KU News Release

KU School of Education conference draws more than 320 educators, officials

LAWRENCE — Focusing on fresh ideas to advance the achievements of elementary, middle and high school students in the state, the University of Kansas School of Education will host an all-day conference Friday, June 12, called “Strategies for Educational Improvement: Thriving Classrooms, Innovative Instruction, Visionary Leadership.”

Planners expect more than 320 educators, administrators and others involved with education from Kansas, Missouri and Washington, D.C., as featured speakers, panelists and participants. They represent about 50 public school districts in Kansas and Missouri, 10 Kansas colleges and universities, six private schools, nine educational-related businesses, the Kansas Board of Regents, Kansas State Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education and individuals from the offices of Kansas Sens. Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback and Kansas Reps. Lynn Jenkins, Dennis Moore, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt.

Rick Ginsberg, dean of the School of Education, said he is excited about the opportunity for collaboration among educators.

“This conference brings together experts from across the country and from Kansas to help school districts improve schools and student performance,” he said. “We are pleased to co-sponsor this event with the Kansas State Department of Education and look forward to supporting our K-12 colleagues in the years ahead.”

Ginsberg and Alexa Posny, Kansas commissioner of education, will welcome guests at the opening assembly in Budig Hall, where morning programs will be held. Lunch and afternoon sessions will follow in Joseph R. Pearson Hall, which houses the School of Education. Opening speaker will be Jo Anderson Jr., senior policy adviser for outreach to teachers and teacher organization to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Barnett Berry, president of the Center for Teaching Quality in Washington, D.C., will address the group on strengthening the future of teachers’ work, then will moderate a teacher leadership network panel with Kansas educators Cindy Couchman, USD-313 Buhler; Walt Cochran, USD 231-Gardner-Edgerton; Marilyn Fox, USD 383-Manhattan-Ogden; and Cindy Venard, USD 443-Dodge City.

In the afternoon, attendees can choose from 24 program topics at a series of three small-group hour-long sessions geared to getting the most out of innovative as well as traditional resources to enhance the learning experience for students and improve professional development opportunities for educators and the overall school experience. Presenters besides Ginsberg representing the KU School of Education include Melanie Bacon and Amber Rowland, Center for Research on Learning; Bob Harrington, professor of psychology and research in education; and Laurie Winter, Kansas Reading First.

Others leading sessions and their organizations are Cyndi Danner-Kuhn and Mary Devin, Kansas State University; Kevin Davis, Project SPOT; Joycelyn Parish, Howard Shuler and Larry Wheeles, Kansas State Department of Education; Wade Anderson, Anna Moon-Bradley, Carolyn Schmitt and Jack Williamson, Kansas National Education Association; and Robert Hull, Kansas Center for Prepared and Safe Schools.

In addition to Couchman of USD 313-Buhler, 12 Kansas school district representatives planning to share their expertise during the small-group events are Sherry Reed and Brenda Dietrich, USD-437-Auburn-Washburn; Michael Maurer, USD 261-Haysville; Jill Shackelford, USD 500-Kansas City, Kan.; Kim Bodensteiner, Rick Doll and Angelique Kobler, USD-497-Lawrence; Allan Amos, Julie Catron, Lauren Cole and Bridget Halterman, USD 203-Piper; and Andrew Easton, USD 230-Spring Hill.

Conference attendees are listed below by hometown, organization affiliation and role (if available). To see more information, use the scroll bar at the end of the table or use left and right arrow keys.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.