Ruth Hollis

Workshops and About the Presenter

Workshops

Learning Styles

"I always enjoy Ruth’s presentations and humor.  Thank you!"

"Wow! Fantastic presenter - knew the material and provided numerous examples. Get Ruth Hollis back- as presenter or keynote address."

Participation In this highly engaing workshop will help you view teaching and learning in a new light. Participants will:

• identify their learning style
• explore and discuss characteristics of each style learn
• rehearse strategies effective for each

The program combines direct instruction with stimulating activities.
Implications for planning, grouping and communicating with students will be addressed.

Audience: K-12, Paraprofessionals, Administrators, Parents

Time frame: 2 hours

Active Learning Strategies: A Two-part Series

"This course has prompted me to be more reflective about my students' learning styles and try and cater more to a broader range of styles." 

"Many quick and creative strategies to try."

In this two-part series on active learning, participants will investigate how learning styles and multiple intelligences play a role in daily learning. Active learning strategies that meet the needs of a variety of learning styles will be modeled and participants will walk away with ideas they can immediately apply in the classroom. Don’t miss this opportunity for fresh ideas and new strategies.

Audience: K-12 Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Administrators

Time frame: 1.5 hours each session

Elements of Instruction

"I was mesmerized! It was the most useful, complete, encouraging, beneficial 2 1/2 hours I've spent. Whew! I wish I'd recorded it so I could go back and push and replay. I'm sure I'd get more or different things.. ..Merci Beaucoup.

Based on the work of Madeleine Hunter,this program teaches the fundamentals of instruction – what every teacher should know. Topics include:

• Teaching to an objective
• Selecting an objective at the appropriate level
• Monitoring and adjusting
• Bloom's Taxonomy
• The four principles of learning

This program serves as a framework for other initiatives such as Cooperative Learning and Differentiation and promotes a common language among staff.

Audience: K-12 Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Administrators, Mentors

Time frame: 15 hours

Mentoring

This class is for past, current or future mentors as well as instructional coaches. Based on research in communication, mentoring, and cognitive coaching, participants will:

• Examine the role/behaviors of the mentor
• Understand the phases of growth for new teachers in the first year
• Be aware of the stages of teacher development years 1-5
• Understand/analyze the range of interaction strategies available
• Examine strategies for conversation between mentors and interns
• Explore and discuss issues unique to the mentoring process

Audience: Current and Prospective Mentors

Time frame: 3 hours

Graphic Organizers

This workshop clarifies the relationship of graphic organizers to retention, multiple intelligences, learning styles, and differentiation.

Learn the benefits of these visuals that allow students to organize information in order to enhance retention and work both sides of the brain.  By studyng and using a variety of graphics organizers, participants will return to their students with a valuable assortment of options. 

Audience: K – 12 Teachers, Paraprofessionals

Time frame: 2 hours

Socratic Seminar

Learn about a strategy that promotes listening, speaking and divergent thought. In a Socratic Seminar participants will explore ideas, values and issues drawn from readings or works of art.Socratic Seminars can be used with all types of students to engage in in-depth discussions and problem solving, build cooperative work cultures, and enhance their knowledge base.

In this program, participants will engage in a seminar and learn the fundamentals for setting ground rules, framing questions, and leading a seminar. Resources and ideas for seminars will be provided.

Audience: 7-12 teachers

Time frame: 2 - 2 and a half hours

Critical Thinking

This program will use Bloom's taxonomy as a framework for critical thinking. Participants will explore the hierarchy, view sample questions, then write their own questions at each level of learning. They will also investigate the relationship between learning objectives and assessment.

The session will incorporate direct instruction with activities. A follow-up session on Robert Marzano's "Tactics for Thinking" is available.

Audience: 7-12 teachers

Time frame: 2 - 2 and a half hours

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Based on the best seller by Stephen Covey, this program forms a foundational framework from which to live our lives and achieve success. Practicing the habits helps us use our potential, find balance, manage time and work creatively with others.

Various forms of the program are available for teens, families and organizations. Becoming familiar with the habits and applying them will help you model and teach them to others.

This overview of  the Habits will acquaint you with the vocabulary of the program and the essence of each of the 7 Habits.

Audience: Educators, administrators, parents and school-related professionals

Time frame: 3 hours

* The entire program (18  hours), and follow-up/discussion are available upon request

Study Groups: A Team Approach to Professional Development

Not all professional development has to be "sit and git." Common sense and a number of studies indicate that working together in small groups can be an effective way to accomplish a goal. But working together in a group requires a shared understanding of the purpose, leadership, and structures to keep members on track and engaged in working toward the mission. Just because we are all sitting in the sandbox does not mean we will get the sand castle built!

In this session educators will learn the what, how and why of study groups along with tips for team success.

The workshop will:

• Define a study group and its purpose
• Explain what a study group is and is not
• Look at different types of study groups and determine structures most conducive to meeting specific outcomes
• Discuss characteristics of effective study groups
• Share tips for team building to accomplish the goal
• Recognize pitfalls of working in study groups
• Teach strategies for team success

Audience: Teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators

Recommendation: maximum number of participants 25

Time frame: 2 hours     

Secrets: The Power of Teaching for Transfer

What is a better predictor of student success than age or IQ? Research indicates it is the ability of a learner to TRANSFER information from the past and connect it to the current situation. Nothing speeds up learning more!

In this workshop participants will learn the 4 basic components underlying the powerful principle of transfer:

• positive transfer
• negative transfer
• promoting transfer
• cutting off transfer that interferes with learning

All of us bring information, experiences, and emotion to new learning situations. While we cannot change what a student transfers into our classroom, we can influence what they take with them. In fact, it is our duty to expedite their learning by ensuring that they transfer accurate and exacting information along with positive experiences to other classes and learning situations. Come with me to explore this secret and propel your students to success!

Audience: Teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and parents

Recommendation: Maximum number of participants 25

Time frame: 2 hours

Secrets: Reinforcement - A Must-Have Tool for Teachers

Educators who run a “tight ship”, but maintain happy classrooms with eager learners have learned the secret of reinforcement. Properly used, this powerful tool is not only essential to classroom management, but is key in improving the probability of learning.   Used seamlessly and effectively, it can make a classroom hum with activity and promote a pleasant feeling tone. Additionally, this tool transfers to everyday life and can be used with children, spouses and others to help them maintain and strengthen positive behaviors and change negative ones.

In this session, participants will learn the critical attributes of positive and negative reinforcement, extinction, and punishment. Misconceptions about what is positive, what is negative and what is punishment may change commonly-held beliefs and approaches to classroom management.  Everyday examples will be used and educators will leave with a thorough understanding and readiness to implement this tool or tweak what is already in use in their classrooms. This exciting session will clearly articulate the essence of this principle.

Audience: Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Administrators, Parents

Recommendation: Maximum number of participants 25

Time frame: 2 hours

Ruth Hollis

Ruth holds a B.S. in General Science and an M.S. in Advanced Studies and Certificate in Small Group Leadership. As Director of the Teacher Resource and Computer Training in Pittsford, New York, she provided professional development and managed the Mentor Program for teachers and paraprofessionals. Topics included Elements of Instruction, Cooperative Learning, Peer Coaching, Learning Styles, Motivation, Tactics for Thinking, Presentation Skills, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Teambuilding, and Facilitation.

Ruth served as co-chair of the Instructional Leadership Council, charged with overseeing and aligning curriculum with strategic plans of both district and state. She wrote curriculum, assisted in aligning lessons, and led a middle school team through a revision process. At the International School of Belgrade, Ruth assisted teachers with curriculum development.

Ruth served on the New York State Teacher Center Strategies and Evaluation Committee, served as network chairperson for the Greater Rochester Staff Teacher Center Network. She joined the NYS Teacher Center Leadership Academy where she assisted with new Director orientation and currently works with the Academy as a consultant.

Ruth taught middle school science and Study Skills Across the Curriculum. As a presenter of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, First Things First, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, she has offered Franklin Covey’s programs to professional and support staff in school districts, colleges,and private institutions. As a member of the Genesee Valley PTA Regional Board, Ruth served as a TCBI trainer and Jenkins Scholarship coordinator.

Based on the work of leading researchers in education and professional practice, including Danielson, Marzano, and Hunter. Ruth recently co-authored a comprehensive hiring guide for school districts.