Diana Brown

Cooperative Learning

These professional development sessions encompass research-based effective teaching strategies for the implementation of cooperative small groups within the classroom. Participants will be engaged in a variety of activities that model examples of cooperative learning within the classroom.

School-Family-Community Partnerships

School, family, and community connections enhance student learning. Research-based practical strategies for both school and classroom implementation through Dr. Joyce Epstein's six types of involvement give educators the knowledge and skills to provide the crucial partnerships required for a comprehensive partnership program.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Mentoring & Support

Consulting - Implementation of a quality mentor support system for candidates

Writing Sessions for Candidates — Working with NBPTS candidates on descriptive, analytical, and reflective writing for portfolios

Invitational Teaching & Learning

Gives educators knowledge of William Purkey's Invitational model to implement intentionally inviting strategies in providing a classroom climate conducive to learning. Invitational Education is a model of the educative process consisting of four value-based assumptions about the nature of people and their potential. Invitational Education provides both a theoretical framework and practical strategies for what educators can do to create schools and workplaces where people want to be and want to learn. The model can be used with school superintendents, school boards, administrators, principals, teachers, school-related personnel, business leaders, business managers, and business personnel.

• Invitational Schools — Utilizes William Purkey’s invitational philosophy to create a school-wide invitational model to provide a school climate conducive to learning through trust, respect, optimism, and intentionality.
• Invitational Models for Business — Inviting business success through the exploration of strategies that can be implemented to create an environment for both personal and professional growth of every employee.
• Invitational Leadership — Through invitational theory and practice, this session unlocks the power of leadership and human potential through utilizing practical leadership strategies to create a work environment of continuous learning leading to increased productivity.

Classroom Management Research & Instructional Strategies

Professional Development sessions utilizing a research-based Effective Classroom Management interactive CD with four seminars: Physical Environment of the Classroom, Rules and Routines, Hierarchy of Consequences, and Classroom Climate. Gives educators at all grade levels and positions up-to-date research and practical strategies in classroom management.

Beginning Reading Instruction Research & Instructional Strategies

A balanced and integrated approach to beginning reading instruction is the focus of this research-based professional development session utilizing an interactive CD. Through knowledge of the research and reflective practice, educators make connections from theory to practical strategies increasing student reading achievement in the early grades.

Reading Comprehension Research & Instructional Strategies

Using the best research available in the area of reading comprehension, these sessions focus upon effective classroom strategies to improve student reading comprehension at all grade levels. An interactive CD is incorporated as a tool and resource to educators.

Mentoring & Induction of Beginning Teachers

Consulting and training services for the implementation of effective mentoring and induction programs for new teachers to provide a successful experience within their first three years in education. Strong programs enhance the recruitment and retention of outstanding teachers.

Multiple Intelligences

Learn Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory and practical teaching strategies for reaching all learners utilizing a variety of techniques to teach through the intelligences identified. Teachers find that through implementation of the MI theory, students are more motivated to learn the material begin taught and retention is increased.

Teaching through Learning Channels

Educators explore brain-compatible strategies that reach students' natural learning channels. Through assessing both educators’ and students' learning channels, these sessions assist educators in:

• tailoring lesson plans to be more lively and interactive
• creating interesting and motivational classrooms
• reaching peak performance by matching teaching and learning styles to those of students to improve learning outcomes
• changing teaching practices to accommodate all student learning styles

Socratic Seminar Approach to Conceptual Learning

Socrates, one of the greatest teachers, utilized the Seminar strategy. Through modeling the model of a Socratic seminar, educators experience this effective strategy for building deeper conceptual student understanding of textual and video information and leave motivated to implement Socratic seminars within their own classrooms to serve as a scaffold in bridging lower level learning to higher cognitive understanding.

Classroom Action Research

Educators should become researchers within their own classrooms. Becoming aware and implementation of a classroom action research model can enhance the teaching and learning process in schools. Through the study of their own practices and the examination of knowledge about content and pedagogy, educators are able to validate and/or change existing practice based upon adult learning theory to impact student learning.

Working with Adult Learners

Working with adults to establish a productive working climate and ongoing learning throughout the workplace is essential to productivity in education and business. Participants explore the adult learner research and become aware of strategies to be implemented that increase communication and facilitate personal and professional growth of employees.