2006 TASPA Casual Dress Summer Conference Topics
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Topic Sessions I, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m
Session 1 Educator Standards Updates
With an emphasis on quality, the Educator Standards staff has been conducting program site visits, conducting ASEP training and providing assistance as needed to programs. The staff is also involved in the certification test transition activities. Changes regarding the test approval process will be discussed along with other test issues.
Presenter:........... Karen L. Loonam, Ed.D., Texas Education Agency Director of Educator Standards
Room: Austin
Session 2 Student Success and the People Factor
If your district has incorporated the latest innovations but is still looking for the missing ingredient to school improvement, this session is for you. You will learn why the right people make the difference, the talents to look for, and a new strategy for recruiting and selecting teachers and principals.
Presenter:........... Gary Gordon, Ed. D, The Gallup Organization Education Practice Leader
Room: DeWitt
Session 3 Interview Strategies: Determining Truth or Political Correctness in Teacher Responses
So you have screened the applications for teachers who might effectively work with culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse students. Now what? What types of interview questions should be asked of applicants to determine if they are committed to educating all their students regardless of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status? How do you determine if applicants’ responses to those questions are authentic or just politically correct? This session will give personnel administrators strategies for interviewing and selecting teachers who have the necessary attitudes to effectively work with diverse students.
Presenter:........... Dr. Patricia L. Guerra, University of Texas-Pan American Assistant Professor, and Dr. Sarah Nelson, Texas State University-San Marcos Assistant Professor
Room: DeZavala
Session 4 Handling Employee Grievances
Attendees to this session will learn how to take a preventive law approach when preparing for each level of a grievance hearing and how to design the district's local policy to strengthen management's position vis-a-vis the law and good labor relations.
Presenter:........... Holly Wardell, Schwartz & Eichelbaum, P.C Shareholder
Room: Phoenix North
Session 5 Hiring the Right Brain
Each position requires special abilities. Knowing what the person values and how these values translate into attentiveness and blind spots enables hiring the right person for the position. Come learn how one district used the science of axiology to understand each candidates thinking, how having these understandings improved team performance and deepened the assessment of candidates. The process is based on how the candidate's brain works with the committee of six and provides a measure of the individual's emotional intelligence.
Presenter:........... Patti Woods, Weatherford ISD Principal, MJ McDaniel, Weatherford ISD Director of Community and Public Relations, and Paula Sommer, Institute for Standards in Education President and consultant to Weatherford ISD
Room: Phoenix South
Session 6 Maintaining a Customer Service Focus and a Positive Work Environment
Participants will learn how one high-volume school district has structured itself to maintain a high degree of customer service and a positive work environment.
Presenter:........... Dr. Janet L Hood-Hanchey, Lewisville ISD Director, Employee Credentialing, Records and Retention Services
Room: Robertson
Session 7 Troops to Teachers at Your Service
Meryl Kettler will present an update on the very successful Texas Troops to Teachers Program, with information on its implications for districts. Approximately 65% of TTT participants have been hired to teach math, science, special education or bilingual education, providing assistance in the highest needs areas in the state. Meryl will be exploring avenues to collaborate more closely with school districts to meet their on-going needs and supply even greater numbers of TTT participants to Texas classrooms.
Presenter:........... Meryl Kettler, Texas Troops to Teachers Coordinator
Room: Capital (4th floor)
Session 8 TeachinTexas.com - A Texan Solution for Teacher Recruitment
You don't want to miss this breakout session! Come join Mike and Paul as they introduce the new, innovative, and integrated e-recruiting solution developed specifically for Texas Independent School Districts. Education American Network and WinOcular have combined technologies to provide you an effective, efficient, and affordable recruitment and human resource management tool. These industry leaders have integrated e-recruiting, applicant tracking, document imaging, along with high-volume capture and scanning solutions to use with prospective, new, and current personnel.
Presenter:........... Paul Montgomery, WinOcular Director of Marketing and Special Projects, and Michael Sproule, Education America Network Chief Operating Officer
Room: Board Room (5th floor)
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Topic Sessions II, from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m
Session 9 Investigations and Fingerprinting a TEA Perspective
Will provide information and insight into the investigations and fingerprinting process for educators and applicants for teacher credentials, from a TEA perspective.
Presenter:........... Doug Phillips, TEA Director of Investigations/Fingerprinting
Room: Austin
Session 10 Analyzing Secondary School Master Schedules
Secondary school master schedules do not have to be a mystery. Logical patterns do exist, and can be used to analyze class schedules for grades 7-12. This session will explore techniques to improve the efficiency of your secondary school schedules. Theoretical class averages will be calculated and compared to actual class averages. Hints for the construction of effective class schedules will be discussed. Some familiarity with staffing formulas is helpful, but not required, to participate in this session.
Presenter:........... Richard Lane, RWL Consulting Consultant
Room: DeWitt
Session 11 Discrimination in the Workplace
This topic will discuss a number of different types of discrimination that can be the basis of legal action against the school. The most common types will be discussed, including what employees are covered and the elements of a cause of action. All the major areas of discrimination will be discussed, including age, sex, national origin, race, etc.
Presenter:........... Roger Hepworth, Henslee, Fowler, Hepworth & Schwartz, LLP Partner
Room: DeZavala
Session 12 The Intersection of Human Resources and the Business Office: Best practices for a Smooth Sailing
The presenter will share best practices that promote a collaborative environment between the Human Resources Department and the Business Office. Sample forms and procedures will be discussed and provided to participants.
Presenter:........... Rebecca Garcia, Lackland ISD Business Manager
Room: Phoenix North
Session 13 Assisting With Retirement Preparation
The session will focus on Pre-Retirement Seminars available to school personnel. These seminars are scheduled and conducted in collaboration with school districts and with the TRS. Typically scheduled for three hours, the events include comprehensive information about steps to retirement from as much as three to five years before actual retirement. Seminar participation is at no cost to the school districts or participants. This session will also provide information for district HR personnel to use with prospective retirees.
Presenter:........... Aubrey Cherry, Texas Retired Teachers Association First Vice President
Room: Phoenix South
Session 14 The Principal Selection Process
The Principal really does make the difference! The shortage of principals continues to present challenges for all school districts. This session will focus on recruiting, hiring and retaining principals in an urban school district. An emphasis will be placed on creating a diverse principal workforce. Strategies, procedures and helpful hints will be provided to enhance the principal selection process.
Presenter:........... Pamela Hall, Austin ISD Executive Director of Human Resources
Room: Robertson
Session 15 Immigration Issues Related to Texas School Districts
The presentation will focus on various immigration issues relating to the employment and sponsorship of foreign teachers and administrators
Presenter:........... Roberto D. Caballero, Esq., Quan, Burdette & Perez, P.C. Attorney at Law
Room: Capital (4th floor)
Session 16 It s All About Efficiency and Effectiveness -- HR by the Numbers
Accountability is increasing, demands are rising, expectations are soaring through the roof and your HR team won t be increasing any time soon. During this session we will present some key metrics that demonstrate how Best-in-Class technology can help you achieve all that is expected and actually reduce your workloads.
Learn how to implement Hiring Process Automation, Employee Absence Management, Substitute Placement, Employee Screening, Data & Product Integration and more to streamline and improve day-to-day tasks.
Presenter:........... Paul Montgomery, WinOcular Director of Marketing and Special Projects, and Seth Gurss, AESOP/Frontline Placement Technologies Regional Account Manager
Room: Board Room (5th floor)
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Topic Sessions III from 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Session 17 Investigations and Fingerprinting a TEA Perspective
Will provide information and insight into the investigations and fingerprinting process for educators and applicants for teacher credentials, from a TEA perspective.
Presenter:........... Doug Phillips, TEA Director of Investigations/Fingerprinting
Room: Austin
Session 18 Teacher Incentive Pay After HB 1
Funding provided for teacher incentive pay will grow to significant amounts as a result of recent new legislation. This session will explain the new legislation, what will be required from local districts to participate, and what HR leaders should do to get prepared.
Presenter:........... Cindy Clegg, TASB Director HR Services
Room: DeWitt
Session 19 Discrimination in the Workplace
This topic will discuss a number of different types of discrimination that can be the basis of legal action against the school. The most common types will be discussed, including what employees are covered and the elements of a cause of action. All the major areas of discrimination will be discussed, including age, sex, national origin, race, etc.
Presenter:........... Roger Hepworth, Henslee, Fowler, Hepworth & Schwartz, LLP Partner
Room: DeZavala
Session 20 Critical Issues in Educator Credentialing
This session will focus on issues related to assignment of school personnel, language proficiency requirements for all certification applicants, changes in requirements for issuance of Probationary Certificates, payment of certification fees, and customer service and training initiatives
Presenter:........... Mary Charley, Texas Education Agency Director of Field Services for Educator Certification and Standards
Room: Phoenix North
Session 21 Assisting With Retirement Preparation
The session will focus on Pre-Retirement Seminars available to school personnel. These seminars are scheduled and conducted in collaboration with school districts and with the TRS. Typically scheduled for three hours, the events include comprehensive information about steps to retirement from as much as three to five years before actual retirement. Seminar participation is at no cost to the school districts or participants. This session will also provide information for district HR personnel to use with prospective retirees.
Presenter:........... Aubrey Cherry, Texas Retired Teachers Association First Vice President
Room: Phoenix South
Session 22 It's A Bird! It's A Plane! ... It's The Super Teacher Job Fair!
See how one district has developed a recipe for success. Take 350 plus district screeners; 900 plus certified applicants; a locally developed screening document; stir in a time specific interview with a grade level team; bake each individual for 45 minutes and out comes a pool of screened super teacher candidates that can then be interviewed by building level staff for current and future openings. From philosophical presuppositions to the organizational structure the attendee will review this Job Fair model with all its quirks and preparation timelines. Learn to avoid the kryptonic pitfalls of five years of successful implementation.
Presenter:........... Jed N. Reed, Lewisville ISD Director of Staffing and HR Services
Room: Robertson
Session 23 Sexual Harassment in the workplace
The presentation focuses on the various causes of action available to employees who feel they have suffered sexual harassment. The presentation will also concentrate on preventive measures which school personnel administrators should take to protect the school district from such claims.
Presenter:........... Pablo Escamilla, Escamilla and Poneck, Inc. Attorney/Shareholder
Room: Capital (4th floor)
Session 24 Commissioner's Rules on Creditable Years of Service
This session will address the state laws, rules, and practices on how years of service are considered for salary increment purposes as mandated by the Commissioner s Rules on Creditable Years of Service. In addition, this session will discuss the new changes concerning teacher s aides' additional years of service as well as the new requirements concerning international teaching experience. Also, this session will discuss the rules that were adopted by the 79th Legislative Session concerning teachers, full-time librarians, full-time counselors, and full-time nurses.
Presenter:........... Joseph Mezher, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Program Director
Room: Board Room (5th floor)
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Topic Sessions IV from 4:00-5:00 PM
Session 25 Mentoring as the Key to Retention
A large school district and an alternative certification program will describe how they work collaboratively using research-based mentoring models that lead to greater recruitment and retention. The collaboration results in effectiveness and efficiency for all stakeholders. National research reflects that "lack of mentor support" is one of the major reasons first-year teachers leave the profession.
Presenter:........... Dr. Neil Dugger, Irving ISD Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration, and Rosemary Robins, Quality ACT, LP Executive Director
Room: Austin
Session 26 Teacher Incentive Pay After HB 1
Funding provided for teacher incentive pay will grow to significant amounts as a result of recent new legislation. This session will explain the new legislation, what will be required from local districts to participate, and what HR leaders should do to get prepared.
Presenter:........... Cindy Clegg, TASB Director HR Services
Room: DeWitt
Session 27 ISD's and HIPAA Compliance - 2006
The compliance issues and factors related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act are being addressed in Alief through the use of a compliance tool and related policies and procedures. The session will address the HIPAA basics, how does it apply to school districts and offer a solution utilized in Alief ISD to meet the federal compliance standard in the district.
Presenter:........... Dwight Brannon, Alief Independent School District Director of Risk Management/Human Resources
Room: DeZavala
Session 28 Critical Issues in Educator Credentialing
This session will focus on issues related to assignment of school personnel, language proficiency requirements for all certification applicants, changes in requirements for issuance of Probationary Certificates, payment of certification fees, and customer service and training initiatives
Presenter:........... Mary Charley, Texas Education Agency Director of Field Services for Educator Certification and Standards
Room: phoenix north
Session 29 Hiring the Right Brain
Each position requires special abilities. Knowing what the person values and how these values translate into attentiveness and blind spots enables hiring the right person for the position. Come learn how one district used the science of axiology to understand each candidates thinking, how having these understandings improved team performance and deepened the assessment of candidates. The process is based on how the candidate's brain works with the committee of six and provides a measure of the individual's emotional intelligence.
Presenter:........... Patti Woods, Weatherford ISD Principal, MJ McDaniel, Weatherford ISD Director of Community and Public Relations, and Paula Sommer, Institute for Standards in Education President and consultant to Weatherford ISD
Room: Phoenix South
Session 30 Maintaining a Customer Service Focus and a Positive Work Environment
Participants will learn how one high-volume school district has structured itself to maintain a high degree of customer service and a positive work environment.
Presenter:........... Dr. Janet L Hood-Hanchey, Lewisville ISD Director, Employee Credentialing, Records and Retention Services
Room: Robertson
Session 31 Troops to Teachers at Your Service
Meryl Kettler will present an update on the very successful Texas Troops to Teachers Program, with information on its implications for districts. Approximately 65% of TTT participants have been hired to teach math, science, special education or bilingual education, providing assistance in the highest needs areas in the state. Meryl will be exploring avenues to collaborate more closely with school districts to meet their on-going needs and supply even greater numbers of TTT participants to Texas classrooms.
Presenter:........... Meryl Kettler, Texas Troops to Teachers Coordinator
Room: Capital (4th floor)
Session 32 Commissioner's Rules on Creditable Years of Service
This session will address the state laws, rules, and practices on how years of service are considered for salary increment purposes as mandated by the Commissioner s Rules on Creditable Years of Service. In addition, this session will discuss the new changes concerning teacher s aides' additional years of service as well as the new requirements concerning international teaching experience. Also, this session will discuss the rules that were adopted by the 79th Legislative Session concerning teachers, full-time librarians, full-time counselors, and full-time nurses.
Presenter:........... Joseph Mezher, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Program Director
Room: Board Room (5th floor)
To return to the main conference page click here