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  • About the Course

    Making Connections is an innovative, online learning tool designed to give mentors, teachers, counselors and volunteers the strategies and tools they need to build strong relationships with kids. For more information, click here.

  • About the Blog

    The Making Connections Blog is a place where mentors, teachers, counselors and volunteers who work with kids can come together to find support, resources and information that they can use to help them be even better at their jobs. It is a place to find answers, explore solutions, make connections, and share ideas, experiences, challenges and knowledge, all with the intent of finding more and better ways to build the kinds of relationships that help keep kids in school.

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    Blogger, course developer, and instructor, Tobi Kibel Piatek, writes about education, designs curriculum, graphics and websites, and teaches teachers, online and in person. A long time mentor, parent and educator, her work combines a love for kids, learning and technology.


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    Conference Deadline Extended

    By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Thursday, April 3rd, 2008

    Please share information about this terrific conference with co-workers and colleagues. By the way, I will be presenting a workshop - see details below

    Celebrating Educational Opportunities For Diverse Students
    2008 Northwest Conference
    April 25-27, 2008
    Embassy Suites, Downtown     [Map/Directions]
    Portland, Oregon

    Registration Deadline Extended!

    Learn new strategies for driving educational achievement

    Come to the fifth Celebrating Educational Opportunities for Diverse Students conference this year in Portland and be inspired by three outstanding keynote speakers, choose from 24 workshops highlighting successful programs from around the Northwest, and network with peers who share the same challenges.

    The conference is for school board members, superintendents and district staff responsible for the education of English Language Learners, migrant students, Hispanic/Latino, African American and Native American students, homeless, incarcerated youth and all diverse student populations. 

    This conference is a collaborative effort of the school boards associations of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Nevada, and we are pleased to have participation in developing the conference program from Oregon Commission on Children and Families, Portland State University, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Migrant Education Service Center (WESD), Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, and the Portland Schools Foundation.

    The Northwest Conference is a Collaborative Project of:

    Oregon School Boards Association
    Idaho School Boards Association
    Nevada Association of School Boards
    Washington State School Directors’ Association

    For more information http://www.osba.org/leadrshp/ceo/#Registration

    Strong Relationships Help Keep Kids in School
    Tobi Kibel Piatek, Portland State University
    This session explores ways that school districts can reduce the dropout rate through relationships with young people formed by trained K-12 educators and mentors. Strategies are drawn from three years of research collected by a 30-person panel of community leaders and professionals from education, business and government. Their research overwhelmingly shows that rigor, relevance and relationships are crucial to educational success. Although more time and dollars are invested in the first two, a one-on-one relationship with an adult who truly cares is every bit as critical. Session addresses research, processes and best practices that school districts can adapt to help them to achieve this essential competency.

    Topics: Upcoming Events | No Comments »

    YWCA 16th Annual Leadership Luncheon

    By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, April 1st, 2008

    April 23rd, 2008
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    Oregon Convention Center

    Keynote Speaker:  
    Jeannette Walls
    The YWCA of Greater Portland is thrilled to be featuring best-selling author, MSNBC correspondent and columnist, Jeannette Walls as the keynote speaker at our 16th Annual Leadership Luncheon. Her novel, *The Glass Castle has catapulted her from reporting on celebrities to being the subject of celebrity reporting! After 80 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, Ms. Walls recently riffed with Stephen Colbert on the popular Colbert Report, and The Glass Castle has been  optioned into a feature length film.

    Ms. Walls is witty and engaging, embodying the kind of story that we often see in those seeking services at the YWCA. An afternoon with Jeanette Walls will drive our major yearly fundraiser and is sure to be a memorable event.To register and purchase tickets click: HERE
    *Ms. Walls will be signing her book in the lobby after the Luncheon.

    Topics: Upcoming Events | No Comments »

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