Speakers
Monday, August 6 2012
Alfie Kohn
Alfie Kohn is the author of twelve books, including Punished by Rewards, The Schools our Children Deserve, Unconditional Parenting, The Homework Myth, and, most recently, Feel-Bad Education. He has been described by Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades [and] test scores." Kohn lives (actually) in the Boston area and (virtually) at www.alfiekohn.org.
In the morning session, Alfie Kohn presents:
The (Progressive) Schools Our Children Deserve
Our knowledge of how children learn - and how schools can help -- has come a long way in the last few decades. Unfortunately, most schools have not: They're still more about memorizing facts and practicing isolated skills than understanding ideas from the inside out; they still exclude students from any meaningful decision-making role; and they still rely on grades, tests, homework, lectures, worksheets, competition, punishments, and rewards. Alfie Kohn explores the alternatives to each of these conventional practices, explaining why progressive education isn't just a realistic alternative but one that's far more likely to help kids become critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
Dr. Punya Mishra - Michigan State University
Dr. Mishra is an award winning instructor who teaches courses at both the masters and doctoral levels in the areas of educational technology, design, and creativity. Dr. Mishra is a gifted, creative and engaging public speaker, having made multiple keynote and invited presentations for associations and conferences nationally and internationally. He is also an accomplished visual artist and poet. You can find out more about him by going to www.punyamishra.com.
In the afternoon session, Dr. Punya Mishra presents:
Creative Teaching with Technology, what does it take?
Technology is playing an increasing important role in the world of teaching, offering the potential to fundamentally change the practice and process of teaching and learning. These changes, however, present significant challenges to teachers and teacher educators. Confronting these challenges requires moving beyond notions of just integrating technology to an understanding of the complex issues teachers face.
In this session, Dr. Mishra will present the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework as a way of thinking about teacher knowledge, technology integration, and teacher creativity. He will discuss how technologies (both analog and digital) can influence teaching and learning and focus on what teachers need to know to develop innovative approaches towards technology integration. He will end with examples of current research and practice as well as offer implications for teacher education, teacher professional development and policy.
Tuesday, August 7 2012
Dr. Mike Schmoker
Dr. Mike Schmoker is a former school administrator, English teacher and football coach. He has written five books and dozens of articles for educational journals, newspapers and for TIME magazine. He also writes a monthly column for the Phi Delta Kappan. His most recent book is the best-selling FOCUS: Elevating the Essentials to Radically Improve Student Learning. His previous bestseller is RESULTS NOW: How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning, which was selected as a finalist for “book of the year” by the Association of Education Publishers. Dr. Schmoker has keynoted at hundreds of state, national and international events and has consulted for school districts and state and provincial education departments throughout the US, Canada and Australia. He now lives in Tempe, Arizona with his wife Cheryl.
In the morning session, Dr. Mike Schmoker presents:
Focus: First Things First for the 21st Century
In this session, participants will learn precisely where to focus their precious time, efforts and resources to ensure that all students are prepared for the 21st century demands of college, careers and citizenship. They will learn about the three most essential elements of good schooling, and how to implement them immediately, successfully and on a very clear, straightforward model. The three elements are:
- Coherent curriculum
- Authentic literacy
- Soundly-structured lessons
Despite their unrivaled power for improving performance in any and every school, these elements continue to be misunderstood--and grossly under-implemented. For this reason, these simple, familiar elements should be our first and highest priority. Participants will leave this session knowing both what to do and how to do it, in ways that will yield immediate and significant results.
Rushton Hurley - Next Vista for Learning
Rushton Hurley has been a Japanese language teacher, principal of an online high school, teacher trainer, educational technology researcher, and school reform consultant. He is the executive director of NextVista.org (a free educational video library) and runs the MERIT program at the Krause Center for Innovation (xrl.us/thekci). Rushton trains teachers at schools and conferences around the country on affordable technology, the power of multimedia, and the professional perspectives and experiences of teachers at all levels.
In the afternoon session, Rushton Hurley presents:
The Power and Possibility of Digital Media for Engaging Projects
What is it about audio, images, and video that so thoroughly capture the attention of our students? How can we use their fascination to help them learn more effectively and better see new possibilities for their futures? This session will include ideas on and work with various digital media tools, and prepare you to implement powerful projects with your students.
Wednesday, August 8 2012
Dr. Robyn R. Jackson - Mindsteps, Inc.
Dr. Jackson founded Mindsteps Inc. in 2006 to help teachers learn how to help every students meet or exceed rigorous learning standards. Her unique approach to professional development shows teachers how to create units that meet the learning needs of every student in the classroom, supporting struggling students without sacrificing rigor. Her work with administrators helps them effectively train and support teachers and create highly rigorous school programs that ensure equitable access to college readiness for all students. She also works with school systems and non-profits to remove institutional barriers to equity, access, and rigor for all students, particularly students of color who are traditionally under-represented in advanced courses.
Dr. Robyn R. Jackson presents:
Never Work Harder Than Your Students
This presentation provides an overview to the Seven Principles of Effective Instruction. Participants will determine where they are on the mastery trajectory, determine how to incorporate the principles into their instructional practice, and develop a plan for how to use the principles of effective instruction to resolve instructional challenges.
Brian Pete - Robin Fogarty & Associates
Brian, co-founder of Robin Fogarty & Associates, comes from a family of educators-college professors, school superintendents, teachers and teachers of teachers. He has a rich background in professional development. Brian has worked with the adult learner in districts and educational agencies throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He has an eye for the “teachable moment” and the words to describe what he sees as skillful teaching.
Brian Pete presents:
Teaching Thinking in the Common Core Standards
Brian will help educators answer the important question: Given the challenges to make practical sense of the Common Core State Standards, how do educators and schools arrive at practical solutions that will move learning for all students more rapidly into the 21st Century? Discover the desired student proficiencies of the CCSS: critical thinking, creative thinking, complex thinking, comprehensive thinking, collaborative thinking, communicative thinking, and cognitive transfer. Brian will discuss thinking skills associated with each of these proficiencies that are drawn from a high frequency list of key verbs in the Common Core State Standards. He will present a framework that provides an explanation, a rationale, and a mental menu that teachers can use to explicitly teach these skills.
Dr. Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco, Ph.D., is an author and illustrator of over 50 children's picture books and a native of Michigan. Dr. Polacco did not learn to read until she was almost 14 due to dyslexia, but went on to excel in education eventually receiving her Ph.D. in Art History. As a lifelong storyteller at 41 Dr. Polacco began writing her stories down and made her own drawings to help illustrate them. As she puts it, "The rest is history."
During the last hour of the afternoon session, Dr. Patricia Polacco presents:
The Heroes of My Life
Patricia thanks the heroes who have made a difference in her life. She pays homage to the distinct people and their ilk who have inspired her to become the person she is today… those who continue to make the biggest difference in the world each and every day, insuring the preservation and wellbeing of our most precious resource… our children. In addition to offering a glimpse into her past, from personal triumphs (learning to read), to family heirlooms (Anna’s quilt), this presentation is aimed at teachers, parents, librarians, and men and women alike, and is intended to uplift, inspire, and acclaim those heroes, who have devoted their lives to our children.
Thursday, August 9 2012
Dr. Thomas Guskey - University of Kentucky
Thomas R. Guskey, PhD, is professor of educational psychology in the College of Education at the University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago, he served as director of research and development for Chicago Public Schools and was the first director of the Center for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning, a national research center. Dr. Guskey is the author/editor of numerous books and book chapters, articles, and professional papers on educational measurement, evaluation, assessment, and grading. His articles have appeared in prominent research journals, as well as Educational Leadership, Kappan, and The School Administrator.
In the morning session, Dr. Thomas Guskey presents:
Grading and Reporting Student Learning: Effective Policies and Practices
This presentation describes the good, the bad, and the ugly of grading and reporting policies and practices. Stressing the importance of fairness and honesty in grading, a variety of ways to report student learning progress to parents and the community are discussed, including report cards, alternative formats for parent conferences, newsletters, phone calls, and other reporting tools. Designing new reporting structures that better communicate and involve parents in students’ learning will be highlighted, along with policies and practices that should be avoided due to their negative consequences for students, teachers, and schools.
Martha Kaufeldt
Martha Kaufeldt is a consultant, coach, author, and keynote speaker. She specializes in curriculum development, differentiated instruction, school restructuring, assessment, and brain-compatible learning strategies. Martha began her research of brain-compatible teaching and learning strategies while working with several school districts to develop gifted, talented, and extended-learning programs. She delivers motivational presentations and dynamic workshops that address the fundamentals of brain-compatible learning and differentiated instruction for all grade levels. Her particular strengths address differentiated instructional strategies for diverse classrooms, including ideas for addressing gifted and talented students and second language learners.
In the afternoon session, Martha Kaufeldt presents:
Think Big: Start Small – Differentiating Instruction
Differentiating instruction in any classroom with diverse learners can be a labor-intensive, daunting task – we know! Conscientious, dedicated teachers are encouraged to think big in their dreams and goals of designing differentiated instructional strategies. Martha will show you how to start small by demystifying differentiated instruction as you create an environment that maximizes student learning; engage learners with interesting, meaningful, relevant tasks; modify and extend learning to accommodate struggling learners and challenge capable students; and assess student progress and provide feedback.
Friday, August 10 2012
Dr. Anthony Muhammad
Anthony Muhammad, PhD, is a much sought-after educational consultant. A practitioner for nearly 20 years, he has served as a middle school teacher, assistant principal, and principal, and as a high school principal. His tenure as a practitioner has earned him several awards as both a teacher and a principal. Dr. Muhammad’s most notable accomplishment came as principal of Levey Middle School in Southfield, Michigan, a National School of Excellence, where student proficiency on state assessments more than doubled in five years. Dr. Muhammad and the staff at Levey used the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ model of school improvement, and they have been recognized in several videos and articles as a model high-performing PLC.
Dr. Anthony Muhammad presents:
No More Drama!: Getting Everyone on the Bus and Becoming Real PLC
This address will deal head on with the issue of conflicting agendas within schools. A PLC has a very clear purpose; learning for all students. We will examine the barriers to aligning the adult agendas with the school agenda and what leaders must do and what teachers must do to develop the synergy necessary to guarantee learning.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will:
- Understand the root cause of social division and how to heal old wounds
- Understand everyone’s role in developing a healthy learning environment
-
Embrace the moral imperative of schooling over personal agendas
Page last modified July 31, 2012
