The world of education is buzzing with topics such as tinkering, project-based learning, maker spaces, personalized learning, and design thinking. All of these have a place and a purpose, but not in the absence of academic rigor and instructional expertise. In this session, teachers and leaders will examine practices which focus on high-quality instruction, a strong academic core, and the skills that matter most for today's students. Participants will explore structures where learning is the focus and drives the intentional use of tinkering, project based learning, maker spaces, personalized learning, and design thinking. Environments can come alive with critical thinking, real-world applications to solving problems, and curiosity that is encouraged through creativity and innovation.
Audience: Elementary Teacher, Middle School Counselor, Elementary Administrators, Middle School Administrators, Superintendent, District Office Leaders
This talk explores a socially, culturally, and digitally relevant model of literacy education that draws upon multicultural literature, contemporary events, and youth popular culture to inspire students as social actors, while also developing powerful readers, writers, speakers, and users of emergent digital technologies.
Audience: Elementary Teacher, Middle Teacher, High School Teacher, Elementary Administrators, Middle School Administrators, High School Administrators, Superintendent, District Office Leaders
This session will outline a model for introducing innovative, relationship-based strategies into the school system. We will highlight five programs that have created systemic school change while improving school climate and culture, all accomplished by developing productive and restorative stakeholder relationships. Our model aims to facilitate the planning and evaluation of both academic and social-emotional activities and initiatives.
Audience: Elementary Administrators, Middle School Administrators, High School Administrators, Superintendent, District Office Leaders