Here’s the links for the amazing Renaissance conference I attended this past July. Enjoy, truly inspiring, best conference I’ve EVER been to, really!
The Renaissance Conference in Orlando…let me think – WOW! That’s what comes to mind, seriously! I think every teacher should experience this conference at least once in their career! It’s called Jostens Renaissance. I urge you to check out the link, it’s truly an amazing program! It’s about building a school program & culture that your students help run and create that recognizes positive improvements in almost anything but in particular, academics! As they say at Renaissance: Show me your routines, rituals and what you celebrate and I’ll show you your school. What you celebrate is what you value. What you display on your walls is what you value and sends very loud messages. One of the first things we did when we returned was do a tour of our school and identify the types of messages our building itself and the murals, pictures, signs (or lack of) are saying to our students and community. What an eye opener that exercise was for all of us. We’re really making a conscious effort to convey positive and encouraging messages to our student population now and that includes taking down and painting over much of the art work that exists on our walls. But, the students are excited and want to jump right in and get their feet wet – it truly is exciting to see all the positive energy in the building. It really is a different school this year, not at all the same place as last year and I’ve been at this same school for 12 years now. We meet weekly (20 of us) to plan our upcoming events, recognition rewards, etc. It’s lots of time to begin with to start a program but we all know the rewards will pay off. They already are – for instance: one student who was suspended multiple times last year for attendance issues and other problems will be recognized tomorrow for his perfect attendance so far this year. Making these typically “problem” students see the positive side early has really been helping and is a focus for us this year.
One of the most amazing guest speakers was a famous teacher named Ron Clark. I was able to meet him and have him sign my books and get my picture taken with him. They actually did a movie about him called the Ron Clark Story and Mathew Perry plays Ron. I would highly recommend it! I could go on forever – but really, check out the link. I haven’t had time to make my “Renaissance video” yet but it’s in the works (it’s due for the pep rally Oct 4th so I have a bit of work ahead of me) and when it’s ready I’ll post it for you to check out.
Jostens Renaissance is a conference that my principal decided to take 17 of our staff (teachers and EA’s) to but we plan to take a group of students in about 2 or 3 years time after we get our program off the ground.
There were presenters there from schools that brought their student renaissance leaders with them. One school brought 20 teenagers. Amazing students and what they’ve done in their schools is truly remarkable and it all starts with baby steps and small things.
July 2011 is the 20th anniversary of Renaissance so a few of us that went this year are returning for this big event. They always host in either Disney Land – Anaheim or Disney World – Orlando. This year it was in Orlando, the 20th anniversary conference next year is in Anaheim. They usually rent something for a “fun” night for the whole conference. For example: This year they rented the Animal Kingdom Theme Park for 6 hours (6pm to midnight). It was shut down to everyone except for the conference attendees and we played all games and rides free. We were even allowed to win prizes playing our free games! Truly first class – amazing!
I really could go on forever about it. They tell you to start small with low risk high impact things to get the program started in your school so that you can build the right kind of student renaissance/leadership group to help run the program. They encourage each school to bring their school Renaissance T-shirt with their logo/motto or brand on it to add to the T-shirt quilt that gets made every year and to trade with other schools. Canadians (including us) with Jostens Canada had red T-shirts that had the “Eh Team” logo on it! And to top it off, you make excellent contacts and friends at the conference too!