Top educators to learn, share instructional strategies

Event focuses on how to teach advanced thinking skills

What: 21st Century Learning Project Octoberfest

Where: Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Ave. in Birmingham; and Vestavia Hills Elementary School East, 2109 Tyson Drive in Birmingham

Date: Thursday, Oct. 5

Time: Best media opportunity is 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Event begins at 9:30 a.m. and lasts until 3:30 p.m.

Octoberfest will kickoff the second year of the Alabama Best Practices Center’s 21st Century Learning Project, an intensive professional development program. Five-person teams from 39 Alabama public schools will be represented. Beginning schools are in their first year of the project; advanced schools are returning for their second year.

The project exposes school teams to the concepts of 21st Century learning, introduces engaging web-based technologies, considers how these web tools can help students, and encourages teachers to begin experimenting and sharing with online colleagues.

The 21st Century Learning concept is about more than just technological literacy. It encompasses the kinds of skills that students will need in their careers, skills such as analytical thinking or spoken and written communication.

The Alabama Best Practices Center, part of the Montgomery-based A+ Education Foundation, promotes promising education practices in the state's public schools through professional development for teachers and administrators.

The 21st Century Learning Project is funded by a grant from Microsoft Corp.’s Partners in Learning program. The program focuses on digital inclusion and helping individuals and communities gain access to the technology tools, skills and innovation they need to realize their potential in the changing economy.

Beginning Schools

• Blossomwood Elementary School, Huntsville City Schools
• Bob Jones High School, Madison City Schools
• Clay-Chalkville High School, Jefferson County Schools
• Dean Road Elementary, Auburn City Schools
• Discovery Middle School, Madison City Schools
• Falkville High School, Morgan County Schools
• Fayetteville School, Talladega County Schools
• Greenville High School, Butler County Schools
• Haleyville High School, Haleyville City Schools
• Hewitt-Trussville Middle School, Trussville City Schools
• Hueytown Elementary School, Jefferson County Schools
• Liberty Park Elementary School, Vestavia Hills City Schools
• Louis Pizitz Middle School, Vestavia Hills City Schools
• Montview Elementary School, Huntsville City Schools
• Mountain Brook Junior High School, Mountain Brook City Schools
• Mt. Laurel Elementary School, Shelby County Schools
• Ogletree Elementary School, Auburn City Schools
• Spain Park High School, Hoover City Schools
• West Blocton Elementary School, Bibb County Schools
• West Jasper Elementary, Jasper City Schools

Advanced Schools

• Athens Middle School, Athens City Schools
• Buckhorn High, Madison County Schools
• Calcedeaver Elementary, Mobile County Schools
• Cedar Ridge Middle, Decatur City Schools
• Central Park Elementary, Birmingham City Schools
• Challenger Middle, Huntsville City Schools
• Chestnut Grove Elementary, Decatur City Schools
• Cullman Middle, Cullman City Schools
• George Hall Elementary, Mobile County Schools
• Hazel Green High, Madison County Schools
• Hillcrest High, Tuscaloosa County Schools
• Mountain Brook High, Mountain Brook City Schools
• Northridge High School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
• Oak Mountain High, Shelby County Schools
• Terry Heights Elementary, Huntsville City Schools
• Vincent Middle/High, Shelby County Schools
• Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills City Schools
• Winterboro School, Talladega County
• Wrights Mill Road Elementary, Auburn City

Directions to Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church

From I-65

• Take the Vestavia/Hoover Exit (Exit 252);
• Turn onto Highway 31 going North;
• Travel approximately 3 miles;
• At the first traffic light after you pass McDonald's, turn RIGHT onto Kentucky Avenue,
• The church is two blocks ahead on the right.

Vestavia Hills Elementary School East is across the street from the church.

Morning sessions will be in Tyson Hall of the church, and everyone will walk over to the school at 12:30 p.m. The group will return to the church at 2:30 p.m.

Media contacts on Thursday Sallie Owen cell 334-221-3258 or Skye Borden cell 334-322-2780

Emergency contacts if you can’t reach Sallie or Skye
Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church 205-822-9631
Vestavia Hills Elementary School East 205-402-5200

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