Tuesday J Concurrent Sessions 2:15 p.m.3:15 p.m.
J101
Data Drives Instruction
This workshop will review best practices for data disaggregation aimed to adjust and evaluate instruction and
student mastery. Identifying problem areas through data disaggregation and strategically planning interventions is
an essential ingredient in high performing schools. Building administrators will learn ways to lead teams through
data analysis and be given concrete examples of drilling down to comprehensively dissect the instructional
program, student data and school initiatives.
Presenter(s): Anthony Dorsey and Dana Evans
Domain 6.0: Accountability & Systemwide Performance
J102
The Graduation Coach Model
This session will showcase the Graduation Coach model in the Memphis City Schools. Participants will learn how
the Graduation Coach promotes policies and practices that close achievement gaps and increase graduation rates
for at‐risk students.
Presenter(s): Cheryl Ross‐Williams, Michael Bates, Jacqueline Smith, Fred Curry and Wanda Hunt
Domain 6.0: Accountability & Systemwide Performance
J103
How to Implement Headsprout Early Reading Program in K‐2 Classrooms
Headsprout is a web‐based phonics program currently in use in MCS. Come and learn the strengths of the
program, student scheduling and the type of student reports that are included in the program. Learn how to use
student reports to plan and differentiate instruction.
Presenter(s): Brenda Harris and Sherrill Hentz
Domain 8.0: Research & Standards‐Based Curriculum/Instruction
Domain 7.0: Technology
J104
Differentiated Instruction: Finally, A Way for Everyone to Succeed!
This presentation provides educators across the curriculum with tools and encouragement to create scenarios
engaging their students in ownership of their own education. Thinking in a whole new way, teachers provide only
the framework for instruction, based on the appropriate standards, and create an infrastructure that fosters selfdirection,
self‐management and self‐assessment resulting in a lifetime arsenal of practical tools students can carry
with them well outside the four walls of the classroom. Teachers become coaches, guides, and facilitators while
students themselves take the discovery process as high and as far as they wish… working alone, working together,
being creative, researching, presenting, and, on the way, LEARNING. The purpose of this short presentation is to
entice educators with the possibilities for allowing students to make connections between academics and the real
world by helping them develop the right questions! At the end of the day, the educator applies student‐designed
rubrics to creative and personal alternative assessments. It’s all in how we design the original assignment…
outside the box and exciting!
Presenter(s): Linda Simmons
Domain 8.0: Research & Standards‐Based Curriculum/Instruction
Domain 4.0: Youth Development (Imagination/Achievement)
J105
Student Led Conferences: Students Taking Ownership of Class
Student‐led conferences are more than schemes used to increase attendance to traditional parent‐teacher
conferences. Although when poor parental involvement is your albatross administrators may feel that a scheme is
just what their school needs to attract the parent of the poorly performing child. Some have sponsored spaghetti
dinners, IPOD giveaways, TV drawings, and free ice cream coupons to McDonald’s; you name it and someone has
tried it in an attempt to persuade parents to become more involved in the education of their children. Participants
will witness the impact of student‐led conferences, gain practical tips for implementation and brainstorm ideas for
how these researched conferences will transform parental involvement in their schools by giving students
ownership of their learning. Sample student portfolios, a plethora of cross‐curricula activities and an opportunity
to role‐play these scenarios are some of the tools this session will offer.
Presenter(s): Kimberly Bell‐Burke
Domain 6.0: Accountability & Systemwide Performance
J106
Preparation for Block Scheduling, a System and School Approach
Block Scheduling can be a catalyst for instructional change in secondary schools. However, the implementation of a
new schedule will not meet the expectations of teachers, students, or parents without thoughtful and deliberate
strategies at the system and school level. Teachers will simply learn to "survive" rather than "thrive" if not given
the appropriate instructional tools for teaching in a ninety minute period. An explanation of the process followed
by a system and its' schools prior to initiating block scheduling will be outlined.
Presenter(s): Ed Hedgepeth
Domain 6.0: Accountability & Systemwide Performance
J107
Exhibitions of Student Work
Memphis City Schools is committed to creating a learning environment in which all students have the opportunity
to develop their academic and creative talents. To achieve this vision, each student develops two projects that are
showcased in the Fall and Spring Exhibition of Student Work at all Memphis City School sites. Experience our
journey of becoming a world class school system preparing students to contribute to our global society and enjoy
their analytical, creative and practical artifacts.
Presenter(s): Judy Jackson and Patti Butas
Domain 4.0: Youth Development (Imagination/Achievement)
J108
Turning Around Chronically Low‐Performing Schools: Recommendations from a Practice Guide
Hardy Elementary School is a successful urban school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2001, Hardy was identified as
the lowest‐performing school in Hamilton County. In 2005, the school achieved the highest academic gains in
math and social studies in the entire state of Tennessee. Hardy Elementary was featured in the Education
Consumers Foundation Report on “Effective Schools’ Common Practices” and received the 1st (2006) and 2nd (2007)
Annual Education Consumers Foundation’s Value‐Added Achievement Award presented by Tennessee Governor
Phil Bredesen. The school has maintained high academic achievement in reading and math and straight A’s in
Value‐Added, which matches the state average. The presenter will provide a practice guide for transforming a
chronically low‐performing school utilizing four core strategies. These strategies are the driving force in fulfilling
the vision of “Excellence Not Average”.
Presenter(s): Natalie Elder
Domain 9.0: Transformational Leadership
J109
School Law: A Conversation with Nathan Essex
This session is a conversation with Dr. Nathan Essex regarding legal issues that impact schools and the legal
environment of schools. These issues include IDEA 2004, school uniforms, school vouchers, charter schools, zero
tolerance, school gangs, pagers and cell phones, use of metal detectors, internet use, No Child Left Behind,
intellectual property and sexual harassment. Educators can develop awareness of and alertness to legal risks and
responsibilities, problems and use of legal counsel.
Presenter(s): Nathan Essex
Domain 10.0: Professional Ethics
J110
ESL Overview: How to Create a School Community That Responds to the Needs of a Diverse Population
Administrators will be given a hands‐on tour through the English as a Second Language Program to become
familiar with the various mandated procedures, recommended learning environments and essential instructional
practices as they apply to serving the educational needs of our English Language Learners.
Presenter(s): James Lancaster
Domain 3.0: Diversity
J111
Q & A with Dr. Michael Fullan
Participants will engage in a Q & A session with Keynote Speaker Dr. Michael Fullan
Presenter(s): Michael Fullan
Domain 9.0: Transformational Leadership
J112
Turn Around a School: What Makes the Difference?
School turnaround is a phenomenal accomplishment. Join two leading administrators and learn how they
developed and implemented practices to successfully move from low‐performing to good standing.
Presenter(s): Angela Brown and Rosalyn Martin
Domain 9.0: Transformational Leadership
J113
Freshman Academy
This session is designed to help educators understand general expectations in the small community known as the
Freshman Academy. We will look at weekly advisories and the advisement system. Presenters will discuss the
value of Academy visits to freshman students being transitioned into high school, how teams of teachers are
assigned to common teams of students, and the role of teachers and parents in the Academy. We will also address
methods to assist students in developing strong study habits during the first year of high school.
Presenter(s): Elsie Bailey and Annie Conway
Domain 4.0: Youth Development
Domain 8.0: Research & Standards‐Based Curriculum/Instruction |