Why
do public schools work for Wisconsin?
Here is just one reason
Student members of WEAC take advantage of out-of-class
learning opportunities
- By Pete Roller
- WEAC Community Relations Consultant
- Written for OnWEAC
While it may be somewhat true that today's college students have a different
perspective about their future than students in past generations, it is
definitely true that tomorrow's teachers share an almost altruistic view
of why they are entering the field of education.
"I want to be a teacher because I like kids and I want to make a
difference in their lives," said Jason Rose, Student WEA member from
the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. It is this common element that
seems to apply to WEAC members across the state. Nowhere was this more
apparent than at the Fall Workshop of the Student WEA held at the Chula
Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
With more than 250 aspiring teachers attending, the atmosphere was filled
with a mixture of fun and serious attention to the learning experiences
offered.
Keynote Speaker, Heidi Steffens of the NEA Center for the Advancement
of Public Education, opened the conference with a review of the many challenges
facing public school personnel. The remainder of the workshop featured
small-group sessions led by practicing WEAC members from across the state.
They included:
"I
want to be a teacher because I like kids and I want to make a difference
in their lives."
|
- Your Classroom, Their Home, presenter Dick Best (North Shore
United Educators): "Motivation occurs when kids get into a comfort
zone. Help them to feel that their classroom is their home."
- Authentic Assessment and the Portfolio in Language Arts, presenter
Carole Spenser (Eau Claire): "Authentic assessment has been used
in the language arts curriculum, now we must assess when and why it
is appropriate. Portfolios can help us do both."
- Multicultural Education, presenters Garfield Bright (NEA),
Hector Cruz (UW-Stout), Sam Vang (Menomonie), Sharon Cloud (UW-Stevens
Point): This panel of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds shared
personal viewpoints on the importance of multicultural education in
the classroom.
- Guerrilla Tactics in the Job Market, presenter Nancy Gray (Medford):
Creating a job-winning resume and the do's and don'ts of interviewing
were discussed. Participants learned how to catch the attention of their
future employer and "get that position."
- Inclusion, presenters Tom Kongslien (Marshfield), Vaunce Ashby
(Madison), Katie Stout (WEAC's Director of Instruction and Professional
Development): "As economic pressures force districts to make tough
program choices, it is more important than ever to increase collaboration
between regular and special education staff."
- The Issues and You!, presenter Bob Burke (WEAC Government Relations
Division: "The presidential elections may be over, but legislation
continues to affect our classrooms."
- Celebrating the Complexity of Student Intelligences, presenter
Jo Burke (Eau Claire): "Teachers in the 21st century will need
to serve an increasingly complex and diverse population of students."
Participants learned about the research on multiple intelligences and
how they can teach to these intelligences, while maintaining high standards
and self-esteem.
- The Times are a-Changin', presenter Bob Albrightson (WEAC-Retired,
Shorewood): "The profession of teaching - Where have we been? Where
are we going? and What's this union thing anyway?"
- Team Building, presenter Marla Robinson (Milwaukee): Robinson,
the former NEA Student Program Chairperson, conducted an interactive
seminar on the principles of team building.
- Information Technology in the Classroom, presenter Wayne Reynolds
(WEAC Information Systems Coordinator): Reynolds explored how the Internet,
multimedia and other technologies can improve teaching and help teachers
prepare students for life in the 21st century.
- What's All This Talk About Curriculum Integration?, presenter
Barb Brohagen (Madison): More and more teachers and school officials
are interested in moving beyond the separate subject approach to the
curriculum. Participants explored varying approaches paying special
attention to curriculum integration and the possibilities it brings
for real learning.
- The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, presenter Darcy
Luoma (WEAC): Luoma discussed Dr. Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits"
and how teachers can have fun working them into their careers.
The luncheon keynote address by Professor John Witte (UW-Madison Political
Science Department) on "The Educational Voucher Movement in America"
gave the workshop participants important data about a topic that will
affect their education careers. It related well with the workshop theme,
"Mapping our future ...Voyaging into the 21st Century"
It is clear that Wisconsin's teachers teach the very best since our students
continue to score at the top of national tests and have for a dozen years
running. It is also clear that WEAC members themselves have had a lot
to do with that record of success.
The Student WEA organization continues to contribute to Wisconsin's hallmark
educational system by offering quality work-related experiences to its
members who are going to be teachers. SWEA is another reason why public
schools work for Wisconsin.
Photo: Marla Robinson, the former NEA Student Program Chairperson,
visited with a table of Student WEA members at the fall conference. Robinson
conducted an interactive seminar on the principles of team building. Photo
by Pete Roller.
Posted March 22, 1997
