Redbird Educator Series
The Redbird Educator Series, hosted by the Borg Center at Illinois State University, features College of Education faculty in one-hour virtual professional development sessions designed for PK-12 teachers. In this series, faculty share their research and evidence-based practices on relevant topics in education. Join us for each session or choose the ones that are most relevant to you. Each session is free and you could earn one PD credit.
Fall 2021 Schedule
Wednesday, August 25 at 4 p.m.
Toward more humanizing learning with digital technologies
Dr. Anna Smith, Associate Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
In this interactive session, we will breakdown three counterproductive myths about young people and their digital practices, try on two alternative metaphors of learning development, and consider one shift we could strive for to make our teaching with technologies more humanizing. Throughout the session, we will see and try out a number of digital tools and each participant will have time to pick one tool to test and imagine how it might be used in their teaching.
Thursday, September 30 at 4 p.m.
Writer's workshop: Supporting differentiated instruction in the K-5 classroom
Dr. Antonio Causarano, Associate Professor, Department of Special Education
The webinar will present the theory and application of how to use writer's workshop to design and develop differentiated instruction in K-5 classroom for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse and with special needs. The importance of differentiated instruction via writer's workshop will be presented in its design and application in the classroom.
Wednesday, October 27 at 4 p.m.
Learning to linger: What picturebook design can teach teachers about lingering in texts with children
Dr. Christie Angleton, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
Endpapers. Publishing information. Dust jacket. What on earth do these things have to do with a read aloud? Known as peritext, calling attention to these elements has the power to transform a typical classroom read aloud. In this webinar, I will guide participants through the features of picturebook design, from the front cover to the barcode on the back - and everything in between. In studying and pondering these peritextual elements of books, children make deep connections, consider new ways of taking up literature, and deepen their meaning-making when transacting with texts. Participants will be invited to explore their favorite picturebook in a whole new way. All participants are encouraged to bring a picturebook (preferably hard cover, but not required!) to explore during the webinar.
Wednesday, November 3 at 4 p.m
Towards Transformative and Humanizing Critical Writing Pedagogy
Dr. Grace Kang and Dr. Sonia Kline, Associate Professors, School of Teaching and Learning
The purpose of this webinar is to engage educators in action-focused inquiry to center Critical orientations towards writing pedagogy. What do we mean by Critical orientations and why do they matter? How can theoretical awareness transform our practices? In this session, we will address these questions, provide a tool to illuminate theories in practice, and share examples of Critical writing pedagogies. Participants will have opportunities to reflect on their current writing instruction and identify action steps towards transformative and humanizing Critical writing pedagogy.
Spring 2021 Schedule
Thursday, January 28 at 4 p.m.
Teaching in the times of COVID-19, racial injustice, and inequities
Shamaine Bertrand, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Thursday, February 25 at 4 p.m.
What's the word? Using explicit vocabulary instruction to support all learners
Kate Peeples, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Session Handout
Wednesday, April 21 at 4 p.m.
Towards engaging and relevant disciplinary literacy
Erin Quast, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION
Fall 2020 Schedule
Wednesday, September 23 at 4 p.m.
Building anti-racist educators through embodied contemplative practices
Becky Beucher, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
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Session Resources
Thursday, October 8 at 4 p.m.
Inclusive mathematics: e-learning methods and routines that promote mathematical thinking
Tara Kaczorowski, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
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Session Resources
Tuesday, October 27 at 4 p.m.
Rethinking the role of knowledge in the literacy classroom
Courtney Hattan, Assistant Professor, School of Teaching and Learning
WATCH THE RECORDED SESSION