Highlights from the 2008 Inspired Teaching Alumni Conference

We wanted to share a few highlights from a wonderful Inspired Teaching Alumni Conference. On August 18, over 70 Inspired Teachers gathered to celebrate "Metamorphosis: Inspired Change." They came together to get rejuvenated for the start of another school year and to identify the changes they plan to make in their classrooms.

The 2008 Inspired Teaching Alumni Conference RESOURCE GUIDE is now available! Check out a full list of ideas, activities, reflections, and resources generated at this year's conference.

Inspired Connections
Inspired Teachers are always looking for ways to connect with other passionate educators so they can learn from one another. It was in response to this need that the first Alumni Conference took place three years ago.
On Monday the teachers were excited to participate in many important conversations. They also exchanged orange "business cards" with their contact information so that the discussions can continue promoting action throughout the year.



Illuminating Speakers
Throughout the day teachers had the chance to listen to a great variety of speakers who shared their thoughts on how teachers changed them, and what the educators in the room can do to become change agents themselves.

Speakers included:
Jane Dimyan-Ehrenfeld, education activist; Sharon Hankerson, parent of a DC student; Maurice Kennard, Principal at Francis Stevens Educational Center; Patricia Wilkins, teacher at Tyler Elementary School; and Brearn Wright, Principal at Truesdell Educational Center.






Engaging Workshops
Over the summer teachers identified topics they wanted to explore in conference workshops. The result of their input was a series of intense and thoughtful sessions. Workshop topics included:

  • "Bring on the Noise: How can I incorporate more music and drama in my instruction?" Facilitated by Oran Sandel, Education Consultant
  • "Getting off the Bench: What role can I play in changing education policy?" Facilitated by Beth Glenn, Forum for Education and Democracy
  • "Bridges, Boxes, and Borders: How can examining my own biases about race and culture inspire healing and self-awareness?" Facilitated by David Miller, Urban Leadership Institute


Laughter and Song

The last session of the day included "Laughter Yoga," led by teacher and yoga instructor Sarah Lynn. Though many of the participants were new to yoga, it didn't take long for the laughter to set in!

A new Inspired Teaching song called "Metamorphosis" finished the conference. The piece, written by staff member H. Y. Griffin, served as a reminder to make "inspired change" a daily practice.