Boot Camp Update - Dedicated Teachers in Pittsburgh Area

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We just wrapped up the final leg of our teacher boot camp tour with workshops in Pittsburgh and New York. While everyone on the team is exhausted, the one thing that keeps the energy high is meeting other teachers who are truly making a difference. I met teachers in both cities who paid to come to boot camp on their own - no funding from their schools or the district. I asked the same question you’re probably asking, “Why did you do it?” One self-funded teacher in the Pittsburgh workshop described answered with this…

I’m a professional who believes that training is important. I think that teachers who isolate themselves to their classroom never grow. I really enjoy teaching science and I came to the workshop to find new ways to get my kids fired up. Once my Principal sees the results, she’ll support more and more. I know it.

It’s tough to believe that we work in a profession where our leaders don’t believe in or support professional staff development, but I can’t help but be inspired by her dedication to teaching and to her students. I also …

El Centro Teachers Hooked on Science

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Imagine a room filled with 183 energetic early childhood teachers and you’ll know how fortunate I was to present our Hands-on Science Secrets workshop in El Centro, California. Heather Vessey-Garcia worked for almost a year to plan every detail of the event… down to lightning fast on-site registration and a killer lunch (always important when teachers are showing up on a Saturday). Speaking of Saturday, I can’t begin to thank all of the participant for taking their personal time on the weekend to attend the workshop, but this shouldn’t surprise anyone who works with early childhood educators. The El Centro teachers were eager to learn about new activities for their children and to share some of the things that are working best for them right now. As always, if you attended the workshop, I’d invite to share a comment on ways you’re using the materials and information with your students… but don’t blame me for making a mess with the Mentos and Diet Coke eruption.