In case you missed them, here are this week's blogposts:
Policymakers: We Can Help Teachers Start New Schools
A Journey to a Teacher-Powered School
I'm looking forward to attending and presenting at the Innovative Schools Network (ISN) Conference in Wisconsin Dells next week (April 29 - May 1). This unique nonprofit is led by professional educators for the purpose of growing high-quality, research-based innovative schools. They provide professional training and guidance, ensuring that educators can easily collaborate, connect, and learn from one another.
The Innovative Schools Network believes not in reforming education, but in transforming it. The ISN currently has networks that include Montessori, project / inquiry-based learning, Green schools, Interdisciplinary Learning Collaborative (ILC), neuroscience, place-based learning, and multi-age classrooms, with more models likely to evolve such as STEM, language immersion career / technical education and others.
The partnership recognizes the need to develop a system to support continued innovation driven by the innovators themselves.
This is so needed for both charter and district public schools. So why aren't there more Innovative Schools Networks around the country? ISN is trying to fill the gap by expanding beyond its Wisconsin borders. A grand vision!
Watch for future blogposts from this conference, not only about session take-aways, but also about conference attendees.
The people who attend this conference have one thing in common-they want to see change. They are my kind of educators!