Steverson & Associates is a State Board of Education (SBE) approved professional development provider in the area of Reading Language Arts. The company is organized to provide training and professional development support to teachers, specialist, and other literacy professionals in the basic components of effective, research supported reading instruction as defined by the National Reading Panel, the national Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), and the Learning First Alliance.
Since its inception in 1999, Steverson & Associates has provided training and professional development support for over 70 schools in multiple districts throughout the state of California. We have successfully developed SBE compliant training curriculum for AB 1086, AB 466, SB 472, AB 430, and SB 472 English Learner Professional Development. Smar²also provides content assistance and advanced level training for LEA's and schools participating in the Reading First program.
Steverson & Associates has developed an extensive catalog of standards and research-based training for workshops professional development institutes, and on-line use. Click the following link for our most recent Professional Development Training Catalog.
Steverson & Associates is one of the pioneer companies in the State of California in the delivery of embedded professional development. Our in-school program is designed to enhance the quality of teaching that occurs in the classroom. Teachers are involved in sustained, intellectually rigorous professional learning as they gain knowledge in critical content, pedagogical skills and instructional strategies. Smar²tel services are based on adult learning theory and are designed to involve teachers and principals in the decisions made about their own professional growth.
Steverson & Associates' strength is the quality of its staff, which is comprised of knowledgeable, experienced, highly skilled professional educators who are dedicated to building and improving teaching quality..
OUR APPROACH
TRAINER QUALITY
The heart and soul of Steverson & Associates' approach to training is rooted in the quality, professionalism, knowledge, and leadership of our “lead” trainers. To be considered for a position on our training staff and ultimately become a “lead” trainer, each individual must undergo an extensive interview, training and demonstration process. Selected candidates will have received a grade of 90% or better on all key measurements and demonstrated a high level of confidence in their ability to plan and deliver high quality professional development.
Steverson & Associates commitment to training excellence extends beyond the lead trainer's initial development. All “lead” trainers are provided with continuous, on-going training and support to ensure that they remain current with the most recent and relevant research. “Lead trainers are graded and provided with support at the conclusion of each training day. Smar²tel site coordinators conduct follow-up conferences to: (1) provide feedback and allow for self reflection of the day’s training; (2) review participant surveys to ensure that the individual and collective needs of our participants are being met; and (3) adjust—if necessary— the next day’s training module to better address participants' needs.
LEARNER CENTERED ENVIRONMENT
Steverson & Associates' trainers are always focused on creating a learner-centered environment that utilizes the best practices of adult learning theory. Our methodology involves an interactive process that allows teachers to make connections, participate in meaningful discussions and apply their learning to contextual situations. All trainings are designed to provide direct, concrete experiences that are important and relevant to the learner's personal and professional needs. Research-based information is provided through sharing of information, demonstration of instructional strategies and techniques, hands-on practice and simulations and opportunities for participants to reflect and plan for their own classroom usage.
Steverson & Associates' trainers work to make explicit connections to the professional development learning and the participants’ day-to-day activities. As participants practice the learning, they receive structured, helpful feedback that moves them beyond understanding to application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Small group activities provide an opportunity to share, reflect, and generalize the learning experiences and are structured to provide support from peers and to reduce the fear of judgment during learning. Through a cyclical process of self-reflection and building knowledge through modeling/demonstration, practice, feedback and planning, the learner can leave the training environment with relative assurance that they will be able to transfer their learning into sustained daily practice.
EFFECTIVENESS APPROACH
Steverson & Associates' training approach is effective because it is systematic and rigorous, based on the most current and confirmed research, fosters a learning community among parrticipants, acknowledges the wealth of previous experiences, emphasizes knowledge and competencies of participants, concentrates on the teaching/learning act, and focuses on relevant and applicable classroom implementation.
Richard Steverson
CEO
Steverson & Associates
P.O. Box 9460
Marina Del Rey, CA 90295
Telephone: 310-320-8990
Fax: 310-320-8998
e-mail: rrsteverson@smartel.net
