WORKSHOPS

What Can You Expect?

Customizable Topics Include:

Barbara’s workshops are designed for a deeper exploration of focused topics.  Typically one-half to a full day, sessions are interactive, begin with an activity-based needs assessment, and are customized based on your specific situation.  Sessions can be customized for specific grade ranges and subject areas, or they can address a broader group, with applications for individual grades and subjects.  Barbara’s most popular workshops include:

Rigor is NOT a Four-Letter Word
The push for increased rigor in the classroom seems to be on everyone’s mind. There are many recommendations, some of which seem out of reach. We'll discuss the interrelationship of rigor, motivation, and student engagement, as well as how to incorporate rigor as a regular part of your instruction and assessment. Participants will experience practical, immediately applicable activities across all subject areas to encourage depth of learning. Audience:  Teachers and Leaders, all grade levels and subject areas.

"She is, without question, the rigor expert! …Her approach is the perfect blend of theory and practice."

-- Jan Fisher, Educational Consultant, CA



Common Core State Standards—Are They the Floor or the Ceiling?
For states implementing the CCSS, understanding what the standards mean is only the floor. We’ll look at how teachers can implement these standards using instructional and assessment strategies that truly move toward effectively incorporating rigor in the classroom and help each student learn at increasingly higher levels. Audience: Teachers and Leaders, grades 4-12.

"I so enjoyed your approach... away from gimmicks designed to improve test scores and back to stressing that the best way to improve reading is BY reading. Thanks for reminding me of what I already knew!"

--Marsha Yoder, National Board Certified EA/Social Studies-History, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy 

Motivating the Unmotivated
Do you want more of your students to reach their full learning potential? The presenter will discuss two fundamental elements—value and success--that motivate students to become independent learners. You will come away with specific instructional strategies that increase student engagement and learning.  Audience: Teachers and Leaders, all grade levels and subject areas.

"I love your energy and great ideas. It has been a long frustrating journey for me to get to this point and I will not take it for granted. Helping children learn is my passion and I can tell it is yours also."

--Aimee 

Motivation + Engagement + High Expectations = Student Success
What are the three key elements of student success? Student motivation, student engagement, and high expectations. In this interactive session, we’ll look at practical ways to activate students’ intrinsic motivation, increase student engagement, and raise the level of expectations in the classroom. Audience: Teachers and Leaders, all grade levels and subject areas.

"Dr. Blackburn's presentation to our staff was engaging and energetic! She was able to truly differentiate her presentation to accommodate a varied group of teachers from across disciplines, grade levels, and schools. In addition, the focus of her work with our teachers included both research and best practice .........allowing her to draw upon a number of examples that blended the two. Our teachers left with a packet of tools that they could immediately integrate into their classes. Thanks again Dr. Blackburn!"

--Mike McElrath, Director of Middle Level Education, Jamestown Public Schools (New York) 

Motivation + Engagement + Rigor = Student Success
What are the three critical elements of student success? Student motivation, student engagement, and rigor. In this interactive session, we’ll look at practical ways to activate students’ intrinsic motivation, increase student engagement, and raise the level of rigor in the classroom. Audience: Teachers and Leaders, all grade levels and subject areas.

"Having Dr. Blackburn work with the teachers here at St. Paul Primary has proven beneficial. Dr. Blackburn was very explicit with the teachers during reflective conversation time together. She listened to teachers as they shared their experiences and concerns. Dr. Blackburn didn't "sugar coat" the facts. I even saw how I could improve in areas that I really didn't give much attention to. I realized that as the instructional leader of my school I needed to make certain that what's happening in my school correlates with the school's mission and vision."

--Patricia R. Middleton, Principal St. Paul Primary School 

Motivating At-Risk Students for Higher Levels of Learning
Do you have hard-to-reach students? This interactive session looks at the two elements of intrinsic motivation, five keys to student engagement, and how those will lead to higher levels of learning for each student. Audience: Teachers and Leaders, all grade levels and subject areas. Particularly suited for Teachers of At-Risk Students, Second Language Learners, Students with Special Needs, and Struggling Students.

"Thank you so much for your words. I am one who truly loves what she does yet have been feeling disempowered. Your presentation was so uplifting and I am so ready to begin my success journal. I do already have an inspiration wall each year filled with my students heartwarming pictures and gifts and look forward to finding new ways to remind me of why I do what I do. Thank you again."

--Tonya Hartley, Horry County Schools

Content Area Literacy Strategies for the Young and the Restless
Are your students' reading difficulties interfering with learning the content in your class? In this session, we'll discuss how to help students truly understand your content, despite difficulties with reading. You'll leave with specific strategies for use in math, science, social studies, career and technology, and other content area classes. Audience: Teachers and Leaders, middle and high school grades, all subject areas.

"My understanding of why reading and reading comprehension is vital to every subject matter, even physical education. Now I feel that my understanding of reading and its importance to each subject has come full circle."

--High School Teacher