From the Physiology Fitness Summit in Colorado:
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"I learned the importance and value of carefully and mindfully structuring events and learning situations so that a group becomes a crew working together. I experienced deeply the design principles of Expeditionary Learning and will take them back to my classroom. The instructors were true mentors of craftsmanship, character, and leadership. Just being at Eagle Rock is an inspiration in itself for all of us."
• "I am leaving the summit with a more positive attitude towards life, lots of motivation to reach my teaching goals, and ideas to use with my students."
• "The instructors of this summit were examples of outstanding teaching and facilitation. They were what I strive to be and do in my classroom."
• Click here to see some photos of this summit.
From the Fading Footprints summit (now called Endangered Species) in Portland, Maine:
• "I cannot believe that one week of learning could have such an impact on someone's view of education and the process by which we teach our children. My whole teaching style will be different from this point on. I am leaving here a different person-- a better teacher."
From the summer Literacy Institutes:
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From a high school humanities teacher:
"I attended the Power of Literacy Institute Conference in Boston and thought it was, by far, one of the best in terms of practical, hands-on approaches to teaching reading strategies explicitly to students. This was quite helpful, especially in light of not ever being in a formal class (even in graduate school) that focused on teaching older readers how to improve their comprehension. In addition, the materials I received are ones to which I constantly refer (and recommend to others). Overall, the facilitators were personable and realistic--they were teachers, so when they provided insight, it actually meant something--and helped to make this a terrific learning experience where I left with plenty of ideas and abilities to implement reading strategies to help my students RIGHT NOW."
"I have gained a much deeper understanding of effective strategies to teach reading and comprehension. I learned as a teacher of reading to model, model, model and explain my thinking and understanding as I read to and with my students."
"I feel like I now know how to teach reading comprehension, rather that just assess it. Specifically, I am leaving with better questioning techniques and knowledge of how to build background knowledge (schema) so that students can get meaning from their reading."
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From an Early Literacy institute participant:
"I left having gained many, many wonderful ideas that I can implement in my classroom, and a clearer idea of what it means to teach literacy the 'EL way.'"
From a regional New Teachers Institute:
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"We always want to model new information/skills for students, and yet many times this piece is absent for adult learners! It was clear what an expedition feels like for students and possible ways to get there."
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"This institute has allowed me to step into my students' shoes. It was a very rich experience for me. A little pain was involved, but also a sense of enlightenment in the end. I have a more global picture of what EL is made of, and I am totally pumped! I have been able to begin to structure the next year using the compelling topic format. I struggle with wanting to put it all in an orderly fashion for my visual benefit, but forcing myself to spread out the connections so that they web into a deeper expedition allows me to see the wonderful thinking and learning I will be guiding my students through!"
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"I have begun to more thoroughly evolve as an ELOB learner and teacher. My understanding of what an ELOB student goes through has come to life. As a teacher I am able to better understand the role which I possess in an ELOB classroom."
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"I'm provoked - I feel empowered as an educator."
From a literacy summit (now called Reading 1):
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The The Power of Literacy Summit, asked participants to think deeply about how they read, why they read, and how they teach reading. Participants first experienced and then learned how to teach reading comprehension strategies, to create rich classroom literacy experiences such as literature circles, and how to infuse literacy throughout an expedition. For teachers tools on literacy and photos of the summit, click here.
Reflections from an Outward Bound educators' course
EL principals, education leaders and EL staff members joined together in Baja one January to sea kayak, sleep under the stars and reflect on their work. Kris Hall, a principal from Dubuque, Iowa wrote in his journal on sea lions and having perspective while Steven Levy, an EL staff member and course participant, reflected on his experience with some "Lessons from the Sea". They include: "Never be complacent: a lapse of attention, even for a moment, can have dire, or at least unpleasant consequences." To see photos and read more, click here.
From summer planning institutes:
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From a principal:
"I'm leaving this experience with a greater respect for the dynamics of authentic, student centered learning. The facilitation by EL was outstanding, a well-coordinated team bringing a wealth of experience. It was truly an honor to have been served by and collaborate with each EL staff member."
"I am leaving with a renewed sense of connecting with my team members. I also feel inspired, energized, and excited about what the upcoming year may hold. The facilitation was, as always, excellent. I really enjoy EL's philosophy and I greatly appreciate the facilitators- their warmth, support, encouragement, and enthusiasm."
