Chocolate Inspiration
2009 |
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When: Thursday, February 26, 7:00-9:00 pm
What: Celebrate 13 years of Inspired Teaching with good company and the finest Swiss chocolate.
order your tickets today!
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Center for Inspired Teaching is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that exists to ensure schools make the most of children's innate desire to learn. We do this by investing in teachers. Please visit our website to learn more about our philosophy, programs, and results.
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Greetings!
Happy New Year! We hope that this newsletter finds you in the midst of a great beginning.
The last few months of 2008 were filled with growth at Inspired Schools where our staff facilitated retreats and led seminars on self-discipline and differentiated instruction. The months ahead promise more positive change. A kindergarten teacher at one Inspired School recently commented that the training she's receiving through Inquiry Groups (also known as lesson studies) is pushing her to discover new ways to reach all her students in spite of a large class size.
The second half of the 2008-2009 Inspired Teaching Institute starts up again with practicum sessions throughout this winter and the Saturday Workshop series begins in February.
Chocolate Inspiration, Inspired Teaching's annual fundraiser, will take place at the Swiss Ambassador's residence on February 26, from 7 to 9 pm. We hope you'll join us for this delicious celebration!
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| CONVERSATION CHANGER |
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 How much do schools really matter?
Focusing the national agenda on education
In a recent campaign to focus President-elect Barack Obama's administration on education in its first 100 days, the Forum for Education & Democracy has created a four-minute video that incorporates the voices of the people most immediately affected by changes to education--students, teachers, and community members.
Quality education is the foundation of a society, so education reform affects us all, and you can help shape it. Visit the campaign's site at www.WillWeReally.org. You can watch the video or move straight to action by reading the petition or clicking the link titled, "What Else Can I Do?"
Last year Inspired Teaching's Executive Director, Aleta Margolis, was heard on WAMU 88.5 speaking about the essential relationships between voting, education, and public policy. What will this new year and new Presidential administration mean for education reform, and what role can you play in making change? |
INTERVIEW WITH AN INSPIRED PRINCIPAL
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 Michelle Edwards Talks about Orr
Turnaround school stories in Washington, DC are few and far between. When they make it into the headlines they usually involve a school that has replaced all its staff and started from scratch. Inspired Teaching partner school Orr Elementary's turnaround story is different. The school has seen remarkably low teacher turnover in the past 5 years and the experienced staff is challenging the theory that veteran teachers can't change their practice. Read this interview to learn more about Orr's successes and the way Michelle, her staff, and her partners have made them possible. |
INSPIRED LINGUISTICS
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 Last week Dr. Julie Sweetland, Director of Research at Center for Inspired Teaching, presented a talk about her work at the Linguistic Society of America's Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The Linguistic Society of America is the major professional society in the United States that is exclusively dedicated to the advancement of the scientific study of language. The Annual Meeting is designed to heighten awareness among linguists about how they might better work with teachers to use scientific approaches to language instruction. Julie's talk, titled "Inspired linguistics: A strength-based approach to teacher education," described Inspired Teaching's innovative approach to teacher education, using examples from last year's advanced seminar, "Language in the Classroom." |
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Teacher Advisory Board Meeting
When: Wednesday, February 10, 5:00-7:00 pm Where: Center for Inspired Teaching, 1436 U St. NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20009 Spend a few hours with fellow Inspired Teachers planning the 2009 Inspired Teaching Alumni Conference and discussing how schools can and should support students' and faculties' cultural needs. RSVP by February 6 to Griffin by email or call 202.462.1956.
 Inspired Teaching Institute Practicum SessionsWhen: February 3, 17, March 3, 5; 4:30-7:30 pm Where: Thurgood Marshall Center Trust 1816 12th St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009 Participants in the 2008-2009 Inspired Teaching Institute complete the course this winter with four more practicum sessions. Contact Kaneia Mayo with questions, 202.462.1956. Literally Inspired - Saturday WorkshopWhen: February 7 - 9:30 am-12:30 pm Where: Augustana Lutheran Church, 2100 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009 Discover ways to make language arts engaging, meaningful and intellectually stimulating for students of all ages and interests! Explore creative hands-on approaches to teaching literary concepts, and learn new ways to help students enjoy reading and writing through improved skills. Register online or contact Kaneia Mayo, 202.462.1956. | |
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