Transformation in Education: Innovation & Evidence-based Practices

Kings College has organized a virtual conference offering a number of FREE breakouts on March 2 to provide an opportunity to hear from practitioners in the field sharing their innovations as they adapted instruction to virtual or hybrid learning environments. Their challenges and solutions come from their day-to-day experience with their students.

Participants will receive Act 48 hours for each session attended and may register for an individual session or for the entire conference.   

Educators requesting Act 48 hours will be sent required forms after the conference has concluded.

Conference Schedule

Tuesday, March 2nd
6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Human-ness in Education
Presenters: Dr. Anthony Conston, Assistant Principal, Hazleton Area High School;  Dr. Lauren Conston, Spanish Teacher and World Language Department Chair, Hazleton Area High School 

This session will discuss expansion beyond the curriculum with ideas for student connections in a virtual and in-person setting.  Suggestions for ways teachers can make their students feel valued and encourage participation in the classroom setting will be shared.  


6:45-7:15 p.m.
Transforming Thinking and Learning Through the Use of STEM Strategies in All Classrooms
Presenters:  Principal-Marie Ernst, Principal – Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences and teachers: Computer Science Teacher- John Berta; Social Studies Teacher – Chris Mears; and English Teacher-Cindy Fetchko

A panel of educators from the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences will discuss the process of starting and sustaining a STEM school. The principal, along with teachers from the school, will talk about their experiences, how they learned that STEM is a philosophy and not just a lot of science and math classes, and how STEM strategies need to be integrated throughout the curriculum in all courses.


7:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Rethinking Assessment During Virtual Learning
Presenter:  Ryan Hettes, Chemistry Teacher, Wyoming Valley West High School

No more sending pictures or scanned PDFs of worksheets! This session will explore how to creatively assess students during virtual learning using Google Forms. When used correctly, Google Forms can motivate students and provide them with self-guided learning opportunities beyond the boundaries of teacher instruction.


Wednesday, March 3rd
6:15 -6:45 p.m.
Teaching Online: An Open Discussion About Successes and Failures 
Presenters: Sam Elias, Wilkes-Barre Area STEM Academy math teacher; Sean Mclaughlin, Wilkes-Barre Area Social Studies Coordinator 

Facilitators will share practices and lead a discussion about the progress made and lost during the pandemic.  Participants are encouraged to share their own successes and failures through discussion and examples via screen sharing.


6:45 – 7:15 p.m.
Educational Virtual Experiences in Science
Presenter:  Michael Gavlick, Science Teacher, Hazleton Area High School

Participants will see a showcase sampling of immersive educational virtual experiences (EVEs) in science.  This discussion will include the definition, efficacy, and necessity of EVEs. 


7:15 – 7:45 p.m.
Math Anxiety
Presenter:  Brian Palladino, 8th Grade Math Teacher, Wyoming Valley West Middle School

An overview of Math Anxiety will be included in this session focusing on its negative effects on learning from the perspectives of both students and teachers.  Strategies to addressing math anxiety effects in both an in-person and virtual model of learning will be shared.