Any Word on "21st Century Schools?"
March 2, 2010 2:49 AM Subscribe
Teachermefi: I'm a middle school special ed teacher and my district wants to send me to this conference: Designing 21st Century Schools. Does anyone have any experience with this organization? I hate taking time away from my class to doodle, but it's supported by Edutopia, George Lucas' educational foundation and seems possibly worthwhile.
The fact that the district wants to send you sounds like they want to invest in you and develop your leadership. Good for you.
I would have a conversation with your sponsors to get details about their reasons for sending you. Are you going "shopping" for new programs and ideas that the district may want to consider for the future? Are you looking for resources for a specific area, perhaps related to special education? How much authority do you have here? Can you purchase resources and schedule vendor visits to your district? Or is this just an "observe and report" trip?
Is anyone from the district going with you? Someone who is part of the decision-making strata?
Nothing lets you down more than coming back from a conference full of great, exciting ideas to find out that nobody back home cares or are willing to listen to the new ideas, let alone make changes based on them. The greatest conference in the world is a waste of time if your expectations do not match your mission and mandate.
That said, there is a great benefit from stepping away from your everyday to get a new perspective, learn new ideas, and make new contacts. Even if you are not on a mission to transform your district, you may find some resources that might help renew your teaching.
One thing I've learned is that the most valuable parts of conferences are the coffee breaks, socials, meals, etc. as much or even more so than the sessions. It's the contacts, the shop talk, the sharing tips and ideas that will be of the most immediate benefit for you. A good conference will design its agenda to accommodate this reality. (Some conferences are designed entirely on this premise.) Go to the sessions, sure, but make sure you take advantage of the many networking opportunities. That's where the gold is for you.
Your kids will be fine. A little break from the routine will be good for you and your students in the long run. Go have fun.
posted by cross_impact at 6:38 AM on March 2, 2010
I would have a conversation with your sponsors to get details about their reasons for sending you. Are you going "shopping" for new programs and ideas that the district may want to consider for the future? Are you looking for resources for a specific area, perhaps related to special education? How much authority do you have here? Can you purchase resources and schedule vendor visits to your district? Or is this just an "observe and report" trip?
Is anyone from the district going with you? Someone who is part of the decision-making strata?
Nothing lets you down more than coming back from a conference full of great, exciting ideas to find out that nobody back home cares or are willing to listen to the new ideas, let alone make changes based on them. The greatest conference in the world is a waste of time if your expectations do not match your mission and mandate.
That said, there is a great benefit from stepping away from your everyday to get a new perspective, learn new ideas, and make new contacts. Even if you are not on a mission to transform your district, you may find some resources that might help renew your teaching.
One thing I've learned is that the most valuable parts of conferences are the coffee breaks, socials, meals, etc. as much or even more so than the sessions. It's the contacts, the shop talk, the sharing tips and ideas that will be of the most immediate benefit for you. A good conference will design its agenda to accommodate this reality. (Some conferences are designed entirely on this premise.) Go to the sessions, sure, but make sure you take advantage of the many networking opportunities. That's where the gold is for you.
Your kids will be fine. A little break from the routine will be good for you and your students in the long run. Go have fun.
posted by cross_impact at 6:38 AM on March 2, 2010
Also, I think it sends the wrong message if you turn down a professional development opportunity that your bosses are interested in for you.
The fact that the district wants to send you sounds like they want to invest in you and develop your leadership. Good for you.
Yes. When you are tapped to go to things like this, it is often because you have been noticed (in a good way) by the powers that be and they are trying to reward you by sending you to a conference and oh by the way it might even help you in your classroom. If you can bring any of it back and incorporate it in your class and maybe spread it to other classes, it will be a huge win for you and your reputation in the district.
posted by Doohickie at 7:59 AM on March 2, 2010
The fact that the district wants to send you sounds like they want to invest in you and develop your leadership. Good for you.
Yes. When you are tapped to go to things like this, it is often because you have been noticed (in a good way) by the powers that be and they are trying to reward you by sending you to a conference and oh by the way it might even help you in your classroom. If you can bring any of it back and incorporate it in your class and maybe spread it to other classes, it will be a huge win for you and your reputation in the district.
posted by Doohickie at 7:59 AM on March 2, 2010
I can understand not wanting to go to something if it's not worthwhile... I've been to too many professional developments that were a waste of time. It seems like this conference is focusing on ways of using multimedia and technology in meaningful matter, which would be useful. However, if your district doesn't have the money or the equipment to implement it, it may not be worth it. A lot of the other stuff on their list sounds like all the usual things you've heard before at your district PDs.
I do agree with what the others said, though. Being nominated is a good thing, and your students can live without you for a few days. So unless you hear bad thingsabout the conference, I would go.
posted by mikeweeney at 1:58 PM on March 2, 2010
I do agree with what the others said, though. Being nominated is a good thing, and your students can live without you for a few days. So unless you hear bad thingsabout the conference, I would go.
posted by mikeweeney at 1:58 PM on March 2, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, I think it sends the wrong message if you turn down a professional development opportunity that your bosses are interested in for you.
I have met/heard Milton Chen, from George Lucas's organization. He was worth listening to.
posted by tk at 6:32 AM on March 2, 2010 [1 favorite]