Humboldt County Office of Education and Redwood Writing Project welcome you to an exciting day of professional development for Humboldt County educators!
View Sessions
Resources
Stop by the HERC sometime today to browse ArtSEL and Global Education display!
Schedule
8:00-8:30am
Registration & Treats
@ Sequoia Center
8:30-8:50am
Welcome Address
@ Sequoia Center
8:50-9:00am :: Travel Time
9:00-10:15am
Session 1
10:15-10:25am :: Travel Time
10:25-11:40am
Session 2
11:40am-12:30pm :: Lunch
12:30-1:45pm
Session 3
1:45-1:55pm :: Travel Time
1:55-3:10pm
Session 4
3:10-3:20pm :: Travel Time
3:20-3:30pm
Closing Comments
@ Sequoia Center
Workshops (sorted by audience)
Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Session 1 | Sequoia B | Dr. Stephanie Stollar
An interactive, hands-on training to gain understanding of specific hand-eye coordination skills that are integral to development of pre-writing and writing skills. Continue Reading Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Early Transcription Skills
Session 1 | Sequoia A | Rose Buchner
We will explore the importance of explicit instruction of early transcription skills (handwriting, keyboarding, and spelling). Connections with the Writing Rope and the Simple View of Writing will be made, and activities/tools of the trade will be shared. Continue Reading Early Transcription Skills
Literacy and Multilingual Learners
Session 1 | Annex | Agustín Amaro & Erisan Villafaña Torres
We will have an interactive session with participants related to three essential areas for language learning and literacy of all multilingual learners; interacting in meaningful ways, learning about how English works, and developing foundational literacy skills. Continue Reading Literacy and Multilingual Learners
Creative Emotional Literacy: A Journey with Anh’s Anger
Session 1 | Redwood | Lizzy Dostal
Dive into a journey that combines literary exploration with hands-on activities, equipping you with innovative tools to foster emotional intelligence and creativity in the classroom. Continue Reading Creative Emotional Literacy: A Journey with Anh’s Anger
Dialogic Reading – An Interactive Approach for Read Alouds
Session 1 | ERC | Gloria Topolewski
Children’s experiences with being read to plays a critical role in their early language and literacy development. The Dialogic Reading approach is an interactive, developmentally informed approach that engages children by making the most of their natural tendency to learn best from active participation. Continue Reading Dialogic Reading – An Interactive Approach for Read Alouds
The Reading Brain
Session 2 | Sequoia B | Emily Green
Learn about what is happening inside a student’s brain as they are learning to read – and how that research informs best practices for reading instruction and intervention. Continue Reading The Reading Brain
Dyslexia Screening and Interventions
Session 2 | Sequoia A | Dr. AmyK Conley
California has passed a mandatory screening law for dyslexia for grades K-2 starting in 2025-2026. This session will discuss possible screeners, interventions, and local needs to meet this mandate. Continue Reading Dyslexia Screening and Interventions
Poetry and Inclusion: How Poetry Can Help Students Feel Seen, Heard, and Successful as Writers and Lifelong Learners
Session 2 | Annex | Yavanna Reynolds
Poetry is an amazing tool as an introduction to more creative styles of writing, while also giving students a way to express their ideas, feelings, and culture in a unique, personal way. My hope is to encourage educators to try incorporating more poetry into their curriculum as a way to provide a welcoming and supportive environment. Continue Reading Poetry and Inclusion: How Poetry Can Help Students Feel Seen, Heard, and Successful as Writers and Lifelong Learners
Building Connections: Environmental Literacy and Social Emotional Learning
Session 2 | Redwood | Jen Code
Familiarizing students with environmental topics through meaningful texts and imagery allows them to deepen their connection to the world. Techniques in the classroom for social emotional learning, written expression, art and collaborative discussions will be shared. Continue Reading Building Connections: Environmental Literacy and Social Emotional Learning
Writing Fluency: A Bridge to Improving Writing Quality in Less Time
Session 2 | ERC | Adam Drake-Eastham
Participants will explore the impact of facilitating greater opportunities for fluent writing in the classroom, such as mitigating student difficulties with text generation (oral language), transcription skills (spelling, grammar and handwriting) and executive functions such as working memory. Continue Reading Writing Fluency: A Bridge to Improving Writing Quality in Less Time
The Union of Environmental Literacy & A Literacy Rich Classroom Environment
Session 3 | Sequoia B | Tara Kajtaniak & Stephanie Strasser
Become an environmental superhero with your students in the ELA classroom and beyond. Incorporate best literacy practices to build background knowledge, vocabulary, and metacognitive skills while shaping environmentally conscious students.
Continue Reading The Union of Environmental Literacy & A Literacy Rich Classroom Environment
Using Independent Reading as Mentor Texts
Session 3 | Sequoia A | Dr. AmyK Conley
Even very young children benefit from independent reading. Teaching writing craft using independent reading as a mentor text allows choice in reading and direct instruction in writing. Continue Reading Using Independent Reading as Mentor Texts
Let’s Map It!
Session 3 | Annex | Maira Rodriguez
Explore the science behind orthographic mapping and how to effectively teach spelling to all students. This hands on session will have you feeling reading to apply these strategies with any spelling/reading program your district has adopted. Continue Reading Let’s Map It!
Using PenPals to Build Writing Confidence in Students
Session 3 | Redwood | Colleen Leydecker & Rachel Smith
This presentation will give teachers an innovative way to teach writing strategies to students that are reluctant writers. As well as giving strategies to improve confidence in students writing abilities. Continue Reading Using PenPals to Build Writing Confidence in Students
Dyslexia: What is it? What isn’t it? What to do about it?
Session 3 | ERC | Jan Paulus
This presentation will explore facts and myths about dyslexia as well considering the neuroscience related to the different types of dyslexia. Early indicators of the possibility of dyslexia will be discussed. Continue Reading Dyslexia: What is it? What isn’t it? What to do about it?
Equity in Literacy
Session 4 | Sequoia B | Sharrone Blanck & Nora Wynne
Participants will explore how implicit bias and the cylce of socialization play a role in our choices in books and curriculum. We will use a simple tool to analyze and improve our libraries. Continue Reading Equity in Literacy
Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Development for Early Literacy
Session 4 | Sequoia A | Debra Burstiner
An interactive, hands-on training to gain understanding of specific hand-eye coordination skills that are integral to development of pre-writing and writing skills. Continue Reading Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Development for Early Literacy
Decoding Excellence: Fostering Word Recognition Proficiency Across Grade Levels
Session 4 | Annex | Karla Tice
Explore the insights of the Science of Reading on Word Recognition in this presentation designed for educators. Delve into the research surrounding struggling readers and gain a comprehensive understanding of how to best support students across diverse grade levels. Continue Reading Decoding Excellence: Fostering Word Recognition Proficiency Across Grade Levels
Writing for Reading Success
Session 4 | Redwood | Kristina Darby
We will be looking at research to solidify our understanding of why it is important to write when you are learning to read. How much? How often? And why? These will all be questions we will look to answer during this seminar. Continue Reading Writing for Reading Success
So Many Words, So Little Time: Expanding Vocabulary to Enhance Writing
Session 4 | ERC | Heidi Conzelmann
Vocabulary plays an important role in students’ comprehension of complex texts, in their language development, and in their writing. Today, we will engage in activities using morphology and gradience to enrich and expand students’ vocabulary. Continue Reading So Many Words, So Little Time: Expanding Vocabulary to Enhance Writing
Workshops (sorted by topic)
Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Session 1 | Sequoia B | Dr. Stephanie Stollar
An interactive, hands-on training to gain understanding of specific hand-eye coordination skills that are integral to development of pre-writing and writing skills. Continue Reading Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Early Transcription Skills
Session 1 | Sequoia A | Rose Buchner
We will explore the importance of explicit instruction of early transcription skills (handwriting, keyboarding, and spelling). Connections with the Writing Rope and the Simple View of Writing will be made, and activities/tools of the trade will be shared. Continue Reading Early Transcription Skills
Literacy and Multilingual Learners
Session 1 | Annex | Agustín Amaro & Erisan Villafaña Torres
We will have an interactive session with participants related to three essential areas for language learning and literacy of all multilingual learners; interacting in meaningful ways, learning about how English works, and developing foundational literacy skills. Continue Reading Literacy and Multilingual Learners
Creative Emotional Literacy: A Journey with Anh’s Anger
Session 1 | Redwood | Lizzy Dostal
Dive into a journey that combines literary exploration with hands-on activities, equipping you with innovative tools to foster emotional intelligence and creativity in the classroom. Continue Reading Creative Emotional Literacy: A Journey with Anh’s Anger
Dialogic Reading – An Interactive Approach for Read Alouds
Session 1 | ERC | Gloria Topolewski
Children’s experiences with being read to plays a critical role in their early language and literacy development. The Dialogic Reading approach is an interactive, developmentally informed approach that engages children by making the most of their natural tendency to learn best from active participation. Continue Reading Dialogic Reading – An Interactive Approach for Read Alouds
Dyslexia Screening and Interventions
Session 2 | Sequoia A | Dr. AmyK Conley
California has passed a mandatory screening law for dyslexia for grades K-2 starting in 2025-2026. This session will discuss possible screeners, interventions, and local needs to meet this mandate. Continue Reading Dyslexia Screening and Interventions
Poetry and Inclusion: How Poetry Can Help Students Feel Seen, Heard, and Successful as Writers and Lifelong Learners
Session 2 | Annex | Yavanna Reynolds
Poetry is an amazing tool as an introduction to more creative styles of writing, while also giving students a way to express their ideas, feelings, and culture in a unique, personal way. My hope is to encourage educators to try incorporating more poetry into their curriculum as a way to provide a welcoming and supportive environment. Continue Reading Poetry and Inclusion: How Poetry Can Help Students Feel Seen, Heard, and Successful as Writers and Lifelong Learners
Building Connections: Environmental Literacy and Social Emotional Learning
Session 2 | Redwood | Jen Code
Familiarizing students with environmental topics through meaningful texts and imagery allows them to deepen their connection to the world. Techniques in the classroom for social emotional learning, written expression, art and collaborative discussions will be shared. Continue Reading Building Connections: Environmental Literacy and Social Emotional Learning
Writing Fluency: A Bridge to Improving Writing Quality in Less Time
Session 2 | ERC | Adam Drake-Eastham
Participants will explore the impact of facilitating greater opportunities for fluent writing in the classroom, such as mitigating student difficulties with text generation (oral language), transcription skills (spelling, grammar and handwriting) and executive functions such as working memory. Continue Reading Writing Fluency: A Bridge to Improving Writing Quality in Less Time
The Union of Environmental Literacy & A Literacy Rich Classroom Environment
Session 3 | Sequoia B | Tara Kajtaniak & Stephanie Strasser
Become an environmental superhero with your students in the ELA classroom and beyond. Incorporate best literacy practices to build background knowledge, vocabulary, and metacognitive skills while shaping environmentally conscious students.
Continue Reading The Union of Environmental Literacy & A Literacy Rich Classroom Environment
Using Independent Reading as Mentor Texts
Session 3 | Sequoia A | Dr. AmyK Conley
Even very young children benefit from independent reading. Teaching writing craft using independent reading as a mentor text allows choice in reading and direct instruction in writing. Continue Reading Using Independent Reading as Mentor Texts
Let’s Map It!
Session 3 | Annex | Maira Rodriguez
Explore the science behind orthographic mapping and how to effectively teach spelling to all students. This hands on session will have you feeling reading to apply these strategies with any spelling/reading program your district has adopted. Continue Reading Let’s Map It!
Using PenPals to Build Writing Confidence in Students
Session 3 | Redwood | Colleen Leydecker & Rachel Smith
This presentation will give teachers an innovative way to teach writing strategies to students that are reluctant writers. As well as giving strategies to improve confidence in students writing abilities. Continue Reading Using PenPals to Build Writing Confidence in Students
Dyslexia: What is it? What isn’t it? What to do about it?
Session 3 | ERC | Jan Paulus
This presentation will explore facts and myths about dyslexia as well considering the neuroscience related to the different types of dyslexia. Early indicators of the possibility of dyslexia will be discussed. Continue Reading Dyslexia: What is it? What isn’t it? What to do about it?
Equity in Literacy
Session 4 | Sequoia B | Sharrone Blanck & Nora Wynne
Participants will explore how implicit bias and the cylce of socialization play a role in our choices in books and curriculum. We will use a simple tool to analyze and improve our libraries. Continue Reading Equity in Literacy
Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Development for Early Literacy
Session 4 | Sequoia A | Debra Burstiner
An interactive, hands-on training to gain understanding of specific hand-eye coordination skills that are integral to development of pre-writing and writing skills. Continue Reading Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Development for Early Literacy
Decoding Excellence: Fostering Word Recognition Proficiency Across Grade Levels
Session 4 | Annex | Karla Tice
Explore the insights of the Science of Reading on Word Recognition in this presentation designed for educators. Delve into the research surrounding struggling readers and gain a comprehensive understanding of how to best support students across diverse grade levels. Continue Reading Decoding Excellence: Fostering Word Recognition Proficiency Across Grade Levels
Writing for Reading Success
Session 4 | Redwood | Kristina Darby
We will be looking at research to solidify our understanding of why it is important to write when you are learning to read. How much? How often? And why? These will all be questions we will look to answer during this seminar. Continue Reading Writing for Reading Success
So Many Words, So Little Time: Expanding Vocabulary to Enhance Writing
Session 4 | ERC | Heidi Conzelmann
Vocabulary plays an important role in students’ comprehension of complex texts, in their language development, and in their writing. Today, we will engage in activities using morphology and gradience to enrich and expand students’ vocabulary. Continue Reading So Many Words, So Little Time: Expanding Vocabulary to Enhance Writing
Workshops (sorted by session)
Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Session 1 | Sequoia B | Dr. Stephanie Stollar
An interactive, hands-on training to gain understanding of specific hand-eye coordination skills that are integral to development of pre-writing and writing skills. Continue Reading Tier 1 Instruction is Risk Reduction
Early Transcription Skills
Session 1 | Sequoia A | Rose Buchner
We will explore the importance of explicit instruction of early transcription skills (handwriting, keyboarding, and spelling). Connections with the Writing Rope and the Simple View of Writing will be made, and activities/tools of the trade will be shared. Continue Reading Early Transcription Skills
Literacy and Multilingual Learners
Session 1 | Annex | Agustín Amaro & Erisan Villafaña Torres
We will have an interactive session with participants related to three essential areas for language learning and literacy of all multilingual learners; interacting in meaningful ways, learning about how English works, and developing foundational literacy skills. Continue Reading Literacy and Multilingual Learners
Creative Emotional Literacy: A Journey with Anh’s Anger
Session 1 | Redwood | Lizzy Dostal
Dive into a journey that combines literary exploration with hands-on activities, equipping you with innovative tools to foster emotional intelligence and creativity in the classroom. Continue Reading Creative Emotional Literacy: A Journey with Anh’s Anger
Dialogic Reading – An Interactive Approach for Read Alouds
Session 1 | ERC | Gloria Topolewski
Children’s experiences with being read to plays a critical role in their early language and literacy development. The Dialogic Reading approach is an interactive, developmentally informed approach that engages children by making the most of their natural tendency to learn best from active participation. Continue Reading Dialogic Reading – An Interactive Approach for Read Alouds
The Reading Brain
Session 2 | Sequoia B | Emily Green
Learn about what is happening inside a student’s brain as they are learning to read – and how that research informs best practices for reading instruction and intervention. Continue Reading The Reading Brain
Dyslexia Screening and Interventions
Session 2 | Sequoia A | Dr. AmyK Conley
California has passed a mandatory screening law for dyslexia for grades K-2 starting in 2025-2026. This session will discuss possible screeners, interventions, and local needs to meet this mandate. Continue Reading Dyslexia Screening and Interventions
Poetry and Inclusion: How Poetry Can Help Students Feel Seen, Heard, and Successful as Writers and Lifelong Learners
Session 2 | Annex | Yavanna Reynolds
Poetry is an amazing tool as an introduction to more creative styles of writing, while also giving students a way to express their ideas, feelings, and culture in a unique, personal way. My hope is to encourage educators to try incorporating more poetry into their curriculum as a way to provide a welcoming and supportive environment. Continue Reading Poetry and Inclusion: How Poetry Can Help Students Feel Seen, Heard, and Successful as Writers and Lifelong Learners
Building Connections: Environmental Literacy and Social Emotional Learning
Session 2 | Redwood | Jen Code
Familiarizing students with environmental topics through meaningful texts and imagery allows them to deepen their connection to the world. Techniques in the classroom for social emotional learning, written expression, art and collaborative discussions will be shared. Continue Reading Building Connections: Environmental Literacy and Social Emotional Learning
Writing Fluency: A Bridge to Improving Writing Quality in Less Time
Session 2 | ERC | Adam Drake-Eastham
Participants will explore the impact of facilitating greater opportunities for fluent writing in the classroom, such as mitigating student difficulties with text generation (oral language), transcription skills (spelling, grammar and handwriting) and executive functions such as working memory. Continue Reading Writing Fluency: A Bridge to Improving Writing Quality in Less Time
The Union of Environmental Literacy & A Literacy Rich Classroom Environment
Session 3 | Sequoia B | Tara Kajtaniak & Stephanie Strasser
Become an environmental superhero with your students in the ELA classroom and beyond. Incorporate best literacy practices to build background knowledge, vocabulary, and metacognitive skills while shaping environmentally conscious students.
Continue Reading The Union of Environmental Literacy & A Literacy Rich Classroom Environment
Using Independent Reading as Mentor Texts
Session 3 | Sequoia A | Dr. AmyK Conley
Even very young children benefit from independent reading. Teaching writing craft using independent reading as a mentor text allows choice in reading and direct instruction in writing. Continue Reading Using Independent Reading as Mentor Texts
Let’s Map It!
Session 3 | Annex | Maira Rodriguez
Explore the science behind orthographic mapping and how to effectively teach spelling to all students. This hands on session will have you feeling reading to apply these strategies with any spelling/reading program your district has adopted. Continue Reading Let’s Map It!
Using PenPals to Build Writing Confidence in Students
Session 3 | Redwood | Colleen Leydecker & Rachel Smith
This presentation will give teachers an innovative way to teach writing strategies to students that are reluctant writers. As well as giving strategies to improve confidence in students writing abilities. Continue Reading Using PenPals to Build Writing Confidence in Students
Dyslexia: What is it? What isn’t it? What to do about it?
Session 3 | ERC | Jan Paulus
This presentation will explore facts and myths about dyslexia as well considering the neuroscience related to the different types of dyslexia. Early indicators of the possibility of dyslexia will be discussed. Continue Reading Dyslexia: What is it? What isn’t it? What to do about it?
Equity in Literacy
Session 4 | Sequoia B | Sharrone Blanck & Nora Wynne
Participants will explore how implicit bias and the cylce of socialization play a role in our choices in books and curriculum. We will use a simple tool to analyze and improve our libraries. Continue Reading Equity in Literacy
Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Development for Early Literacy
Session 4 | Sequoia A | Debra Burstiner
An interactive, hands-on training to gain understanding of specific hand-eye coordination skills that are integral to development of pre-writing and writing skills. Continue Reading Fine Motor Skills and Handwriting Development for Early Literacy
Decoding Excellence: Fostering Word Recognition Proficiency Across Grade Levels
Session 4 | Annex | Karla Tice
Explore the insights of the Science of Reading on Word Recognition in this presentation designed for educators. Delve into the research surrounding struggling readers and gain a comprehensive understanding of how to best support students across diverse grade levels. Continue Reading Decoding Excellence: Fostering Word Recognition Proficiency Across Grade Levels
Writing for Reading Success
Session 4 | Redwood | Kristina Darby
We will be looking at research to solidify our understanding of why it is important to write when you are learning to read. How much? How often? And why? These will all be questions we will look to answer during this seminar. Continue Reading Writing for Reading Success
So Many Words, So Little Time: Expanding Vocabulary to Enhance Writing
Session 4 | ERC | Heidi Conzelmann
Vocabulary plays an important role in students’ comprehension of complex texts, in their language development, and in their writing. Today, we will engage in activities using morphology and gradience to enrich and expand students’ vocabulary. Continue Reading So Many Words, So Little Time: Expanding Vocabulary to Enhance Writing