Professional Development

Institutes, Conferences, and Symposiums

Summer Session 2009

Assessing English Language Learners with Disabilities Content Institute
Summer Content Institute: Sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
Special Education Planning and Policy Development Office
Summer Dates: August 17-21, 2009 | 8:00 am–4:00 pm
Follow-up Seminars: October 3, 2009, December 5, 2009 and February 27, 2010
Location: Lesley University, University Hall, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Only a registration fee of $25
Professional Development Points (PDPs): 67.5 and option of 3 Lesley University Graduate Credits
Audience: School personnel involved in the special education evaluation process, including special educators, diagnosticians, school psychologists and speech/language therapists.
This institute (with three follow-up seminars in: October 3, 2009, December 5, 2009 & February 27, 2010) is limited to 25 Massachusetts educators who are involved with special education assessment. These educators will learn together how to better identify and implement sound evaluation procedures for students with disabilities who are also English Language Learners.  The Goals  are: (1) To reduce misidentification and misrepresentation of linguistic minorities in Special Education (2) To increase the number of assessment professionals who are better qualified and who can improve the assessment practices used with ELL students and (3) To improve pre-referral and referral practices for ELL students with possible disabilities including RTI.
Institute Co-Directors: Dr. Maria de Lourdes B. Serpa & Dr. Solange de Azambuja Lira
For more information and registration, see Assessing English Language Learners with Disabilities application form [PDF] or email hennessy@lesley.edu 

Exploring Reggio-Inspired Programs in Diverse Communities
EEDUC 5815 | 1–3 Credits | Non-credit: $300
May 30 & 31, 2009
Level: Undergraduate & Graduate
Contact: Heather Olson, holson2@lesley.edu or 617.349.8924 or www.lesley.edu/info/reggio
This unique learning opportunity will focus on collaborations among Reggio–inspired programs, urban and suburban, public and private, in Tucson AZ and Chicago, IL. We’ll discuss how these programs met non-negotiable federal and state mandates while preserving inspiration from the Reggio approach. We'll also explore advocacy strategies for the rights of children, teachers, and families. The Institute will be facilitated by Lella Gandini, Liaison for the Dissemination of the Reggio Emilia Approach in the United States.

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Access to Print — a framework for all learners
Summer Content Institute funded by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Audience: Teams of Massachusetts Special Educators and Technology Specialists
Location: 13-week Online course offering with a Fall Showcase in Northampton or Dedham
Dates: Section 01: June 29–August 16, and Fall follow-up September 14–October 23, or Section 02: July 13–August 30, and Fall follow-up October 5–November 13
Cost: FREE
Earn: 67.5 PDPs or option of 3 Lesley University graduate credits ($150/credit plus $30 registration fee)
Lesley University in collaboration with The Education Cooperative, the Hampshire Education Collaborative, the Northeast Regional Center for Vision Education at the Institute for Community Inclusion/University of Massachusetts Boston, and TECedge will provide high quality online professional development to support educators and their districts. The goal is to increase understanding and utilization of effective strategies, policies, and procedures that ensure timely access to and use of accessible instructional materials for students with print-based disabilities. Leveraging the principles of universal design, culturally responsive instruction, and inquiry-based learning, participants will also be able to apply their new knowledge in ways that productively impact teaching and learning for their broader school community.
Registration Deadline is Monday June 15th.
For more information, see the Access to Print Information and Registration Form [PDF]

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Lesley University Writers' Conference
Sunday, July 26–Friday, July 31, 2009
Visit the Writers' Conference website for more information.
One week packed with new techniques, ideas, and attention to your writing.
Lesley's conference supports writers in a collaborative environment that will provide rich stimulation for anyone interested in fiction, nonfiction, children's book writing, and poetry. Enjoy rigorous workshops, guest speakers, faculty readings, craft lectures, book signings, and receptions - all of which will offer extraordinary opportunities to receive feedback on your work from established writers, share ideas, make connections, and take your writing to the next level.

Summer Intermediate/Middle Literacy Institute:
Using The Continuum of Literacy Learning as a
Tool to Plan for and Assess Your Students' Reading
EEDUC 6030-30 | 2–3,credits
July 13, 2009–July 16, 2009
Monday–Thursday, 7:00 am–3:50 pm
Level: graduate
Contact: Sharon Winston 617.349.8674
The annual intermediate/middle level literacy institute brings together different experts in the field of education to lead participants in thinking and learning about best practice in teaching students in reading and writing workshop. Speakers and topics will vary year to year.

Summer Primary Literacy Institute:
Using The Continuum of Literacy Learning as a
Tool to Plan for and Assess Your Students' Reading
EEDUC 6020-30 | 2–3 credits
July 13, 2009–July 16, 2009
Monday–Thursday, 7:00 am–3:50 pm
Level: graduate
Contact: Sharon Winston 617.349.8674
This literacy institute is designed to engage teachers and administrators in thoughtful learning experiences and hands-on work. Each year different experts in the field of literacy will guide participants in thinking about best practices of literacy teaching and learning.

Courage to Teach Institute: Sustaining Professional Practice
GINTD 6044-01 | 3 credits
July 6, 2009–July 10, 2009
Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Level: graduate 
Contact: 888.LESLEY.U or info@lesley.edu
This intensive five-day course is for teachers, educational leaders, and other professionals and students who wish to explore their vocational and academic identity and vitality. Participants will experience the formative practices of Courage to Teach, and will analyze the principles and context behind the practices, and identify implications for their own professional life and work.

Courage to Teach Institute: Sustaining Professional Practice
EEDUC 6055-01 | 3 credits
July 6, 2009–July 10, 2009
Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Level: graduate
Contact: 888.LESLEY.U or info@lesley.edu
This intensive five-day course is for teachers, educational leaders, and other professionals and students who wish to explore their vocational and academic identity and vitality. Participants will experience the formative practices of Courage to Teach, and will analyze the principles and context behind the practices, and identify implications for their own professional life and work.

Connecting Across Generations: Promoting Peaceable Schools and Communities
EEDUC 6810 | 3 Credits | Non-credit: $500
July 6–10, 2009
Monday, 12:00 pm-5:30 pm, Tuesday–Thursday, 8:30 am–5:30 pm, Friday 8:30 am–1:00 pm
Level: Graduate
Contact: Heather Olson, holson2@lesley.edu or 617.349.8924 or www.lesley.edu/academic_centers/peace/institute.html
This course, offered in conjunction with the 2009 Peaceable Schools and Communities Institute, explores a four-part framework for promoting peace and justice in schools and communities. Students leave strengthened and supported for renewed leadership in their own schools and communities, prepared and empowered to use peace-building to create new kinds of leadership. The course and the Institute connect students to resources, and relationships that will support and sustain their professional development. Course participants will have the opportunity to work directly with high school students as well as professional colleagues, and to apply cross-generational strategies for work with students K–12. Grounded in the values of Peaceable Schools and Communities, the course and the Institute model offer approaches to peacemaking, inclusion, anti-oppression education and community building.