Summer Reading

Recommended books 

Ahhh, summertime and a better chance of reading. I’m sure some of you have selected your summer reading material and others are considering what to read. Whatever you decide on I do hope that not only do you find the books inspirational and filled with new learning but, that you find a place to read that is comfortable and allows you to squeeze every morsel of enjoyment out of each read. My suggestions include a variety.

If you’re looking for something on teaching and learning Jeff Beaudry and Anita Stewart McCafferty, professors at USM, have a new book called Teaching Strategies That Create Assessment-Literate Learners. The Foreword is provided by Rick Stiggins, from Corwin Press, published in 2018. It is based on their expertise and experiences in Maine schools and what they’ve observed. It includes many examples straight from the classroom, provided by Maine educators.

The Innovator’s Mindset by George Couros, Dave Burgess Consulting, 2015, is another practical book. George was a teacher, principal and now an educational consultant. He believes in the power of teacher leadership and empowering and supporting teachers so they can be better at teaching. He is ‘spot on’ about the importance of innovation in education.

The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz, Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale, 2009, is an inspiring story about how Jacqueline left a career in international banking to spend her life on a quest to understand global poverty and find powerful new ways of tackling it. She wanted to make a difference in the world and through education, empowerment and forming relationships her journey led her across the globe and back again several times. The book starts with her how Jacqueline had donated a beloved blue sweater to Goodwill. Eleven years later she saw a young child wearing her sweater in Rwanda. It became clear to her that we are all connected – in our actions and inactions. It is a wonderful story that I just couldn’t put down.

dare to lead by Brené Brown, Penguin Random House, 2018. Brené’s approach to living is refreshingly honest. She looks at her years of research on leadership and interacting with leaders and organizes it in this book. She emphasizes how important it is to be vulnerable and brave over comfort and the easy pathway. If you’re a leader who is looking for assistance in moving forward or in challenging your mindset, this book could be helpful.

Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World by Scott Harrison, Crown Publishing Group, 2018. Yes, this story is about Harrison’s focus on bringing clean water to people who don’t have access to it but it is so much more than that. It is about pulling yourself up by your boot straps, unconditional love, believing in people and yourself, never giving up, looking in the mirror and reaching out to others, and making the world a better place. It is a very inspirational book and I couldn’t put this one dow. It would be a great read for the beach (or pool, or deck, or almost any place comfy).

If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda, published by Random House, 2017. This is a book about communication BUT the best part is it’s about how Alda’s goal is better communication through his  experiences with acting, improv, science, and storytelling. The skills he offers are from his years hosting Scientific American Frontiers. Definitely many plugs for the value of the Arts.

I hope you’ll share what you’re reading this summer so others can be inspired!

Storytelling and Innovation

Southern Maine Partnership

The annual conference sponsored by USM and the the Southern Maine Partnership, Assessment for Learning & Leading was outstanding. These year’s theme was Brain-Based Strategies to Cultivate Positive Learning Environments. Conference planners Jeff Beaudry and Anita Stewart  McCafferty did an amazing job planning two days of

Jen Etter

keynotes and sessions that left participants excited and filled with information to use in their classrooms and school districts.  The featured keynote speaker was Dr. Marcia Tate whose work parallels much of the teaching and learning that takes place every day in visual and performing arts education.

Arts education played an important part of the conference as it has each of the past three years. Presenting at the conference were Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI)

Shawna Barnes

Teacher Leader York Middle School Music Educator Jen Etter and MALI Teaching Artist Leader Shawna Barnes. Their session was titled Brain-Based Strategies – Gateways to Creativity, Growth and Recovery. Jen provided information on strategies used in the music classroom that align with the brain research. Shawna offered information the role of the arts has in responding to disabilities and injuries. Each of them used examples from their work as teachers in the different settings.

I had a chance to with Lindsay Pinchbeck and offer a workshop called Storytelling and Innovation – an exploration in arts integration. If you click on the image on the right it will be larger and you can read our agenda. 

The participants were thoughtful and willing to share – opening their thinking and ideas. During part of the session participants had a chance to try Express-a-Book which is an idea created by Falmouth High School music educator Jake Sturtevant, Lindsay Pinchbeck and myself. It’s our answer to traditional book clubs. An opportunity to dive into a resource like a book, TED Talk or a pod cast and instead of only ‘talking’ about it, participants create a response using an art form and share the art with the group. We created it as part of the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) and have tried it with people around the world through our work with HundrED. Express-a-Book is part of Jeff and Anita’s recently published book Teaching Strategies That Create Assessment-Literate Learners.

Participants used the Hundred site or a segment of The Innovators Mindset by George Couros, Mindset by Carol Dweck or If I Understood You Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda. Afterwards they shared their take-aways from these resources so they could help build on everyone’s knowledge. I highly recommend all four resources for independent or collaborative reading with colleagues.

The most fun part of the session was at the beginning when participants used “story starters” and created a dragon together – a technique that we learned from MALI Teaching Artist Leader Nicole Cardano who is the founder of Theater Today.

We provided numerous research reports, articles and links to a variety of resources that participants could follow up with if they wish to learn more on arts integration, innovation, mindset, storytelling and many more topics that are centered on good teaching and learning.

We completed the session by participants providing a “one word poem” – growth, environment, open-minded, transformative, opportunities, engaged, non-linear, and global.

Lindsay and Argy

For those of you who don’t know Lindsay, her bio is below. If you’re interested in purchasing Jeff and Anita’s book please contact them at jeffrey.beaudry@maine.edu and anita.stewart@maine.edu

Lindsay’s Bio – Originally from Scotland Lindsay Pinchbeck came to Maine for her undergraduate degree. Lindsay has been teaching with and through the arts in a variety of settings for the past 20 years. Lindsay is the director and founder of Sweet Tree Arts and Sweetland School, a community organization in Hope, ME offering a K-6 arts Integrated, Reggio Emilia inspired school. Pinchbeck received her Masters in Education through Lesley University’s Creative Arts and Learning program. Lindsay believes the creative arts should be accessible to all. She encourages everyone to be active participants and keen observers with the hope of enriching communities through the arts. Learn more at sweettreearts.org.

 

Assessment for Learning & Leading

Brain-Based Strategies to Cultivate Positive Learning Environments

USM and Southern Maine Partnership present their annual Assessment for Learning & Leading Conference, May 6-7, Portland campus in Abromson Hall. This year’s theme is Brain-Based Strategies to Cultivate Positive Learning Environments.  Featured keynoter and presenter is the brilliant and exuberant Dr. Marcia Tate. 

REGISTRATION

In addition to daily keynotes and breakout sessions by best-selling author Dr. Tate,  dozens of Maine educators will be presenting!

 

Dr. Marcia Tate

These educators come from a variety of schools, districts,  higher ed institutions,  and  statewide educational  organizations and represent a host of roles (e.g., k-12 teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, central office administrators, higher ed faculty from undergraduate and graduate programs, professional development specialists, content specialists from the DOE, researchers, etc.) from a variety of content areas (e.g., social studies, literacy, math, visual and performing arts, science, leadership, teacher education, etc.). 

 

Please see the Conference Draft Program for specific session information. 

 

Session Topics include:

• Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Instructional Strategies that Engage the Brain
  
• Formative Assessment in the Brain-Compatible Classroom: How Do We Really Know They’re Learning
  
• Leading the Change Process
  
• Characteristics of a Brain-Compatible Classroom
  
• Brain-based Strategies – Gateways to Creativity, Growth and Recovery
  
• Pulling Tricks from Your Hattie
  
• Making Meaning in History Using Primary Sources
  
• Sit & Get Won’t Grow Dendrites: 20 Professional Learning Strategies that Engage the Adult Brain
  
• Storytelling and Innovation – An Exploration in Arts Integration
  
• All Aboard!! Experience The Power of Field Trips at the Osher Map Library
  
• Student Involvement & Student Voice
  
• Authentic Assessment:  Products and Performances for Student Success
  
• Assessment Literacy Leadership & Processes for Successful Implementation
  
• Sketchnoting & Visual Learning Strategies
  
• Develop Surveys To Get The Data You Want
  
• Escape This! Breakout Challenges in the STEM Classroom
  
• Shouting Won’t Grow Dendrites: 5 Ways to Detour Around the Danger Zones
  
• What Questions Do You Have? Inquiry in the Social Studies Classroom
  
• Using Visualization and Infographics to Tell Your Story
  
• Balancing Formative and Summative Assessment in High School Math Classroom – The Synergy of Feedback, Self-assessment and Goal Setting

This is going to be an incredible two days of learning! You and your team do not want to miss this unique learning opportunity in beautiful Portland, ME! 

Register at:

https://conferences.usm.maine.edu/attendeeonline/AutoLogin.aspx?page=new&event=2856&password=event

Jeff Beaudry & Anita Stewart McCafferty

Cost: $225 for full conference, including materials, lunches, and snacks; $125 for 1 day; $200/person for full conference for teams of 5+

Co-directors of the Southern Maine Partnership and responsible for the conference are Drs. Anita Stewart McCafferty, Assistant Professor, Department Chair and Jeff Beaudry, Associate Professor, both in the School of Education and Human Development, Educational Leadership Program.

Assessment for Learning Series

Penobscot River Educational Partnership

Leveraging Assessment Practices to Motivate Student Learning with Jan Chappius. Co-leading this series of PD opportunities are Dr. Jeff Beaudry and Dr. Anita Stewart McCafferty both Educational Leadership faculty at the University of Southern Maine. PREP is delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to not only members of PREP but also to other area school districts. All sessions will be held at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer and will go from 8:30 – 3:00 each day.

The sessions will take place on October 3, January 25, and April 26. To attend just October 3 the cost is $175 and to attend all three the cost is $250.

REGISTRATION

Assessment for Learning and Leading

Southern Maine Partnership/USM

The 2nd Assessment for Learning & Leading two-day conference on May 3rd-4th in beautiful Portland, ME on the USM campus. This conference is provided by the Southern Maine Partnership and USMs Educational Leadership Program.

This conference will provide opportunities to engage with internationally acclaimed classroom assessment experts, Jan Chappuis and Rick Stiggins (in person), USM faculty, and a host of educational practitioners on high-impact strategies of assessment for learning.

Guest presenters/administrators from Ashland Middle School (Oregon) Katherine Holden and Steve Retzlaff will join us and focus on proficiency-based assessment rubrics and systems thinking.

Dr. Holly Couturier, Assistant Executive Director of the Maine Principals’ Association, will share her leadership and assessment expertise.

Another area of focus will be data literacy with interim benchmark assessments like the MAP assessment from the NWEA and the Lucy Calkins assessment program. Tim Neville will represent the NWEA and Kellie Smith will present on the reading and writing literacy connections to assessment/data.

Teacher leaders and staff from the Maine Research in STEM Education Center will join us to present their assessment literacy leadership/study group model as well as sound assessments and scoring guides created around NGSS practices.

Leaders from schools and districts will discuss strategies for successful teacher and administrator leadership in professional development. Another feature will be the implementation of assessment for learning strategies with regional partnerships like Southern Maine Partnership, Penobscot River Educational Partnership, Washington County Leaders Consortium, Midcoast Regional Professional Development Center, and Northwoods Partnership.

Who Should Attend: The primary audience will be preK-12 educators and leaders;  however, we encourage higher education faculty, legislators, educational researchers, school board members, and other policy makers to also attend.

Cost: $225 fee for full access to 2-day conference, including all keynotes, sessions, materials, lunch, and refreshments ($125 for one-day only)

Register Now:
https://conferences.usm.maine.edu/attendeeonline/AutoLogin.aspx?page=new&event=1456&password=event

Southern Maine Partnership Conference

Great learning opportunity

Participants at the Southern Maine Partnership conference

It was so wonderful to attend and present with Rob Westerberg at the Southern Maine Partnership conference, Assessment for Learning and Leading: Impacting and Empowering Student Learning at USM in Portland last week. Our workshop was called Collaborative and Teacher-Led Improvement Communities. It was a bit of history of the Maine Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) and a good reminder for us to see where the Maine Arts Assessment Initiative (MAAI) started in 2010 and notice where MALI is at this point in time. The best part was to share several of the MALI Teacher Leader journeys. The bottom line is that these teachers are doing amazing work and sharing it all across the state and some outside of Maine. Their journeys are documented using a variety of medium to make the learning for others easy accessible. Documents and videos make up the plethora of resources found at http://www.maineartsassessment.com/. Just added to the site is the google presentation that we used at the Southern Maine Partnership conference.

The conference was attended by over 300 Maine educators – teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. One of the highlights of the conference was to hear Jan Chappius who gave the keynote to open the conference. Jan is the author of Seven Strategies of Assessment for Learning and co-author of An Introduction to Student-Involved Assessment FOR Learning and a couple of other books. Jan reminded me that students who are empowered to direct their learning have certain characteristics. They are motivated to learn independently of external rewards and punishments. They know how to assess their own learning needs and they seek out and use resources to assist their learning when needed. Students exhibit a willingness to try, a persistence in the face of difficulty, and a belief that effort will pay off in eventual success. Making the work relevant and authentic can help guide the student empowerment piece.

If you could not attend I highly recommend taking a look at Jan’s research. I am anxious to get back at reading her work myself. There were several other outstanding sessions as well. A great big thank you to Doctors Jeff Beaudry and Anita Stewart McCafferty, who serve as co-chair of the Southern Maine Partnership, and planned an outstanding conference!

Southern Maine Partnership

Learning opportunity at USM – two day conference