About the Webinar:
The Teaching, Learning, and Leadership wing at the Florida Charter Institute (FCI) shared instructional best practices with practitioners across the state. In this “frame within a frame” presentation, FCI founders presented research-backed strategies for leading student discourse while also modeling best-in-class facilitation of adult learning. Participants had the opportunity to observe and reflect on both elements and learned how to get involved in FCI’s mission to elevate all aspects of Florida’s charter sector.
Teaching and Leading Best Practice with the Florida Charter Institute
Presenter:
- Kathryn Perkins, EDD Teaching, Learning and Leadership, Florida Charter Institute
- Paul Powell, Director, Florida Charter Institute
- Susie Miller Carello, Executive Director, Florida Charter Institute
Date/Time: November 20, 2024
Conference: 2024 FL Charter School Conference
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Session Summary
This session, presented by Kathryn Perkins, Paul Powell, and Susie Miller Carello from the Florida Charter Institute (FCI), offers a unique "frame within a frame" experience, showcasing instructional best practices for both student and adult learning.
The session begins by highlighting the FCI's mission to disseminate best practices in teaching and leadership across Florida's charter schools. The presenters introduce the concept of "positive outliers" – schools that achieve exceptional results despite facing challenges like poverty. By studying these outliers, FCI identifies and codifies the key levers that drive their success.
The session then dives into a practical demonstration of effective classroom discourse. Participants observe two video clips of teachers leading discussions in math classes. Kathryn Perkins facilitates a reflective discussion, prompting participants to analyze the teachers' techniques and identify the key elements that contribute to successful student engagement and learning.
Through these video observations and guided discussions, participants gain insights into several key takeaways:
- The importance of establishing routines and clear expectations for classroom discussions.
- The power of using student work as a springboard for discussion, encouraging students to analyze and evaluate each other's thinking.
- The effectiveness of open-ended questions and prompts that encourage students to explain their reasoning and problem-solving strategies.
- The importance of teacher facilitation and withholding answers to encourage student ownership of the learning process.
The session concludes with a discussion of how these principles can be applied to adult learning and professional development within schools. Participants are encouraged to identify concrete takeaways and action steps they can implement in their own classrooms and schools.
This presentation provides a valuable model for effective professional development, demonstrating how to engage teachers in meaningful reflection and skill-building. It also highlights the FCI's commitment to supporting and elevating the quality of education in Florida's charter schools.