have high levels of diversity and have demonstrated a commitment to excellence for all students served regardless of socio-economic status or ethnicity. High performing schools with these characteristics have had to overcome significant challenges to achieve quality and through this program their stories can be shared and their practices replicated in other schools across the state. The criteria which will be used in the process were developed by middle grades experts specifically for middle grades schools and represent the best thinking of what it takes to promote the healthy development, academic development and social development of young adolescents. Key middle level organizations, including the Texas Middle School Association, have begun to work on a state level initiative modeled after the National Forum's national STW program. Through this program, school officials will be encouraged to apply to the program, which will identify and recognize high performing middle level grades schools. In turn, the schools selected will be used as demonstration sites for other schools to visit and observe to gain expertise in their own school reform efforts. Information about the program will be shared during the upcoming Annual Conference and Exhibit of the Texas Middle School Association, March 4-6, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. Plan to be on hand to learn what this exciting new opportunity offers educators in the state of Texas.

Schools becoming more 'tolerant' as 'zero tolerance' rules end |

Schools becoming more 'tolerant' as 'zero tolerance' rules end |
News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News
| Texas Regional News

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Did you know there's still time to register for our October 10 workshop in San Antonio?

Click this link for the latest information!

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Are you in Regions 10 or 11?

Texas Middle School Association:  35th Annual Conference & Exhibit Planning Committee Meeting

Planning Committee Meeting Texas Middle School Association DATE: September 30, 2009 TIME:6:30 PM LOCATION: Coppell Middle School West, 1301 Wrangler Cr., Coppell, TX 75019 MORE INFORMATION:  The 35th Annual Conference of the Texas Middle School Association will be held in Arlington, Texas on March 4-6, 2010.  Ours is the only conference in the state dedicated solely to the middle level educator.  This year's conference will feature keynote sessions by Neila Connors and Rick Wormeli.  Featured speakers will include Mark McLeod, Randy Thompson, Debbie Silver, Monte Selby, Sharon Faber, Diana Day, Steve Green and Kathy Hunt-Ullock. Breakout sessions will address the most timely topics facing educators today, including (but certainly not limited to!) Adolescent Development, Advisory / Advocacy, Assessment, At-Risk, Brain-Based Learning, Classroom Management, DI, Diversity, Exploratories, Gifted / Talented, Leadership, Literacy, Research, RTI, Scheduling, Service Learning, Special Education, Standards, Teaming, Technology, and Urban Issues.  Our Annual Conference will provide you with the opportunity to learn, to share and to connect. We would like to invite you to be a part of the excitement by joining our 2010 Conference Planning Committee.  There are many ways you can help in the planning process.  Attend this meeting and see how you, your campus, and your students can be a part of the excitement! Refreshments will be served.  To ensure we have ample refreshments, pleaseRSVP if you will be attending the planning meeting. For more information on the Annual Conference, visit our website. Want to volunteer to help, but you can't attend the meeting? Download our volunteer form. Do you have a unique student performing group that you would like to showcase at the conference? Download our Call for Student Performances. There's still time to submit your students' artwork for our T-Shirt / Logo competition!  Download our Call for Artwork.

ARKLATEX 2009: Differentiated Leadership for the Whole School

General Information

Registration Form Workshop Dates October 3, 2009    Who Should Attend Any mid-level Administrator, teacher or team leader from Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas    Workshop Location Cope Middle School 4814 Shed Rd Bossier City, LA 71111    Hotel Information Holiday Inn Bossier City 2015 Old Minden Road Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone: 318-742-9700 Rate: $70 Quality Inn and Suites 2717 Village Lane Bossier City, LA 71111 Phone: 318-742-7890 Rate: $79 (includes breakfast) Featured Speaker Dr. Randy Thompson Breakout Speakers ARKLATEX 2009 will feature breakout sessions by leading educational experts from all three states. ARKLATEX 2009 is a collaborative effort between the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Education, The Louisiana Middle School Association and the Texas Middle School Association. Registration Costs Individual Option:  Only $60 per individual prior to September 15, 2009. After September 15, 2009, the registration cost will be $75 per individual. Cost includes lunch, a certifi cate of attendance and a workshop t-shirt. Pre-register using this form. On-site Individual Registration will be available at the $75 rate.   Team Option (PREFERRED):  Register a team of 6 for only $325 prior to September 15, 2009. After September 15, 2009 the registration cost for a team of 6 will be $350. Cost includes lunch, a certificate of attendance, materials and a conference t-shirt. Teams may register onsite at the $350 rate FEATURED SPEAKER Featuring Randy Thompson Leadership is a Contact Sport! Based on the book Differentiated Leadership, this session will demonstrate how to make every adult in your system a leader. Participants will learn how to dramatically reduce discipline referrals, develop meaningful curricula that will motivate students (and teachers), create fl exible schedules, identify and solve group issues, facilitate change, create motivating staff meetings, and much more. Participants will also learn, in their roles as leaders in schools, about interactive, brain-based management systems which enable and require positive and productive interactions, while disabling interactions that are negative and counterproductive.  In Randy’s own words, “Leading change in schools has been compared to trying to change the tires on a car while it’s moving. To me it is more like trying to nail Jell-O to a tree! Many good administrators have been undone by bad systems within their buildings. In this session we will look at how to use brain-based strategies to facilitate change in schools, simplify your life and enhance your school. We will look at how to assess your systems, how to get ownership with your staff, and how to keep things simple. Whatever your leadership role, strategies will be shared to help the leaders become a more effective Leadership Team, and every staff member a better leader. “Past participants have said this is the most practical session on leadership they have ever attended. Participants will leave with System Models, Forms and Processes that will help defi ne issues and simplify the change process. What I do is demonstrate how to get your staff invested in each other’s success. When teachers are truly invested in each other’s curriculum development, classroom instruction, discipline and so on, progress is inevitable. These strategies will make a difference in your classroom and on your campus!” About Randy: Randy is a graduate of the University of Florida and has worked at both the Middle and High School levels in Florida and Michigan. As a high school teacher Randy was recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” He has also been a coach, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, and principal. He is currently president of Makitso, Inc. Randy has become a much sought after keynote speaker and presenter at state and national conferences. In addition to presenting and keynoting at conferences, Randy has also provided a variety of consultative training services for schools and districts in over 40 states (and counting) and several foreign countries. Randy is well known for his sense of humor and very practical strategies for school improvement. Not only will he help your school continue to raise the bar, he will make it fun as well.

2009 Workshop Series: RTI.. Successful Intervention for Today's Diverse Learners

About These Speakers

Registration Form Are you in need of a resource that shows teachers how to implement RTI in the classroom? As a result of NCLB legislation and the reauthorization of IDEA 2004, Response to Intervention (RTI) is now a mandated process for documenting the existence or nonexistence of a learning disability. The Texas Middle School Association invites you to join our expert presenters as they present an overview of key concepts and accountability practices that benefi t students in inclusive classrooms. Dedra Stafford and Randy Thompson will demonstrate how general and special education teachers can use research-based interventions effectively to individualize instruction, monitor individual student progress, and implement strategies to meet the specific needs of today’s diverse learners. Workshop Schedule  8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration 9:00 - 11:00 AM Session One 11:00 -11:30 AM Q&A / Audience Interaction 11:30 - 12:30 PM Lunch 12:30 - 2:30 PM Session Two 2:30 PM Wrap Up Response to Intervention - September 26, 2009 Grand Prairie TX Dedra Stafford Dedra Stafford is a nationally recognized consultant and author. She creates entertaining, hands-on, interactive workshops that get educators energized and excited about teaching. As a former classroom teacher, she understands the need for practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. In addition to presenting at conferences across the nation, Dedra has also certifi ed over 300 teachers through technology classes in Oklahoma. She is a dedicated board member of the Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association and is a NMSA on-site cadre member. Dedra is passionate about middle level education and will energize participants with new and innovative ways to reach and teach the students of today. Dedra presents entertaining and informative presentations. One of her areas of expertise deals with technology. Dedra has the unique ability to put teachers at ease when dealing with echnology issues. She is a middle level advocate and a presenter who understands the issues teachers face on a daily basis.   Randy Thompson Randy Thompson is a graduate of the University of Florida and has worked at both the Middle and High School levels in Florida and Michigan. As a high school teacher Randy was recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” He has also been a coach, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator, and principal. He is currently president of Makitso, Inc. Randy has become a much sought after keynote speaker and presenter at state and national conferences. In addition to presenting and keynoting at conferences, Randy has also provided a variety of consultative training services for schools and districts in over 40 states (and counting) and several foreign countries. Randy is well known for his sense of humor and very practical strategies for school improvement. Not only will he help your school continue to raise the bar, he will make it fun as well.