Reading First Teacher Academies
Registration for Reading First Schools starts April 1st , 2008
All others can register starting on April 8th, 2008.
The Reading First Teacher Reading Academies at Old Dominion University consists of four-day professional development workshops for Kindergarten through grade three teachers. The workshops will be held on June 16th - 19th and repeated on June 23th through the 26th. Graduate Credit is available for students who are interested in paying tuition and completing extra assignments. The Teacher Reading Academies continue the professional development opportunities provided by the state as part of the Reading First grant.
Each academy includes a series of sessions built on scientifically-based components of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, and will be offered over four days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Instructors for the Teacher Reading Academies are regular faculty of the Old Dominion University Darden College of Education, including Charlene Fleener, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Reading Education; Abha Gupta, PhD., Associate Professor of Reading Education; and Tami Al-Hazza, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Reading Education. The Academies are based on materials produced by the University of Texas, Center for Reading and Language Arts, and modified for use in Virginia by the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education. There are also two Reading Specialists from local area schools that will be instructing in the Academy.
The Reading First Teacher Academy for the Summer of 2008 will be held at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center.
Instructors for Reading First Teacher Reading Academies
Dr. Charlene Fleener, Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director
Dr. Fleener taught students in elementary and high schools in a variety of Texas Public Schools over a period of 17 years prior to coming to Old Dominion University. She has done extensive work and presentations with Professional Development Schools Programs in both Texas and Virginia. Through Virginia State Reading Association, Eisenhower grants, teletechnet and virtual courses, as well as through teaching on-campus reading and classroom management courses she has come to know and work with many fine educators across the state of Virginia. Bachelor and Masters Degrees were earned at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and her Doctorate from Texas A&M University - Commerce.
Dr. Tami Al-Hazza, Assistant Professor
Dr. Al-Hazza is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Curriculum and Instruction department at Old Dominion University. She specializes in elementary education, language arts and reading. She has over a decade of experience teaching kindergarten through grade six both as an elementary school teacher and as a reading specialist. Her experience includes teaching in American schools and teaching extensively in the Middle East. She has also taught for numerous years at Kuwait University. Her research interests are twofold; first focusing on research as related to pre-service teachers' attitudes, beliefs and knowledge concerning language arts and reading methods and experienced teachers' strategies and techniques for teaching reading and language arts. Her second avenue of research is directed toward Arab issues as related to introducing Arab children's literature into the curriculum and Arab women's rights and status in society.
Dr. Abha Gupta, Associate Professor
Dr. Abha Gupta, Associate Professor, has been the past director of the Reading Center and federally funded America Reads Program. Her interests include language and literacy development. Dr. Gupta, who has experience in teaching at the elementary school level as a Title I Reading Specialist, received her doctorate degree from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. Prior to her doctorate degree, Dr. Gupta received a Master's degree in Linguistics from the University of Arizona, and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Linguistics from the University of Delhi, India.
Dr. Gupta has numerous publications in the field of reading, language and literacy education. She has co-edited a book on 'At-Risk Population: Socio-linguistic and educational issues' (in press). She has a book contract with Merrill, Prentice Hall on "The Changing Roles of Literacy Specialist".
Dr. Gupta has made numerous presentations at international, national, state and local conferences. She does major consultative work with Educational Testing Service (ETS). In recent past, she has been a consultant for American Institute of Research, DC. Currently, she serves on the National Task Force for Urban Diversity, International Reading Association.
She has been a recipient of many grants including corporate, federal and state grants. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator for State Council of Higher Education Virginia (SCHEV) Title II, No Child Left Behind grant on Teacher Quality Improvement.
For additional information about Virginia Reading First and the Teacher Reading Academies, please click on the link to the Virginia Reading First website.
Registration
Priority registration for the Academies begins on April 1st 2008 for teachers and administrators at schools receiving Reading First funding. Regular registration for all teachers begins on April 8th, 2008. The registration is online this year. Students should register by logging on to http://www.readingfirst.virginia.edu/. The participant's name and other information will be given to Old Dominion University.
Driving Directions and Parking
Driving Directions and Parking for the Teacher Reading Academies will be
available at no cost in Lot 3 (signs will be posted). Guest passes are not
needed for Special Events designated parking.
HOW TO GET TO THE VIRGINIA BEACH HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER
From Old Dominion University (Norfolk/Portsmouth):
Take 264 East from Downtown Norfolk
Exit #18 at Rosemont Road
Turn right onto Rosemont Road
Proceed 3.9 miles to Concert Drive
Turn right onto Concert Drive
The Center is on the right at University Drive
From Chesapeake:
Take 64 West toward Hampton/Richmond
Exit #286B onto east Indian River Road
Merge left onto Ferrell Parkway
Merge left onto Princess Anne Road (second one)
Turn left onto Concert Drive
The Center is on the left at University Drive
From Virginia Beach:
Take 264 West from the Oceanfront
Exit #18 at Rosemont Road
Turn left onto Rosemont Road
Proceed 4 miles to Concert Drive
Turn right onto Concert Drive
The Center is on the right at University Drive
From Hampton:
Take 64 East to 264 East
Exit #18 at Rosemont Road
Turn right onto Rosemont Road
Proceed 3.9 mile to Concert Drive
Turn right onto Concert Drive
The Center is on the right at University Drive
Academy Room Assignments
Kindergarten Academy will be held in room 244A.
Grade one Academy will be held in room 244B.
Grade Two Academy will be held in room 131.
Grade Three Academy will be held in room 121.
Hotel Accomodations
Several nearby hotels offer discounts to guests visiting Old Dominion University. Please ask for the special Old Dominion University rate, if available.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
4453 Bonney Road
Virginia Beach Virginia 23462
United States
Econo Lodge Virginia Beach
3637 Bonney Road
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
Fairfield Inn Virginia Beach
4760 Euclid Road
Virginia Beach Virginia 23462
Founders Inn
5641 Indian River Rd
Virginia Beach Virginia 23464
Hilton Garden Inn
252 Town Center Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Graduate Credit
Participants have the opportunity to receive 3 graduate credits for participating in the Reading First Teacher Academies. To receive this credit participants need to register for ECI 595 Topics Reading First Academy CRN number 35157. If you are already an ODU student, you can register through LEOnline.
If you are not a student, you can register by filling out the non-degree seeking form here.
You also need to fill out a registration form for the course. This can be done by filling out the form (PDF) and taking it to the registrar's office or call the registrar's office at 683-4425 for additional information.
Participants are responsible for paying the tutition for graduate credit.
Contact
For information about registering for the Teacher Reading Academies at Old Dominion University, please contact:
Dr. Al-Hazza
Telephone: (757) 683-3228
Fax: (757) 683-5862
Email: talhazza@odu.edu
Mail:
Dr. Al-Hazza
Reading First TRA
ECI Department, 145 Education Bldg
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA 23529