Welcome to the BC Education Leadership Council
Presentation Launch Page
Interactive Innovations III, March 2 - 4, 2008
Keynote Speakers

INTRODUCTION: 

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March 2, 2008

Ruth Sutton: Assessment for Learning – the practical implications

In her presentation, Ruth Sutton reviews the key points about Assessment for Learning and explores the practical implications for teaching. Using a straight forward approach, Ruth acknowledges that Assessment for Learning challenges some assumptions and habits around teaching and learning, but she provides compelling arguments and examples as to why it should become the normal way for teachers and students to do business.
Roy Henry Vickers: Meeting the Challenges of Life

In Roy Henry Vickers’ presentation, he provides a stirring overview of his life, inspiring educators to speak from the heart and show students how exciting it is to learn. Roy’s story is about learning; that we are all teachers and each of us has lessons to learn that we need to be ready to receive. It is through the sharing of our stories, Roy says, that we can transform lives and enrich them with purpose.

March 3, 2008

Faye Brownlie: Through the Eyes of a Teacher: Teaching, Learning and Accountability

In her presentation, Faye Brownlie looks at how teaching reading and working with text has changed over her nearly 30 year career. She reviews what makes sense in good teaching, with the premise that teachers are doing the best they know how to do. From the 1950s to the present, Faye looks at what makes sense in student learning, and asks if educators are sometimes caught in habits that do not actually reflect their beliefs.
Michael Furdyk: Learning from Failure: 15 years, 5 companies, a charity, and a lot of mistakes!

As a young entrepreneur who has experienced both failure and success, Michael Furdyk today inspires young people and educators to take action and reach for the seemingly impossible. Through his highly successful website TakingITGloba.org, Michael’s message is about the importance of raising awareness, engaging students and integrating technology and global perspectives into the classroom.
Silken Laumann:

Credited with making the greatest comeback in sports history, Silken Laumann weaves her story through a focus on inspiring us into action to improve the physical activity of children and youth. A dynamic and humourous speaker, Silken challenges our fear-based, no risk approach to parenting children. She encourages people to envision the kind of schools and communities that are wanted, and then work together to reverse “the terrible tide of obesity and inactivity” in our neighbourhoods.

March 4, 2008

Charles Coffey: Growing Up Right – Investing in Early Child Development

Charles Coffey frames his presentation around the belief that a cost-benefit analysis will show that education is the foundation to Canada’s economic well-being and the key to sustaining our way of life. Simply put, the economic state of our future is in very small hands: our children. Coffey looks at the state of early child development structures in Canada, and then goes on to what he believes needs to be done to meet the diverse needs of children and parents. Coffey concludes by saying the link between early education and economic prosperity is too significant to ignore.
Linda Kaser Judy Halbert

Linda Kaser and Judy Halbert: 2020 Vision – No Inequities for B.C. Learners

In their presentation, Linda Kaser and Judy Halbert set up their dream, and their commitment to this dream: for B.C. to be the first place in the world to have an equitable education system, and to do this by 2020. Kaser and Halbert believe this work can be done with all B.C. educators working together. The presentation is framed around three powers for change that will have the most impact on learners and lead to the 2020 vision: using what is already known will make a difference; using imagination to see pictures of potential; and using the power of relationships with every learner.

Michael Fullan: The Six Secrets of Change

Michael Fullan’s presentation focuses on system change through what he calls tri-level reform and the Six Secrets of Change that underlie successful reform. The Six Secrets are based on experiences in large-scale education system reform, and to reach their full impact must involve schools, districts and the province. Fullan’s overall goal is to raise the bar and close the gaps to ensure life chances are given to all students. Success can be measured in the public’s confidence in the public education system, and whether it remains the system of choice.
Honourable Steven L. Point


Mary Gordon -- Empathy Parenting; Roots of Empathy; Seeds of Empathy

In her presentation, Mary Gordon looks at how promoting empathy with young children is a crucial lever for positive life outcomes. Mary discusses the programs she has established for parents and young children, and looks at how encouraging and modelling empathy is the key to social competence and academic functioning.