Continuing Education - ConEd Meetings

ConEd is short for "continuing education." And, thatīs just what the monthly meetings are all about: ongoing training to produce master teachers. Each meeting introduces teachers to new concepts and perspectives on teaching, answers specific questions about how to teach more effectively or about strategies to encourage struggling students, and gives teachers that all-important peer support they need to succeed in one of the hardest jobs in the world. Topics cover a wide range of language arts issues with an occasional venture into math. The information learned at a ConEd meeting can be applied to any instructional situation and using Sail Away curriculum is not a membership requirement. In fact, most ConEd meetings are NOT Sail Away specific. Newcomers are always welcome.

ConEd meetings are unique to Sail Away Learning Systems. Groups of teachers and parent teachers meet on a monthly basis to review strategic language arts teaching skills.

Each meeting has a central topic, such as "The Grammar Puzzle: Demystifying the Parts of Speech" or "Sh! All Those Ways to Spell It and Why." Every meeting includes ongoing monthly features: “Word of the Month," “Analogy of the Month," “Stem (root word) of the Month,""Play for a Purpose" (The practical extension of the Play for a Purpose Day from the Sail Away to Success Workshop), and "The Pip's," grammar "gotch-ya" for elementary and secondary students. Open discussion and question-answer segments are all-important components of ConEd "Crew" meetings. Members raise questions, voice the concerns and victories of daily instruction, and share teaching tips and strategies that work for them.

ConEd originated in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1995 and continues meeting the third Monday, September through May at Westlake Church on Westland Avenue right off Pellissippi Parkway. Sail Away's pioneer, Brenda Murphy, normally conducts these meetings in person. Other staff member from the Murphy-Cates Academy and Learning Center in Kingston, Tennessee often co-teach and add the wisdom of their front line teaching experience for ConEd members. The Knoxville ConEd Crew is led by Jackie Moreno (865) 265-3769.

Satellite ConEd Crews now meet in various locations around the country. Meetings center around a 20-45 minute videotaped presentation by Brenda Murphy. The local group then discusses issues of interest to the group and often the local coordinator or other members present mini-talks as well. Satellite groups often forward questions to Brenda who answers them on subsequent tapes.

Satellite groups also carry stock from the main Sail Away Store in Tennessee. It is open at every meeting and ConEd members enjoy discounts on products. ConEd members also receive discounts to Sail Away Workshops and special events.

Satellite groups meet in the following areas:

Kansas City:
Deb Callow
13505 Parker Ave.
Grandview, MO 64030
phone: 816-767-0492
e-mail: adcallow55@mykc.com

Northern Illinois:
Mary Dausman
603 N. London Ave.
Rockford, Il 61107
815-398-6279

Knoxville, TN
Jackie Moreno
cell phone: 865-256-3769
e-mail: vidmor@yahoo.com

Roane County, TN
Murphy-Cates Learning Center and Academy
106 Armour Rd.
Kingston, TN 37763
phone: 865-376-7005
e-mail: murphy-cates@juno.com

Lebanon, TN
Joanna Williams
680 Ramsey Lane
Lebanon, TN 37090
615-449-4995
e-mail: joannarwilliams@bellsouth.net

Jackson, TN
Kathy Hayes
731-423-0942
e-mail: nhayes11@aeneas.net

Chattanooga, TN
Susan Cooper
1745 Houston Valley Rd.
Ringgold, GA 30736
 706-673-2600
e-mail: scooper@relationshipchurch.com

Lisa Cooper
1745-A Houston Valley Rd.
Ringgold, GA 30736
 706-673-5267
e-mail: lisacooper@alltel.net

Carolyn Goocher
1830 Skyline Drive
Chattanooga, TN 37421
423-485-8499
e-mail: scoutcub@netzero.com

North Kansas City
Mari Beth Nelson
23479 125th St.
Winston, MO 64689
660-749-5446
e-mail: gomari@northmo.net

ConEd group information is also available in the Detroit, Michigan and Vancouver, WA areas.

ConEd crews are forming in many places. If you are interested in becoming a member or starting one, please donīt hesitate to contact us.