Wk 4 Thinking out Loud #2: This is it!

At first I thought the best place to present my findings and perhaps spur other instructors to motivate and engage their students would be the Garland ISD District CATE Conference. So that's the one I submitted. It got shot down :~)

Then thanks to prodding from Dr. Bedard, and realizing that maybe others may want the input of a lowly masters candidate, I discovered the Texas Industrial Vocational Association http://www.tiva.org. 


TIVA is a state conference (think tank) held twice a year where instructors and business professionals from every industry come to discuss ideas, learn about new legislation, and network. So, I called and the Executive Director is sending a call for presenters to me! This should be interesting!


Wish me luck!!

Educational Philosophy = Life Philosophy

Everyone can learn! It’s just a matter of finding out HOW the student learns. But it’s also about: what happened the night before, on the way to school, during lunch/recess, in the classroom.  It’s about providing a safe zone. A place that the students feel understood. They can answer a question or offer insight without worry of repercussions. Some would argue that students have changed. They have, but not in the way one might imagine. Their vocabulary has changed. The way they dress has changed. The things they do on their free-time has changed. But they still have a burning desire to learn. Not regurgitate. Learn. They still have a burning desire to be respected. To feel understood. To feel like someone out there cares that they are here.

Wk 4 PLP: I FOUND IT!

Please take a look at my presentation https://files.me.com/jalxeller/m45ftl
let me know what you think.

[From TIVA's website] "TIVA is the professional organization for Career and Technical Educators certified in  Trade & Industrial Education. TIVA participates in activities that assist in the professional growth of our students. Teachers are kept abreast of activities that affect their lives through regular email updates, newsletters and postings at http://www.tiva.org. Two conferences are run annually in the summer and winter where workshops, specialized training, mentoring and networking opportunities are primary objectives. Advanced certifications and TEA accredited activities dominate the organized activities occurring during both of these week-long conferences. A key to the success of the conference training is the wide spread involvement of industry leaders and instructors in the training sessions and workshops. TIVA is also the proud sponsor of the Manny Contreras Teacher Scholarship and the SkillsUSA-Texas student scholarships.  TIVA is a member of the Texas Career and Technology Council (TCTC) that unites all Career & Technical teacher associations.  We are the key state advocates for Trade & Industrial teachers and sponsor several state-wide awards as well as work to promote our teachers for key national teaching recognition. One of the highlights of the year for teachers and students occurs during our SkillsUSA-Texas Day at the Capitol in Austin where TIVA arranges to have the students sit in the Texas State House of Representatives and conduct a mock legislative session."


So, I called the Executive Director, Linda Holcomb, and she has agreed to let me do a late application to the July conference. If I can't get on the schedule for this one, she will reevaluate for the Mid-Winter, January 2012, conference.

http://jalxeller.blogspot.com/2011/06/wk4-thinking-out-loud-where-would-i.html

http://jalxeller.blogspot.com/2011/06/wk-4-thinking-out-loud-2-this-is-it.html

Wk4 Thinking out Loud #1: Where would I like to Present?

I would love to be able to share all of the tidbits I have gleaned through my research regarding the positive impact Career and Technology Education has on my target audience of Title 1, high risk minority students at the District Level CATE Conference prior to school starting.

With all the budget cuts, I feel presenting to the front-line-in-the-trenches instructors that teach the various CATE programs for Garland ISD at the kick off of our school year would boast the morale of our teachers and offer positive reminder of why we work in a Title 1 district.

To Present or to Publish that is the question!

Sooo, I'm trying to decide if I present at a conference or publish to a journal. I'm actually leaning toward presenting at our Kick off the school year Garland ISD District Career and Technology Educators conference. With all of the research I have done reflecting the positive aspects of what CATE classes do for our target audience, maybe just maybe, I can spur another teacher or two to become acclimated to the idea of being the board and framework. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could get some of the burned out dinosaurs to being a board.

@Nancy

http://web.me.com/nmadrigal/EDM_613_Madrigal_Nancy_Blog/Week_4/Entries/2011/6/20_Wk4_Reading__Melodic_Life.html#

I love the title of this blog "Melodic Life". It is so, well, you!
Your view of how the book "The Art of Possibilities" is so uplifting. Like you, I really enjoyed the ideas that by "buying" in to the Zander's ideas will bring a more peaceful existence in not only my life but, I hope by living the example, to my students. Maybe even bring a little peace to their choatic lives.

@ Ali:

http://aliweinreb.blogspot.com/2011/06/week-4-free-choice-ron-smith-interview.html?showComment=1308616535705#c3318605723745623716

Ali,
I totally agree with the idea of creative freedom. But in order to get creativeness out of your students you also have to create a learning environment where your students feel "safe". Safe to be themselves without ridicule from classmates. A zone where everyone has the right and ability to discuss inner feelings. That is critical in our arena.
I can't wait til you get your own classroom! You, my friend, are going to be awesome!