The Summer Conference for Out-of-School Time (OST) is a professional development conference that shares best practices in youth development. The conference is open to youth practitioners who want to increase their skills in working with youth in out-of-school time programs, mentoring relationships, or in summer camps.
The keynote speaker for the Summer Conference for OST is Michelle King, a learner, a teacher and an instigator. She taught in Mt. Lebanon for 15 years with a fantastic crew of educators and students and currently teaches at The Environmental Charter School where she seeks to create opportunities for students to learn, discover, be challenged and express their thoughts, dreams, and desires. King is constantly in pursuit of making connections locally and globally. She pushes the envelope and boundaries of where learning should occur for all students. Through her partnerships with the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project, Hear Me, and the Kids+Creativity Network, Michelle is helping to create equitable and empathetic learning opportunities for students throughout the Pittsburgh Area.
Click here to watch her TEDxPittsburgh talk from 2015, “Learning How to Make a Life.” You can also follow Michelle King on Twitter @LrningInstigatr. Expect to be inspired by this local change-maker and learning advocate!
Click here to register.
See below for the day’s agenda. Which sessions will you attend?
AGENDA
8AM: Breakfast and Registration
8:30AM-9:45AM: Keynote by Michelle King
Note: During the workshop sessions, we are also offering a training in collaboration with the National Writing Project that is specifically designed for Pittsburgh Public School’s Summer Dreamers educators, but open to anyone who is interested. Participants will learn concrete strategies for managing writing as they engage with youth and create connected writing lessons. If you would like to participate, choose National Writing Project training for EACH of your workshop sessions.
9:50AM-11:05AM: Session One
- Don’t Be A Trigger: A Trauma Informed Care in Out-of-School Time Programs
Debralyn Woodberry-Shaw*
Our past experiences – personal, familial, societal – shape how we interpret and respond to the world. Our experiences also influence our brain development. In this session, out-of-school time providers will learn how trauma can manifest in our programs and what we can do to respond appropriately.
- Plugging Into Parks: Finding Nature in Your Neighborhood
Taiji Nelson*
- Healthy Out-of-School Time
Kristi Burry & Britnee Nwokeji
fitUnited and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC have partnered to provide training, technical support and evidence-based resources to promote nutrition and physical activity changes in out-of-school time environments using the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools and Healthy Out-of-School Time (HOST) framework. Come learn about the HOST framework and how to make healthier changes in your after-school program.
11:10AM-12:25PM: Session Two
- Risky Business: Teaching Children to Play Without Fear
Molly Dickerson*
Putting tools like batteries, hot glue guns, and needles in children’s hands can create rich hands-on learning experiences, but anxiety and fear can make those experiences inaccessible. This session will explore the factors that influence the use of risky tools and how to present them in an approachable way.
- Ask-Listen-Encourage
APOST Trainer
Weikart Youth Work Methods Series
Do you communicate with youth in a way that makes them feel supported and heard? This workshop introduces communication techniques that help you build more supportive, youth-centered relationships. Participants learn how to ask effective questions, listen actively, and offer youth encouragement rather than praise.
- Tech Tools: Increasing Student and Parent Involvement Through Technology
Lavel Claytor*
Communicating with parents and students can be overwhelming. Evaluating how your clients communicate using their everyday devices can help you identify the right communication tool. Participants will learn how to asses communication styles, create an account using Remind.com, demo the software to become familiar with its functionality, and discuss its pros and cons.
12:30PM-1:10PM: Lunch & Networking
1:15PM-2:30PM: Session Three
- Cooperative Learning
APOST Trainer
Weikart Youth Work Methods Series
Do the youth in your program have opportunities to work together in groups, teaching and learning from each other? Cooperative learning is an excellent way to nurture youth leadership, build community, and keep things fun. This interactive workshop will equip participants with grouping strategies and ways to think about building cooperative learning into any program offering.
- Reframing Conflict
APOST Trainer
Weikart Youth Work Methods Series
What role do you play in conflict situations with the youth in your program? Do you know how to turn a conflict situation into an opportunity for growth? This interactive workshop introduces participants to the High/Scope step-by-step model for reframing conflict as well as general principles of conflict resolution.
- Mixtapes and Playlists: Connected Learning in Out-of-School Time Programming
Jennifer Layman*
Connected Learning integrates personal interests, peer relationships, and achievement in educational experiences regardless of discipline, creating a scaffold to move students through a variety of programs they may not choose for themselves. Using Innovation Engineering tools, participants will design a learning playlist to better connect their students to the diverse out-of-school time experiences available in our region.
Click here for more information about the Weikart Youth Work Methods Series.
*boOST presenter. Not sure what boOST is? Learn more here.