Confratute: An Adventure in Learning

Wow! Excitement is in the air here at the University of Connecticut! Excitement about education, excitement about new ideas and innovative teaching practices, excitement about reaching and teaching kids in ways that will allow each of them to discover and develop the incredible potential that lies within! Confratute is AMAZING...though that word is pitifully inadequate when attempting to describe the atmosphere of learning, collaboration, inspiration, and passion that permeates every class, every activity, every conversation, every moment here at Confratute.

The week began with a keynote presentation by Dr. Joe Renzulli and his wife, Dr. Sally Reis. Together they gave us an overview of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model and excited us with inspirational stories of student success and achievement. One such story involved a young lady who noticed that a wheelchair bound classmate did not have access to the school playground. Her concern for a friend led her on an incredible journey of exploration, research, and discovery. As an elementary school student, this young lady did not yet have the skills and/or knowlege base necessary to solve the problem she had identified. However, what she did have was a desire to help a friend, an ability to imagine what could be, and a willingness to follow through until what "could be" actually was. She also had a teacher who was willing to walk beside her throughout this journey of learning, providing encouragement and guidance along the way. The results were phenomenal! Her efforts led to the construction of a new, handicap-accessible playground at her school. She was also invited by other schools to help design handicap accessible playgrounds at their facilities as well. What did she learn? She learned the many skills involved in playgound design and construction, she developed the skills necessary to propose her idea to the school administration, and she learned how to organize and implement fund raising campaigns. Most importantly, she learned that she had the power to make a difference in her community and in the lives of those around her.

One of my favorite strands (like classes) has been "Enrichment Clusters: A Practical Plan for Real World Student Driven Learning. The presenter, Marcia Gentry, is amazing. Her love of learning, dedication to kids, and passion for education is evident the moment you hear her speak. She has been sharing with us the nuts and bolts of how to successfully implement enrichment clusters in an elementary and/or middle school environment, and her enthusiasm is absolutely contagious! Clusters allow students (and teachers) the oppotunity to pursue advanced learning through an avenue of high interest and student driven real world problem solving. I am so excited about the prospect of providing these opportunities to the students at Austin Elementary!