Currents in Education
York School Department invites community to attend Summer Institute Keynote
By Maryann Minard, Ph.D.
K-12 Curriculum Coordinator
YORK - The York School Department will hold its seventh Summer Institute, Monday, June 25, through Thursday June 28, at York High School. Over 140 educators will participate in the four-day event with teachers coming from points as distant as Casper Wyoming and Fort Worth, Texas. Eleven courses, ranging from mathematics methods to Special Education Law, will be offered during the professional development workshop. Teachers and educational technicians who volunteer their time to the attend the Summer Institute earn either graduate course credit or Continuing Education Units that can be applied toward professional recertification. Courses are taught by York teachers, University of Southern Maine and University of New Hampshire instructors and contracted instructors. Bringing summer professional development opportunities directly to the York staff permits ease of access and allows teachers to enjoy time for sustained learning in a relaxed and collegial environment.
The Summer Institute will include a featured keynote speaker. On Monday, June 25, at 8:45 a.m., Dr. Alan November will present a two-hour session in the York High School Auditorium. Members of the community are encouraged to attend this important presentation.
Alan November is recognized internationally as a leader in education technology. He began his career as an oceanography teacher and dorm counselor at an island reform school for boys in Boston Harbor. He has been a director of an alternative high school, computer coordinator, technology consultant and university lecturer. As practitioner, designer and author, Alan has guided schools, government organizations and industry leaders as they plan to improve quality with technology.
Alan is well known for applying his humor and wit to inspire us to think about applying technology to improve learning. His areas of expertise include information and communication technology, planning across the curriculum, staff development, long-range planning, building learning communities and leadership development. He has delivered keynote presentations and workshops in all fifty states, in every province in Canada, and throughout the UK, Europe and Asia.
Alan was named one of the nation's fifteen most influential thinkers of the decade by Technology & Learning Magazine. In 2001, he was named one of eight educators to provide leadership into the future by the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse. His writing includes dozens of articles and the best-selling book, Empowering Students with Technology. Alan was co-founder of the Stanford Institute for Educational Leadership Through Technology and is most proud of being selected as one of the original five national Christa McAuliffe Educators.
All educators, parents and community members are encouraged to attend one or both keynote addresses. The topics reflect the expanded efforts to create and promote a global approach to education and maintain a focus on the importance of technology in education.
These topics are of vital importance to our schools and to our community. and we hope many members of our community will plan on joining us on Monday morning to listen, learn and reflect on what implications there are for the community of York.
Opening York's professional development to educators from across the country has proved to be a successful strategy for the York schools.
"By broadening the participation, we are able to offer a greater range of courses, and make it cost effective and engaging for teachers. York teachers thrive on the interaction with fellow educators from other school systems who share their interest in a particular subject," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Henry R. Scipione.
Visitors and locals alike will enjoy a taste of Maine while learning. Catering for the full-day events is provided by the York Schools' Nutrition Program. This year's program will include an optional Downeast Clambake at Foster's in York.
York's Summer Institute demonstrates that professional development for educators develops skills and content knowledge while providing inspiration and enjoyment for K-12 teachers, administrators and para-professionals. The Institute also provides time for reflection and planning.
