This blended learning course is designed for K-12 school-based professionals (i.e. Health, PE, FACS, classroom teachers, nurses, counselors, food service providers, etc…) to learn how to teach nutrition education while working collaboratively across school and local community to establish healthful, sustainable, food systems for schools. The course will begin with a required face-to-face day on August 11^th, held in conjunction with the annual Child Nutrition Summer Institute in St. Johnsbury. The remainder of the course will take place in an asynchronous, online learning environment. Credit will be granted by Castleton State College. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

• Explored strategies for standards based instruction and assessment of K-12 nutrition education,
• Discussed common nutritional problems of children,
• Evaluated the impact of public health forces on nutrition habits of children,
• Explored the nutrient needs for childhood growth and development, including the Dietary Guidelines, and
• Developed a plan to work collaboratively across school and local community to establish healthful, sustainable food systems for schools.

Moreover, as part of this comprehensive course, participants will also delve into essential aspects of food safety. They will gain an understanding of mycotoxins, harmful substances produced by certain molds that can contaminate food supplies. Through the exploration of mycotoxin test kits and related safety measures, students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the integrity and healthfulness of the food systems they help establish in schools. This holistic approach to nutrition education underscores the importance of not only nourishing children but also safeguarding their well-being through rigorous food safety practices.

The cost to register for this two credit course is $1013.00 and includes fees for the face-to-face day on August 11st at the Child Nutrition Summer Institute in St. Johnsbury. To learn more contact Kate O’Neill at [email protected].

VT-HEC WORKshops Coming in 2014-2015

Research on professional development producing actual change in schools and classrooms has not always been great. To better ensure the practical application of the knowledge and skills presented in our offerings to the work settings of the participants, the VT-HEC is designing a special series of professional learning opportunities that will focus on application of the content topic in the classroom or school. These sessions will be designated as WORKshops.

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TASS Consultants Practice What They Preach in a Series of WORKshops

This past year TASS consultants, Bill Rich, Wendy Cohen & Val Gardner, offered a very successful series of WORKshops focused on applying principles of neuroscience to the practical implementation of standards-based learning. The topics covered included developing learning targets, using performance tasks, instituting standards-based grading and utilizing management tools to  keep it all together.

Individuals and teams who attended experienced learning opportunities that were designed around the very principles from education neuroscience that formed the content of the series. They assessed their level of learning using learning scales, set goals and measured their progress. Participants devoted considerable time  working with the concepts to further their understanding and practiced applying the principles  to their own work with the support of Bill, Val and Wendy and others in the room. They were able to share their work, get their questions answered, see the work of others and get feedback on their efforts.

Participants worked with the teams they came with or with other participants to experience collaborative application of the principles. They were given access to resources and models that they could use during the session and in the future.  Not only was the content aimed at the practical issues facing educators implementing the Common Core and other sets of standards but they were able to experience the concepts in action applied to their own learning and work.

Based on this year’s success TASS will be offering this series again in 2014-2015. WORKshops may be taken individually, as a series or as a graduate course.  More details will be coming soon on how to register for these exciting and different sessions that will help educators put their ideas to work and reach their goals for the year.

• Crafting Student-Friendly Learning Targets – October 9, 2014; Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT
• Designing Performance Tasks to Power Student Learning – November 21, 2014; Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT
• Getting to (& Surviving) Standards-Based Learning March 6, 2015; Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT
• Data Tools to Keep You in Sync with Your Students – May, 1, 2015; Capitol Plaza, Montpelier, VT

TASS (Teaching All Secondary Students) is the VT-HEC program that supports middle and high schools in their efforts to improve outcomes for all students utilizing the best from research on the brain and learning, education and systems change. TASS works to offer schools a comprehensive and coherent approach to implementing standards-based learning and improving outcomes for all students. TASS can deliver a tailored array of coaching and consultation to teachers and leaders as well as embedded professional learning opportunities designed specially for individual schools.  In addition, TASS offers a variety of learning opportunities that are open to all but built on the same foundation and research.  TASS has an impressive team of experts who can meet most any school or professional learning need – all based on the same values and principles of learning.

VT-HEC’s WORKshops are special learning opportunities designed to put into practice what we know from neuroscience about effective learning design to better ensure the content of the session is applied in the school setting.  Each session will present some key concepts on the topic that is the focus of the day along with examples and models of application of the concepts.  Participants assess their current status, set goals for their learning and mark their progress using tools consistent with the principles being covered.  At least half the day is devoted to the participants applying the principles to their own work situation along with their colleagues. Support will be available from the presenters and other participants who have had experience with the work.  Participants get feedback and support on taking their work farther and, if they are taking the WORKshop as part of a course, they will get continued support in putting their new knowledge and skills into practice in their own settings. 

Susie Girardin to Teach Adolescent Development this Fall

We at the VT-HEC are very excited to announce that beginning in the fall of 2014 VT-HEC’s program Teaching All Secondary Students (TASS) will begin offering courses required for middle grades licensing endorsement.  TASS is the VT-HEC program that supports middle and high schools in their efforts to improve outcomes for all students.

The first course will be Adolescent Development and will be taught in the fall by Susie Girardin.  Susie is a middle grades specialist who has worked in middle schools and with middle school teachers for 40 years.  She is a leadership and teacher coach for TASS and is also part of the design team for the TASS teacher leader Certificate of Learning Design program.  Susie has taught all of the courses in the middle school sequence and will be working to coordinate the VT-HEC/TASS middle school sequence.  The course planned for the spring is Literacy Across the Curriculum.  More details about the courses will be forthcoming this summer.

It would be hard to find someone more committed to middle level students and to addressing their unique characteristics. Susie is a dynamic presenter, coach and instructor who makes her passion about student-centered learning contagious.  She has been working in a number of schools around Vermont and is always in demand.  Susie is available for consultation and coaching in schools through the TASS program.

Art Cernosia & VT-HEC

Nationally recognized education law expert, Art Cernosia, Esq. will offer his only two 2014-15 Vermont presentations working with the VT-HEC next year.  Art’s presentations are known for their comprehensive review of education-related legal issues and court decisions and his practical perspective on how they affect Vermont schools.  Art will be presenting the Special Education Law Update & Review on October 6, 2014 and his  general Legal Update & Review on November 10, 2014, both at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier. 

This will be your only chance to see & hear Art in Vermont next year so hold these dates.  Rarely, will you be able to hear so much about where the legal winds are blowing and how they affect schools, Boards, leaders, teachers and students in Vermont and rarely, will you be able to hear such information from such a dynamic and knowledgeable presenter. We at the VT-HEC are very excited to be working with Art who has kept a special focus on what is happening in Vermont even as he spends time traveling the country to learn and present about the ever more complex legal world surrounding education today.