EARCOS Teachers’ Conference 2016

from 2016 ET Journal Spring Issue

Campus Development

Over 700 delegates attended the first day of conference opening keynote of Mike Kuczala.

Manila is a place filled with wonderful people and a city on the move. From the moment I got into the taxi and headed to the hotel it was clear that the people of Manila were inviting. Upon arrival at the International School of Manila campus, I found it beautiful and the staff again very inviting. It is rare to attend a conference where from the start an attendee gains a sense of community, learning and value. Opening the conference Christopher Bill dazzled the audience with his own brand of music. Speaking for myself (and for the very excited band teacher sitting next to me) this was a treat. His fashion and style of music set the stage for a conference that would ask attendees to go beyond a typical classroom. Christopher Bill spurred us to tap our toes and shake our bodies.

It would be movement and learning that would follow as Mike Kuczala started us off with a rousing display of how even a library and tech guy like myself could better understand Math through movement. He went on to explain the means and manners which would ensure students brains would be engaged and actively learning. Further, he had an entire auditorium on their feet laughing and stimulating fresh thinking.

It was off to the sessions then. There were tons of choices on the first day. The session spanned everything from counseling to create great peer programs from Scott Lassey to Brain Dance by Terry Goetz. The rooms were full. I attended a great session by Jefferson Lipsky that detailed the ‘nuts and bolts’ of film in schools. While I attended some amazing sessions on the first day it was the last session that really got me locked in on learning. There were Joba-Like sessions for every strand. In mine we discussed things that are happening everyday and how everyone is working these issues. It was great networking as well as listening to unique approaches.

We ended that first day with a celebration in the middle of campus where we were able to network and share. Walking around the celebration, it was clear participants, rather than tired were electrified by the day’s sessions. Everyone was talking and mingling. All that stopped the conversation was an amazing cultural performance provided by The Bayanihan the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines. It was the perfect cap to end the day.

“Innovating Arts and Motion“

If the first day were any indicator, the second would be amazing. Dr. K. introduced Mark Jenkins, the keynote for day two, and he gave a talk that was truly inspiring. Mark spun the tail of his journey on assignment for National Geographic exploring what would be identified as the largest cave in the world. While the story of his journey was amazing in and of itself it was the images that truly inspired us to take chances, to extend our own learning and seek the latest information about quality teaching. In reflection, this presentation was an inspiration for teachers to struggle every day and stay the course while providing the best education for our students.

Keynote speaker Mark Jenkins. Keynote title: Vietnam Underground: The Viet Cong, Spelunkers and the Biggest Cave on Earth

It was the second day that it became evident that the contingent of physical education teachers was very large. Visiting a presentation by Lien Indigne and Dave Ducharme where there wasn’t a seat left available as the room was full of PE teachers. Their session focused on new standards and the necessity of more than simply ‘grading’ student performance, it was clear that developing a strong understand of health coupled with sparking life long exercise was the most important work these teachers carry out on a daily basis.

Of special mention on day two was Alec Couros’ presentation on Digital Citizenship. He provided a positive outlook on a topic that engaged the full room of attendees. He provided information and suggestions to take back to school on Monday.

There were more physical education sessions focused on making sure student needs were more than met and that of paramount importance was the student’s life long health. Added to the physical education sessions were the arts sessions. It was very exciting to sit with a group of dance instructors at lunch. They recapped sessions where they explained that they hadn’t spent a moment ‘sitting and getting’. They discussed the importance of movement on a daily basis. While the artistic study was critical, the movement was what trumped all. On this day most of us finished the day with smiles on our faces. The smiles masked what many spoke of and that was that we were already starting to feel ‘full’ of information. Most of us made our way to High Street, which is a short walk from ISM, to eat, mingle and enjoy the wonderful evening temperatures of Manila.

On the final day Doug Goodkin opened for us. His talk was the culminating factor for our keynotes. On day one Mike spoke about linkages between the brain and learning, on day two Mark demonstrated life long learning and the importance of determination and finally Doug provided encouragement for all educators.

Keynote speaker Doug Goodkin. Keynote title: The Humanitarian Mucian.

It is a rare occasion that I attend a conference where I truly wished I could have gone to every session. It made me wonder what I had missed. However it was the closing ceremony where it was clear others felt the same way as their discussions were electric. A final few words about the conference... it is clear that the Dr. K and his team strive to put on a conference that teachers leave ‘fully charged’ to return to the classroom and that they are carrying a new set of tools to make them better. In most cases we left with new friends and ideas to enhance our teaching. Thanks Dr. K and team for a wonderful learning experience.

Announcements/Remarks by Colin Aitken(ISM), Skylie Bevear(HKIS), and Keith Allerton(JIS).