IGKNIGHT Lunch Updates

I'm happy to share a few updates for the lunch session (11:35-1:00) on November 19th at IGKNIGHT.

While we haven't yet procured any on-site lunch options (we're working on it and we are hopeful we WILL have some), we HAVE procured some support agencies who will be coming in and setting up booths in the KHS Cafeteria for those of you who are staying on campus that day.

So far, we've confirmed the following groups and topics:

• Aurora University (available cohorts)
• Northern Illinois University (available cohorts)
• Scholastic (teacher tools, especially ELA)
• IEA (membership questions)
• IMRF (retirement questions)
• TRS (retirement questions)
• Kane County Teachers Credit Union (Services for Educators)
• Classroom Rescue (Behavioral Techniques and Strategies)

We will continue to keep you updated as we are able to book more services and/or are able to confirm on-site food options.

Kaneland 2020 Gallery Walk 2019

Once again this year we will be hosting a gallery walk of the cool things going on around Kaneland for our stakeholders to come check out.  This year we've moved it prior to a joint KHMS/KHS concert to try to attract more people and give them something to do while they wait for the doors to open.  This year's date will be February 28th, and it will take place from 6:00-7:00.  If you are interested in sharing your story, please click this link and fill out the form by February 1st.  Below are a few more details about the event if you're thinking about coming to share (or observe!):

• As part of their IGKNIGHTER projects, all IGKNIGHTERs are expected to present
• There should be a clear connection to one of the three priorities of Kaneland 2020 (Personalized Learning, Culture, Human Resources)
• Those requesting to share are doing so on a volunteer basis
• Inclusion of students in the planning, preparation, and/or sharing is highly encouraged
• The gallery walk is conducted like a science fair--those presenting should plan to prepare a visual presentation with information and bring something like a handout for visitors
• Those who received a Foundation Grant are highly encouraged to attend and share
• Please be able to arrive prior to the event with enough time to set up your station

Please share your interest by February 1st.

If you have any questions about a possible presentation or would like to know more before submitting a request, please contact Mike or Sarah.

PDS Hosting Spring 2019 to Fall 2019

It is that time of year again that we begin the process of placement for year long professional development student teachers.  The student teachers come in the spring of 2019 for three days a week and then full time in the fall of 2019.  They can assist in setting up the classrooms in the summer or co-teaching summer school.  The PDS students are placed for their two semester experience with the same teacher who is in the grades First through Fifth grade.  The benefits of hosting a PDS student teacher for the year long experiences include:
-NIU course waivers
-Another adult educator in the classroom to assist with conference and small group work
-Learning from each other on new teaching techniques

We have great educators in Kaneland to really support and grown our next generation of teachers through the PDS process.  If you are interested in hosting please contact Sarah Mumm by November 15.

Kane County Day Institute Call for Presenters

We would love to share your great news from Kaneland by having as many staff as possible facilitate or present a session.  March 1st is the Kane County Day.  Please use this link to present.  It may be just a round table to discuss learning, or a video sharing time, or anything to share the hard work you have been doing.  Please consider presenting one session today.  Thanks

WOW! Kudos to All of You!

WOW!  Last week we sent in the blog the link to register for the IgKnight Conference sessions.  We were hoping to get 100 registered within a week at least.  Once again the Kaneland staff has amazed us!  We registered just over 130 in 1 DAY!!!!!  WOW!  As of this writing, we are up to almost 300!

Thank you to all who really jumped in and registered ASAP.  We will be holding a raffle for prizes for all those who register by the end of the day on 10/31.  Seats in each session are limited and are starting to fill up, so in order to get the sessions you most want, please register early!

Registration will close on Wednesday, November 7th at 4:00pm.  If you have not yet registered by that date, you will be assigned sessions to attend.

Register here

Learning Continuum Connection

At a recent Learning Design Academy a connection to the learning continuum was shared that really stuck with us and we wanted to share with you.  Consider the differences in service and environment between Baskin Robbins, Cold Stone and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt.  At Baskin Robbins you are served by the request of what you order.  You make decisions based on the menu that is shared with you.  This strongly connected to differentiation.  There are selected groups or items you have access but all driven by the educator (the ice cream server).  The groups or items have been determined based on the needs and wants of the consumer, but they are not personally driven to your specific wants.  Next when you visit Cold Stone you are given multiple options to select from and your individualize your order.  You can choose the flavor, the add ins and topping and they will make your individualized connection on the cold stone just for you!  The customer (learner) is making decisions about their needs and wants but not putting them into action.  The server (educator) is still responsible for the end product.  Finally for those who ever had the pleasure of visiting a Orange Leaf you soon realize it is a much different experience.  You are given the bowl (the expectation for learning) and you are empowered to find your own flavor, fill it out and add your own mix ins.  You are empowered to be the leader of your learning (or eating).  Each product comes out uniquely different but all meeting the same end expectation.  This exemplifies personalized learning.  Allowing students to be the drivers of learning, following their own process and in the end meeting the set expectation.  We hope this analogy may give you a visual for the learning continuum.  Or at least make you hungry for a sweet ice cream treat!  Enjoy!