Kaukauna teacher Bill Banks demonstrates the flyswatter game to Deerfield Elementary School teacher Cindy Perucco during a WEAC Convention workshop focused on techniques to make learning fun.

Engaging students through humor and creativity was a popular topic at the 2007 WEAC Convention, October 25-26 in Milwaukee. More than 2,500 WEAC members attended the annual event to learn about cutting-edge developments in the field of education and to reconnect with fellow educators.

From Kaukauna teacher Bill Banks' flyswatter game to Wavelength comedy group's “The Seven Habits of Highly Ineffective Educators,” teachers shared lots of laughs and new ideas to take back to their schools. “Bring humor into education. It's sorely lacking out there,” urged Rochelle Winter of Wavelength.

Wavelength travels throughout the country presenting its education-inspired productions such as “A Funny Thing Happened Leaving No Child Behind” and “Faculty Lounge! A One Woman Comedy Revue.”

Dozens of WEAC members – ranging from math to nursing teachers – rolled up their sleeves for hands-on workshops to learn skills to supercharge their classrooms. “I'm looking for new techniques to make my classes less dry,” one said. “I use some improvisation in my 4th-grade classroom – with 27 students – and they absolutely love it,” another added.

Christina Ratatori, a teacher at Elm Creative Arts Elementary School in Milwaukee, said workshops such as those offered at Convention give her new ideas. “I use improvisation with my dance students and as warm-ups,” she explained. “Here, I get so many different activities that I can take home and use right away.”

“You're the director, designer and stage manager,” Winter encouraged, as she ran through improvisational activities with the teachers. “Whatever your habits are as educators, it never hurts to take a risk.”

Along with the wide variety of workshops and seminars, WEAC members reunited with old friends and got a peek at the latest classroom resources displayed throughout the Midwest Airlines Center. “I came to learn about other resources available to me,” said Jackie Gough of Brodhead, who attended the Convention with her mother, Sherry.

Dawn Schaefer, a second-year teacher in Cudahy, attended the Convention for her first time at the urging of her friend Dawn Dessereau, a Milwaukee Public Schools teacher. “I like taking time to check everything out, see what's available,” said Schaefer. “It's great to see everything here.”

Posted October 30, 2007