EDUCATORS SUMMER SYMPOSIUM

June 9, 2009Adjusting the Sails:

Teaching When the Waters are Choppy

SAILING WHEN THE WATERS ARE CHOPPY

Pessimist – Complains about the conditions.

Optimist – Hopes the conditions will change.

Realist – Adjusts the sails.

Purpose of today’s session Identify the conditions Prepare to adjust the sails

ADJUST THE SAILS A IS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

“Test” is truly a four letter word in education! Most educators identify with the Einstein quote:

“Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.”

Myth – Parents are aware of achievement results.

Fact – Most school decisions are based on convenience.

ADJUST THE SAILS

D IS FOR DIVERSITY Sioux Falls School District

1996 - 97 – White = 91% Diverse = 9% 2008 – 09 – White = 78% Diverse = 22%

Statewide numbers – Native American 1998 12,324 9.41% 2008 14,112 11.66%

ADJUST THE SAILS

D IS FOR DIVERSITY Adjusting the sails

Raise the awareness of different cultures

Create national/international “neighbors”

Current events can be a cultural teaching tool

ADJUST THE SAILS

J IS FOR JOBS The days of “career service” are quickly

ending People will have multiple careers in a lifetime

Teacher Education – Prepare graduates for a career in education (5 – 7 years)

Prepare students for multiple careers

ADJUST THE SAILS

J IS FOR JOBS Adjusting the sails

Continue to encourage all careers for both genders

Unique child – unique talents Recognize the passion Feed the passion

ADJUST THE SAILS

Students of today are Millennials

Born between 1982 – 2003

Fairness is important to Millennials

Not a fan of status quo

U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS

ADJUST THE SAILS Millennials – Favorite

things about school? Friends Special days/field trips Sports Boyfriend/girlfriend Extracurricular

Millennials – Least favorite things about school? Getting up early Tests Homework Length of School Day Peer pressure

ADJUST THE SAILS

U IS FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENTS

Adjusting the sails Create opportunities for student dialogue Develop student teamwork and management

skills Give students a voice Build media literacy skills

Fact/fiction? Credible/reliable?

ADJUST THE SAILS S IS FOR SKILLS Basic Skills – Needed for any career

opportunity Singapore’s motto – “Teach Less – Learn

More” 21st Century Skills

Communication Problem Solving Teamwork Application of learning

ADJUST THE SAILS

S IS FOR SKILLS Adjusting the sails

Develop components to lessons (communication)

Allow students to have choices

Provide experiences to embed learning

Internships Grade level/Senior

Projects

ADJUST THE SAILS

T IS FOR TIME AND TECHNOLOGY Technology

Allows teachers to personalize curriculum Technology can be “economic equalizer” Teacher becomes partner in learning

Time Variable – not a measure of learning Focus on learning not the calendar

ADJUST THE SAILS

T IS FOR TECHNOLOGY Adjusting the sails

Take a tip from the University system CLEP – prove knowledge prior to coursework On-line learning – flexibility of schedules Development of end of course exams MS/HS – Courses meet 3 – 4 times/week

ADJUST THE SAILS

Conclusion Three reasons why it’s great to be a teacher Schedule – Take some time to enjoy your

summer

Security – Insurance and retirement are blessings

Significance – You are shaping the lives of your students