Bobbie Solley Center of Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Bobbie Solley, former director of education development for Healing Hands International and a retired professor from Middle Tennessee State University, has worked in collaboration with the College of Education to establish the Bobbie Solley Center for Excellence in Teaching at Freed-Hardeman University.

Utilizing the mantra, “Reaching Students, Empowering Teachers, Transforming Instruction”, the center’s mission is to develop teacher and school leaders committed to making a positive impact on student learning and fostering high student academic achievement for diverse student populations.

Professional development activities are always free of charge for attendees and will use a variety of innovative methods, including coaching, mentoring, seminars, workshops, diversity sensitivity training and many others. Building on partnerships already established with Chester County Schools, Columbia Academy and Middle Tennessee Christian School, the center seeks to develop additional partnerships throughout West Tennessee and eventually in other regions of the state and beyond.

Please click below to see professional development opportunities available for the spring semester.

fall 2021 Sessions

All sessions are FREE, ONE-HOUR and VIRTUAL

September Sessions

Learning Disability or Trauma?

Presented by: Dr. Aundrea McFall

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Director, MAT Special Education Program

Freed-Hardeman University

Monday, September 13

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

LEARNING DISABILITY OR TRAUMA?

Often it is difficult to determine if a student is struggling to learn because of a learning disability or due to trauma. This session will provide participants an overview of how trauma impacts learning and some effective strategies to address these learning characteristics.

Teaching Number Sense Through Play and Art

Presented by: Miss Sarah Mercer

Assistant Principal, A.L. Lotts Elementary

Knoxville, Tennessee

Tuesday, September 14

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

TEACHING NUMBER SENSE THROUGH PLAY AND ART

This session is about developing engaging, quick to implement number sense activities. Using art integration and play-based pedagogy, educators can help their students explore the magnitude of numbers while building a deeper understanding of how to use and apply numbers to everyday situations. Join us as we explore the meaning of number sense, fundamental skills to include in practice daily, and explore activities that can be implemented easily and with little prep.

The Impact of Residential Environmental Factors on Student Behavior in the Classroom

Presented by: Mr. Roy Malecha

Assistant Professor of Social Work and as Director of Field Education for the Social Work Program at Freed-Hardeman University

Monday, September 20

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

THE IMPACT OF RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON STUDENT BEHAVIOR IN THE CLASSROOM

The environment in which students are raised has a significant impact on their behavior while in the classroom. It is important for educators to consider what takes place once the child goes home at the end of the school day in order to better understand the best methods for approaching each student in terms of social and academic strategies. In this session, two main theories will be discussed as they relate to behavior (systems theory and ecological perspective) in addition to the importance of ACES. Drawing from personal experience in past roles as a CPS investigator as well as an in-home therapist for at-risk teens, my goal as an instructor is to paint a picture of the home life many of the students live in and how such a home life affects their behavior while at school.

Wow Them With Words Part I: Vocabulary Instruction to Determine Meaning

Presented by: Dr. Cathy Presnell

Reading Coordinator, Grades 3-6

Murfreesboro City Schools

2016 Tennessee Teacher of the Year

Thursday, September 23

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

WOW THEM WITH WORDS PART I: VOCABULARY INSTRUCTION TO DETERMINE MEANING

In this session, you’ll take a deep dive into the vocabulary standards, learn how classroom discussion can fuel students’ ability to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words, and take away some solid strategies to make it work in your classroom. Ideal for teachers in grades 2 and up.

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Use Multiple Reading Strategies

Presented by: Melanie Peel

District Math Coach

Chester County Schools; Henderson, Tennessee

Monday, September 27

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

LITERACY SKILLS FOR MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY: USE MULTIPLE READING STRATEGIES

Reading in mathematics is different from reading literature. Mathematics contains expository text along with precise definitions, theorems, examples, graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and exercises. This session will help us find ways to lead students to recognize multiple representations of information, use mathematics in context, and draw conclusions from the information presented.

Wow Them With Words Part II: Vocabulary Instruction to Build a Lexicon

Presented by: Dr. Cathy Presnell

Reading Coordinator, Grades 3-6

Murfreesboro City Schools

2016 Tennessee Teacher of the Year

Thursday, September 30

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

WOW THEM WITH WORDS PART II: VOCABULARY INSTRUCTION TO BUILD A LEXICON

In this session, you’ll take a deep dive into the vocabulary standards, understand the difference between a vocabulary and a lexicon, and take away some solid strategies for explicit vocabulary instruction in your classroom. Ideal for teachers in grades 2 and up.

OCTOBER SESSIONS

COLLABORATION IN THE COLLEGE CLASSROOM

Co-presenters:

Dr. Lee Hibbett

Professor of Marketing

Freed-Hardeman University

and

Mrs. Sarah Hibbett

Director, Bobbie Solley Center for Excellence in Teaching

Hibbett_Lee

Hibbett_Sarah

Thursday, October 7

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

COLLABORATION IN THE CLASSROOM

One way to change the pace in your classroom is to incorporate collaboration. What types of activities work to foster collaboration? How do I facilitate productive group work? This session promises to provide fresh ideas for engaging your college-level learners.

THE PAINTED ESSAY

Presented by: Dr. Cathy Presnell

Reading Coordinator, Grades 3-6

Murfreesboro City Schools

2016 Tennessee Teacher of the Year

Thursday, October 14

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

THE PAINTED ESSAY

Writing is hard, and teaching students to write is even harder. This session will introduce you to The Painted Essay, a writing approach that helps students synthesize better, write with cleaner structure, and maintain focus throughout an essay. Ideal for teachers in grades 2 and up.

DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CLASSROOM

Presented by: Dr. Aundrea McFall

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Director, MAT Special Education Program

Freed-Hardeman University

Tuesday, October 19

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CLASSROOM

Participants will discuss effective strategies to provide differentiation in the classroom for students of all levels.

Effective Questioning

Presented by: Dr. Alesha Northcutt

Director of M.A.T. and M.Ed.

Assistant Professor of Education

College of Education & Behavioral Sciences

Freed-Hardeman University

Thursday, October 21

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

EFFECTIVE QUESTIONING

Effective questioning can be used to increase student participation, provide formative feedback, and enrich class discussion. In this session, we will discuss strategies for effectively planning and implementing effective questioning in your classroom.

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Understand and Use Correct Mathematical Vocabulary

Presented by: Melanie Peel

District Math Coach

Chester County Schools

Henderson, Tennessee

Monday, October 25

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

LITERACY SKILLS FOR MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY: UNDERSTAND AND USE CORRECT MATHEMATICAL VOCABULARY

Understanding and using mathematical vocabulary correctly is essential to mathematical proficiency. Mathematically proficient students use precise mathematical vocabulary to express ideas. This session will include ways to ensure students are separating mathematical vocabulary from everyday use of words to develop an understanding of mathematical concepts.

MOTIVATING SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY SCIENCE STUDENTS

Co-presenters:

Stephanie Hatch

and

Andrew Johnson

Science Educators

Chester County High School

Henderson, Tennessee

Thursday, October 28

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

Motivating Secondary and Post-Secondary Science Students

Motivation is a requisite for learning and is a key factor to a student's success in an instructional setting. Join two secondary science educators as they share strategies for creating a positive classroom climate while planning standards-focused science lessons to maximize motivation.

NOVEMBER SESSIONS

Anchor Charts

Co-presenters:

Becky Welch; 2nd grade teacher, East Chester Elementary School

Sarah Hibbett; Director, Bobbie Solley Center for Excellence in Teaching

Becky Welch headshot

Hibbett_Sarah

Thursday, November 4

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

ANCHOR CHARTS

Anchor charts are powerful learning and teaching tools for both students and teachers. For students, anchor charts are a powerful tool for academic support, especially for visual learners. They help students recognize learning goals, review concepts, and establish learning expectations. This session is appropriate for pre-k through post-secondary educators.

Co-Teaching in the Secondary Setting

Presented by:

Dr. Aundrea McFall

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Director, MAT Special Education Program

Freed-Hardeman University

and

Tana Robertson

Secondary English Teacher

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

3:15pm - 4:15 pm CST

Session Summary:

CO-TEACHING IN THE SECONDARY CLASSROOM

The presenters will share effective co-teaching practices based on research and their 18 years of experience as co-teachers.

Thinking Routines

Presented by: Sarah Hibbett

Director, Bobbie Solley Center for Excellence in Teaching

Freed-Hardeman University

Tuesday, November 16

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

THINKING ROUTINES

Do you want to increase confidence in your students, improving their critical thinking skills, and have more open classroom discussions? Join us as we share information about easy to use thinking routines. This session is appropriate for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators.

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Discuss and Articulate Mathematical Ideas

Presented by: Melanie Peel

District Math Coach

Chester County Schools

Henderson, Tennessee

Monday, November 29

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

LITERACY SKILLS FOR MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY: DISCUSS AND ARTICULATE MATHEMATICAL IDEAS

Mathematically proficient students can listen critically, discuss, and articulate their mathematical ideas clearly to others. As students' mathematical abilities mature, so do their ways of communicating mathematically. This session will guide in finding ways to engage students in mathematical discourse by being strategic with prompts and questions, as well as emphasizing best practices to allow students to communicate their thinking.

DECEMBER SESSIONS

Engagement Strategies for Middle School Math

Presented by: Rebecca Throneberry

Academic Coach

Greenbrier Middle School

Robertson County, Tennessee

Rebecca Throneberry

Thursday, December 2

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

“When are we EVER going to use this again?!” If you teach Middle School Math, you are more than familiar with this question. What if the answer to this infamous student question is also the answer to the overwhelmed teacher’s question, “How can I get my students to engage in middle school math?”

Join us as we take a look at how we can use the Instructional Focus Document to plan meaningful lessons for our math classes.

The Impact of Scripted Reading Programs on Student and Teacher Outcomes

Presented by: Patrice R. Martin

Education Consultant
Former Director of Southwest CORE, Tennessee Department of Education

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

THE IMPACT OF SCRIPTED READING PROGRAMS ON STUDENT AND TEACHER OUTCOMES

The ability to read well is key to success in school and in life. Despite the importance of reading to a variety of academic and professional outcomes, the ability to read with accuracy and proficiency eludes many students (Cohen et al., 2017). As students’ reading proficiency rates plummet across the United States, leaders have resorted to alternative methods to foster effective instructional literacy practices. Many districts across the nation have opted to purchase and implement a scripted reading program to decrease literacy gaps. This presentation will address the impact of scripted reading programs on student and teacher outcomes.

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Write Mathematical Arguments

Presented by: Melanie Peel

District Math Coach

Chester County Schools

Henderson, Tennessee

Monday, December 13

3:15pm - 4:15pm CST

Session Summary:

LITERACY SKILLS FOR MATHEMATICAL PROFICIENCY: WRITE MATHEMATICAL ARGUMENTS

Writing in mathematics requires students to be able to support and refute conclusions and cite evidence for these conclusions. Throughout all grades, students write reflectively to compare and contrast problem-solving approaches, evaluate mathematical processes, and analyze their thinking. This session will allow us to see real examples of ways to build students' ability to write mathematical arguments.

Bobbie Solley Center of Excellence in Teaching

fall 2021 Sessions

All sessions are FREE, ONE-HOUR and VIRTUAL

September Sessions

Learning Disability or Trauma?

Teaching Number Sense Through Play and Art

The Impact of Residential Environmental Factors on Student Behavior in the Classroom

Wow Them With Words Part I: Vocabulary Instruction to Determine Meaning

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Use Multiple Reading Strategies

Wow Them With Words Part II: Vocabulary Instruction to Build a Lexicon

OCTOBER SESSIONS

COLLABORATION IN THE COLLEGE CLASSROOM

THE PAINTED ESSAY

DIFFERENTIATION IN THE CLASSROOM

Effective Questioning

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Understand and Use Correct Mathematical Vocabulary

MOTIVATING SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY SCIENCE STUDENTS

NOVEMBER SESSIONS

Anchor Charts

Co-Teaching in the Secondary Setting

Thinking Routines

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Discuss and Articulate Mathematical Ideas

DECEMBER SESSIONS

Engagement Strategies for Middle School Math

The Impact of Scripted Reading Programs on Student and Teacher Outcomes

Literacy Skills for Mathematical Proficiency: Write Mathematical Arguments

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