When: July 10 - August 5, 2023
Where: Virtual - Live conference link sent to registered participants on July 7, 2023
Fee: $80.00 Early Registration, $100.00 after June 2nd
A four-week, 18-hour, online workshop designed to meet the needs of beginning teachers. BTAP is open to all novice teachers in Missouri and satisfies the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirement for participation in a university/college-sponsored mentoring program.
Education research indicates that professional development programs effectively enhance teachers’ practice and professional skills throughout their careers. As well, teachers value and seek the intensive supports that are found in group learning circles and study groups.
Our redesigned BTAP program is specifically for PK ‐ twelfth grade public or private school classroom teachers who are teaching in the first through fourth year of their career. Over a period of four weeks, participants will engage in four workshop topics:
- Professional Communication
- Classroom Environment
- Student Engagement and Motivation
- Education Related Law
This is an active virtual conference that requires both synchronous and asynchronous participation. Each Monday, participants will meet synchronously for two hours from 5‐7pm. In addition, participants can expect to spend 2‐3 hours each week completing the asynchronous workshop requirements which could entail: reading materials, watching videos and completing tasks.
UMSL’s BTAP program is open to all novice teachers in Missouri and specifically designed to achieve these goals:
- Support and enhance the teaching experience during first years of newly certified teachers
- Encourage new teachers to remain in the field beyond the induction years
- Establish a habit of using best classroom teaching practices at the beginning of participants’ careers
- Provide required non-school based professional development for beginning teachers that exceeds state and notational requirements for teacher induction programs
Sarah Olbrantz, MEd, EdD
From a classroom teacher focused on improving student achievement to an Academic Instructional Coach with an emphasis on teacher development, Dr. Sarah Olbrantz has spent her K-12 career devoted to urban public and charter schools. Before coming to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, she coached and developed teachers on a variety of pedagogical approaches (e.g. classroom management and culture, student engagement and motivation, data-driven instruction, specific content knowledge) as an Academic Instructional Coach within the St. Louis Public Schools District. Prior to this, Dr. Olbrantz spent over a decade as a classroom teacher at both elementary and middle school levels. Her background also includes experience as a special education teacher. Additionally, she has provided professional development for cohorts of ELA teachers as the Lead District-Wide Cohort Professional Development Facilitator across St. Louis Public Schools. She has also served as a mentor and Learning Team Leader for Teach for America first and second year teachers within the city of St. Louis.
Dr. Olbrantz’s desire to continue to support and develop teachers, led her to UMSL’s College of Education Department where she serves as both an Adjunct Professor and Clinical Educator. As a Clinical Educator, she coaches, observes, evaluates, and supervises teachers in their field-based placements. Moreover, as an Adjunct Professor, she teaches the following courses:
- Teaching Social Studies through Reading, Writing, and English Language Learners
- Teaching Reading in the Content Areas
- Addressing the Mathematical Needs of Students
- Enriching Learning through Multicultural Arts, Music, Physical Education and Health
Dr. Olbrantz received her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Communication Arts and an emphasis in Child and Youth Care at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In addition, she holds her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and both a M.Ed. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Maryville University. Her recent research interests have been centered around teacher retention in urban schools.
DeAnna Massie, MDA, EdD
The live conference link will be emailed to participants July 7th, 2023.
This program is limited to 150 participants; register soon to reserve your seat.
Cancellation Policy:
The University reserves the right to cancel any program. In the event of cancellation, you will be notified immediately and all program fees will be refunded or applied to a future program at your request. If you must cancel a registration, you’re entitled to full refund only if you cancel 48 hours prior to the first synchronous session.
- Meet in a supportive and motivating online environment to enhance success in and out of the classroom environment.
- Develop professional relationships with other practicing classroom teachers and university faculty sharing effective practices and experience.
- Discuss and reflect on current educational standards, issues of current and future concern.
| Week 1 Monday, July 10, 2023 | Synchronous Session 5pm - 7pm; Asynchronous July 11 - 15 DeAnna Massie - Professional Communication |
|---|---|
| Week 2 Monday, July 17, 2023 | Synchronous Session 5pm - 7pm; Asynchronous July 18 - 22 Sarah Olbrantz - Classroom Environment |
| Week 3 Monday, July 24, 2023 | Synchronous Session 5pm - 7pm; Asynchronous July 25 - 29 Sarah Olbrantz - Student Engagement and Motivation |
| Week 4 Monday, July 31, 2023 | Synchronous Session 5pm - 7pm ; Asynchronous July 31 - August 5 Sarah Olbrantz - Education Related Law |
IMPORTANT: Participants must attend the full program to satisfy the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Beginning Teacher Assistance Program (BTAP) requirement to upgrade to the level of Missouri Career Continuous Teacher Certification by participating in a university sponsored mentoring program.
