Future Teachers Conference15th Annual Conference for Connecticut's Future

TeachersSponsored by the YES Clubs of Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), LEARN, and Eastern Connecticut State University with

assistance from the Connecticut State Department of Education.Eastern Connecticut State University, Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Conference Theme: Tree of Knowledge – Teachers Plant the Seed of Knowledge, Students Tend to It and Make It Grow!!!

Created by Emily Kohn and Heather Ritchie, Future Teachers Mentor Carole Norrish, Windham High School

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15th Annual Conference for Connecticut's Future TeachersEastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Connecticut

Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

8:30 - 9:00 Registration/Continental Breakfast – Student Center, Betty Tipton Room9:00 – 9:45 Welcome –

Greetings from Eastern Connecticut State University – President Elsa M. Núñez, Eastern Connecticut State University Dr. David Stoloff, Professor, Education Department

Greetings - Kathy Randall, Coordinator, CREC

Conference Logistics – Ellen Dalton, Coordinator, LEARN

Keynote speaker – Mr. Kevin Booker, Jr., Retention Specialist at Three Rivers Community College, Founder of Booker Empowerment, LLC, Professor of Public Speaking at Eastern Connecticut State University

10:00 – 10:45 Session 1 - various locations

11:00 – 11:45 Session 2 – various locations

11:45 - 12:45 College Fair – Betty Tipton Room

11:45-12:30 Luncheon and Awards – Betty Tipton Room

12:30-1:00 Dismissal

Future Teachers’ Conference –

32 – Student Center

27 – Goddard

Science Building – across from 23

Center for Early Childhood Education (CECE)

Drop off and Pick up, Parking – next to 32

Session I Selections – 10–10:45 Student Center (SC), Comm., Goddard, CECE, Webb rooms

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101.    SPEAK OUT! Impromptu Speech Competition   Grades 5-8  Student Center (SC) CaféThe impromptu speech competition challenges you to showcase your public speaking skills and ability to “think on your feet” when you respond to a question about a current issue in education.  Judges rate contestants to a rubric and first and second place winners are awarded prizes. The speeches are delivered during the workshop, not to the entire conference audience.    Space is limited, so sign up early!     Ellen Dalton, Conference Organizer, LEARN

102. Better Storytelling Skills Make Better Teachers Grades 5-12 SC Theater 210 A blending of lecture, storytelling, poetry, music, dance, this workshop will teach participants basic storytelling skills and show them how these can help people become better teachers.

Professor Raouf Mama, English Dept, Eastern CSU

103. Applying Basic Algebra to Create Mathmagic Grades 7-8 SC 217Practice how mental computation and basic algebra can be used to guess people's numbers, age, birth month, and other personal information to amaze your friends, family, and future students.

Professor Hari Koirala, Education Dept., Eastern CSU

104. Communication and Leadership Grades 9-12 SC 221Communication is an important aspect in leadership development. Come learn the importance of becoming aware of your leadership style and how to effectively communicate in a leadership setting; by playing games and completing surveys. Andrew Parzyck, SCSU Faculty of Communication & First Year Experience

105. Developing Leadership with Future Educators Grades 9 – 12 SC 223It takes a lot to build a successful future teachers club. We won’t say we have the answers but we are happy to share what we have done that has worked and what has not worked. Students and advisors will discuss cross-age tutoring, working as teacher assistants, and planning and running meetings and activities. N’Keyah Baldwin, Genesis Posada, Zenobia Adgers, Ashley Francis, Khadijah Scarborough, Antanisha Outlaw, Middletown High School/YES Club

106. Building your Career in Early Care and Education Grades 11-12 SC 219Snuggle with a group of children while reading a favorite story? Experience that “aha” moment when a child learns to crawl, tie their shoe, or skip for the first time? LaKisha Prewitt and Kristina Bartelt, Bright Horizons Family Solutions

107. Building Community through Teambuilding Grades 5-8 Student Center patio area One of the most important responsibilities of any leader is to build community and cohesion amongst those they are leading or teaching. Come participate in fun warm ups and team challenges that will give you tools you can use when working with new groups that need to get to know one another and tackle challenges. Jim Gayeski, Cornerstone

108. Relieving anger and stress through different movements Grades 5-12 SC 115Using dance as medium, students and teachers learn to appropriately express and vent emotions. Lyrical music will convey sadness. Hip hop/ jazzy music will convey HAPPINESS/ excitement. Show your inner beauty. Come and have a great time dancing, and learning some new cool moves.Emily Singer, and Annie Chozick, Hall High School

109. Chem 4 Kids Grades 5 – 12 SC 113

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This will be a hands-on interactive presentation of how a group of high school students brings chemistry alive for elementary students. We will talk about how we developed a lesson on a science topic, like density; properties of liquids, solids, and gases; how to identify an unknown substance; air pressure; acids and bases. We will also discuss our experiences with presenting our lesson to students. We think chemistry is fun, come see why! Ms. Johanna Foley, Faculty Advisor, Hall High School’s Chem 4Kids Club: Annasha Vyas, Caroline Karanian, Brett Ranieri, Brian Levine, Dora Kohnke

110. Is there a Green Job in your future? Grades 9 – 12 Science Building 115Having a better understanding of your personality can help you choose a career path. Explore your future job possibilities with a mini Myers-Briggs type indicator.

Laurel Kohl and Laura Worthington, Institute for Sustainable Energy

111. Cyber Smarts: Navigating the Social Networking Waters Safely Grades 5-12 Goddard 100Do you use social networking sites like Facebook? Do you text or use email? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you need to attend this workshop! Come learn tips on how to safely surf social networking sites and use technology with confidence. Michele Ridolfi O’Neill, Connecticut Educational Association (CEA)

112. Cultural Diversity Grades 9–12 Goddard 201 A brief look at the many different walks of life in the world today. This presentation shows how we interpret different cultures and the actuality of their meaning. Diversity and stereotyping in schools will be discussed. Deshaun Smith, New Britain High School

113. Teaching Blind Children Grades 9 – 12 Goddard 202 Teaching Blind Children will present an opportunity to explore the world of a blind child in the public schools. Common myths will be covered as well as the truth about how blind children learn. Strategies and methods for teaching children with this unique disability will be explained and opportunities for further experience into this field of teaching will be presented. Come and join us as we dive into a world which very few teachers experience. Cody Laplante, New Britain High School

114. Teaching English Language Learners Grades 9 – 12 Goddard 223Myths and realities of working with English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States, stages of second language development, best practices for working with ELL students. Annett Mesa-Feliz, Yamiles Mesa-Feliz, Jasmin Rosales, New Britain High School

115. Teaching Language through Music Grades 7-12 Goddard 224Learning a new language is not easy and the traditional approaches that make you memorize vocabulary and grammar are too boring. Singing songs in the target language make learning a new language fun. Participants of this presentation should have a basic knowledge of Spanish. Kiaramarie Cartagen and Kevyn Rodriguez, New Britain High School

116. Seeing Yourself In Science Grades 5-6 Goddard 220A hands-on/minds-on workshop of activities with light and mirrors that illustrates how science teaching can be rewarding and enjoyable. Ralph Yulo, Professor Emeritus, Eastern CSU

117. Using Sustainability as a Lens for Global Problem Solving Grades 5-12 Goddard 217Can you tell the difference between bottled and tap water? Do you know how many water bottles are thrown away every week and how this affects our environment? Do you know what percent of the

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world’s population has little or no access to clean water? Learn how we educated ourselves, and mobilized the school and the community to focus on the global water crisis issue through local action. Noah Boden, Caroline Bye, Claire Boers, Matt Captain, Jacquelyn Filson, Liz Freda, Conor Proft, Rebecca Schwartz, Perri Silverhart, Hall High School

118. The Many Colors of Us Grades 5 – 8 Center for Early Childhood Education (CEDE) 170 In this presentation students will read, draw, discuss and graph the many colors of us. Come use multicultural paints, crayons, markers, and paper to find the just right color for your portrait. Professor Theresa Bouley and Erin Murphy, Eastern CSU Session II Selections – 11 – 11:45 Student Center (SC), Comm., Goddard, Webb, CECE rooms

201.    SPEAK OUT! Impromptu Speech Competition  Grades 9-12 SC CaféThe impromptu speech competition challenges you to showcase your public speaking skills and ability to “think on your feet” when you respond to a question about a current issue in education.  Judges rate contestants to a rubric and first and second place winners are awarded prizes. The speeches are delivered during the workshop, not to the entire conference audience.     Space is limited, so sign up early!    Ellen Dalton, Conference Organizer, LEARN

202. Storytelling, a Powerful Multicultural Tool Grades 5-12 SC Theater 210 A blending of lecture, storytelling, poetry, music , and dance, this workshop will give a demonstration of the power of stories and storytelling as a multicultural teaching tool. Professor Raouf Mama, English Dept, Eastern CSU

203. Applying Basic Algebra to Create Mathmagic Grades 9-10 SC 217Practice how mental computation and basic algebra can be used to guess people's numbers, age, birth month, and other personal information to amaze your friends, family, and future students. Professor Hari Koirala, Ed. Dept.

204. The First Year Experience Grades 9-12 SC 221Off to college in the fall? Wondering what may happen during your first semester? Have any unanswered questions about higher education? Come to this workshop with questions and ask away! Also get some tips on how to survive your first year in college. Andrew Parzyck, SCSU Faculty of Communication & First Year Experience

205. Developing Leadership with Future Educators Grades 9 – 12 SC 223It takes a lot to build a successful future teachers club. We won’t say we have the answers but we are happy to share what we have done that has worked and what has not worked. Students and advisors will discuss cross-age tutoring, working as teacher assistants, and planning and running meetings and activities. N’Keyah Baldwin, Genesis Posada, Zenobia Adgers, Ashley Francis, Khadijah Scarborough, Antanisha Outlaw, Middletown High School/YES Club

206. Building your Career in Early Care and Education Grades 11-12 SC 219Snuggle with a group of children while reading a favorite story? Experience that “aha” moment when a child learns to crawl, tie their shoe, or skip for the first time? LaKisha Prewitt and Kristina Bartelt, Bright Horizons Family Solutions

207. Building Community through Teambuilding Grades 9-12 student center patio area One of the most important responsibilities of any leader is to build community and cohesion amongst those they are leading or teaching. Come participate in fun warm ups and team challenges that will give you tools you can use when working with new groups that need to get to know one another and tackle challenges. Jim Gayeski, Cornerstones

208. Relieving anger and stress through different movements Grades 5-12 SC 115Using dance as medium, students and teachers learn to appropriately express and vent emotions. Lyrical music will convey sadness. Hip hop/ jazzy music will convey HAPPINESS/ excitement. Show your inner

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beauty. Come and have a great time dancing, and learning some new cool moves. Emily Singer and Annie Chozick, Hall High School

209. Chem 4 Kids Grades 5 – 12 SC 113This will be a hands-on interactive presentation of how a group of high school students brings chemistry alive for elementary students. We will talk about how we developed a lesson on a science topic, like density; properties of liquids, solids, and gases; how to identify an unknown substance; air pressure; acids and bases. We will also discuss our experiences with presenting our lesson to students. We think chemistry is fun, come see why! Ms. Johanna Foley, Faculty Advisor, Hall High School’s Chem 4Kids Club: Annasha Vyas, Caroline Karanian, Brett Ranieri, Brian Levine, Dora Kohnke

210. Is there a Green Job in your future? Grades 9 – 12 Science Building 115Having a better understanding of your personality can help you choose a career path. Explore your future job possibilities with a mini Myers-Briggs type indicator. Laurel Kohl and Laura Worthington, Institute for Sustainable Energy

211. Cyber Smarts: Navigating the Social Networking Waters Safely Grades 5-12 Goddard 100 Do you use social networking sites like Facebook? Do you text or use email? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you need to attend this workshop! Come learn tips on how to safely surf social networking sites and use technology with confidence. Michele Ridolfi O’Neill, CEA

212. Cultural Diversity Grades 9–12 Goddard 201 A brief look at the many different walks of life in the world today. This presentation shows how we interpret different cultures and the actuality of their meaning. Diversity and stereotyping in schools will be discussed. Deshaun Smith, New Britain High School

213. Teaching Blind Children Grades 5 – 12 Goddard 202 Teaching Blind Children will present an opportunity to explore the world of a blind child in the public schools. Common myths will be covered as well as the truth about how blind children learn. Strategies and methods for teaching children with this unique disability will be explained and opportunities for further experience into this field of teaching will be presented. Come and join us as we dive into a world which very few teachers experience. Cody Laplante, New Britain High School

214. Teaching English Language Learners Grades 9 – 12 Goddard 223Myths and realities of working with English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States, stages of second language development, best practices for working with ELL students. Annett Mesa-Feliz, Yamiles Mesa-Feliz, Jasmin Rosales, New Britain High School

215. Teaching Language through Music Grades 7-12 Goddard 224Learning a new language is not easy and the traditional approaches that make you memorize vocabulary and grammar are too boring. Singing songs in the target language make learning a new language fun. Participants of this presentation should have a basic knowledge of Spanish. Kiaramarie Cartagen and Kevyn Rodriguez, New Britain High School

216. Juggle To Success! Grades 9-12 Lawn area near parking lotCan keeping three balls up in the air help you succeed in teaching and beyond? Come laugh, learn and play. Larry Hochman, Future Teacher Mentor, Bristol Eastern High School

217. Using Sustainability as a Lens for Global Problem Solving Grades 5-12 Goddard 217Can you tell the difference between bottled and tap water? Do you know how many water bottles thrown away every week and how this affects our environment? Do you know what percent of the world’s population has little or no access to clean water? Learn how we educated ourselves, and mobilized the school and the community to focus on the global water crisis issue through local action. Noah Boden, Caroline Bye, Claire Boers, Matt Captain, Jacquelyn Filson, Liz Freda, Conor Proft, Rebecca Schwartz, Perri Silverhart, Hall High School

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218. The Many Colors of Us Grades 5 – 8 Center for Early Childhood Education (CEDE) 170 In this presentation students will read, draw, discuss and graph the many colors of us. Come use multicultural paints, crayons, markers, and paper to find the just right color for your portrait.

Professor Theresa Bouley and Erin Murphy, Eastern CSU 219. SIFT - Summer Institute for Future Teachers Grades 9-11 Betty Tipton RoomCome, join us to learn how you can earn college credits at Eastern during summer 2010 and enjoy yourself. We will provide you with information about the SIFT, a program for future teachers that has the potential to change lives. SIFT Program Faculty, Eastern CSU

220. Campus Tours Grades 9-12 (Please meet the tour guides at the top of the SC staircase.)

11:45 - 12:45 College Fair – Betty Tipton Room

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