Mark Thompson

Toolbox for Teams

There is a continuing push to get teachers to work in "teams," yet very few districts are teaching their teachers how to do it. This fun and informative session will provide the 8 tools every team must have to succeed. Participants will also get strategies to make meeting times fast and effective (and painless!), use a behavioral style inventory to predict behavior, and use disagreement constructively. It is designed specifically for teachers and administrators in an interactive setting. Bring your whole team, or come by yourself, but don't miss this one! (1 or 2 days)

5 Keys for Successful Career Academies (Module I)

As school districts begin to create and implement "Career Academies," they need to look at other districts and the successes and pitfalls they have encountered. In this workshop, participants will "roll up their sleeves" and dig into the 5 key concepts that make Career Academies succeed! Participants will see how to integrate different subject areas into one exciting focus, how to infuse state standards into integrated planning, how to use alternative and authentic assessments, what Career Academies offer career bound and college bound students, the need to redesign schools and instructional methods to be globally competitive, how to get active and long-lasting partnerships with the community, and the role of teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors in a Career Academy. Participants will leave with a specific plan and timetable for implementation or improvement. (1 or 2 days)

Meaningful Instruction Through Curriculum Integration (Module II)

Integrating various curricula is a challenging and sometimes frightening task for teacher teams. When your team learns the skills, it can be a simple, exciting, and professionally fulfilling process. First, see the components of what makes instruction meaningful and what causes retention levels to skyrocket. Next, teams actually integrate their content, document standards and leave with a ready-to-use integrated theme project plan! (1 of 2 days)

H.O.T. Teaching! Using Higher Order Thinking in the Classroom

The 21st Century (and many state assessments) requires learners to have a command of higher order thinking and problem solving skills. Why are so many classrooms still using early 20th century teaching techniques? This session allows teachers to explore and practice development of higher order questions and instructional strategies, including reading and writing across the curriculum, problem-based inquiry, writing high order questions, and high level assessment. Make every student a critical thinker! (1 day)

Common Roadblocks for Career Academies (and how to clear them)

Not surprisingly, career academies in all parts of the United States are encountering similar hurdles in development and implementation. "Roadblocks" will show participants how other sites have overcome those hurdles and assist in developing strategies for addressing others. This workshop is designed for district personnel, site-based administration, and teacher-leaders. Participants will leave with a good needs assessment and action plan for tackling their own unique "roadblocks."

The Challenge

Educators and the public are bombarded with messages about what is wrong with the school system. In reality, the American public education system has scored some stunning successes over the years and continues to do so. Mark debunks the negative myths about our schools, celebrates our successes, and issues challenges to make what we do even better. Funny, poignant, and intensely personal, this rousing event will have educators ready to jump back into the most important job in the world!

The "Wright" Stuff

It was difficult for people in the early 1900s to imagine human beings actually flying. After Orville and Wilbur Wright's amazing feat of flight, it was even more difficult for people to imagine what the future of flight held. Air travel has fundamentally changed the way we work and live, and has even enabled us to walk on the moon. In similar fashion Lee Everett and Charles Bowser's experiment with the first career academies in Philadelphia has fundamentally altered the way secondary education is delivered in all 50 states. Both events sparked a revolution in their industries that appears to be permanent. As Mark illuminates the many striking parallels between the Wright Brothers and Everett & Bowser, participants are moved to imagine what other possibilities await education, and if they might be the very ones to propose the next amazing innovation!

You Got the SLC Grant! Now what?!?

Take this opportunity to make real, long lasting school improvement. Mark offers proven steps for making your grant money go farther, as well as creating successful reform that lives long after funding is gone. By laying out a thorough plan in the beginning, building capacity, and using successful work strategies, you can permanently embed your reform initiative into a school's culture.