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How does one find out information about scheduling a workshop?
Use the form on this page to e-mail Kay about it.
- How is the typical workshop structured?
Most workshops begin with a quick overview of the research and theory so participants know how the topic fits in with best practices in teaching and learning. The next phase involves modeling the process of how strategies are implemented. The third phase is the hands-on application where participants work in teams to create a product or performance to take back to their schools and districts. The final phase involves reflection and action planning for the next steps in the professional development process.
- Do you do the same workshop format for each audience?
Each workshop is customized to meet the needs of the audience. The core content remains the same, but it is focused to appeal to different grade levels, subject areas, or states. Often, the focus of the workshop is geared to school leaders who are responsible for supervising or coaching in their schools or districts. The materials are modified to include training tips and strategies for sustaining long-term change.
- Are the workshops correlated to state standards?
Classroom management workshops are usually generic because teachers need basically the same guidance regardless of the states where they teach. All the assessment workshops (portfolios, checklists, rubrics, performance tasks) are customized to show examples using the vocabulary from the standards, benchmarks, or indicators from the state where the workshop takes place.
- What is the cost of the workshops?
The cost varies depending upon the amount of customization that is needed to prepare the materials for the workshop, the consultant booked, and the travel time involved. The cost of the workshop will usually consist of the consultant fee plus expenses. However, some districts prefer to include the expenses in one inclusive stipend. The final cost will be determined following a discussion with the client about what is required to meet his or her professional development needs.
- How many participants can be accommodated in a typical workshop?
The number of participants depends on the focus of the workshop. If it is a one-day overview of a new topic and the purpose is to provide theory and one or two hands-on activities, the consultants can work with about 75 participants. Audiences of over 75 generally require a second consultant to assist with the presentation. It is important that consultants be able to answer individual questions and facilitate the group work so educators feel successful in their assigned tasks. Most consultants create learning teams because it is important to work with others during the workshop. If teachers come alone and have no partners, the consultant will want to spend more time helping individuals. The train-the-trainer workshops are more focused on adult learning training skills as well as content, so the number of participants should be limited to 50.
- Do you work with school leaders as well as teachers?
Many workshops include the school leaders with their teams of teachers so they all have the same educational experience. Some of the consultants have a background in administration and can work with school leaders in assessment, behavior management, and portfolio systems. The consultants focus on assisting school leaders in implementing programs and providing ongoing support to sustain school improvement.
- What type of training facility is needed?
Since all the trainings are very interactive, the consultants prefer large rooms with wall space to display the projects the participants will create. About 5-6 people should be seated at each table so they are not crowded. The room should be able to accommodate an LCD Projector and screen as well as a sound system if the audience is large or the acoustics in the room require one.
- What about materials?
The client is responsible for running off any handouts that are created for the workshop and for getting any needed supplies. Supplies usually include large Post-it Note Pads, magic markers, and multiple sizes and colors of Post-it Notes. A materials list will be sent with the contract.
- What resources are needed for most workshops?
The assessment workshops are built around state standards. Therefore, the school or district should require participants to bring appropriate standards and curriculum materials in order to create performance tasks, portfolios, checklists, tests, and rubrics correlated to the state standards.
- What are the technology needs of most consultants?
The consultants use PowerPoint presentations so they need a LCD Projector and a large screen. Large rooms and big audiences usually necessitate a microphone system. A lavaliere or hands-free microphone system is preferred. They also use flipcharts and sometimes use video equipment. Specific equipment needs will be included in the contract.
- How do you handle agreements?
In some cases the school, district, agency, or department of education has their own agreement they send. In other cases, Kay Burke & Associates, Inc. generates a agreement that both parties sign and exchange. W-9 Forms for all consultants will be provided.
- What about holding dates until a party makes a final decision?
Clients can request that consultants hold dates while they request input from others or approval for the contract. The dates will be held for a specific time period or until a request is received from another client. At that time the first client will be contacted and asked to finalize a contract or release the dates in order to accommodate another client.
- How do we order books for the training?
Most of the books used in the trainings are published by Corwin Press, a division of SAGE Publications. Clients can contact representatives at 800-818-7243 or go to the website at www.corwinpress.com and ask for the sales representative for their state. The representative will process the order and provide discounts for orders of 10 and over. The current discount is 10% for orders of 10-49 books; 15% for orders of 50-99 books; 20% for orders of 100-299 books. The client should order several weeks prior to the workshop to ensure timely delivery. The consultants will recommend book titles that correlate with the training as well as related titles to use as resources. Several of the books used in 2010 will be published by Solution Tree Press and they can be reached at 800-733-6786 or www.solution-tree.com
- How do we handle copyright issues if the clients want to reproduce materials from a handout?
Since Corwin Press owns all the copyrights for their books, clients should contact Anna Clifford to request official permission to reproduce any copyrighted materials in the handout. Contact Solution Tree Press for information about reprinting materials from their books.
- How do we handle copyright issues if the clients want to reproduce materials from the Corwin books or handouts from the books used in the workshop?
The copyright page of Corwin books reads as follows: All right reserved. When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities who have purchased the book. Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Educators should contact the publishing company to find out the process for granting permission for reproducing materials from the book.
- Do you have references for consultants?
References for the consultants and the programs will be provided upon request.