August 2024 Newsletter
USF's David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching
The experience of education, according to John Dewey, the well-known philosopher and psychologist, is to help students build on existing knowledge through discovery and exploration. Dewey emphasized the importance of active learning and inquiry, where students (and teachers) are encouraged to discover information and ideas through their own efforts. By engaging in problem-solving and real-world experiences, we develop in ourselves and others the ability to think critically, question assumptions, and contribute meaningfully to our communities.
At the David C. Anchin Center, we are interested in exploring changes on the horizon of educational experiences, including artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and new ways to network, such as Pod Club for Teachers. AI-powered tools are reshaping traditional learning paradigms by providing teachers and students with ways to learn, unlike anything in the past. Our purpose in education continues to be to prepare students as thoughtful, critically reflective, and socially engaged individuals, but in a significantly more complex and technology-driven world. Let’s explore together the potential for new learning environments and changes in teaching and learning. Please check out our upcoming professional learning opportunities at the Anchin Center and join us in exploration and discovery.
The David C. Anchin Center proudly celebrates 30 years of fostering excellence in education through teacher and leader professional learning. As a cornerstone of educational advancement, the Center has empowered countless educators, inspiring innovation, and driving positive change in classrooms and communities alike. This remarkable milestone is a testament to the Center's unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of educators.
The Anchin Center Team wishes everyone an enjoyable and exciting start to a new school year, and we hope to see you soon!
The David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching recently concluded a highly successful series of Advanced Placement Summer Institutes (APSI) in collaboration with the College Board. Over the course of three weeks, the Anchin Center welcomed 703 teachers from 25 states and 9 countries, including 580 educators from Florida. The APSI, a College Board-endorsed program, provides professional development for AP teachers and is renowned for its comprehensive and intensive training sessions.
With 39 sessions over three weeks covering nearly every AP subject, the program offered a unique opportunity for teachers to enhance their skills and knowledge. These sessions were led by College Board-approved consultants, who are experts in their respective fields and serve as AP readers, graders, and table leaders. This intensive four-day training program is designed to benefit teachers of all experience levels, providing them with valuable insights and practical strategies to apply in their classrooms.
The APSI at the University of South Florida provided a collaborative environment for teachers to interact with colleagues and discuss issues related to AP courses. Participants praised the quality of instruction and the expertise of the facilitators.
The feedback from participants underscores the value of the APSI in fostering professional growth and enhancing the quality of AP instruction. Teachers left the institute with renewed confidence and a wealth of resources to support their students in achieving academic success.
The David C. Anchin Center is proud to have hosted such a transformative event and looks forward to continuing its partnership with the College Board to support educators and advance teaching excellence.
Pod Club for Teachers
- 8 Online Sessions
- Every other Wednesday
- August 28 - December 4, 2024
- 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST
- Free to participate
A free, innovative professional learning opportunity for K-12 teachers of literacy, featuring shared podcasts to listen to and discuss with colleagues. Listen to the same podcast episode and then gather every other week online with fellow teachers to discuss and respond. Like a bookclub, but with educational podcasts!
The Future is Here: Artificial Intelligence in the Mathematics Classroom
- Saturday, September 7, 2024
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Free to attend, breakfast is included
This professional learning workshop will explore the emerging role of artificial intelligence in today's mathematics classrooms. Participants will explore the following questions:
- How does artificial intelligence work?
- How are math educators using artificial intelligence to enhance their instruction and assist in tasks?
- How are students using artifical intelligence?
- What artificial platforms are available?
Network with other math teachers interested in artificial intelligence and explore different platforms that can transform your teaching.
Please bring a device to the training.
Integrative Negotiations: How to get your way AND make friends
- Thursday, September 12, 2024
- 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Free to attend; dinner included
Are you struggling in negotiations? Do you have difficulty getting your point across effectively? Negotiations can be learned, and there is a whole research field focusing on negotiations, and how specifically women and minorities can best advocate for themselves.
Join us for this talk to learn more about the tools and strategies you need to succeed in negotiations. Negotiation can be intimidating, but by focusing on expanding mutual gains instead of engaging in disputes, it can become less daunting. This workshop will teach you the skills and strategies needed to navigate negotiations effectively. Through interactive examples and hands-on learning, we'll discover the ins and outs of successful and collaborative deal-making!
Understanding the Science of Reading: Implications for Explicit, Systematic, and Multisensory Literacy Instruction and Intervention
September 9 - October 18, 2024
Cost: $295
Online
This online professional learning course satisfies the Florida Department of Education’s 40-hour learning hours requirement in reading instruction. Florida statute 6A-4.0051 requires 40 hours of professional learning “in the use of explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonemic awareness, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies” for recertification of teachers renewing various teaching certifications (e.g., elementary education, primary education, middle grades, education, English education, reading, and others).
Literacy Differentiation: Dyslexia, Diversity, and Reading Difficulties
October 7, 2024 - October 25, 2024
Cost: $150
Online
This online course is designed to meet the Florida Educator recertification requirement of at least one semester hour (20 in-service points) in teaching students with disabilities (SWD). Explore differentiation of reading instruction, especially for those with reading difficulties and characteristics of dyslexia. During this 3-week professional development, educators will identify factors that affect literacy acquisition and how they impact children's language and literacy development.
Healing and Restorative Literacies
A Research Talk with Dr. Dianne Wellington
October 24, 20204
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Free to attend; dinner is included at 5:00 p.m.
Join us for an engaging discussion as we delve into the realms of healing and restorative literacies. Dr. Wellington will illuminate the various perspectives on healing and restoration literacies, drawing from her experience and research. She will share practical insights on how these literacies can be integrated into educational settings, shedding light on their profound implications for schools.
This interactive session invites audience members to actively participate, fostering dialogue and personal reflection. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with one another, engage in individual introspection, and conclude with affirmations to empower themselves.
Make a Gift and Join a Movement Empowering Educators
Imagine a future where every classroom buzzes with the energy of innovation, where teachers are empowered to inspire young minds in new and profound ways. This vision is at the heart of the David C. Anchin Center for the Advancement of Teaching, and it's supporters like you who bring this dream to life.
Every day, your generosity helps us provide groundbreaking professional development, cutting-edge resources, and research opportunities that shape the educators of tomorrow. But there's more we can do, and that's where we need your help.
Please consider adding your support to foster the next wave of educational excellence. By making a donation today, you join other supporters in creating a legacy of learning that will resonate for generations.
Together, we can ensure that every teacher has the tools to unlock their full potential and, in turn, ignite the limitless curiosity of their students. Thank you for considering a gift to the Anchin Center. Your contribution is more than a donation; it's an investment in a future where education knows no bounds.
Email: AnchinCenter@usf.edu
Website: usf.edu/education/anchin
Location: 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-974-5959
Facebook: facebook.com/USFAnchin
Twitter: @USFAnchin
Instagram: @USFAnchin