Leading education researcher Robert J. Marzano, Ph.D., will discuss “The Art & Science of Teaching” when Fitchburg State University’s Office of Graduate and Continuing Education and the Center for Professional Studies hosts the sixth annual Distinguished Speaker Series on Wednesday, March 14.

Marzano is co-founder and CEO of Marzano Research Laboratory in Englewood, Colo. A leading researcher in education, he is a speaker, trainer, and author of more than 30 books and 150 articles on topics such as instruction, assessment, writing and implementing standards, cognition, effective leadership, and school intervention. His books include Designing & Teaching Learning Goals & Objectives, The Highly Engaged Classroom, Formative Assessment & Standards-Based Grading, On Excellence in Teaching, District Leadership That Works, and The Art and Science of Teaching.

The program, which will be held in the Holmes Dining Commons at Fitchburg State University from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 14, is designed for superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, curriculum directors, special education directors, teachers, graduate students, and other interested school administrators and educators. Books by Marzano, including The Art and Science of Teaching, will be for sale during the event.

A registration fee of $150 includes the workshop, luncheon and continuing education units. This program offers four PDPs for educators and payment will be accepted by check, credit card or purchase order. Teams of three more from within the same school district pay $125 per person and must register by purchase order. Invoices and registration forms are available online.

Marzano’s practical translations of the most current research and theory into classroom strategies are internationally known and widely practiced by both teachers and administrators. In his foundational book The Art and Science of Teaching, Marzano highlights well-researched practices educators use to be truly effective and realize gains in student achievement. Learn which teaching strategies make the most difference in the classroom and how and when to use them. Gain insights on incorporating quality classroom practices from the perspectives of teacher and leader.

One factor that continually surfaces as the single most influential component of an effective school is the individual teachers within that school. Ensure effective teaching in every classroom. This workshop provides tools and resources for immediate use by educators—and those who support them.

Specific attention will be paid to engagement strategies and a comprehensive framework of effective teaching that schools and districts can put into place immediately or use to generate their own models. This model is articulated in 10 design questions teachers ask themselves as they plan a unit of instruction. We now know that effective teachers are made, not born, and that even small increments in teacher effectiveness can have a positive effect on student achievement. This interactive, engaging workshop will provide tools and strategies to enhance teachers’ pedagogical skills.

Participants may expect the following learning outcomes:

• Learn a common language of instruction.
• Learn important routines, including how to be clear about learning goals connected to proficiency scales.
• Experience instructional strategies connected to delivering new content, and practice them to deepen understanding.
• Discover the importance of applying knowledge by generating and testing hypotheses.
• Learn important teacher behaviors for engagement and for building student-teacher relationships.
• Ensure high expectations for all students.

The registration deadline is March 6, but registrations received by Jan. 31 will be entered into a raffle to receive free admission.

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