SDE Announces Upcoming Conferences Especially for First Grade Teachers

PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Sept. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Staff Development for Educators (SDE), one of the nation's leading providers of professional development for K-12 educators, is pleased to announce its state conferences for First Grade teachers for the upcoming fall and winter seasons.

These highly-anticipated professional development events offer first grade teachers two action-packed days to focus on the strategies, techniques, tips, and ideas that they need to be successful throughout the school year. From opening keynotes that illustrate the joy, enlightenment, and adventures of being a first grade teacher through a series of active, hands-on and practical sessions, these first grade conferences are specifically designed to make every teacher better at what they do.

According to Kim Breton, the conference events and product manager at SDE, the conferences come at a perfect time for first grade teachers who are trying to find new ways to meet the Common Core requirements, add rigor to their instruction, and build student skill sets. These first grade teachers are being asked to move their students from emergent to able in literacy, meaningfully integrate technology, use appropriate interventions, and address gaps in learning.

"They need energy-filled events like these that target the specific skills that are the focus of the first grade year," says Breton. "Teachers will leave these events with a toolkit of ideas that they can implement in their classrooms the very next day that will excite, engage, and reach all learners."

Each first grade conference covers math, technology resources, comprehension strategies, fluency, classroom management, games and centers, intervention strategies, and more.

The first grade programs were created with the latest research, unique content, and most discussed topics among first grade teachers in mind.  Like with all SDE events, the conference features days packed with learning, networking, excitement, and fun. Conference sessions are practical and engaging, and hands-on learning, via make & takes and interactive activities, are interspersed throughout.  The events help define exactly what first graders need to know by the end of the year, and provide teachers with the specific tools they need to get their students college- and career-ready.

Each of the first grade conferences is peppered with nationally-renown early education experts that motivate and inspire. These classroom experts include Cara Carroll, Kim Adsit, Deanna Jump, Pat Pavelka, Kathy Griffin, and others, who will present on strategies to support independent reading, building higher-level thinking, using guided math, flexible grouping strategies, anchor activities, behavior management, phonemic awareness, boosting achievement, cross-curricular planning, reading and writing mini-lessons, and more.

"With quality presenters that have experienced hands-on the life of teaching, each conference is customized with experts in the area of first grade," says Breton. "These experts will help you leave your conference feeling refreshed and ready to get back to your classroom!"

Designed for new and veteran teachers alike, the first grade conferences will be offered on October 22-23, 2014 in Franklin, Tennessee; January 26-27, 2015 in San Marcos, Texas; and February 23-24, 2015 in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Educators interested registering for this seminar, or learning about more about SDE's national conferences, upcoming SDE events, or other professional development opportunities, can visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email [email protected]. 

Each day of the conferences feature a morning keynote, followed by four 75-minute blocks of conference sessions. Attendees are able to pick from 4-5 sessions for each block to help customize their experience and center it on their most pressing issues.

"Our first grade conferences will really help teachers put all of the pieces together—the practical tools, proven strategies, and powerful activities and tips that drive instructional excellence in the first grade classroom," states Breton confidently.

All SDE events include a free resource book of handouts, lesson ideas, reproducibles, and more, and a free 30-day membership at TeachingMadeEasier.com. With the paid registration of a staff member, SDE extends free tuition to a principal from the same building, and also offers group discounts for groups of 10+ and 20+.

About SDE

SDE is one of America's leading providers of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.

For more information about SDE, educators are encouraged to visit www.sde.com, or to call 1-800-462-1478.

SOURCE Staff Development for Educators