Representatives from PESBA member states gathered for the 2024 Winter Symposium at the St. Anthony Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, January 23 and 24, 2024. The focus was on reading and also allowed ample time for “role alike” sessions where members had the opportunity to share success and challenges they encounter in their work with teacher licensure, preparation program approval, and disciplinary matters. Featured guest speakers were Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Sherry St. Clair.
Dr. Stephanie Stollar is the creator of The Reading Science Academy. She is a part-time assistant professor in the online Reading Science Program at Mount St. Joseph University, and a founding member of a national alliance for supporting reading science in higher education. Dr. Stollar has worked as an educational consultant, school psychologist, and as an assistant professor in the school psychology program at The University of South Florida. She has provided professional development for teachers for the past 25 years. She has conducted research in the areas of assessment, early intervention, and collaborative problem solving. As a member of the board for the Innovations in Education Consortium, she collaboratively plans the annual MTSS Innovations in Education Conference.
Sherry St. Clair is the founder of Reflective Learning. Her organization works with schools around the world, creating specialized training and coaching services for school administrators and educators. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership, as well as a Rank I in Instructional Supervision. Sherry has served as a Senior Consultant for the International Center for Leadership in Education and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. As an international consultant, Sherry draws from her rich experience at various levels of public education–teaching elementary school, being an administrator in a high school of 1,300 students, working as a state consultant, and creating and facilitating virtual courses. She has published numerous professional l learning activity guides and facilitated webinar series focused on leadership and effective instructional practices. Additionally, Sherry developed virtual instructional workshops for the CTE Technical Assistance Center of New York. In partnership with the Successful Practices Network, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and The School Superintendent Association (AASA).
After pausing PESBA convenings during COVID, a Winter Conference was held in December 2022. Members and guests met at the Nevada Department of Education, December 12-13, 2022, to discuss relevant issues in educator preparation and licensing. Over forty attendees representing eleven member states and the National Education Association gathered, and local host Director Jeff Briske and his staff provided generous support of technical assistance, transportation and a meeting space.
Both outgoing NASDTEC Executive Director Phil Rogers and incoming Executive Director Jimmy Adams met with the group to provide updates, and meeting sponsors Educational Testing Service, Pearson, and iTeach rounded out the group.
Both days featured varied presentations on significant issues, followed by roundtable discussions on the success and challenges of implementation in the member states. Presentations focused on educator wellness initiatives, the US Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program, clinical experience, teacher retention, and the direction of licensure assessments. The event’s follow-up survey indicates this meeting was valuable to the members, and they hope to make this an annual event.
