Chris Gleason

In this session, we will look at the new science of the individual to reveal the remarkable fact that no one is average. This isn’t hollow sloganeering —it’s a frank mathematical fact with practical consequences for your classroom. Our schools are all designed to evaluate and promote talent based upon the myth of the average person that ignores the true nature of individuality. Come learn about three key principles derived from the science of the individual and how they can work to benefit your students.

Worried about recruitment, retention, and motivating your students? This session will explore the truth behind what motivates people and our students. Do extrinsic rewards and praise work with students? What is the best way to motivate students? Using resources such as Sir Ken Robinson, Alfie Kohn, Teresa Ambile among others, we will discover what research tells us about motivation. We will look at the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose and their role in keeping and empowering our students.

Stories have deep meaning in our society. Studies show that students (and adults) listen to and remember the stories we tell. Storytelling can be used in our classrooms to effectively engage our students. Storytelling can also be used to advocate for our discipline and classrooms. This session will reveal the key components to a great narrative and how to construct everything from TED presentations to elevator pitches.

The Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP) Project began in Wisconsin nearly 40 years ago and has been transforming teachers across the country and internationally ever since. The training process helps music teachers clarify their priorities without losing the essence of their own approach. This session will illustrate the five points of the CMP model – music selection, analysis, outcomes, strategies and assessment. Participants will see examples of CMP teaching plans and student artifacts.

This session will define the assessment process and how it differs from evaluation. Examples of outcomes, strategies and assessments will be shared so that participants can see how alignment, validity, and purposefulness can be achieved. New technology makes it possible to create authentic assessment tools that focus on self-reflection. These tools can be used with many students offering an efficient and effective way to gauge growth.

2017 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, Chris Gleason shares this powerful and motivational talk in which he explores three “truths” about teaching and learning: intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and connections. As Chris states “We can’t force our students to learn. As educators, it is our job to create the conditions for growth. The seeds of potential lie within each person. Cultivating an environment of possibility will ensure that students and teachers not only succeed but also find their passion.”

How has fear and uncertainty impacted you and your teaching recently? You are carrying a lot on your shoulders right now ranging from equity, social justice, recruitment, retention, instructional minutes, engagement, not to mention your own mental health and physical well-being! The goal of this session is to help participants to name the fear that is driving choices made in the classroom and to recenter ourselves on our values, principles and beliefs.

Teachers often hear “make time to plan ” Yes, thoughtful planning takes time (and no teacher has enough!) See how the CMP model actually saves time by helping with time management (getting to all the things you want to teach), creating time for thinking and reflecting, and engaging students to wish their music time was longer. Timing is everything!

The Danielson Framework for Teaching is a research-based set of components of instruction, aligned to the INTASC standards, and is currently being used across the country as the foundation of a school/district's mentoring, professional development, and teacher evaluation processes, thus linking all those activities together and helping teachers become more thoughtful practitioners. This session will examine the Danielson Framework and reveal a process for self-improvement to grow and improve our practice.

With all of the challenges facing educators, it is easy to just use what works and to stop innovating. This session creates the space for educators to reflect on the strategies they use every day and to consider trends, strengths and/or weaknesses. How can we continue to flex our strategy muscles in an effort to engage students while growing as practitioners?

The landscape of education and politics has certainly changed over the years. Yet, one constant remains - the heart of the teacher. This session will explore and celebrate the reasons why we teach. It will remind us why we entered this noble profession and why our best and brightest should consider joining us. Educators have the responsibility to model passion, persistence, and a love of learning. We must make connections with each and every child, proving to them that they are unconditionally important.

We are preparing students for a world that we can hardly imagine. The students we are currently teaching will live in a world that will see humans walk on Mars. What skills, knowledge, and dispositions will be necessary to navigate this uncertain future? With all of the challenges facing educators, it is easy to just use what works and to stop innovating. This session creates the space for educators to reflect on the HOW and WHAT we are teaching to the next generation through our discipline.