"Ideas, Insights, and Challenges" Fall 2004 Conference

Partnership Teachers come together each semester on the university campus to discuss ideas and issues that impact teacher preparation and delivery in the classroom. A conference is held each semester for more than 100 partnership teachers and university supervisors who are working with interns. The conference provides a rare opportunity for teachers to have extensive dialogue with colleagues across counties. Professional growth opportunities embedded in the internship make important connections to learning and teaching for preservice and inservice teachers.

Guided by legislative direction that schools of education be accountable for student learning taking place during teacher internships, the Watson School began to look more closely at ways of measuring student learning during the practicum semester. Thus an important focus at these conferences has been (1) ways in which interns might demonstrate that their teaching during the practicum semester results in appropriate learning by students and (2) the role of the partnership teacher in assessment of student learning.

Because of the acclaim received from the Fall IIC conference participants, th e spring 2005 Curricular Studies Ideas, Insights, and Challenges Conference for Partnership Teachers, held Thursday, March 3, also featured nationally renowned clinician, researcher, and educator Horacio Sanchez, who graciously agreed to return for a second presentation, Ms. Sanchez spoke on “A Brain-based Approach to Achieving Educational Reform” to 147 Partnership Teachers, University Supervisors, and other partners and sparked animated discussion focused on his resiliency theory and its impacts on at-risk students. Mr. Sanchez bases his approach on current brain research and designs programs for increasing academic achievement and improving learning environments for all students.

Mr. Sanchez’ morning session focused on the structure of the brain and the risk factors that are impediments to learning. Through a series of examples, he explained the role that emotion plays in learning and the importance of understanding what is known about the way the brain functions. He discussed how and why “crisis” occurs and the impact perceptions have on our ability to process information and learn new material. He then offered suggestions for impacting perceptions in ways that allow students to feel wanted, to believe that they can succeed, and to feel safe in a learning environment. Mr. Sanchez insists that we must incorporate that knowledge into every teaching process and practice. He believes that reforming education using brain-based research should change:

• The way we teach
• The way we discipline
• The school climate
• The way we train teachers.

   

During his afternoon presentation, Mr. Sanchez offered specific strategies in classroom management and structuring instruction to assist teachers in working successfully with students who don’t arrive at school ready to learn. He emphasized the importance and benefits of physical movement, visual cueing, and relationship building. His final hour addressed the necessity of schools to improve language and ways to accomplish this goal. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments at the end of his presentation.

Teachers who attended the two-hour extended partnership teacher training in August and this daylong conference will receive a certificate for 10 hours of professional development.

About the Presenter:

A graduate of Brown University with two postgraduate degrees from Duke University, Horacio Sanchez has merged brain research, science, and practice to create a revolutionary framework for understanding childhood development, disorders, and treatment. He has been a teacher, school administrator, clinician, and mental health director. Both his educational and mental health programs have been published in the Behavioral Disorders Journal and Focus. His books on education and treatment have received wide acclaim. He is considered one of the foremost authorities on child and adolescent behavioral disorders and resiliency practice. He is the president and CEO of Resiliency, Inc., a consulting firm that provides a revolutionary paradigm for training individuals on how to achieve success in educating and treating the most difficult-to-serve children and their families. His techniques are based on extensive research on the way individuals learn and what must be done to transform new information into practice.

To learn more about Horacio Sanchez and Resiliency Theory, visit their website at http://www.resiliencyinc.com