Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) will launch its third annual EngageOK on the Road summer education conference Monday with stops in seven communities across the state. More than 7,000
Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) will launch its third annual EngageOK on the Road summer education conference Monday with stops in seven communities across the state.
More than 7,000 educators are expected to take part in the free conference offering more than 100 professional development workshops for educators. Sessions will address topics such as classroom management, academic standards and best practices for teaching traumatized and high-need students.
The one-day conferences will take place July 9-19 at high schools in Ada, Owasso, Bartlesville, Norman, Durant, Duncan and Woodward.
“Teachers are life-long learners. They crave new strategies and fresh ideas, and we are answering that call by providing supports for them to connect with their students,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. “Nearly 60 percent of new teachers live outside central Oklahoma, which is why it is imperative that we bring these professional development opportunities to educators in all corners of the state. New and returning teachers benefit from robust professional growth opportunities and tell us the sessions we offer are valuable as they plan for the new school year.”
A popular session from last year, “What Students Wish Their Teachers Knew,” will return this summer. A panel of local students will discuss a number of topics, including what makes an effective teacher, advice for a first-year teacher and the importance of genuine connections between teachers and students.
Also returning is a one-hour session with Hofmeister, called the Joy Lunch Club, at noon. This year’s discussion is focused on community engagement and how business and nonprofit groups can create meaningful connections to the classroom.
The 12 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalists will be revealed at the General Session at 8 a.m. on July 12 at Norman North High School.
For the third year in a row, the agency will be saving hundreds of thousands of dollars and reaching more educators by taking the conference to regional sites in lieu of what had long been a more traditional, multi-day conference in downtown Oklahoma City. The 2015 conference in Oklahoma City drew about 4,000 attendees. Registration numbers have exceeded the number of registrations received by this time last year.
Educators can receive credits toward professional growth requirements through attendance.
On-site registration begins at 7 a.m. The conference begins daily at 8 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.:
July 9 – Ada High School, 1400 S. Stadium Dr.
July 10 – Owasso High School, 12901 E. 86th St. N
July 11 – Bartlesville High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr.
July 12 – Norman North High School, 1809 Stubbeman Ave.
July 17 – Durant High School, 950 Gerlach Dr.
July 18 – Duncan High School, 515 N. 19th St.
July 19 – Woodward High School, 2406 13th St.
The conference is offered at no cost to educators, but attendees must register. For more information and to register in advance, visit http://engage.ok.gov/
