The Oregon Trail Regional Educator Network, which leads the charge in connecting educators in Northeast Oregon to professional development opportunities, offered its learners additional flexibility by co-hosting a Virtual Summit last Friday, March 6th.
The event was a joint effort between Intermountain Education Service District, Oregon’s Department of Education and the Oregon Trail Regional Education Network. 219 learners from 12 different districts engaged in a variety of sessions focused on math, reading, family engagement, student attendance, trauma-informed education, and more. A majority of the sessions were facilitated by ODE staff.
Initial feedback on the event has been positive. Participants appreciated the virtual format, the ability to have dialogue with presenters following each presentation, and accessibility to the recorded sessions after the event.
The most highly attended sessions included:
High-Leverage Attendance Practices: Middle and High School (92)
Adverse Childhood Experiences: ACES 101 (63)
OSAS Overview: How Assessment Items Design Reflects Standards, Instruction, and Accessibility (60)
OSAS ELA: Test Design, Depth of Knowledge, Writing, and What to Do With Results: (43)
Building Strong Comprehension Through Explicit Instruction that Deepens Understanding (40)
Dave Williams, IMESD Director of School Improvement, acknowledged the importance of using new strategies to meet professional learners where they are, so they can continue to support students.
“We appreciate the partnership with the Oregon Department of Education in making this virtual in-service experience possible for our educators. Events like this strengthen our shared commitment to supporting schools, empowering educators, and improving outcomes for every student,” Williams said.