Aileen Couch, Regional Coordinator for Region II of the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD), announced recently that Carrie Cole will be in Havre August 10-12. Cole will present a pair of workshops for general and special educators, paraprofessionals, agency personnel, and parents who work with elementary, middle school, and high school students.

An independent educational consultant specializing in the training and delivery of research-based reading practices, Cole holds a master’s degree in reading and is known for her ability to demonstrate how to put the latest research into practice in the classroom. She has worked with and advised state officials, district leaders, school administrators, instructional coaches, and teachers across the country, as well as written and delivered on-site professional development at state, district, and school levels that centers around fundamental knowledge in effective research-based reading instructional practices. Prior to consulting, Cole was a professional development specialist for Idaho Reading First and an adjunct professor in literacy at Idaho State University. She has also worked as a regional educational consultant for a major publishing company and is a former classroom teacher at both the elementary and secondary levels (reading).

Cole’s first session, “The Development of Reading and Writing in Elementary,” is a two-day training for which attendees can obtain twelve OPI renewal units. It will occur from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on August 10-11 at the Best Western Plus Havre Inn & Suites, located at 1425 US Hwy 2 NW in Havre.

This session will focus on reading and writing development for grades K-6 and the instructional strategies that can be used to promote student development along the reading and writing continuum in order to meet grade-level standards. Participants will learn how to strengthen instruction through structured and fast-paced routines that build on a hierarchy of skills that are necessary for students to become proficient readers and writers, including phonemic awareness, systematic phonics (basic and advanced), spelling and orthographic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension. Specific instructional techniques for each skill area will be demonstrated, practiced, and applied. According to flyers announcing the event, “participants will leave recharged and ready to apply the strategies with students.”

At the same location and times, Cole’s second workshop, “Improving Literacy and Learning in All Contents and Disciplines” will focus on the latest research on adolescent literacy and practical and highly effective teaching strategies that can be used across all content areas and disciplines for improving literacy and learning in middle and high school. Instructional techniques and strategies for use across all contents and disciplines will be demonstrated, practiced, and applied. Participants will leave with low-prep, high-impact strategies that will improve student learning in all content areas.

Registrations for both of these workshops, which are sponsored by CSPD in partnership with Havre Public Schools, are now open. Those interested in attending should go online to http://www.blueponyk12.com where they will click on the CSPD icon and then on the hyperlink that reads: “Register Here For Upcoming CSPD Training Events!” On this site, individuals will also find flyers outlining each workshop’s schedule and its details. Unless the workshops fill, registrations will be taken for both through tomorrow, August 6.

Questions about either of these trainings can be directed to Couch by calling (406) 395-8550, ext. 6714, or by emailing cspd@blueponyk12.com. As a professional courtesy, Couch asks that anyone needing to cancel a registration to please contact her office.

Region II CSPD coordinates personnel development to meet the diverse needs of all children and youth in the counties of Cascade, Teton, Pondera, Toole, Glacier, Liberty, Hill, Blaine, and Chouteau. Although preference will be given to people living in these areas, participation by individuals from outside of Region II is also welcome.