Topic: Restructuring for Caring & Effective Education.
Speaker: Richard Villa.
This was a very valuable and thought provoking presentation by a dynamic and engaging speaker. the topic explored was "What is our destination in education". The answer, as we learned in the course of the presentation, is that what we should be striving for as educators is neither excellence nor equity alone, but "equalence" in education which is a new configuration of the two. By combining generosity, belonging, mastery and independence, we can create a learning environment that is inclusive of every student of every ability and equitable for all students. Equalence is team spirit, creativity and collaboration. It is "changing the rules of the game so everybody gets to play and win". The only way we will reach the destination of equalence is to have vision, skills, incentive, resources and an action plan that lead to change. We will know we have arrived when we reach a culture of artistry, where character counts, where collaboration, creativity, courage, differentiation, diversity, empowerment, self-determination and perserverence are valued. Then we will have a culture committed to a better future. We will have a culture of Equalence!
Q: What did the Musical Chairs game illustrate?
A: With decreased motivation comes decreased self-esteem. Excellence alone doesn't work and neither does equity alone.
Q: What is the most valuable resource we are wasting?
A: Children's voices.
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