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NEW ADMINISTRATOR'S CONFERENCE - Under Construction

 Rejuvenate and Retool

Registration now open for 2011 - Payment costs/options at the bottom of the page!

 (Limited to 50 Administrators) 

Summer Institutes in coordination with

Washington State University Presents:

The First Annual Fort Worden Administrator's Conference

 "Balancing Family, Work & Self!"

2011 Schedule

SPECIAL FEATURES: Everything you’ve grown to expect from Summer Institutes and more!

• Relevant Presentations
• Interesting Peer Collaboration Component (PLC)
• Field-based Learning Day Trips
• Important Wellness Activities

After you’re registered for the conference complete your stay with a packaged Fort Worden accommodation exclusively for Summer Institutes! Follow this link:
https://fortress.wa.gov/parks/smsworld/smsworld/wc.dll?SMSWorld~AvailBox and enter the Promo Code 19B4ZW along with arrival on July 31, 2011 and departure on August 4, 2011.  See you at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA!

2011 KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS That Address Today’s Administrative Needs:

Dr. Alan Burke, Deputy Superintendent, OSPI

Keynote Speaker

"15 Survival Tips for Administrators to Stay Balanced!" Alan Burke is the Deputy Superintendent, K-12 Education at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). He received his Doctorate of Education (Policy, Governance and Administration) from the University of Washington. Lessons learned in 37 year career as an educator will highlight the remarks of Alan Burke, Deputy Superintendent at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in Olympia, Washington. In job assignments that included teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent (1998-2009 in Yelm, WA), and now as a leader in the state educational agency, Dr. Burke has learned—sometimes the hard way—that balance is the key to a successful and longstanding career. It’s great to work hard and achieve, but equally important (and necessary) to keep family, recreational, and social priorities in perspective. Fifteen separate ideas will be presented, all designed to make attendees reflect about their own career and analyze what really is important for success in work and in life. Click here to learn more about Superintendent Alan Burke

Pamela Roberts, Interim Director, WSU Extension, Port Hadlock Co - Director Organizational Principles for High Performing Teams School settings can challenge everyone involved - educators enter with varied expectations, perspectives, belief systems, approaches, histories, etc. Administrators can feel pulled and stressed by competing forces. So how can you lead everyone to "pull the rope in the same direction" toward the common mission of best serving our children? This session will help you reduce your personal stress, establish productive ways of working together with your staff, and help you take positive leadership on important school-related issues. Learn how to establish an ethical and clear organizational framework for high performing teams that includes guidelines for accountability, positive relations, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, decision making, and celebrations. Press release

Superintendent Robert Reasoner, Founder and President of the National Association of Self-Esteem.

Co - Director

"Keys to Reduced Stress and Greater Staff Motivation" With accelerated change and increased expectations today, administrators need strategies that reduce stress, tension, or burnout and that increase motivation in others. How you feel about yourself makes a tremendous difference in how you relate to others and how you perform your role as an administrator. Here are some strategies based on 40 years of experience and research that have proven effective in developing personal self-esteem and increased motivation of staff and students. Specific suggestions will be shared to enable you to be more effective with your staff and better able to maintain a positive mental attitude as you face the challenges of being an administrator.

Dr. Mary Lynne Derrington,

Keynote Speaker

"Have Your Cake and Eat it Too: Minimizing Barriers to your Success and Well-being" The job of a school or district leader just keeps getting tougher every day. At times we struggle with choices pitting the demands of work in opposition to expectations of family. This session will help achieve clarity on what you seek professionally and personally. Participants will take away specific goals and strategies that enable achievement of both individual and group aims. Current: Associate Professor Western Washington University. Director Superintendent program. Previous experience 25 years as K-12 administrator both principal and superintendent. Books: Co-author of Leadership Teaming: The Principal-Superintendent Relationship. Corwin Press 2009. In progress: How to Build a Top-Drawer Cabinet: How a New Superintendent Develops an Effective District Office Team . Dr. Derrington was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to Argentina where she studied leadership and governance in the San Raphael, Mendoza area.

Dr. Whitney Meissner, Keynote Speaker Resiliency: As principals, we are responsible for the day to day operations of all things school. When a challenge arises, we are up for the task! But how often do we actually take the time to recover from the stress of an unforeseen event? Where do we prioritize our own health and wellness? In what ways do we make time for friends, family, and build our own skills in personal relationships? This session will emphasize the importance of taking care of ourselves, nurturning our relationships, and relearning out to debrief and let go so we can move forward. We can help others best when we nurture our own minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits. Crisis Response: Following the Columbine tragedy, Whitney had the opportunity to attend multiple trainings in conjunction with the Snohomish Fire & Rescue and Snohomish Police Department to learn about Incident Command and Multiple Agency Response. The Incidend Command Model (ICM) is beautiful in its simplicity and flexibility. Learn how ICM helped in several crisis situations, including the death of a prominent parent/School Board Member, the accidental death of the principal's husband (hers), a student injury in a classroom with harassment undertones, as well as less emotional situations such as power outages, emergency drills, and even planning for parent conferences. This session will be most beneficial if you bring your own examples of crisis/emergency events for us to debrief and plan "What would I do" together. BIO: Whitney's passion is to spread democracy, kindness, and a little bit of fun into each and every day on the job. In her 19 years in education -- as a math & English teacher in Federal Way, an assistant principal at Snohomish High School, and now principal of Chimacum's secondary and alternative programs -- she has done it wrong a lot! Weaving compassion, forgiveness, and laughter in the workplace is not always easy, but it is important. Read more about Whitney Ernie Chapin

Keynote Speaker P.U.R.E. Teaching (Powerfully Using Relationships Effectively) What real motivation is and how to model it, teach it, and empower it in students. Strategies for improving relationships with students, colleagues, parents, and administrators. The 5 characteristics of P.U.R.E. and how to effectively use those characteristics to improve the quality of education. These lessons are currently being taught by Mr. Chapin to educators in seminars across the United States through Bureau of Education & Research, Rachel’s Challenge, and through Mr. Chapin’s business, Positive Powerful Teaching. He is also teaching these lessons to students of all grades at various school districts and the Juvenile Justice Center.

Experience Fort Worden!

Experiential Learning Trip

Indulge in a special dose of “Experience” (e.g. energize in a movement class, get outdoors with a kayak or bike tour, creatively let the chips-fly in a Wood school class, feed our ears and eyes with a concert performance, etc.) Why Wait? Wellness Package, Body, Mind, Soul – we’ve got the tonic for putting just the right adjust in the soon-to-be new YOU! Body – Choose from: movement session, Bike, Kayak or Group Run, and refuel with our Sunday Brunch buffet;  Mind – Good read – Signed Copper Canyon Press book, or Centrum tickets or Centrum or get Crafty at PT Woodschool;  Soul – With Madrona MindBody Institute, plug in your MP3 on a Destination hikes of Memories Vault, the Cemetery, Lighthouse or Chinese Garden’s, or give back with Volunteer work opportunities.  The Fort Worden “Experience’s” are nearly endless.

Professional Learning Community (PLC) Professional Learning Community   How often do you get to share and absorb successful administrative practices with your peers through Professional Learning Communities (PLC)?...Now you can! SI has facilitated popular PLC's since 1987! PLC Peer Superintendent/Principal horizontal and vertical sessions will be included in the weekly schedule.

Dr. Whitney Meissner, Principal – “Resiliency” Pic & Bio coming soon!

Note: Speakers and Topics subject to change without notice

Wellness Activities
	Why Wellness Options are Relevant: National Health Epidemic NEA Magazine claims the leading health issue for women teachers is heart disease – stress Administrators operate at top performance levels when they are healthy & content Administrators modeling wellness for our next generation School Districts save money with healthy teachers

Facilitated and Self guided activities available:

• Weight Training
• Nature Walks
• Golf
• Yoga 
• Stess Reducing Meditation Class
• Tennis
• Sea Kayaking

Each venue offers unique geographic opportunities: Check website for more info…

Note: Staff development funds may be used for these classes (check with your school district). Also, Treasury Regulation Schedule I-162 permits income tax deduction. Be sure to save your receipt. There will be $100 non refundable deposit.

Conference sizes are limited-based on facility capacity.

2010 Summer Institutes
Evaluation Averages
Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA. 

Participant’s opinions are highly valued and will continue to help us develop quality classes that will improve our participants’ careers. Administration and presenters were rated on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being low).
NOTE: Original evaluations have been verified and kept on file with Pacific Lutheran University and NCESD.

Administration (Ranked in order of highest score) Average

1) Summer Institutes staff was courteous to my needs? 4.97
2) Topics were relevant to Balanced Education? 4.94
3) Does SI cover Relationships, Relevancy and Rigor? 4.91
4) The program clearly met standards and expectations? 4.91
5) Topics were relevant to my classroom? 4.86
6) Do you have a better understanding of the
Importance of building relationships? 4.86
7) Facilities were adequate and convenient? 4.8
8) Wellness options were relevant and appreciated? 4.77
9) Closing Banquet 4.71
10) Assignments were clearly explained? 4.51
11) Instructions and registrations handled efficiently? 4.31

Presenters Average

1) Brian Cain 4.94
2) Marah Jean 4.85
3) Robert Reasoner 4.83
4) Scott Ricardo 4.8
5) Tom Champoux 4.7
6) Experiential Learning 4.46
7) Wellness 4.37
8) PLC 4.34
9) Karyn Holt 4.31
10) Alex Bryan 4.11
11) Dottie Coven 4.05
12) Michael Maria 3.97

Total Average for SI Workshop 4.62

21 School Districts Represented:

Cape Flatterey       Chimacum         Central Kitsap
Colton                     Elma                    Hood Canal
Kentlake                 Lake Chelan      Monroe
North Kitsap          North Mason      Olympia
Omak                      Onion Creek      Port Orchard
Sequim                  Snohomish         South Kitsap
Wenatchee           Three Rivers Christian
Redmond, Bend Oregon

Total Testimonials:

“The SI program at Fort Worden was way beyond my expectations! The speakers were of the highest caliber and their knowledge of the subjects they covered was unbelievably amazing! I’ve never attended a better run, more relevant professional development class or institute. Scott did a fine job of coordinating an event that was intellectually, physically, and spiritually fulfilling. I will be back next year with several friends in tow!” Anna Lee, Sequim

“Summer Institutes at Port Townsend was a retreat for me. The beauty of the ocean and the inspiration of the speakers fed my soul. What a boost to my teaching!” Patty Torba, Moses Lake

“Scott Ricardo and Summer Institutes never disappoint! The most celebrated experts in the field consistently present the most current topics and training. Scott meets the highest expectations and exceeds them. Thank you Scott – see you next summer.” Gail Kite, Port Angeles

There are two words to describe Summer Institutes: vibrant and alive! SI has taken professional development to a new level. An experienced workshop atmosphere where everyone (speakers included) contributed to exceed the mark. The passion, excitement and commitment were vibrating from every wall in the room. Thank you, Scott for your hard work, generosity and compassion. You and your staff have made my first SI experience a yearly “must do.” Susan Bruggeman, Redmond, OR

“Fort Worden and Port Townsend was an excellent site since the facilities were great (plenty of free parking), the area offered great recreation and cultural options and the natural beauty is outstanding. Speakers were great and very relevant with good pacing. Nice job of working in breaks!” Greg Parrott, Poulsbo Middle School

“Summer Institutes fully met my needs and expectations. The week was filled with great speakers, information and strategies to use in my classroom and the opportunity to meet other teachers and network to help make me a better teacher. Thank you for the opportunity! Great Week!” Marlene Cinkovich, Rainier Elementary

“The speakers alone were worth every penny our district spent!” Colleen Bourgault, Hood Canal School

“SI was a joy to attend. Relevant speakers, no, much more than relevant, the speakers were proof that I am doing the right thing being a Special Ed teacher. Teachers who want or need to reaffirm or confirm their relevance and position in life as a public school teacher should participate in Summer Institutes.” Peter Walchenbach, Sequim School District, 4-5 Special Ed

“Wonderful keynote speakers – very intelligent and knowledgeable. They related well to their audience. Everyone walked away feeling good. Summer Institutes are fun, rejuvenating and useful for everyone involved. Come make new friends, and be prepared to be revalidated as teachers!” Louise Chitwood, Greywolf Elementary, Sequim, WA

“This workshop is super sensitive to providing a stress-free environment where top-notch speakers can share relevant information for success in the classroom!” John Wonderly, Cape Flattery School District

“Great classes, fun location, excellent way to get 50 clock hours.” Janis Martin, Hood Canal School

Total Comments:

Much Kudos SI!!!

I attended something called a “Summer Institute” 10 years ago that was nowhere near as useful and inspiring as this one. Every single speaker provided strategies that I can use immediately in both my personal and professional life. Thank you so much!

Just let people know that food will not be provided, except for Thursday and they could bring a cooler. Dinner was great. I will take back so many memories, but also what I can use with my students.

The speakers were all delightful. The age range from younger to older speakers was special. Providing interaction between participants was great. Frequent breaks really helped. Thank you for all the extras and for lining up great speakers.

A great 4 days and nights, just wish there was a little more down time. It was a bit rushed.

I loved the last day speakers! They were EXCELLENT!!

How about fewer hours? 6hr days – 2hrs wellness = 8 hr day; 32hr 4 day week or 40hr 5 day week

I knew it would be a great to spend a week in August at Fort Worden but had no idea the SI would so exceed my expectations! Thanks for a fabulous experience.

This was my 2nd SI and it was even better than the first

Best workshop I have taken

Signing up for SI was relatively easy. Signing up through NCESD was a pain in the butt. For clock hours it would be beneficial for them to have a rep on site to sign everyone up, pay and be done!

I will pass the word/copy materials for co-workers. This was wonderful!

I really enjoyed the workshop. Time was well allocated. The speakers were the best I have had in 24 years of teaching. I will recommend this workshop to all my colleagues.

Good job!

Please tell us if we need to bring our Teacher Certification number for registration information because we did not bring it. This conference was an excellent opportunity to be energized for the upcoming school year. It was relevant and interesting. I also enjoyed the wellness activities.

WOO HOO! I’m an alumnus now! No more a rookie!! Thanks Scott – it was great!!

The morning speakers were truly inspirational and I loved the life knowledge of Robert Reasoner

Didn’t care for marketing of programs or sales pitch for products

A little more PLC time might be useful depending on the organization. Provide more time for the speakers, less is more. There was great info and it was stuff I can use in my classroom. Thanks.

I felt like I was back in college by the way we connected as a group and learned together as well as played together. It was invigorating, and educational

Your signage needs to be larger so folks don’t hunt for where to go; you need to respect speakers’ and participants’ time and start/end on time. You don’t get to go overtime and take someone else’s time. Think about people who have plans and need to meet others; more up/down movement – lectures with handouts are not interactive

It was a real shot in the arm for school this fall

I really appreciated the wellness emphasis. I think being able to move around and exercise helped me to concentrate on the presentation

Total comments from grade level PLC discussions. The assignment was to list the top three problems that you face at your grade level and share possible solutions:

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ANSWERS AND SOLUTIONS

1. Class sizes (inequity)
Reg. Ed. Rec. Overload $ Specialists Do not.
Core classes LG./A.P. Smaller
Solution: Overload $
(Could overload $ be used in different ways?)

2. Electronic Devices
Buildings vary regarding consequences.
Teachers vary regarding consequences.
Solution: Set policy and have teachers and admin. Consistently enforce inform parents.

3. Student Health Issues: ADHD, DIABETES, OBESITY, SUYBSTANCE, MENTAL
Lacking health classes, cutting programs, cutting recess
Solution: Req. health, follow G.L.E.S., Offer healthy food at schools

4. Gen. Ed population needs training on how to deal with Para-pros
The paras are knowledgeable and experienced pros.
The teacher needs to be clear about letting para know expectations because each period is different. (This includes substitute paras).
Gen. Ed: Communicate to admin. The importance of para.
Teacher should be a part of interview/hiring to get excellent paras.
If a para has specialized training, pay the para more.

5. More public relations with community (Realtors, organizations)
Volunteers
Living Skills
Stewardship – work/classroom/café/Co-Op
Connect education with work and work ethic
Advertise

ELEMENTARY:

1. Parent Involvement/Apathy
Solution: Monthly family nights w/food
Personal invitations for parent help
Outreach parent education

2. Attendance
Solution: Parent contact – teacher then administration
Need to limit number of excused absences
Tie attendance to retention Research?

3. Student Accountability
Solution: Individual student data folders/graph progress
Student led conferences
Goal sheets monthly

4. Parent Contact Time
Solution: Home visits
Family nights (science/math)

5. Staff Health/Stress

6. Time Management

Special Education Teachers:

1. Lack of resources and support
Solution: Stronger contract language
Adequate funding of public education (local, state, federal
Parent advocacy
Curriculum

2. Paperwork and Associated Meetings
Solution: Stronger contract language
More efficient/streamlined technology for IEP writing

3. Lack of Training/Professional Development for Para pros
Solution: Better use of release time
Lack of training/collaboration between general Ed/Special Ed teachers
Treating paras like “full” staff members, using/valuing their experience
Getting para input for IEP’s

Suggestions for future topics and activities:

Nothing in particular. Maybe do an email survey of previous attendees if possible.

Tennis tournament. Let everyone know beforehand that there is no food provided in case you want to pack a cooler.

Dungeness Spit, Hurricane Ridge

Fewer speakers so the speakers have more time

Wellness sessions should be completely by choice, not forced! Even with options it made me feel stressed and isolated!

Massage Therapist on site

Love & Logic

It was all good, thanks, Scott

More on Emotional Intelligence and Natural (Science hands-on in Port Townsend) Intelligence

I would have liked to see Tai Chi or Yoga for the group activity

How to deal with electronic devices

Ideas for classroom discipline and balancing teaching and home/family life

Next year I would love it if the Madrona Mind-Body place would do Tai Chi class rather than Nia. It would be fun to have a wine tasting experience as well as a massage therapy session at the massage school for a wellness option

RII – behavior, reading, math; Love & Logic; Brain Gym; Differentiated Learners/Teaching; hook us up with the PT Massage School; Wine tour

Yung Zhao; John Medina

Wellness – dinner together, tour of historical homes, massages

Don’t single out special needs people – although your interest is pure, for them it’s totally embarrassing instead, think in advance; Trips, i.e., golf or kayak need to have an early sign up if min. #’s are needed. You don’t promote wellness then schedule kayak at week’s end.

More time for speakers, maybe fewer speakers, more time for each and more time for wellness – too much to do. Also, a little more free time. We needed more time for lunch and dinner if we went off base.

Fencing

Do you feel your administration supports you to attend professional growth workshops?

Just Yes’s: 12 Just No’s: 2

No. They make it a laborious process, so I just paid for it all myself!

No, they need it, all employees working at the school it would benefit.

Yes, they support professional development but not financially – ongoing professional development is expensive.

Mine never said a word to me. They never talk about any ways to get credits or clock hours. My districts in a different state even paid for it years ago.

Yes, very much so!

Some are and some aren’t – support would be great if they paid for these workshops

No, we paid for this workshop on our own

Yes, especially if it is connected to PLC’s and collaboration!

Yes, and I intend to spread the word to other teachers/schools in our district

At the building level---yes, special services---no

Not so much

Get rejuvinated and retooled . Register now for the First Annual Summer Institutes Administrators Conference at Fort Worden!

Chose the additional $18 option if you are interested in joining our presenters and other particpants for the Openening Ceremonies BBQ/Blues Concert!

There are no classes currently offered for Administrators

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