UF Alliance hosts conference for novice teachers

The UF Alliance held its 2008 Annual Novice Teacher Conference, titled “Inspiring Improved Teaching and Learning in Urban Schools” on Jan.11-12 in Orlando. The event attracted more than 70 participants representing schools in both Florida and Puerto Rico.

The conference, a part of the Alliance’s continuing effort to improve college access for all students, acquaints teachers—particularly novice teachers — with a repertoire of best practices to better prepare their students with the academic skills they need to gain college access.

Highlights of the conference included keynote addresses by Texas A&M University Professor Gwendolyn Webb-Johnson, who stressed the importance of recognizing and reinforcing the numerous “gifts” that students bring to the classroom; and Illinois State University Professor Gregory Michie, and author of the book, See You When We Get There: Teaching for Change in Urban Schools, who emphasized the integral role that social justice plays in addressing the challenges urban students face.

COE faculty, staff and students also made numerous presentations at the conference, including:

  • Diane Archer-Banks, UF Alliance Program Coordinator, presented “Staying the Path: Making a Difference in the Lives of Our Students”, “Models of Teaching”, and “When Perceptions and Realities Collide: Surviving the First 3-5 Years of Teaching Within Urban Classrooms”.

  • Diana Melendez, UF Alliance Program Coordinator and Ph. D. candidate, presented “Asset Building in Action: Empowering Parents to Empower Their Children”.

  • Eric Davis, doctoral candidate, presented “Transitioning to a Positive School Relationship”.

  • Jeff Boyer, a visiting lecturer at the School of Teaching a, presented “Promoting Meaningful Learning with Technology Integration”.

  • Mickey MacDonald, a science teacher at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School High School, presented “Using Teacher Inquiry as Professional Development for all Educators”.

  • Assistant Professor Cirecie West-Olatunji, presented “Rethinking Urban Education: Recognizing and Capitalizing on the Gifts, Talents and Strengths of Children from Culturally and Economically Diverse Families”.

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