MICDS Summit for Transformative Learning

Best Practices in Pedagogy and Assessment
With the abundance of research on learning and the trend toward ubiquitous technology, the pedagogical and assessment practices needed in the classroom have evolved. This strand will feature work by experts in the field and the opportunity for participants to engage in conversation about contemporary best practices. A range of topics will be covered, including motivation and engagement, thinking routines, standards based formative feedback and grading, creating authentic assessments, building relevance, project-based learning and more!Brains on Learning
Creating an environment that maximizes student learning is every teacher’s goal. Doing so requires teachers to explore the research on learning and the brain. How does the brain form and retrieve memory? How do we help students understand how their brains learn? How do we tailor instruction to leverage what we know about how the brain works when we learn? This strand will allow participants to consider brain-based strategies that support student learning.Contemporary Literacy
Today’s students need traditional skills including reading, writing and arithmetic but they also need to develop global, digital and media literacy skills. Technology can help today’s students connect and collaborate to develop a contemporary skillset. It also provides ways to better monitor and teach the traditional literacies. Project based learning provides a vehicle for allowing students authentic practice with all of the skills required. This strand will ask participants to consider the best ways to prepare our students for a life of learning.Excellence in Teaching, Coaching, and Athletic Development
A healthy body is the key to a healthy mind.  This strand will explore how to achieve excellence in teaching, coaching, athletic development, and physical literacy by exploring topics that apply to physical education, sport coaching pedagogy, as well as the development of grit.  Discover the strategies used by some of the country's top educators, coaches, and researchers to produce well-rounded student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the field.

It's Elementary
Implications of brain research on teaching and learning, best practices in pedagogy and curriculum design, formative assessment, dynamic connections between a child's social/emotional health and academic success, incorporating effective and appropriate technology into the learning experience:  all of these topics have direct implications for the teachers of early childhood through 6th grade.  Expert practitioners with an elementary age focus will present in all areas.  Teachers of this age group will find sessions for them on many topics including differentiation, assessment and grading in the critical early years, developing essential math skills, reading and writing in today's elementary world, project-based learning and Makerspaces for elementary students, and creating a healthy social/emotional classroom.

In addition to our Keynote Speakers, we are pleased to announced our Featured Speakers:

The Summit will be held in the School’s recently completed state-of-the-art McDonnell Hall and Brauer Hall STEM Building. The 86,000 square-foot building includes an 800-person auditorium, nine large math classrooms, 10 science clabs (classroom/labs) and a commons and hearth room area designed for collaboration. The building serves as a teaching tool with visible working systems allowing students to track the energy the building consumes as well as the energy it produces.  Take a virtual tour by visiting stem.micds.org.

Practical Applications in Principle Based Coaching and Strength Training in the Large Team Setting
In this dual-topic session, Mark will discuss what he feels the foundations of effective coaching are, and strategic ways to implement them into your locker room, weight room, or classroom.  Coaching is teaching, and it is vital for the successful coach or teacher to have principles from which to build upon; Mark will give his insight as to what makes the great coaches exactly that...great.  In addition, Mark will use the MICDS weight room to show you how to efficiently construct, cue, and execute a training session in the large team setting.  This will truly be a valuable presentation for all coaches focused on developing their athletes.
Presenter: Mark Watts, Director of Education, EliteFTS
Strand: Excellence in Teaching, Coaching, and Athletic Development
Audience: K-12 Coaches
Location: 262