coe.fsu.edu | Dean’s Symposium Series

Welcome to The Florida State University College of Education and the 3rd Annual Dean’s Symposium – Good Teachers: What do they do? How can we support them? What is the cost of losing them? – hosted by the School of Teacher Education on November 19 and 20, 2009.

The annual series provides an open forum in which teachers, teacher educators, educational researchers, policymakers, agency officials, school administrators and students can explore and discuss the latest research and trends in important education topics. The focus of this year’s symposium is motivated by a recognition of the importance of the following areas:

The work of well-prepared teachers in supporting student learning
Providing teachers access to the resources and experiences they need to develop as professionals
Educating policymakers about the difficulties teachers experience during their first years in the profession

This symposium is intended to generate fresh thinking about teachers and the support systems they need. We already know that one of the most powerful influences on student learning is the effectiveness of the teacher, far outweighing the effects of differences in class size and heterogeneity. We also know that it may take a number of years for a teacher to reach a level of effectiveness. This raises a particularly difficult challenge when considering that 50% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years, creating a revolving door that leaves many students under the constant guidance of novices.

Participants in Good Teachers: What do they do? How can we support them? What is the cost of losing them? will explore ways in which this cycle can be broken and focus on how we can recognize, retain and develop our teacher force. Three interweaving themes of the symposium are:

The many facets of effective teaching
Assisting teachers in their professional development
Exploring ways to avoid the high costs of losing teachers

This year’s keynote speakers have accomplished innovative work in teaching, the professional development and learning of teachers, and communities that support the development of effective teachers.

Craig Lindvahl is a veteran teacher who won the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, has twice been recognized as a finalist for Illinois Teacher of the year, was named the Illinois “teacher-preneur” of the year.

Patricia Wasley is dean of the College of Education at the University of Washington. She led a major study titled “Strengthening and Sustaining Teachers,” a project that sought to stem the high rate of teacher attrition by building a continuum of support from preparation through the fifth year of teaching.

Mark Windschitl is an associate professor of science education at the University of Washington. He is the head of the Teachers’ Learning Trajectories Initiative that is currently working on two fronts regarding the early career development of science teaching expertise.

The College of Education is also honored to welcome leading educators and scholars who will respond to the presentations of our keynote speakers and share the latest research related to the issues addressed. Researchers from Florida State and other Florida institutions will join the discussion to address how research might inform and shape a set of policy recommendations for Florida’s teachers and schools. All conference attendees will have opportunities to comment and ask questions of our speakers and to discuss ideas with participants at various times throughout the symposium.

Thank you for coming, and we look forward to the conversations.

Marcy P. Driscoll
Dean, College of Education
Leslie J. Briggs Professor of Educational Research


	Welcome Agenda Program of Events Keynote Speakers Other Presenters Call for Posters Registration Related Literature Directions Contacts Hotels & Restaurants Please provide your feedback and suggestions about future symposia! Online survey			Welcome to The Florida State University College of Education and the 3rd Annual Dean’s Symposium – Good Teachers: What do they do? How can we support them? What is the cost of losing them? – hosted by the School of Teacher Education on November 19 and 20, 2009. The annual series provides an open forum in which teachers, teacher educators, educational researchers, policymakers, agency officials, school administrators and students can explore and discuss the latest research and trends in important education topics. The focus of this year’s symposium is motivated by a recognition of the importance of the following areas: The work of well-prepared teachers in supporting student learning Providing teachers access to the resources and experiences they need to develop as professionals Educating policymakers about the difficulties teachers experience during their first years in the profession This symposium is intended to generate fresh thinking about teachers and the support systems they need. We already know that one of the most powerful influences on student learning is the effectiveness of the teacher, far outweighing the effects of differences in class size and heterogeneity. We also know that it may take a number of years for a teacher to reach a level of effectiveness. This raises a particularly difficult challenge when considering that 50% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years, creating a revolving door that leaves many students under the constant guidance of novices. Participants in Good Teachers: What do they do? How can we support them? What is the cost of losing them? will explore ways in which this cycle can be broken and focus on how we can recognize, retain and develop our teacher force. Three interweaving themes of the symposium are: The many facets of effective teaching Assisting teachers in their professional development Exploring ways to avoid the high costs of losing teachers This year’s keynote speakers have accomplished innovative work in teaching, the professional development and learning of teachers, and communities that support the development of effective teachers. Craig Lindvahl is a veteran teacher who won the prestigious Milken National Educator Award, has twice been recognized as a finalist for Illinois Teacher of the year, was named the Illinois “teacher-preneur” of the year. Patricia Wasley is dean of the College of Education at the University of Washington. She led a major study titled “Strengthening and Sustaining Teachers,” a project that sought to stem the high rate of teacher attrition by building a continuum of support from preparation through the fifth year of teaching. Mark Windschitl is an associate professor of science education at the University of Washington. He is the head of the Teachers’ Learning Trajectories Initiative that is currently working on two fronts regarding the early career development of science teaching expertise. The College of Education is also honored to welcome leading educators and scholars who will respond to the presentations of our keynote speakers and share the latest research related to the issues addressed. Researchers from Florida State and other Florida institutions will join the discussion to address how research might inform and shape a set of policy recommendations for Florida’s teachers and schools. All conference attendees will have opportunities to comment and ask questions of our speakers and to discuss ideas with participants at various times throughout the symposium. Thank you for coming, and we look forward to the conversations. Marcy P. Driscoll Dean, College of Education Leslie J. Briggs Professor of Educational Research