550 curriculum sessions planned for 31st provincial PD day on October 24

HALIFAX, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - This Friday, October 24, marks the 31^st annual Provincial Professional Development Day in which the province's classroom teachers, specialists, administrators, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, school guidance counsellors, APSEA teachers and Community College faculty and professional support staff—all members of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union—will participate in one of 22 teacher-organized conferences. To date, some 7,000 NSTU members will attend conferences in the Valley, Milford, Truro, New Glasgow, Sydney, and the Halifax area featuring 500 keynotes, plenary sessions, panel discussions and workshops.

"This incredible professional development opportunity enables teachers to learn and improve skills, receive well-needed relevant resources, and come to new understandings of practice to support students," says NSTU president Shelley Morse. "Participation in PD day is one way our members engage in lifelong learning to remain current in their teaching practice to meet their students' needs."

Each conference, organized for elementary and young adolescent teachers, math, science, social studies, English and French teachers, or for adult educators, school guidance counsellors and other specialists, is planned, developed and implemented by volunteer educators. "The organization of these conferences represents the incredible dedication of teachers to the improvement of education in the province," continues Morse. "Committed NSTU volunteers plan and deliver an astounding array of workshops and sessions for each professional association—and do so on their own time."

Some of this year's many conference highlights include:

• Education, parenting and human behaviour expert Alfie Kohn's keynote: Performance vs. Learning The Cost of Overemphasizing Achievement for the Primary Elementary Teachers Association;
• Dr. Edmond J. Dixon, the author of Helping Boys Learn, a human development specialist and pioneer in the field of Cognitive-Kinaesthetics for learning will provide the keynote address for the School Administrators Association;
• Silk painting artist Holly Carr is the keynote speaker for the Family Studies Teachers Association conference;
• Dr. Russell Barkley, a world renowned expert in ADHD, will be joining the Psychologists in the Schools Association in providing a day-long session focusing on supporting and understanding the needs of individuals with ADHD within the school setting;
• Dr. Karen Erickson, Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies and professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will provide her expertise in the area of literacy assessment and instruction for struggling readers of all ages including those with significant cognitive disabilities for the Association of Teachers of Exceptional Children's conference.

"This day, which is planned by teachers for teachers, enables them to leave these conferences on Friday and go back to their schools and campuses on Monday with new skills, new strategies and new ideas," concludes Morse.

Detailed information on the October Professional Development Day is available on the NSTU website at http://www.nstu.ca/default.asp?mn=1.22.92.443 and clicking on the particular professional association.

SOURCE: Nova Scotia Teachers Union

Angela Murray, NSTU Public Relations Coordinator, Telephone: [phone], Cell: 902-497-0194, Email: [email protected]