Harvard Faculty Club: Learning and Brain Conference Stacie Penland The Learning and the Brain Conference that I attended with colleague Cynthia Frazier this summer at the Harvard Faculty Club focused on motivation, mind-set, and resilience in children. We explored the mindsets of children and teachers who show resilience and are motivated to succeed. For example, resilient students are often those who can set realistic goals, who feel confident that they can solve problems, and who believe they have a purpose to their lives. We talked at length about this last item—the need to feel that you are useful and helpful to other people. We were able to look at how Lovett already provides many opportunities for students to find purpose and be helpful, such as donating to the annual Thanksgiving food drive, participating in class trips like RAFT and JOE, and being involved in the many and diverse clubs and organizations available at Lovett.
For some of the students who work with me in the ARC, academic success can be a struggle. We learned that developing purpose in other non-related areas of life can directly impact a student’s success in the classroom. I will use this information to look specifically for ways in which students who are not finding school success might be able to explore and develop their outside passions. The Learning and the Brain conferences, held many times a year throughout the country, are always wellresearched and applicable to the classroom—a winning combination. I enjoy the opportunity to attend and always look forward to bringing back new ideas to my colleagues and the students with whom I work.
Gardner Carney Leadership Institute: Leadership Conference Sandra Switzer Attending the GCLI Leadership Conference was both personally and professionally enriching. In five days, I learned a tremendous amount about the adolescent brain and how it processes information. I also gained insight, through active engagement in learning models, into the art of teaching leadership. As the assistant director for sustainability and
sponsor of the Green Team, these skills will be invaluable. In addition, much of what I learned will be implemented in my classes, especially The Ethics of Engaged Global Citizenship and The History of Nonviolence. It was a fabulous experience, and I thank Lovett for the opportunity to attend.
Project-Based Learning Leadership Conference Jeff Wierzba This summer I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend the Project Based Learning Leadership Conference. The conference, held in Napa, Ca., was attended by educators from around the world who were gathered to discuss, design, and learn how to implement project-based learning in our classrooms. The message was clear that the classroom learning environment is changing for our students, who want more than lecture-based learning. As a teacher new to the profession, this conference provided a tremen-
dous opportunity for intellectual growth and development. I was able to discuss with fellow educators the techniques, strategies, methods, and various projects each of us uses in our subject. I feel as though I am returning to Lovett with a renewed sense of direction, and I cannot wait to implement some of the ideas we developed and discussed. My experience in Napa will not be forgotten, and I appreciate the support that allowed me to attend.