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The DSC National Conference—Sparkled with Brilliance

Submitted by Gina Zugelder on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 9:43am
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I have been fortunate over my career to attend numerous conferences but I have to say that the DSC National Conference, Innovation in Education, was truly one of the best for me! The collegiality, the time to collaborate with and learn from other educators, the uniqueness of the sessions, along with the commitment to grapple with what matters in education were some of the brilliant reasons I left the conference energized.

Along with attending conferences, I have heard my share of keynote speakers. I had given up on being dazzled in an authentic way by the keynote speakers' commitment and attention to the educational community and current issues. Well, I have to say that I was completely surprised and impacted the keynote provided by Tim Shriver.

Yes, that Tim Shriver of the Kennedy clan. Also, he is the CEO of the Special Olympics and Chairman of the CASEL Board of Directors. With a doctorate in education, one of Tim Shriver’s descriptions of himself in his twitter bio line is “teacher at heart."

This stance as educator was evident in his keynote speech. 

Below are some of the Tim’s words that resonated with me:

  • Implications to development of the students: Consider the behavioral, social, emotional, and academic aspects of teaching and learning.
  • We need to ask the question to the country: What matters? We, as educators, are not in the big discussion about defining what matters in education. The question is then: How do we, as educators, have that voice and truly engage with the country in what matters in education?
  • In order to discuss what matters, we need to engage in changing behaviors and changing attitudes. It is risky and hard to actually change.
  • Most people don't understand the complexity of social, emotional, and academic change.
    • We need to consider that we are confronting a generation of students who don't have dreams. 
  • The best way to prevent bad is to promote good. Prevention is coordinated developmentally appropriate strategy integration of social emotional learning (SEL) curriculums.
  • Implementation of SEL skills needs to be rigorous, research-tested, and make a case that this is education. SEL is real. School reform should focus on SEL learning.
  • A cultural problem needs a cultural solution. Currently we are in a culture of: blame, pressure, narrowly defined accountability, empowerment, and crisis-level resources.
  • Can the Common Core State Standards help? There is an opening. Standards have to promote change—change in which the learner is responsible for learning—toward the construction of knowledge.

My colleague Peter talks about the intentional planning of lessons that sparkle with brilliance to engage the learner in the think and construction of learning. I have to say that the intentional engagement of the learning at the conference sparkled with brilliance for me as I engaged in thinking about and pondering the educational issues before me as I plan to embark on another school year.

If you attended the DSC National Conference, what part “sparkled with brilliance” for you?

Gina Zugelder is a National Education Consultant for Developmental Studies Center
 

Comments (6)

Developmental Studies Center

Submitted by Marni Kay (not verified) on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 1:24pm.
Developmental Studies Center Innovation in Education National Conference can be described as…. Reflective, Responsive, Collaborative, Engaging and Inspiring!  Each keynote speaker, session, and structure planned for the participants to highlight and embody the essence of the Common Core Standards. We were engaged in whole group, small group and partner work situations that fostered critical thinking and collaborative sharing. What I have been reflecting on since, is that as educators we do not need to teach the CCSS to “compliance”.We do not simply need new spreadsheets, curriculum checklists, and focus calendars illustrating these new standards. Another piece of paper for a teacher’s plan book is not going to make a difference in teaching pedagogy.What is going to matter most?   The standards encourage teachers to refine their practice, collaborate with one another on best practice, and engage students in lessons that are thoughtful and intentional. Teachers need the opportunity to engage in collaborative discussions and planning opportunities surrounding student learning. We can accomplish this by engaging in Lesson Study cycles and true Professional Learning Communities. It is my hope that schools around the country plan on implementing both during the coming school year. I am excited about the standards and what they mean for classrooms everywhere! The CCSS encourage students (and teachers)  to be problem solvers, collaborators and effective communicators….that "sparkled with brilliance" for me!!! I feel fortunate to have been apart of such an amazing group of innovative educators!

Thank you Gina and Marni! I

Submitted by Ashley (not verified) on Mon, 07/02/2012 - 6:30pm.
Thank you Gina and Marni! I too, am relishing in the brilliance of the DSC National Conference. In addition to the aspects you both mentioned, some of the verbage that now shine brighter than ever for me are... "The head and the heart are in the same body. You cannot impact one without the other" "For quality implementation of the standards, CCSS begs for the SEL approach to be fully integrated." "We need to voices of those of us actually teaching children, providing PD, coaching, etc. to enter into the bigger conversation. Now is the time to shape the national conversation and public discourse around what we WANT the Common Core to be for our children...around what it COULD be for education." "We must find ways to ask the question well. To the country, teachers, our students, etc...What are the questions that matter?" "I never saw what my child couldn't do"          

As we navigate through our

Submitted by Glenna Petrine (not verified) on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 11:46am.
As we navigate through our daily lives we are sometimes mired by the numerous expectations and challenges in education. The structure of the DSC National Conference allowed for me to stop and really consider "What matters most?"  Tim Shriver brilliantly set the tone for the conference through his powerful  mesage to "think big!" He challenged all of us to take insights of our own experiences and work and think about how we can talk to the country about what matters. The sessions throughout the first day helped me form a mental model of what a school looks like that has created a culture for learning.  Peter Brunn added dimension to my understanding with his remarks on professional learning communities. "If innovation happens in groups, why do we make teachers work alone?" The work we are asking teachers to do is hard! It is imperative that we create PLCs where teachers are actively learning, engaging in productive struggle with divergent thinking, and given the opportunity to express their ideas. The culminating activity for the first day, the DSC Cafe, took us back to the question: In the age of common core standards, what matters most? I shared in meaningful conversations with educators from around the country about what we feel matters. We not only expatiated on our hopes for common core standards for our kids, but also formulated intentional plans for supporting our teachers. Through the design of the DSC National Conference, I was able to deepen my knowledge of school communities and PLCs and also stretch my thinking about Social Emotional Learning. And that was just Day 1....

Thank you for sharing! Marni,

Submitted by Gina (not verified) on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 12:37pm.
Thank you for sharing! Marni, thank you for sharing all that enjoyed about the conference.  I too am struck by the fact that we need to provide time to refine our practice and collaborate to support and engage the students.  I cannot wait to hear more about the action steps that you take to bring your learning to life!  Please share with us!   Ashley, the discourse about what we want the CCSS to be for our children is a powerful message!  I am wondering in what ways you will engage in the "big conversations".  These are sometimes hard to have especiallygiven a new topic - but so important.  We cannot just "do" the standards, we truly have to reflect on why and how. Glenna, working alone is no good!  That is one of the most refreshing things about the conference - collegial, collaborative conversations, planning and grapplng with the big ideas!  The aspect of community and SEL in the acaemdic life of teachers and students is often missing, esp in our professional learning- I was so appreciatative to have a day to reflect and consider the impact! Cannot wait to hear from others...    

I agree that the conference

Submitted by Bryan Zugelder (not verified) on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 1:25pm.
I agree that the conference was such a wonderful learning opportunity.  I am so impressed with Developmental Studies Center and value the focus on true learning, as well as the social and emotional components of educating the whole child.  I found the conference to be a true model for effective professional development.  I also enjoyed seeing the CCSS practiced in real-world settings. I am excited to know that we have passionate, caring educators across our nation who can deeply impact our profession.  I was impressed when Tim Shriver said that we cannot sit idle.  We must stand up for our profession and bring forth what we know is best for kids. Thank you DSC for providing a forum where sound, professional educators can gather to learn from each other and collaborate.  I look forward to next year!

So true, Bryan.  I agree

Submitted by Gina (not verified) on Tue, 07/03/2012 - 6:10pm.
So true, Bryan.  I agree about not beng able to sit idle...What are some ways that others will stand up for our profession...

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