Demand high for OSDE professional development conference, EngageOK; registrations top records
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 24,
2018) – An unprecedented number of
registrations for the EngageOK summer professional development conference
proves the seven-site road show format is meeting a strong need of teachers,
said officials at the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).
“Heading into a new school
year, we have delivered resources and training in high demand for teachers
across the state. The teacher pay raise was a significant first step, but
without question, teachers want to start the year well-equipped to meet the needs
of their students, too. Connecting with teachers closer to their own homes and
schools has been our top priority this summer with EngageOK.”
 The one-day conferences took
place July 9-19 at seven high schools around the state: Ada, Owasso,
Bartlesville, Norman North, Durant, Duncan and Woodward. A total of 7,155
educators registered for all sites, exceeding 2017’s previous total of 7,000
Oklahoma teachers, administrators and school professionals. The cost savings
for hosting the conference in a road show format are significant – an estimated
$350,000 a year less than in years when the conference spanned
multiple days in Oklahoma City.
Dr. Amy Fichtner, Superintendent
of Owasso Public Schools, noted the variety and quality of sessions.
“This partnership between the
OSDE and local districts is exactly what is needed to take us to the next level
of teaching and learning. Feedback in the hallways indicated how relevant the
sessions were for attendees. Most were standing-room-only, and the OSDE even
duplicated some sessions at the last minute to meet the needs of attendees.”
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 Among the most in-demand sessions
were those related to how to reach high-need students on topics like
trauma-informed instruction, school improvement, teaching economically
disadvantaged students and culturally responsive instruction. Other popular
sessions were devoted to integrating STEM in the elementary classroom,
classroom management and the ever-popular What
Students Wish Their Teachers Knew.
Moderated by Hofmeister and
featuring a panel of local students, the conversation included advice for
first-year teachers, how class sizes affect classroom instruction, how to keep
students engaged, what makes a teacher effective and the importance of building
a classroom culture of trust and respect.
Among the benefits of the
regional road show format are easy access for educators, who are spared the need to pay for overnight accommodations or spend hours driving to Oklahoma City.
Woodward High School
superintendent Kyle Reynolds said EngageOK was a big hit in his northwestern
Oklahoma community.
“Opportunities for high-quality
staff development that don’t require two to four hours travel time for us are
rare, and that is exactly what hundreds in our area were able to take advantage
of this year,” said Reynolds. “I was able to visit with folks from the far end
of the Oklahoma panhandle and all parts of northwestern Oklahoma, and they all
were grateful for the opportunity.”
To see photos from EngageOK on
the Road, click here.
PHOTOS: Educators in Owasso participate in one of many sessions presented by OSDE staff.
Students from Norman and the surrounding area joined Supt. Hofmeister for a photo after a session titled What Students Wish Their Teachers Knew.
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