One of the ways Teaching Channel course writers stay connected to the classroom is by attending conferences. Recently, we gathered with hundreds of educators from across the country to discuss the Stories We Carry and the Future We Create at the Student Centered Learning for Equity Conference in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
Among our experiences at the conference were two that really stood out as engaging, thought-provoking, and persuasive:
Experience 1: Dr. Christopher Emdin
The personification of DYNAMIC! This speaker, with a PhD in Urban Education, bobbed and weaved his way through the room, keeping every one of us engaged as he reminded teachers they are the people doing the work. Dressed in a grass-green blazer, trousers with an understated hint of a pattern, and topped with a derby hat—he had us at “Hello”!
Dr. Emdin’s main points from his keynote address:
- Purpose is everything, changing your purpose for any reason is changing who you are
- Purpose is contagious
- In the world, there are those who “elevate” us, who he calls our Elevators
- Listen to your Elevators and seek the path designed to take you higher
- Look for people who energize you!
When I think about those actually doing the work, I remember Dr. Brené Brown’s reference to president Roosevelt’s speech, The Man in the Arena. Below is an excerpt from his 1910 speech in Paris:
Remind you of anyone? (Hint: TEACHERS!)
Beyond the keynote addresses, Dr. Emdin is the founder of #HipHopEd and the author of many books. We use his title STEM, STEAM, Make, Dream in course 5272: Cultivating Equity in STEM!
Experience 2: Hoċokata Ti
I was WOWED when I walked through the doors of this stunning public museum and was greeted, in Dakota, by two guides. Pronounced “ho-cho-kah-tah-tee,” which means “lodge at the center of camp,” the “3,805-square-foot public exhibit, Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake, provides visitors with a cultural experience that enhances their knowledge and understanding of the Mdewakanton (pronounced ‘med-ah-wah-kah-ton’ ) Dakota people and their history” (hocokatati.org)
Want to see the site for yourself? Select your date and time and get tickets ahead of time. Then, customize your experience to suit the needs of your group. There are numerous discounts available for students, veterans, and others. For those who can’t make it to the museum, the easy-to-use website provides educational videos, educator resources, articles, and information about exhibits for you to explore.
It is our pledge to stay connected with the classroom by attending conferences, volunteering at schools, and talking with teachers. If you have suggestions or opportunities to keep us informed and connected, please let us know at [email protected]
About the Author
Susanne Leslie is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Education. As a former parent educator, Susanne’s specialty is Culture, Wellness, and Early Childhood instruction. In her current role, she writes courses and content, and is an enthusiastic advocate for play and time outdoors as the best teaching tools.
Fun Fact: Susanne has jumped out of two (perfectly good) airplanes!
