Athens State University RIC
Summer Newsletter 2026!!
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Athens State Regional Inservice Center
- Physical Location: 1115-A Hwy 31 South Athens, AL 35611
- Beside ServPro and across the highway from Moran Carpets.
- Summer Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- (256) 233-6576
Morgan County Educators Resource Center (ERC)
- Address: 239 Hwy 67 South Decatur, AL 35603.
- ERC is located between the Morgan County BOE Building and the baseball field for Priceville Jr. High School.
Sandridge Student Center Ballroom
- Athens State University Campus
- 300 North Beaty Street Athens, 35611
- Front Entrance on the Hobbs Street side (Building # 4 on Map)
- Look for Hebrew the Bear Statue
Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) in Decatur
- Downtown Decatur
- 133 2nd Ave. NE Decatur 35601
- Near Morgan County Courthouse
- Take A Virtual Tour of ACA Campus
2026 - 2027 APLDS Sessions - Starts June 1, 2026
- ALL APLDS Sessions Scheduled in June will be credited to the 2026-2027 School Year
- DISCLAIMER: If session has less than 10 participants enrolled, the session may be canceled.
Ellen Thompson - North Cohort in Priceville
- Kickoff Meeting: Tuesday, August 25
- 4:30 pm
- Morgan County Educator Resource Center (ERC)
- Click HERE to Register for Priceville Kickoff!
Jennifer Priest - South Cohort in Cullman
- Kickoff Meeting: Thursday, August 27
- 4:30 pm
- Cullman Primary School
- Click HERE to Register for Cullman Kickoff!
Title: GRADES 3-5: Exploring the Upper Elementary Social Studies Standards (Virtual)
Description: Alabama history is expanding, and is being integrated with U.S. history. Are you ready? Learn more about the new Grades 3 -5 sequence through exploring the standards, themes, and approaches. Discover curated resources, new activities, and field trip possibilities that can help you teach the new standards successfully.
Date: Wednesday, June 17
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Format: Virtual
Facilitator: Dr. Blake Busbin
Clock Hours: 2 hours
Title: GRADES 7-9: A Deep Dive into the New World History Standards (Virtual)
Description: Explore the new 2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies with a focused look at the redesigned world history band for grades 7-9. This session highlights how the C3 Framework, inquiry design, and guiding principles shape clearer expectations for student learning. Embark on a standards safari to investigate what the standards are asking students to know and do.
Date: Wednesday, June 24
Time: 9:00 -11:00 am
Format: Virtual
Facilitator: Dr. Courtney Halloran
Clock Hours: 2 hours
- 1115-A Hwy 31 South, Athens, AL 35611
- (256) 232-6576
Jennifer Priest - Athens State ATIM Specialist
Disclaimer Concerning ARI Summer PD Sessions
- If an individual ARI session has 10 or less participants registered in PowerSchool five days before the session, the Athens State RIC will cancel the session.
Thanks,
Brad Lewis
Register Before May 31 For the Team Discount
- Powerful Learning Network Registration Form 2026 - 2027
- Peer Coaching Workshops
- PLN Website
- ACLD PLU. and APLDS Credit Available
Upcoming Dates for Athens State
- Monday, August 31
- Wednesday, October 7
- Tuesday, November 17
- Wednesday, February 10, 2027
**APLDS Hours available for each session.
- 2026 Registration Link
- Workshop Listing and Session Descriptions Below
Title: Becoming a Student of Our Students - Trauma-Sensitive Teaching and Leading (Virtual)
Description: We know too well that many of our students have experienced trauma, deeply affecting their foundational wellness, as well as their academic performance. Dr. Shields will share information, resources, and instructional tools to arm educators with a better knowledge to address these critical needs. She will also review ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) research and how ACEs impact resiliency, stress, and learning.
Date: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Format: Virtual
Facilitators: Dr. Melissa Shields
Clock Hours: 3 Hours
Title: From Page to Performance: Using Color in Score Preparation
Description: This interactive workshop is designed to help conductors develop effective score study techniques that lead to more informed, expressive rehearsals and performances. Participants will explore practical strategies for analyzing musical structure, harmony, orchestration, and phrasing, as well as methods for identifying key musical priorities before stepping onto the podium. Through guided examples and collaborative discussion, the session will demonstrate how to move beyond note learning to deeper musical understanding. Attendees will leave with a structured approach to score preparation, tools for efficient practice, and insights into translating analysis into clear rehearsal communication. Ideal for music educators seeking to refine their preparation process and strengthen their interpretive decisions.
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Format: In Person
Location: ACA’s Visual Arts Building - Room # 113
133 Second Avenue NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Facilitator: Dani’ca Richardson, M.M., Athens State University, Adjunct Professor - Music
Clock Hours: 3 Hours
Maximum Number of Students - 20
Tuesday, July 14
Title: Alabama Art Education Association Mini Conference
Description:
Overview - The North Alabama Art Educators Association (AAEA) will have a one-day, hands-on Mini Professional Development (PD) session. This event is designed to provide art educators with practical, classroom-ready strategies that foster creativity, engagement, and skill development across multiple grade levels. All sessions will be conducted face-to-face and emphasize active participation, accessible materials, and adaptable techniques suitable for diverse learning environments.
Session 1: Get Your Students to Draw Big! (Instructor - Pat Snow)
This engaging session focuses on helping students overcome hesitation in drawing by encouraging large-scale gesture work and reducing attachment to “precious” drawings. Participants will explore a series of gesture drawing exercises designed to build confidence and promote expressive mark-making.
A featured group activity will demonstrate how to incorporate a fun, collaborative face-drawing exercise that removes fear and builds classroom community. Strategies shared in this session can be adapted for a wide range of grade levels, including secondary and collegiate classrooms.
Session 2: Palette Knife Painting for the Classroom (Instructor - Ahmad Austin)
This hands-on workshop introduces educators to palette knife painting as a dynamic and engaging classroom technique. Participants will create a small floral painting while learning how to build texture, mix color effectively, and approach painting with an intuitive mindset.
In addition to completing a finished artwork, attendees will gain a clear, structured process that can be easily implemented in their own classrooms. The session emphasizes simplifying complex painting concepts, encouraging creative freedom, and increasing student engagement through tactile and expressive methods.
Session 3: Beaded Bracelet Design – Color & Composition (Instructor - Beth Bachuss)
This interactive session uses beaded bracelet design as a means to teach foundational concepts in 2D design and color theory. Participants will explore color schemes, pattern development, and compositional balance while creating wearable art.
The lesson is highly adaptable and can be modified for a variety of grade levels. Educators will leave with practical strategies for engaging students through hands-on design projects that reinforce artistic concepts in a meaningful and accessible way.
Session 4: Mini Quilted Portraits (instructor - Kerrie Pirkle)
Inspired by the work of contemporary textile artist Bisa Butler, this session introduces a simplified quilted portrait lesson designed for classroom implementation. Participants will create a 5x7 portrait using fabric, pre-printed facial images, and fabric glue.
This mini-lesson provides a manageable approach to teaching portraiture, value, and color through textile art without the need for sewing. Educators will gain a step-by-step process that supports student success while maintaining artistic rigor and creativity.
Session 5: Color Theory Class and Color Optical Illusions (Instructor - Kerek Cracco)
Derek Cracco is the associate Professor of Printmaking at UAB, Cracco has participated in numerous exhibitions nationally and internationally including Digital Printmaking Now at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in NY, "Risky Business", P.P.O.W. Gallery, New York, NY, "Wrong Time, Wrong Place", T.E.N.T. Center for Contemporary Art, Rotterdam, NL and Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY which was juried by Claire Bell, Associate Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Guggenheim Museum, NY.
Cracco has been recognized for his innovative combination of traditional printmaking processes and computer graphics. His work has been purchased by several museums and by many private collections throughout the country and abroad.
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00PM
Format: In Person
Location: ACA’s Visual Arts Building (Will Receive Room Assignments Day of Conference)
133 Second Avenue NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Facilitator: Local AAEA Educators
Clock Hours: 6 Hours
Maximum Number of Students - 25
Fee: $25.00 (for AAEA members) to help with the cost of supplies. Please bring cash to the mini-conference on July 14. No checks. No credit cards. There will be someone in the lobby of the Visual Arts building checking in attendees and collecting payment.
AAEA non-member fee: $75
*Open to all public and private art educators in the North Ala. Region
Title: Assessment Strategies in Art
Description: This session will cover creative formative and summative assessments for the 6th-12th grade art classroom as designed by Donna K. Beattie. Attendees will create and practice assessment activities in class. Some assessment strategies can be modified for elementary.
Date:Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 noon
Format: In Person
Location: ACA’s Visual Arts Building - Room # 312
133 Second Avenue NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Facilitator: Dr. Mary Beth Johns, Athens State University, Associate Professor of Art Education
Clock Hours: 2 Hours
Maximum Number of Students - 15
Title: From Artwork to Mini Movie: Turning Student Designs into Visual Stories
Description: In this hands-on session, art educators will learn how to guide students in transforming their own artwork into short “mini movies” or visual stories. Participants will explore a simple, step-by-step process that moves from image creation to storytelling, using accessible digital tools to add motion, voice, and meaning. This 3-hour session keeps creativity at the center while introducing a fresh, engaging way for students to share their ideas and bring their artwork to life. A ready-to-use visual storytelling template will be provided for immediate classroom application. Optional AI-supported tools will be introduced to help animate and enhance student creativity—without replacing it.
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Format: In Person
Location: ACA’s Visual Arts Building - Room # 113
133 Second Avenue NE
Decatur, AL 35601
Facilitator: Dr. Sherry Stancil, former journalist and current Instructor of Communications, Calhoun Community College
Clock Hours: 3 Hours
Maximum Number of Students - 20
Description: New Art session presented by the Alabama Institute for the Education in the Arts.
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Format: In Person
Location: Athens State Regional Inservice Center - Room C
1115 - A Hwy 31 S.
Athens, 35611
Facilitator: Mrs. Venna Everett
Clock Hours: 3 Hours
Maximum Number of Students - 30
Description: This amazing 2-day in-person event is led by Dr. Melissa Shields and a host of amazing NBCT teachers. This is great for folks wanting to learn about the process or for those that are deep in it. Register so you can get the latest information and schedule. This is an IN-PERSON event at Thompson High School in Alabaster
Dates: Wednesday, July 15 (Virtual)
Dates: Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17 (In Person)
Time: In-Person (8:30-4:00 PM); Virtual (8:30-4:00 PM)
Format: In-Person and Virtual
Location: Thompson High School
1921 Warrior Parkway
Alabaster, AL 35007
Facilitators: NBCT Teachers
Clock Hours: 6 Hours
- July 15, 2026 (VIRTUAL)
- July 16 & 17 at Thompson High School
CLAS Summer Conference: June 14 - 17 in Mobile
Date: June 14 - 17, 2026
Format: In Person
Location: Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Convention Theme: Anchored in Purpose. Driven to Lead.
AL CTE Summer Professional Development Conference: July 29 - 31, 2026
- Mobile Convention Center
- Register HERE!
Athens State University Regional Inservice Center
Location: 1115 U.S. Hwy 31, Athens, AL, USA
Phone: 256-216-6622
Facebook: facebook.com/AthensStateRIC
Twitter/X: @AthensStateRIC
Instagram: @athensstateric