August 19, 2015 - Hilton Conference Center, Eugene

Click here to download the conference program.

Starting Strong Vision:  The purpose of Starting Strong is to bring together early learning professional and K-12 educators for common professional learning. This conference will support the needs of kindergarten-3rd grade teachers, early learning staff and administrators. 

Featured Speaker:
Molly Branson Thayer, Ed.D., Program Director of Leadership and Professional Education at the National P-3 Center at the University of Washington’s College of Education - Bio

Molly is recognized as a national leader and consultant on early literacy. Molly's strong foundation in early literacy with the experience as Primary Literacy Specialist and Kindergarten teacher makes her a perfect match for this conference. Molly will make multiple presentations specifically targeted for the conference audience.

"Molly brings young child teaching experience, policy and research as she shares best practices for administrators, teachers and communities. She is a dynamic presenter that all can learn from..."  Kristie Kauerz, Research Assistant Professor of P-3 Policy and Leadership, University of Washington

Also Featuring:
  

Salam Noor, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction (incoming)
Dr. Nancy Golden, Office of the Chief Education Officer - Bio

Handout Materilas:

General Session I Keynote: Molly Branson Thayer

Round I Breakout Sessions:

• P-3 Teachers: What Comprehensive Developmental Literacy Continuums Can Do For You (2)(3)
• Accelerating Reading and Writing with iPads
• The Bellingham Schools Story: Interact With a Team as They Share Lessons Learned and Best Practices (2)
• Early Learning through Kindergarten: A Clear Path to Success through Aligned Standards
• Supporting Early Engagement & Development in STEM (SEEDS) for PreK & Kindergarten
• Culturally Responsive Family Engagement: The Key to Student Success
• Enhancing Core Reading Instruction (ECRI) for At-Risk Readers (K-2)
• Noisy Nora, Big Al, and the Knuffle Bunny: Using Children’s Literature to Support Social Emotional Development (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)

Round II Breakout Sessions:

• P-3 Leadership: Building the Pathway to Success (2)
• Using Technology Based Early Math Interventions: Lessons from KinderTEK Mathematics
• The Bellingham Schools Story: Interact With a Team As They Share Lessons Learned and Best Practices (2)
• An Overview of Early Learning in Oregon
• Engaging with Challenging Families
• Supporting Transition from Early Childhood Special Education Services to Kindergarten: A Model (2)
• Read, Rhyme and Romp: Early Literacy Skills, Activities and Books (2)(3)
• Build Meaningful Family-School Partnerships through Growth Mindset and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

General Session II Keynote: Nancy Golden

Additional Materials:

• Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die