
so it all began in 2002 I was on the campus of Valpo and I’d met a girl now
campus of Valpo and I’d met a girl now
campus of Valpo and I’d met a girl now at the time I was a political science
at the time I was a political science
at the time I was a political science major pre-law she was a business major
major pre-law she was a business major
major pre-law she was a business major and things went really well in fact she
and things went really well in fact she
and things went really well in fact she loves Scrabble that was a huge plus and
loves Scrabble that was a huge plus and
loves Scrabble that was a huge plus and we clicked really well but that next
we clicked really well but that next
we clicked really well but that next semester I had to break the news to her
semester I had to break the news to her
semester I had to break the news to her my terrible secret actually I wanted to
my terrible secret actually I wanted to
my terrible secret actually I wanted to be a teacher now for those of you it
be a teacher now for those of you it
be a teacher now for those of you it doesn’t take a business major to
doesn’t take a business major to
doesn’t take a business major to understand that from being a lawyer to
understand that from being a lawyer to
understand that from being a lawyer to being a teacher that’s one-fourth of the
being a teacher that’s one-fourth of the
being a teacher that’s one-fourth of the income in fact I charted it out over 40
income in fact I charted it out over 40
income in fact I charted it out over 40 years of working that’s a net loss of
years of working that’s a net loss of
years of working that’s a net loss of four million dollars now my fear was in
four million dollars now my fear was in
four million dollars now my fear was in pain in fact she smiled her mom was a
pain in fact she smiled her mom was a
pain in fact she smiled her mom was a teacher a very good teacher and things
teacher a very good teacher and things
teacher a very good teacher and things went really well in fact I graduated
went really well in fact I graduated
went really well in fact I graduated from Valpo with degree in classics in
from Valpo with degree in classics in
from Valpo with degree in classics in Latin and a degree in education I became
Latin and a degree in education I became
Latin and a degree in education I became a Latin teacher and then a few months
a Latin teacher and then a few months
a Latin teacher and then a few months later I got married a few months after
later I got married a few months after
later I got married a few months after that I became a teacher and I can tell
that I became a teacher and I can tell
that I became a teacher and I can tell you because of her and because of
you because of her and because of
you because of her and because of teaching the last 12 years have been the
teaching the last 12 years have been the
teaching the last 12 years have been the best of my life now I’ve learned a lot
best of my life now I’ve learned a lot
best of my life now I’ve learned a lot in the past 12 years about teaching in
in the past 12 years about teaching in
in the past 12 years about teaching in general in fact I’ve been in a lot of
general in fact I’ve been in a lot of
general in fact I’ve been in a lot of circles I coach I talk to a lot of
circles I coach I talk to a lot of
circles I coach I talk to a lot of teachers there I go to conferences I
teachers there I go to conferences I
teachers there I go to conferences I mean with teachers and I find that in
mean with teachers and I find that in
mean with teachers and I find that in teaching in general it’s a great skill
teaching in general it’s a great skill
teaching in general it’s a great skill to have it’s universal I look around
to have it’s universal I look around
to have it’s universal I look around here I’m sure all of you have had to
here I’m sure all of you have had to
here I’m sure all of you have had to teach someone something in the past year
teach someone something in the past year
teach someone something in the past year is that fair yeah because it’s just
is that fair yeah because it’s just
is that fair yeah because it’s just natural whether you’re a parent a coach
natural whether you’re a parent a coach
natural whether you’re a parent a coach working with someone else in your job to
working with someone else in your job to
working with someone else in your job to train them it’s something very natural
train them it’s something very natural
train them it’s something very natural that we all have to do and what I found
that we all have to do and what I found
that we all have to do and what I found these past 12 years there’s some very
these past 12 years there’s some very
these past 12 years there’s some very basic lessons about teaching and I think
basic lessons about teaching and I think
basic lessons about teaching and I think we could all benefit from them things
we could all benefit from them things
we could all benefit from them things were doing wrong things we can fix I’m
were doing wrong things we can fix I’m
were doing wrong things we can fix I’m gonna start talking about some of those
gonna start talking about some of those
gonna start talking about some of those today so the first thing I want to talk
today so the first thing I want to talk
today so the first thing I want to talk to you bout is a Latin quote I am a
to you bout is a Latin quote I am a
to you bout is a Latin quote I am a Latin teacher so please indulge me what
Latin teacher so please indulge me what
Latin teacher so please indulge me what you’re looking at behind me as they
you’re looking at behind me as they
you’re looking at behind me as they quote from Caligula that is a real rough
quote from Caligula that is a real rough
quote from Caligula that is a real rough customer here actually it’s not a quote
customer here actually it’s not a quote
customer here actually it’s not a quote from him but it’s actually one of his
from him but it’s actually one of his
from him but it’s actually one of his favorite well
favorite well
favorite well we learned this from the historian
we learned this from the historian
we learned this from the historian Suetonius and it really does show a
Suetonius and it really does show a
Suetonius and it really does show a discipline strategy some teachers are
discipline strategy some teachers are
discipline strategy some teachers are using now Caligula he inspired fear in
using now Caligula he inspired fear in
using now Caligula he inspired fear in the people and they followed him and I’m
the people and they followed him and I’m
the people and they followed him and I’m willing to bet you know some teachers
willing to bet you know some teachers
willing to bet you know some teachers that inspired fear in you and it was an
that inspired fear in you and it was an
that inspired fear in you and it was an effective strategy for discipline
effective strategy for discipline
effective strategy for discipline perhaps but I worry that in education
perhaps but I worry that in education
perhaps but I worry that in education we’re putting discipline above teaching
we’re putting discipline above teaching
we’re putting discipline above teaching and I know I’ve seen in fact a friend of
and I know I’ve seen in fact a friend of
and I know I’ve seen in fact a friend of mine on the first day used to tell
mine on the first day used to tell
mine on the first day used to tell students if you talk too much I’m
students if you talk too much I’m
students if you talk too much I’m throwing you out that window now I don’t
throwing you out that window now I don’t
throwing you out that window now I don’t think I ever did that we probably would
think I ever did that we probably would
think I ever did that we probably would have heard about that but imagine that
have heard about that but imagine that
have heard about that but imagine that as a disciplined strategy no learning
as a disciplined strategy no learning
as a disciplined strategy no learning too can take place if we look at
too can take place if we look at
too can take place if we look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs if a student
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs if a student
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs if a student feels unsafe is not fed or have other
feels unsafe is not fed or have other
feels unsafe is not fed or have other needs they can’t realize
needs they can’t realize
needs they can’t realize self-actualization learning cannot take
self-actualization learning cannot take
self-actualization learning cannot take place so my first thing I want to
place so my first thing I want to
place so my first thing I want to indulge you just earned
indulge you just earned
indulge you just earned I’m sorry impart upon you if you’re
I’m sorry impart upon you if you’re
I’m sorry impart upon you if you’re going to teach make sure the students
going to teach make sure the students
going to teach make sure the students aren’t afraid it’s the most effective
aren’t afraid it’s the most effective
aren’t afraid it’s the most effective strategy don’t put discipline above
strategy don’t put discipline above
strategy don’t put discipline above teaching now I want to go to the other
teaching now I want to go to the other
teaching now I want to go to the other side of things here I haven’t been in
side of things here I haven’t been in
side of things here I haven’t been in education for 12 years I have seen this
education for 12 years I have seen this
education for 12 years I have seen this quote all too often probably about 20
quote all too often probably about 20
quote all too often probably about 20 times at conferences meetings and it’s a
times at conferences meetings and it’s a
times at conferences meetings and it’s a great quote but I find it’s probably
great quote but I find it’s probably
great quote but I find it’s probably miss applied as often as it’s
miss applied as often as it’s
miss applied as often as it’s misattributed in fact Maya Angelou never
misattributed in fact Maya Angelou never
misattributed in fact Maya Angelou never said those words she said it was her
said those words she said it was her
said those words she said it was her favorite quote the original author was
favorite quote the original author was
favorite quote the original author was Carl Buner a high-ranking official for
Carl Buner a high-ranking official for
Carl Buner a high-ranking official for the Church of Latter day Saints now not
the Church of Latter day Saints now not
the Church of Latter day Saints now not the source you would expect but I think
the source you would expect but I think
the source you would expect but I think it’s still great advice the problem I
it’s still great advice the problem I
it’s still great advice the problem I see is that an education and we often
see is that an education and we often
see is that an education and we often look at this and think man if the
look at this and think man if the
look at this and think man if the students are feeling good I’ve done my
students are feeling good I’ve done my
students are feeling good I’ve done my job in fact I spoke to one teacher and
job in fact I spoke to one teacher and
job in fact I spoke to one teacher and he even said you know this semester but
he even said you know this semester but
he even said you know this semester but the students aren’t really learning
the students aren’t really learning
the students aren’t really learning anything but we’re having a good time so
anything but we’re having a good time so
anything but we’re having a good time so I feel like I’m doing my job
I wished I’d said I’m going to say to
I wished I’d said I’m going to say to you now no you’re not in fact if all we
you now no you’re not in fact if all we
you now no you’re not in fact if all we worry about is making students feel good
worry about is making students feel good
worry about is making students feel good we’re not teaching them we’re
we’re not teaching them we’re
we’re not teaching them we’re entertainers at that point I think
entertainers at that point I think
entertainers at that point I think entertaining is a great tool and our
entertaining is a great tool and our
entertaining is a great tool and our toolboxes teachers if we can keep the
toolboxes teachers if we can keep the
toolboxes teachers if we can keep the kids happy and entertained it’s a great
kids happy and entertained it’s a great
kids happy and entertained it’s a great conduit for learning because when
conduit for learning because when
conduit for learning because when students feel happy they feel creative
students feel happy they feel creative
students feel happy they feel creative they can express themselves it’s a safe
they can express themselves it’s a safe
they can express themselves it’s a safe environment but again all of education
environment but again all of education
environment but again all of education is about balance
is about balance
is about balance not too much discipline not too much
not too much discipline not too much
not too much discipline not too much entertainment but hitting that sweet
entertainment but hitting that sweet
entertainment but hitting that sweet spot in between now my time at Valpo I
spot in between now my time at Valpo I
spot in between now my time at Valpo I also have the opportunity to take a
also have the opportunity to take a
also have the opportunity to take a course on the teachings of Paul one of
course on the teachings of Paul one of
course on the teachings of Paul one of my favorite quotes is behind me here
my favorite quotes is behind me here
my favorite quotes is behind me here it’s from second Corinthians I adore
it’s from second Corinthians I adore
it’s from second Corinthians I adore this I think any institution of learning
this I think any institution of learning
this I think any institution of learning should have this inscribed on a wall
should have this inscribed on a wall
should have this inscribed on a wall somewhere look at the aspects of it
somewhere look at the aspects of it
somewhere look at the aspects of it number one I’ve become all things to all
number one I’ve become all things to all
number one I’ve become all things to all people that I might save some all people
people that I might save some all people
people that I might save some all people I know in education every day the kids
I know in education every day the kids
I know in education every day the kids to walk through that door I have kids
to walk through that door I have kids
to walk through that door I have kids with behavioral emotional needs who are
with behavioral emotional needs who are
with behavioral emotional needs who are visual learners who are audio learners
visual learners who are audio learners
visual learners who are audio learners kinetic learners you see those kids are
kinetic learners you see those kids are
kinetic learners you see those kids are always kind of moving around they need
always kind of moving around they need
always kind of moving around they need to do that to learn I have kids from
to do that to learn I have kids from
to do that to learn I have kids from different races from different religions
different races from different religions
different races from different religions I have kids from all sorts of
I have kids from all sorts of
I have kids from all sorts of backgrounds and all sorts of personal
backgrounds and all sorts of personal
backgrounds and all sorts of personal baggage every type of kid will walk
baggage every type of kid will walk
baggage every type of kid will walk through that door and I have to teach
through that door and I have to teach
through that door and I have to teach them all at once and that’s why I like
them all at once and that’s why I like
them all at once and that’s why I like the other aspect of this I have to
the other aspect of this I have to
the other aspect of this I have to become all things in fact good teachers
become all things in fact good teachers
become all things in fact good teachers know this we call this differentiation
know this we call this differentiation
know this we call this differentiation what that means is we differ our
what that means is we differ our
what that means is we differ our teaching strategies over the course of
teaching strategies over the course of
teaching strategies over the course of each day sometimes in the course of each
each day sometimes in the course of each
each day sometimes in the course of each class period I may teach my audio
class period I may teach my audio
class period I may teach my audio learners at one point flipped around my
learners at one point flipped around my
learners at one point flipped around my visual learners I may be more personable
visual learners I may be more personable
visual learners I may be more personable get down to someone’s level and then
get down to someone’s level and then
get down to someone’s level and then maybe I’m more sterner I have two very
maybe I’m more sterner I have two very
maybe I’m more sterner I have two very things that’s what good teachers do I
things that’s what good teachers do I
things that’s what good teachers do I become all things and then finally we’re
become all things and then finally we’re
become all things and then finally we’re only gonna save some I think an
only gonna save some I think an
only gonna save some I think an education we put too much pressure on
education we put too much pressure on
education we put too much pressure on ourselves sometimes that we have to save
ourselves sometimes that we have to save
ourselves sometimes that we have to save everyone in fact I’ll tell you one story
everyone in fact I’ll tell you one story
everyone in fact I’ll tell you one story for my early days of teaching this young
for my early days of teaching this young
for my early days of teaching this young girl she was a troubled child she would
girl she was a troubled child she would
girl she was a troubled child she would come in she would talk back to me and
come in she would talk back to me and
come in she would talk back to me and I’d have to kind of deal with that her
I’d have to kind of deal with that her
I’d have to kind of deal with that her grades were subpar at best and then
grades were subpar at best and then
grades were subpar at best and then something happened
something happened
something happened midway through the semester her grades
midway through the semester her grades
midway through the semester her grades turned around she was interacting in
turned around she was interacting in
turned around she was interacting in class positively she was kind and then
class positively she was kind and then
class positively she was kind and then one day she came by to ask me a question
one day she came by to ask me a question
one day she came by to ask me a question I couldn’t help but ask what had I done
I couldn’t help but ask what had I done
I couldn’t help but ask what had I done what differentiation hi employ that
what differentiation hi employ that
what differentiation hi employ that saved her I asked her I said so so
saved her I asked her I said so so
saved her I asked her I said so so what’s happened you’re doing a lot
what’s happened you’re doing a lot
what’s happened you’re doing a lot better now and she simply hooked up and
better now and she simply hooked up and
better now and she simply hooked up and kind of smiled she said my other parent
kind of smiled she said my other parent
kind of smiled she said my other parent has custody now
has custody now
has custody now an education we can’t control some
an education we can’t control some
an education we can’t control some things we have to let that go no matter
things we have to let that go no matter
things we have to let that go no matter what we do or what we try some students
what we do or what we try some students
what we do or what we try some students we can’t do things to save them and I
we can’t do things to save them and I
we can’t do things to save them and I think there’s a spirit of forgiveness
think there’s a spirit of forgiveness
think there’s a spirit of forgiveness that permeates education that needs to
that permeates education that needs to
that permeates education that needs to we need to let some of that stuff go
we need to let some of that stuff go
we need to let some of that stuff go however I do find right now that in
however I do find right now that in
however I do find right now that in education there is a certain demographic
education there is a certain demographic
education there is a certain demographic we’re not differentiating for a certain
we’re not differentiating for a certain
we’re not differentiating for a certain group of students that in fact surveys
group of students that in fact surveys
group of students that in fact surveys have shown over 70% of teachers say they
have shown over 70% of teachers say they
have shown over 70% of teachers say they feel like these students aren’t getting
feel like these students aren’t getting
feel like these students aren’t getting what they need and those teachers don’t
what they need and those teachers don’t
what they need and those teachers don’t know what to do
know what to do
know what to do those are gifted and talented students
those are gifted and talented students
those are gifted and talented students now I have to give a few caveats here
now I have to give a few caveats here
now I have to give a few caveats here when most people think about gifted and
when most people think about gifted and
when most people think about gifted and talented students and in Indiana we
talented students and in Indiana we
talented students and in Indiana we actually call them high ability students
actually call them high ability students
actually call them high ability students people think I wants the smart kids he
people think I wants the smart kids he
people think I wants the smart kids he wants to tell us to say that they’re
wants to tell us to say that they’re
wants to tell us to say that they’re fine no no they’re not
fine no no they’re not
fine no no they’re not in fact I’ll tell you a few things about
in fact I’ll tell you a few things about
in fact I’ll tell you a few things about if you look at the definition this
if you look at the definition this
if you look at the definition this stretches beyond math science leadership
stretches beyond math science leadership
stretches beyond math science leadership creativity being high ability is more
creativity being high ability is more
creativity being high ability is more than just being the smart kid I should
than just being the smart kid I should
than just being the smart kid I should know I was one when I was in elementary
know I was one when I was in elementary
know I was one when I was in elementary school I found myself being very bored
school I found myself being very bored
school I found myself being very bored in the back of the class I did act out a
in the back of the class I did act out a
in the back of the class I did act out a little bit at medically but more or less
little bit at medically but more or less
little bit at medically but more or less I just want to do more than what was
I just want to do more than what was
I just want to do more than what was being done in the class now I found out
being done in the class now I found out
being done in the class now I found out later on had to test myself for a class
later on had to test myself for a class
later on had to test myself for a class what my IQ was unsurprisingly I was
what my IQ was unsurprisingly I was
what my IQ was unsurprisingly I was average I still have I’m not one of the
average I still have I’m not one of the
average I still have I’m not one of the smart kids but I was high ability they
smart kids but I was high ability they
smart kids but I was high ability they tested me I was high ability and
tested me I was high ability and
tested me I was high ability and creativity which is why I love being a
creativity which is why I love being a
creativity which is why I love being a teacher the creative lessons each day
teacher the creative lessons each day
teacher the creative lessons each day that I can employ it makes me very happy
that I can employ it makes me very happy
that I can employ it makes me very happy but what we’re finding as many of these
but what we’re finding as many of these
but what we’re finding as many of these high ability students aren’t getting
high ability students aren’t getting
high ability students aren’t getting challenged in the classroom like they
challenged in the classroom like they
challenged in the classroom like they need to if you look at the final part of
need to if you look at the final part of
need to if you look at the final part of this definition it’s not about changing
this definition it’s not about changing
this definition it’s not about changing everything to meet the needs of these
everything to meet the needs of these
everything to meet the needs of these students it’s offering them something
students it’s offering them something
students it’s offering them something differentiating the curriculum to offer
differentiating the curriculum to offer
differentiating the curriculum to offer them something that will help them I
them something that will help them I
them something that will help them I want to give you an example from The
want to give you an example from The
want to give you an example from The Fountainhead if you’ve not read the book
Fountainhead if you’ve not read the book
Fountainhead if you’ve not read the book don’t worry I’m not gonna spoil anything
don’t worry I’m not gonna spoil anything
don’t worry I’m not gonna spoil anything but I’ll give
but I’ll give
but I’ll give a few notes about it it’s about an
a few notes about it it’s about an
a few notes about it it’s about an architect named Howard Roark when he was
architect named Howard Roark when he was
architect named Howard Roark when he was in school the Dean calls a man and the
in school the Dean calls a man and the
in school the Dean calls a man and the Dean says you’re not going along with
Dean says you’re not going along with
Dean says you’re not going along with the curriculum the curriculum has you
the curriculum the curriculum has you
the curriculum the curriculum has you drawing certain things and doing certain
drawing certain things and doing certain
drawing certain things and doing certain thing he refused to do them in fact
thing he refused to do them in fact
thing he refused to do them in fact you’re willing to go beyond the
you’re willing to go beyond the
you’re willing to go beyond the curriculum well Howard I already knew
curriculum well Howard I already knew
curriculum well Howard I already knew the curriculum and he was wanting to go
the curriculum and he was wanting to go
the curriculum and he was wanting to go beyond that at this point and the Dean
beyond that at this point and the Dean
beyond that at this point and the Dean simply looks up and says who’s going to
simply looks up and says who’s going to
simply looks up and says who’s going to let you go beyond the prepared
let you go beyond the prepared
let you go beyond the prepared curriculum we’ve given you and he gives
curriculum we’ve given you and he gives
curriculum we’ve given you and he gives this as his response it’s not a matter
this as his response it’s not a matter
this as his response it’s not a matter of who’s going to let me it’s who’s
of who’s going to let me it’s who’s
of who’s going to let me it’s who’s going to stop me and all too often in
going to stop me and all too often in
going to stop me and all too often in education is the teachers who are
education is the teachers who are
education is the teachers who are stopping students from learning because
stopping students from learning because
stopping students from learning because we’re slaves to curriculum we don’t want
we’re slaves to curriculum we don’t want
we’re slaves to curriculum we don’t want to go beyond it because we want to make
to go beyond it because we want to make
to go beyond it because we want to make sure all the students are learning at
sure all the students are learning at
sure all the students are learning at the same pace now keep this in mind as
the same pace now keep this in mind as
the same pace now keep this in mind as we consider that right now high ability
we consider that right now high ability
we consider that right now high ability students in kindergarten enter knowing
students in kindergarten enter knowing
students in kindergarten enter knowing 35 to 40 percent of all the material on
35 to 40 percent of all the material on
35 to 40 percent of all the material on day one now you imagine how frustrating
day one now you imagine how frustrating
day one now you imagine how frustrating that must be sitting there knowing all
that must be sitting there knowing all
that must be sitting there knowing all the material but being forced to go
the material but being forced to go
the material but being forced to go through it because that’s the process
through it because that’s the process
through it because that’s the process that’s the assembly line that education
that’s the assembly line that education
that’s the assembly line that education has become is any wonder that many of
has become is any wonder that many of
has become is any wonder that many of these high ability students what they
these high ability students what they
these high ability students what they decide to do then they act out they’re
decide to do then they act out they’re
decide to do then they act out they’re bored they’re frustrated some then think
bored they’re frustrated some then think
bored they’re frustrated some then think I’m gonna bother doing this and that
I’m gonna bother doing this and that
I’m gonna bother doing this and that giftedness that’s in them and Nate
giftedness that’s in them and Nate
giftedness that’s in them and Nate we don’t see it at all so that’s the
we don’t see it at all so that’s the
we don’t see it at all so that’s the issue I see in education and a don’t you
issue I see in education and a don’t you
issue I see in education and a don’t you consider this image an education right
consider this image an education right
consider this image an education right now I see a lot of floors and a lot of
now I see a lot of floors and a lot of
now I see a lot of floors and a lot of ceilings now if you don’t know what I
ceilings now if you don’t know what I
ceilings now if you don’t know what I mean when I say floor and ceiling
mean when I say floor and ceiling
mean when I say floor and ceiling consider this the floor is typically the
consider this the floor is typically the
consider this the floor is typically the minimum amount of achievement a student
minimum amount of achievement a student
minimum amount of achievement a student needs to pass so let’s say we’re all
needs to pass so let’s say we’re all
needs to pass so let’s say we’re all taking say a quiz on the countries of
taking say a quiz on the countries of
taking say a quiz on the countries of South America now maybe the teacher
South America now maybe the teacher
South America now maybe the teacher decides that 60% is the passing rate if
decides that 60% is the passing rate if
decides that 60% is the passing rate if you get 60% of those countries you’re
you get 60% of those countries you’re
you get 60% of those countries you’re passing that’s the floor the ceiling
passing that’s the floor the ceiling
passing that’s the floor the ceiling well you get all of them what about
well you get all of them what about
well you get all of them what about going beyond the ceiling
going beyond the ceiling
going beyond the ceiling are we accounting for those students the
are we accounting for those students the
are we accounting for those students the one in the countries of Central America
one in the countries of Central America
one in the countries of Central America that may want to talk about the
that may want to talk about the
that may want to talk about the political disparity in some of these
political disparity in some of these
political disparity in some of these countries the poverty that afflicts them
countries the poverty that afflicts them
countries the poverty that afflicts them we don’t account for the ceiling in
we don’t account for the ceiling in
we don’t account for the ceiling in education and in fact if you look at the
education and in fact if you look at the
education and in fact if you look at the definition of ceiling in the dictionary
definition of ceiling in the dictionary
definition of ceiling in the dictionary it says it’s an imposed top limit what
it says it’s an imposed top limit what
it says it’s an imposed top limit what kind of imposed limits are we putting in
kind of imposed limits are we putting in
kind of imposed limits are we putting in education right now I think it’s not we
education right now I think it’s not we
education right now I think it’s not we have a conversation about some of those
have a conversation about some of those
have a conversation about some of those limits one all mention is identifying
limits one all mention is identifying
limits one all mention is identifying our high ability students right now many
our high ability students right now many
our high ability students right now many schools they’re identifying their
schools they’re identifying their
schools they’re identifying their students with teacher recommendations
students with teacher recommendations
students with teacher recommendations now that’s okay but who are they gonna
now that’s okay but who are they gonna
now that’s okay but who are they gonna recognize the teacher pleasers are they
recognize the teacher pleasers are they
recognize the teacher pleasers are they gonna recognize the kids with a high GPA
gonna recognize the kids with a high GPA
gonna recognize the kids with a high GPA s consider this a student from a poor
s consider this a student from a poor
s consider this a student from a poor household who doesn’t have all the setup
household who doesn’t have all the setup
household who doesn’t have all the setup the structure that maybe a more affluent
the structure that maybe a more affluent
the structure that maybe a more affluent child has who has that support system
child has who has that support system
child has who has that support system maybe their giftedness can’t show
maybe their giftedness can’t show
maybe their giftedness can’t show through the way a student from a more
through the way a student from a more
through the way a student from a more affluent population can’t consider the
affluent population can’t consider the
affluent population can’t consider the statistic among high ability students
statistic among high ability students
statistic among high ability students those were minority or from low
those were minority or from low
those were minority or from low socioeconomic backgrounds are two and a
socioeconomic backgrounds are two and a
socioeconomic backgrounds are two and a half times less likely to be identified
half times less likely to be identified
half times less likely to be identified because these things are teacher driven
because these things are teacher driven
because these things are teacher driven they should be test driven I know
they should be test driven I know
they should be test driven I know standardized exams get a bad rep but you
standardized exams get a bad rep but you
standardized exams get a bad rep but you know what they work and in this case it
know what they work and in this case it
know what they work and in this case it will save those students there’s no bias
will save those students there’s no bias
will save those students there’s no bias in these tests it gives them that golden
in these tests it gives them that golden
in these tests it gives them that golden key to get the education they require I
key to get the education they require I
key to get the education they require I see another ceiling we’re building over
see another ceiling we’re building over
see another ceiling we’re building over these students it’s it’s preparation for
these students it’s it’s preparation for
these students it’s it’s preparation for teachers I mentioned earlier seven out
teachers I mentioned earlier seven out
teachers I mentioned earlier seven out of ten teachers over 70% of teachers
of ten teachers over 70% of teachers
of ten teachers over 70% of teachers don’t know what to do for their students
don’t know what to do for their students
don’t know what to do for their students these students are not being challenged
these students are not being challenged
these students are not being challenged enough these high ability students don’t
enough these high ability students don’t
enough these high ability students don’t have
have
have the challenges they need to excel
the challenges they need to excel
the challenges they need to excel teacher preparation professional
teacher preparation professional
teacher preparation professional development for high ability students
development for high ability students
development for high ability students you don’t see it that often I know in 12
you don’t see it that often I know in 12
you don’t see it that often I know in 12 years of education I have not seen it
years of education I have not seen it
years of education I have not seen it advertised to me I had to go out and
advertised to me I had to go out and
advertised to me I had to go out and seek it out myself
seek it out myself
seek it out myself finally we tell you a story I mentioned
finally we tell you a story I mentioned
finally we tell you a story I mentioned before that I was in a high ability
before that I was in a high ability
before that I was in a high ability middle school it was called the logos
middle school it was called the logos
middle school it was called the logos program the highlight of it was that are
program the highlight of it was that are
program the highlight of it was that are you ready for this there were no grades
you ready for this there were no grades
you ready for this there were no grades now imagine that the principal medicine
now imagine that the principal medicine
now imagine that the principal medicine the first day she said here’s my issue
the first day she said here’s my issue
the first day she said here’s my issue with grades in your previous classes if
with grades in your previous classes if
with grades in your previous classes if you got an A you thought you did
you got an A you thought you did
you got an A you thought you did everything you could that you were
everything you could that you were
everything you could that you were perfect
perfect
perfect not anymore we’ve lifted the ceiling go
not anymore we’ve lifted the ceiling go
not anymore we’ve lifted the ceiling go as far as you can go excel as high as
as far as you can go excel as high as
as far as you can go excel as high as you can
you can
you can we’re not gonna label you with an A and
we’re not gonna label you with an A and
we’re not gonna label you with an A and stunt your growth and that lives with me
stunt your growth and that lives with me
stunt your growth and that lives with me even now at age 34 so as we consider all
even now at age 34 so as we consider all
even now at age 34 so as we consider all these ceilings III want to talk about
these ceilings III want to talk about
these ceilings III want to talk about just what we tell our message to these
just what we tell our message to these
just what we tell our message to these young children I know we talk to young
young children I know we talk to young
young children I know we talk to young children we say reach for the stars and
children we say reach for the stars and
children we say reach for the stars and then his teachers we build ceilings to
then his teachers we build ceilings to
then his teachers we build ceilings to prevent them from grabbing them so
prevent them from grabbing them so
prevent them from grabbing them so consider this story again my middle
consider this story again my middle
consider this story again my middle school I was in sixth grade my parents
school I was in sixth grade my parents
school I was in sixth grade my parents planned this trip to Dayton Ohio now
planned this trip to Dayton Ohio now
planned this trip to Dayton Ohio now they were there on business and while
they were there on business and while
they were there on business and while they were there I was in sixth grade I
they were there I was in sixth grade I
they were there I was in sixth grade I didn’t wanna hang out with my parents so
didn’t wanna hang out with my parents so
didn’t wanna hang out with my parents so while they’re taking care of things I
while they’re taking care of things I
while they’re taking care of things I decide I’m gonna go work out I go to the
decide I’m gonna go work out I go to the
decide I’m gonna go work out I go to the workout room I break a sweat it’s cool I
workout room I break a sweat it’s cool I
workout room I break a sweat it’s cool I go back to my room throw myself in the
go back to my room throw myself in the
go back to my room throw myself in the bed it’s the 90s start watching the
bed it’s the 90s start watching the
bed it’s the 90s start watching the x-files and it’s still on today uh no I
x-files and it’s still on today uh no I
x-files and it’s still on today uh no I I find myself watching about 45 minutes
I find myself watching about 45 minutes
I find myself watching about 45 minutes hen I’m like I’ve seen this episode
hen I’m like I’ve seen this episode
hen I’m like I’ve seen this episode before I’m gonna get a shower as I’m
before I’m gonna get a shower as I’m
before I’m gonna get a shower as I’m walking to the shower I look over and I
walking to the shower I look over and I
walking to the shower I look over and I notice
notice
notice those aren’t my parents things I’ve been
those aren’t my parents things I’ve been
those aren’t my parents things I’ve been a sweaty mess for 45 minutes in the
a sweaty mess for 45 minutes in the
a sweaty mess for 45 minutes in the wrong room now I’ve brought this
wrong room now I’ve brought this
wrong room now I’ve brought this anecdote up to my students before and I
anecdote up to my students before and I
anecdote up to my students before and I asked them critical thinking what do you
asked them critical thinking what do you
asked them critical thinking what do you do here the answers I get some I mean
do here the answers I get some I mean
do here the answers I get some I mean it’ll say I’d be so furious I start
it’ll say I’d be so furious I start
it’ll say I’d be so furious I start throwing the bags out the window much
throwing the bags out the window much
throwing the bags out the window much okay
okay
okay then another said well you know I’d be
then another said well you know I’d be
then another said well you know I’d be really nervous I’d be afraid what if the
really nervous I’d be afraid what if the
really nervous I’d be afraid what if the people in the room come back and they
people in the room come back and they
people in the room come back and they see me leaving their room I’d hide under
see me leaving their room I’d hide under
see me leaving their room I’d hide under the bed again okay and what do you
the bed again okay and what do you
the bed again okay and what do you expect to do with that well then so one
expect to do with that well then so one
expect to do with that well then so one they come back to go to sleep I’ll sneak
they come back to go to sleep I’ll sneak
they come back to go to sleep I’ll sneak out and leave some simply say who cares
out and leave some simply say who cares
out and leave some simply say who cares I finished watching The X Files and get
I finished watching The X Files and get
I finished watching The X Files and get my shower I’d ignore the entire
my shower I’d ignore the entire
my shower I’d ignore the entire situation well most of them agree you
situation well most of them agree you
situation well most of them agree you get out of there within 10 seconds and
get out of there within 10 seconds and
get out of there within 10 seconds and find your parents which is exactly what
find your parents which is exactly what
find your parents which is exactly what I did we resolved the situation although
I did we resolved the situation although
I did we resolved the situation although we never stayed in a hotel in Dayton
we never stayed in a hotel in Dayton
we never stayed in a hotel in Dayton Ohio Frick and and I think this is a
Ohio Frick and and I think this is a
Ohio Frick and and I think this is a great example of what we do in education
great example of what we do in education
great example of what we do in education I know in my experience I’ve seen
I know in my experience I’ve seen
I know in my experience I’ve seen students that are high ability that know
students that are high ability that know
students that are high ability that know an awful lot and hear the reactions you
an awful lot and hear the reactions you
an awful lot and hear the reactions you can typically have no again you could
can typically have no again you could
can typically have no again you could have anger if you like I can’t believe
have anger if you like I can’t believe
have anger if you like I can’t believe the student thinks they know more than
the student thinks they know more than
the student thinks they know more than me when they probably do and you think
me when they probably do and you think
me when they probably do and you think uh I’m so frustrated err trying to break
uh I’m so frustrated err trying to break
uh I’m so frustrated err trying to break my curricula teach 30 people why can’t
my curricula teach 30 people why can’t
my curricula teach 30 people why can’t they just go with the program we’ve seen
they just go with the program we’ve seen
they just go with the program we’ve seen that doesn’t work these students get
that doesn’t work these students get
that doesn’t work these students get left out excluded you could be afraid as
left out excluded you could be afraid as
left out excluded you could be afraid as I said in my example and in fact I’m
I said in my example and in fact I’m
I said in my example and in fact I’m gonna make a confession to all of you
gonna make a confession to all of you
gonna make a confession to all of you right now I’ve been teaching for 12
right now I’ve been teaching for 12
right now I’ve been teaching for 12 years there have been numerous students
years there have been numerous students
years there have been numerous students that know more about Latin in English
that know more about Latin in English
that know more about Latin in English than I do
than I do
than I do that’s a hard confession for teachers to
that’s a hard confession for teachers to
that’s a hard confession for teachers to make but here’s the key they may know
make but here’s the key they may know
make but here’s the key they may know more about the course material and
more about the course material and
more about the course material and that’s not to say I don’t know my
that’s not to say I don’t know my
that’s not to say I don’t know my material but I know how to teach them I
material but I know how to teach them I
material but I know how to teach them I know how to provide them opportunities
know how to provide them opportunities
know how to provide them opportunities to continue expand they’re already
to continue expand they’re already
to continue expand they’re already exponential growth and that’s what good
exponential growth and that’s what good
exponential growth and that’s what good teachers do they don’t just plan the
teachers do they don’t just plan the
teachers do they don’t just plan the curriculum they make opportunities for
curriculum they make opportunities for
curriculum they make opportunities for those students now ignorance is another
those students now ignorance is another
those students now ignorance is another sin that we can commit here just
sin that we can commit here just
sin that we can commit here just ignoring the situation it’s probably the
ignoring the situation it’s probably the
ignoring the situation it’s probably the easiest thing to do
easiest thing to do
easiest thing to do just let the students kind of go along
just let the students kind of go along
just let the students kind of go along they’ll be fine I’ve got other kids that
they’ll be fine I’ve got other kids that
they’ll be fine I’ve got other kids that I have to worry about
I have to worry about
I have to worry about I’ll let them figure it out themselves
I’ll let them figure it out themselves
I’ll let them figure it out themselves the best solution of course is to say
the best solution of course is to say
the best solution of course is to say I’ve got this I’m gonna go to my parents
I’ve got this I’m gonna go to my parents
I’ve got this I’m gonna go to my parents and tell them I’ve been in the wrong
and tell them I’ve been in the wrong
and tell them I’ve been in the wrong room for the past hour it’s saying I’m
room for the past hour it’s saying I’m
room for the past hour it’s saying I’m gonna provide opportunities for this
gonna provide opportunities for this
gonna provide opportunities for this student it’s gonna give them the best
student it’s gonna give them the best
student it’s gonna give them the best chance to succeed
chance to succeed
chance to succeed I start every day with this quote from
I start every day with this quote from
I start every day with this quote from John Wooden I say be prepared to be
John Wooden I say be prepared to be
John Wooden I say be prepared to be honest I’m honest about what I can do as
honest I’m honest about what I can do as
honest I’m honest about what I can do as a teacher I can’t save everyone they’re
a teacher I can’t save everyone they’re
a teacher I can’t save everyone they’re gonna be students who know more than I
gonna be students who know more than I
gonna be students who know more than I do and that’s okay but I go in every day
do and that’s okay but I go in every day
do and that’s okay but I go in every day knowing that and I try to provide the
knowing that and I try to provide the
knowing that and I try to provide the best opportunities for every student I
best opportunities for every student I
best opportunities for every student I can differentiate for my high ability
can differentiate for my high ability
can differentiate for my high ability kids and everyone else and I want to
kids and everyone else and I want to
kids and everyone else and I want to talk about what teachers can do today to
talk about what teachers can do today to
talk about what teachers can do today to do that now you’re looking at examples
do that now you’re looking at examples
do that now you’re looking at examples here identification if you’re a parent
here identification if you’re a parent
here identification if you’re a parent you think maybe your child is excelling
you think maybe your child is excelling
you think maybe your child is excelling in one of the areas we talked about have
in one of the areas we talked about have
in one of the areas we talked about have a conversation with the teachers with
a conversation with the teachers with
a conversation with the teachers with the principal talk about getting tested
the principal talk about getting tested
the principal talk about getting tested identification don’t just let it teach
identification don’t just let it teach
identification don’t just let it teach your recommendation be the key testing
your recommendation be the key testing
your recommendation be the key testing specifically norm standard testing the
specifically norm standard testing the
specifically norm standard testing the cogut is a great one for early
cogut is a great one for early
cogut is a great one for early elementary we look at other instances
elementary we look at other instances
elementary we look at other instances we’re looking here at acceleration I’ve
we’re looking here at acceleration I’ve
we’re looking here at acceleration I’ve moved kids along a lot in my class I see
moved kids along a lot in my class I see
moved kids along a lot in my class I see a kid a lot and one that’s doing really
a kid a lot and one that’s doing really
a kid a lot and one that’s doing really well I don’t waste my time
well I don’t waste my time
well I don’t waste my time go to Latin 3:00 or Latin to I should
go to Latin 3:00 or Latin to I should
go to Latin 3:00 or Latin to I should say if your kids doing really well I
say if your kids doing really well I
say if your kids doing really well I want you to get the best experience you
want you to get the best experience you
want you to get the best experience you can I don’t want you just sitting in the
can I don’t want you just sitting in the
can I don’t want you just sitting in the back getting nothing from this
back getting nothing from this
back getting nothing from this experience we need to be much more
experience we need to be much more
experience we need to be much more comfortable acceleration compacting so
comfortable acceleration compacting so
comfortable acceleration compacting so for instance I know if I see a kid over
for instance I know if I see a kid over
for instance I know if I see a kid over the course of a two week class and I’m
the course of a two week class and I’m
the course of a two week class and I’m like okay this kid could probably get
like okay this kid could probably get
like okay this kid could probably get this lesson in about two days well give
this lesson in about two days well give
this lesson in about two days well give them extra stuff to do on the side
them extra stuff to do on the side
them extra stuff to do on the side compact your curriculum and allow them
compact your curriculum and allow them
compact your curriculum and allow them to do different things they’re not just
to do different things they’re not just
to do different things they’re not just sitting there bored and acting out if we
sitting there bored and acting out if we
sitting there bored and acting out if we look up your professional development I
look up your professional development I
look up your professional development I think those opportunities need be made
think those opportunities need be made
think those opportunities need be made more often for teachers I know for me in
more often for teachers I know for me in
more often for teachers I know for me in general I want to know more about those
general I want to know more about those
general I want to know more about those opportunities that are out there I think
opportunities that are out there I think
opportunities that are out there I think that college is offering it more in
that college is offering it more in
that college is offering it more in courses having those opportunities
courses having those opportunities
courses having those opportunities available communicating that to teachers
available communicating that to teachers
available communicating that to teachers there are ways to learn how to
there are ways to learn how to
there are ways to learn how to differentiate for high ability students
differentiate for high ability students
differentiate for high ability students finally extracurricular activities
finally extracurricular activities
finally extracurricular activities sometimes a kid cannot excel just in the
sometimes a kid cannot excel just in the
sometimes a kid cannot excel just in the classroom they need something outside so
classroom they need something outside so
classroom they need something outside so any teacher out there please by all
any teacher out there please by all
any teacher out there please by all means do not be afraid to start a new
means do not be afraid to start a new
means do not be afraid to start a new activity matter how crazy it might be
activity matter how crazy it might be
activity matter how crazy it might be started you’re gonna reach some kids I’m
started you’re gonna reach some kids I’m
started you’re gonna reach some kids I’m gonna give you two last examples here
gonna give you two last examples here
gonna give you two last examples here about how high ability instruction can
about how high ability instruction can
about how high ability instruction can really make a difference and
really make a difference and
really make a difference and you know this gentleman is Taurus and
you know this gentleman is Taurus and
you know this gentleman is Taurus and Wells he was considered a prodigy at age
Wells he was considered a prodigy at age
Wells he was considered a prodigy at age two
two
two now throughout his education he was
now throughout his education he was
now throughout his education he was really just given a very average
really just given a very average
really just given a very average education the best that he could get at
education the best that he could get at
education the best that he could get at the time obviously but he just kept
the time obviously but he just kept
the time obviously but he just kept going along and going along until
going along and going along until
going along and going along until finally at the Todd’s seminary for boys
finally at the Todd’s seminary for boys
finally at the Todd’s seminary for boys one teacher Robert Hill finally said
one teacher Robert Hill finally said
one teacher Robert Hill finally said look Orson you’re you’re way above the
look Orson you’re you’re way above the
look Orson you’re you’re way above the other kids this is gonna be an ad hoc
other kids this is gonna be an ad hoc
other kids this is gonna be an ad hoc education you go off to the side you do
education you go off to the side you do
education you go off to the side you do your own thing be creative
your own thing be creative
your own thing be creative blow me away with something Orson Welles
blow me away with something Orson Welles
blow me away with something Orson Welles was first play in that class an
was first play in that class an
was first play in that class an adaptation of Sherlock Holmes he then
adaptation of Sherlock Holmes he then
adaptation of Sherlock Holmes he then went on to produce War of the Worlds
went on to produce War of the Worlds
went on to produce War of the Worlds then Citizen Kane one of the greatest
then Citizen Kane one of the greatest
then Citizen Kane one of the greatest motion pictures of all time all because
motion pictures of all time all because
motion pictures of all time all because a teacher was willing to break from
a teacher was willing to break from
a teacher was willing to break from curriculum one last example young girl
curriculum one last example young girl
curriculum one last example young girl Emma crates from Guadalajara Mexico she
Emma crates from Guadalajara Mexico she
Emma crates from Guadalajara Mexico she comes in to her classes and the teachers
comes in to her classes and the teachers
comes in to her classes and the teachers at first think she’s a troublemaker they
at first think she’s a troublemaker they
at first think she’s a troublemaker they are constantly yelling her to to get in
are constantly yelling her to to get in
are constantly yelling her to to get in line to do what’s right and then
line to do what’s right and then
line to do what’s right and then teachers finally realize she didn’t know
teachers finally realize she didn’t know
teachers finally realize she didn’t know English that’s why she was acting now
English that’s why she was acting now
English that’s why she was acting now now is she making more culture and she
now is she making more culture and she
now is she making more culture and she picked up the language she skipped a
picked up the language she skipped a
picked up the language she skipped a grade she was gifted and in fact now
grade she was gifted and in fact now
grade she was gifted and in fact now she’s gone under to make a name for
she’s gone under to make a name for
she’s gone under to make a name for herself and both a private and public
herself and both a private and public
herself and both a private and public sector this is maria contreras-sweet in
sector this is maria contreras-sweet in
sector this is maria contreras-sweet in fact under the obama administration she
fact under the obama administration she
fact under the obama administration she served for the Small Business
served for the Small Business
served for the Small Business Administration and now she’s moving to
Administration and now she’s moving to
Administration and now she’s moving to buy The Weinstein Company to have it
buy The Weinstein Company to have it
buy The Weinstein Company to have it helm by a woman to correct mistakes from
helm by a woman to correct mistakes from
helm by a woman to correct mistakes from the past all because again a teacher is
the past all because again a teacher is
the past all because again a teacher is willing to recognize a high ability
willing to recognize a high ability
willing to recognize a high ability student and not just let her sit the
student and not just let her sit the
student and not just let her sit the back of the class to be a troublemaker
back of the class to be a troublemaker
back of the class to be a troublemaker so we’re here today to talk about
so we’re here today to talk about
so we’re here today to talk about conversations fine conversations that
conversations fine conversations that
conversations fine conversations that you have in your schools with parents
you have in your schools with parents
you have in your schools with parents teachers guidance counselors principals
teachers guidance counselors principals
teachers guidance counselors principals even going to your high ability
even going to your high ability
even going to your high ability coordinator in your district or diocese
coordinator in your district or diocese
coordinator in your district or diocese can make all the difference because
can make all the difference because
can make all the difference because these are conversations that can shatter
these are conversations that can shatter
these are conversations that can shatter ceilings and without these ceilings are
ceilings and without these ceilings are
ceilings and without these ceilings are high ability students can truly flourish
high ability students can truly flourish
high ability students can truly flourish thank you
thank you
thank you you
”
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