The Connection

Metro RESA has exciting opportunities for the 2024-2025 school year! In addition to our many endorsement offerings, alternative certification programs, and district support services, we are adding to our robust menu to serve the needs of our educators. This spring our teams at MRESA are putting together a fantastic 2024-2025 menu of options for our metro educators. Below you will find a short sample of just a few items we have planned, just for you! We will be sending out more information and registration links soon.

• MRESA and GaDOE Teaching and Learning Virtual Summits: September 17, 2024 and February 18, 2025
• MRESA Monthly Webinar Series: Dates and Topics TBA
• ELA 2024-2025 Diving Deeper Series
• Mathematics 2024-2025 Effective Teaching Practices Series
• MRESA Coaching Connections Academy, Cohort 2025
• Personalized Learning Two-Day Workshops
• Amie Dean, Behavior Queen: Fall 2024 Behavior Series
• Brian Buffington: 2024-2025 AI and Tech Tools Learning Series

iLEAD Program for Educational Leadership Certification

Application Window Opened: December 1, 2023

Application Window Closes: May 20, 2024

Metro RESA Contact: Carmen.Havrilla@mresa.org

MRESA iLEAD Application Window is open! The iLEAD Tier I and II Educational Leadership Certification Programs are open for applicants. Apply today!

Since 2016 the Metro RESA iLEAD program has provided Educational Leadership certification to hundreds of leaders in the Metro Area and beyond! The iLEAD program is one year, cost-effective and job-embedded! Detailed program and application information is located on our website.

Please also visit our Graduate Spotlight page to see what completers share about our program. We look forward to serving you!

Amie Dean Behavior Learning Series

Join Metro RESA as we host Amie Dean, The Behavior Queen. Amie has a passion for helping students and teachers across the world. Her behavior-focused workshops offer right-on-time strategies to minimize and process behaviors in the classroom successfully. Leave the workshop ready to implement positive and practical strategies that can be used right away.

Use the Metro RESA Course Catalog to register today!

• May 7, 2024: Behavior Interventions That Work- For Paraprofessionals Morning Session (8:30 am - 11:30 am) or Afternoon Session (12:30 pm - 3:30 pm)
  
  
• June 4, 2024: Behavior Interventions That Work: Starting The Year Off Right, Full Day Session (8:30 am - 4:00 pm)

Following the success of Metro RESA's Mathematics Diving Deeper Series, the MRESA ELA Team will roll out a similar series for K-12 English Language Arts educators. Each separate training session will focus on a domain of the new K-12 English Language Arts Standards for the state of Georgia. Participants will have opportunities to collaborate to deepen their understanding of the Big Ideas, Standards, and Expectations for each domain.

Practices Domain Sessions:

• June 24th (Grades 3-5) - Register Today!
• June 26th (Grades 6-12) - Register Today!

The full Diving Deeper Series (Practices, Foundations, Text, and Language) will be offered in separate sessions during the first semester and repeat the second semester of SY 2024-2025.

Registration for the full Diving Deeper Series for the new K-12 English Language Arts Standards will open summer of 2024. More information can be found soon on the Metro RESA ELA Informational Page.

Metro RESA Intervention Specialist Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: Wendy.Cox@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

Informational Video: Click Here

The Intervention Specialist Endorsement is a one-year hybrid program supporting candidates from across the state of Georgia. Courses meet via Zoom and include job-embedded field experiences in the school setting where candidate is employed. Candidates who complete the Intervention Specialist Endorsement Program will gain knowledge and skills to match instruction and assessment to the GA Content Standards. Program completers will be able to identify appropriate interventions to increase the success of at-risk students. Candidates will gain the dispositions and skills to improve the collaboration of learning teams in the areas of data analysis, professional learning, and communication with stakeholders.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

Metro RESA Gifted Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: Sherry.Wiedman@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

MRESA is pleased to offer a new cohort for the Gifted Endorsement Program beginning August 12, 2024! The Gifted Endorsement Program trains Candidates to identify and teach gifted students from a variety of cultural, linguistic, and economic backgrounds. This program ensures that its graduates have in-depth knowledge of teaching gifted and talented students. Program candidates will complete 200 hours of coursework offered in a virtual format of blended synchronous and asynchronous sessions and applied field experiences.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

Endorsement: Online Teaching

Metro RESA Online Teaching Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: Wendy.Grey@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

Informational Video: Click Here

The Online Teaching Endorsement is currently enrolling for the Summer 2024 cohort. Be sure to register by June 3. Click here for more information and to register.

The Online Teaching Endorsement at Metro RESA is a GaPSC approved preparation program that provides approved candidates with the coursework and related field experience required to add the Online Teaching Endorsement to a current standard Georgia Professional Certificate. The Online Teaching Endorsement classes will consist of K-12 educators who have a desire to strengthen their online instructional knowledge, skills, and disposition toward online teaching. There will be opportunities to differentiate the tasks across grade levels, content areas, and service areas.

Participants are required to implement online instructional lessons through integration of TKES, National Standards for Quality Online Learning, iNACOL, and InTASC.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

Coaching Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: wendy.cox@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

Informational Video: Click Here

The Coaching Endorsement is a one-year hybrid program supporting candidates from across the state of Georgia. Courses meet via Zoom and include job-embedded field experiences in the school setting where a candidate is employed. Candidates who complete the Coaching Endorsement Program will gain knowledge and skills to lead coaching cycles around student learning, lead data-focused conversations, and facilitate group protocols. Program completers will be able to use intentional communication skills to build coaching partnerships with colleagues and lead collaborative learning teams. Candidates will gain the dispositions and skills to support a coaching culture with individuals and teams of teachers.

This endorsement is designed to support teachers who hold a clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate (T4 or higher) in any teaching, service, or leadership field. The application window is currently open for the next cohorts which will begin in July 2024 and end in May 2025. Space will be limited, so plan to apply early.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

MTSS Facilitator Endorsement Information Page

Metro RESA Contact: Brandi.Roberts@mresa.org

Informational Flyer: Click Here

Are you interested in being a MTSS Coordinator in your school or school district? Join the MTSS Facilitator Endorsement Program. During this 3-course endorsement, you will explore the history and foundations of RTI/MTSS/SST, the problem-solving model, and develop plans for successful implementation. Cohort 2 is a 100% asynchronous/self-paced version of the endorsement and is currently open for registration. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please view the admission requirements and tuition costs on our MTSS Facilitator Endorsement website page.

Metro RESA offers 13 endorsement programs. Visit the Metro RESA Endorsement Overview page for more information.

Metro West GLRS hosts a bi-monthly behavior specialist job-alike group. The consortia provide professional development for system practitioners to:

• discuss common concerns, share ideas, resources, and information
• disseminate news from local, state, and federal sources
• engage in collaborative professional development and problem-solving efforts relative to how specific job roles can improve student achievement, as stated in the mission.

Behavior specialists from Metro RESA member districts and beyond discuss topics on a variety of research-based solutions for common issues that behavior support staff encounter when working with EBD, MOID, OHI, and other behavioral disorders (ASD concerns will not be addressed in this job-alike). Please contact Kimberly Gregory at kimberly.gregory@mresa.org if you are interested in participating in the consortia for the FY25 academic year.

School: Tuskegee Airmen Global, APS

Metro RESA School Improvement Specialist: Noletha High

Each year comes with its celebrations and stressors; at Tuskegee Airmen Global (TAG), it's no different. This year has been a stretch year for everyone, with teachers being moved to other grade levels and many teaching Fundations, the phonics program, for the first time alongside the new state mathematics standards. When teachers began to express concerns about needing support with instructional delivery, the principal and instructional support team showed up in a big way. The leaders dedicated a Collaborative Planning session that started early and extended into the afternoon to meet and address each grade level's needs. The instructional coaches modeled reading and mathematics lessons by demonstrating student engagement, aggressive monitoring, and higher-order thinking questioning strategies. Each session ended with the principal exposing the teachers to the new weekly observation tool, Teacher look fors and Student look fors. Teachers were asked to participate in a "glow and grow" review using the tool to share a glowing comment with the group regarding the model lesson they observed using the language of the tool. Once everyone had a chance to share, the principal asked the teachers to review the look for sheets and share areas where they were experiencing success and challenges. The successes and challenges were captured for future internal professional learning opportunities. Kudos to Principal Sithole and her team for hearing the teachers' concerns and promptly meeting their needs!

School: SLAM! Atlanta Academy

Metro RESA School Improvement Specialist: Allison Barbour

In an ongoing journey towards educational excellence, Slam Academy, located in Atlanta, continues to position its students for both innovation and empowerment. In recognizing the power of small groups, SLAM has taken an intentional focus on the power of small group instruction to target instructional gaps in learning. Through focused small-group instruction, SLAM tailors its teaching methods to address the unique needs and challenges of each student. By providing personalized attention and targeted support, students are empowered to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Through the capacity of dedicated educators who work closely with students in small group settings, identified areas for improvement are addressed through the implementation of effective strategies for intervention. Whether it's strengthening writing skills, building confidence, or fostering critical thinking, SLAM’s goal to equip students with the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom is having a positive impact. Specifically focusing on writing has truly helped to leverage learning loss. From crafting compelling narratives to mastering the art of persuasion, SLAM’s writing initiatives are designed to inspire creativity, ignite passion, and instill confidence in scholars. The impact of SLAM’s focused small group instruction and emphasis on writing excellence is being evidenced in the breakthrough moments within the classroom to achievements that extend beyond the brick and mortar of the school; such influence is lifting scholars to higher opportunities for their college or career aspirations. Whether it's publishing their first piece of poetry, winning prestigious writing competitions, or pursuing careers in journalism and literature, SLAM students are proof that with the right support and guidance, growth is guaranteed. Our budding young authors are on the “WRITE” track for “Best Selling Authors of the Future.” As SLAM continues its intentionality around growth and with a steadfast commitment to customizing learning experiences, SLAM scholars’ futures shine brightly. Prioritizing focused small group instruction and writing success as core pillars of their approach to ensuring that every student can thrive and succeed are surely tools to punctuate academic power, performance, and prestige. Together, with SLAM, we are shaping the future leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.

Our Metro RESA specialists want to keep you informed. Receive the latest updates in ELA, Mathematics, Science, School Climate, and Whole Child Support. Head to our catalog and search "mailing" and you can register for one, or all!

The Metro RESA School Climate Team is seeking two (2) part-time professionals to join their team. The job description and application details can be found on the Metro RESA website.

View the job posting here.

What: GAESP New Principal Bootcamp

When: June 6 - June 7

Where: Metro RESA Campus, Conference Room

Instructor Contact: Kimberly.Anderson@mresa.org

More information, including registration links, will be posted soon on the GAEL events page under GAESP. Email Kimberly.Anderson@mresa.org for more information.