Teacher development, speeches part of Blue Ribbon finale at Grayslake D46
Professional development sessions, South Carolina’s 2008 teacher of the year and a psychologist were part of the mix for the finale of an education conference at Grayslake Elementary District 46.
South Carolina-based Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Inc. staged the two-day gathering at Park Campus in Round Lake. District 46 Superintendent Ellen Correll said about 600 educators attended Friday’s final session, most were from her district.
Ann Marie Taylor, named South Carolina’s top teacher three years ago, gave a nearly one-hour speech in Park’s multipurpose room to end the conference. She used humor, inspirational stories and music in her talk on the importance of celebrating all students.
“You are given a gift,” Taylor told the teachers. “Some people have to travel across the world to go on mission trips, when your mission deal is right here in Grayslake. You have a position that you hold that has service built right in.”
Several teacher development sessions were available over four hours, including beginner lessons on interactive white boards by conference sponsor SMART Technologies, reading intervention and building background knowledge.
David Walsh, the Minneapolis psychologist and author considered an expert on the effects of technology on children’s health and development, held popular morning and afternoon sessions called “Say Yes to No: Why Self Discipline is the Key to School Success and How to Foster It.”
Walsh told about 75 teachers packed into the 50-minute afternoon session that “discipline deficit disorder” is epidemic among children today. He said too many children have unrealistic expectations, are self-centered and unable to delay gratification.
Electronic storytellers are creating a “yes culture” with messages that more, easy, fast and fun are what life’s about, Walsh said. He said a climate of disorder isn’t conducive to teaching, which is why children must learn how to say “no” to themselves.
Teachers also were told about myths about children’s self-esteem. Walsh said general praise doesn’t build it and challenges and disappointment don’t wreck it.
“Our job is to make sure our kids have the shock absorbers to handle the bumps dealt to them,” said Walsh, who ran out of books he was selling for $12 just before his final session.
In addition to the lessons and speeches, Friday’s visitors were afforded a chance to explore vendor tables. Liberty Mutual, Sylvan Learning and ETA Cuisenaire were among the participating businesses.
Correll expressed satisfaction with how the conference went Thursday and Friday.
“We are going to try to do this again next year,” Correll told the crowd just before Taylor spoke.
Bart Teal founded Chapin, S.C.-based Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence and has been a District 46 consultant since 2007. He’s known for giving publicized Blue Ribbon Lighthouse awards to some schools that hire his company — without publicly noting the financial connection.