Winter 2022 Virtual Conference
February 1-3, 2022
The MiCoOp 2022 Winter Virtual Conference will provide engaging and inspiring conversations for all MiCoOp members and guests including superintendents, principals and directors, teachers, mentors, board members, and legislators.
This year we are showcasing each MiCoOp district and how they are focusing on student learning. The Conference Schedule below will be updated as information is received. Please register to receive Zoom links to participate in sessions. SCECHs are available for sessions attended.
*This conference is open to MiCoOp Members and invited guests. Contact Lisa, sitkins@mi-coop.com, with registration questions.
Conference Schedule
12:00-12:45 pm
Student-Centered Learning with the Canopy Project
Chelse Waite, Canopy co-lead at the Center on Reinventing Public Education
Sponsor: BookShark Virtual
Schools who set aside old assumptions about what “school” must be in order to adapt to students’ strengths and needs, create joyful and rigorous learning experiences, and reflect the values and priorities of their communities do so through transformative learning environments. The Canopy project is building a collective knowledge about these schools from around the country and Chelsea will be sharing what they are learning with us.
1:30-2:00 pm
MiCoOp Legislative Update
Eve Kaltz, Retired Superintendent and MiCoOp Advocacy Lead
Eve will share our legislative priorities that focus on student-centered learning and the steps she is taking to educate legislators about them.
3:00-4:00 pm
Partnership Changes
Over the last year or two…have you changed vendors? If so, why? If you canceled popular classes (e.g., Field Trips), why? Have you changed your course listings or registration? Join us to catch up on the changes Partnership programs have made that could help other MiCoOp districts.
Student-Centered Learning with the Canopy Project
Chelse Waite, Canopy co-lead at the Center on Reinventing Public Education
Sponsor: BookShark Virtual
Schools who set aside old assumptions about what “school” must be in order to adapt to students’ strengths and needs, create joyful and rigorous learning experiences, and reflect the values and priorities of their communities do so through transformative learning environments. The Canopy project is building a collective knowledge about these schools from around the country and Chelsea will be sharing what they are learning with us.
1:30-2:00 pm
MiCoOp Legislative Update
Eve Kaltz, Retired Superintendent and MiCoOp Advocacy Lead
Eve will share our legislative priorities that focus on student-centered learning and the steps she is taking to educate legislators about them.
3:00-4:00 pm
Partnership Changes
Over the last year or two…have you changed vendors? If so, why? If you canceled popular classes (e.g., Field Trips), why? Have you changed your course listings or registration? Join us to catch up on the changes Partnership programs have made that could help other MiCoOp districts.
9:00-9:45 am
Resources and Best Practices for Personalized Learning
Eliot Levine, Research Director, Aurora Institute
Join Eliot Levine, the Aurora Institute’s Research Director and leader of the CompetencyWorks Initiative, to discuss the elements of competency-based education, lessons learned from deeply implementing CBE schools across the country, and key resources for transforming schools and districts to CBE. Questions and topics you’d like to discuss are welcome during the session or in advance.
10:30-11:15 am
STEM Teachers Improve MTSS
Portland Public Schools
Have you been wondering how to problem solve ways to enhance your science programming as well as address the student skill gaps caused by current obstacles when delivering curriculum and instruction? Attend this session to learn about Portland Elementary Schools' Raider Discovery Labs. The district began the labs this year to provide high-quality STEM lessons to all DK-5 students enhancing the science and math curriculums AND giving teachers additional instruction planning time and personalized professional learning opportunities while their students are in STEM classes. Both of these are improving their MTSS system.
1:00-1:45 pm
Student Choice Within the Early College Program
Gull Lake Community Schools
Join us to learn about Gull Lake's Early College program design, which includes open pathways for student-centered learning. Gull Lake partners with several postsecondary institutions and serves students from a variety of backgrounds including brick and mortar, virtual, and homeschool. They will candidly share the highlights and challenges within their Early College program, and you will have a chance to hear from the student and parent perspective.
2:00-2:45 pm
Using Project Term to Give Students Voice and Choice
Bangor Public Schools
Like most districts, Bangor Public Schools (BPS) has pockets of personalized learning in their classrooms. To give all students voice and choice in their learning, BPS offered a five-week Project Term at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. From credit recovery to fly fishing and SAT prep to Kitchen Chemistry, students were empowered to take ownership of their learning. In this session, staff will talk about the why, the how, the challenges/successes, and the future of their experience.
Resources and Best Practices for Personalized Learning
Eliot Levine, Research Director, Aurora Institute
Join Eliot Levine, the Aurora Institute’s Research Director and leader of the CompetencyWorks Initiative, to discuss the elements of competency-based education, lessons learned from deeply implementing CBE schools across the country, and key resources for transforming schools and districts to CBE. Questions and topics you’d like to discuss are welcome during the session or in advance.
10:30-11:15 am
STEM Teachers Improve MTSS
Portland Public Schools
Have you been wondering how to problem solve ways to enhance your science programming as well as address the student skill gaps caused by current obstacles when delivering curriculum and instruction? Attend this session to learn about Portland Elementary Schools' Raider Discovery Labs. The district began the labs this year to provide high-quality STEM lessons to all DK-5 students enhancing the science and math curriculums AND giving teachers additional instruction planning time and personalized professional learning opportunities while their students are in STEM classes. Both of these are improving their MTSS system.
1:00-1:45 pm
Student Choice Within the Early College Program
Gull Lake Community Schools
Join us to learn about Gull Lake's Early College program design, which includes open pathways for student-centered learning. Gull Lake partners with several postsecondary institutions and serves students from a variety of backgrounds including brick and mortar, virtual, and homeschool. They will candidly share the highlights and challenges within their Early College program, and you will have a chance to hear from the student and parent perspective.
2:00-2:45 pm
Using Project Term to Give Students Voice and Choice
Bangor Public Schools
Like most districts, Bangor Public Schools (BPS) has pockets of personalized learning in their classrooms. To give all students voice and choice in their learning, BPS offered a five-week Project Term at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. From credit recovery to fly fishing and SAT prep to Kitchen Chemistry, students were empowered to take ownership of their learning. In this session, staff will talk about the why, the how, the challenges/successes, and the future of their experience.
9:00-9:45 am
Innovation from the Ground Up: Working with Students Who are At Risk of Failing
Link Learning
Sponsor: Pulse
Operating an effective online virtual program for at-risk youth can be very difficult. Through trials and tribulations, Link Learning has crafted a strategy to address the needs of their program, staff, and students. This has taken innovation, creativity, and problem solving at its best. In this session, you will hear from members of the Link Learning Team who will discuss their roots, progress, and most importantly their strategies to reach and teach at-risk students.
10:00-10:45 am
Project-Based Learning
Niles New Tech
For over a decade, Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy has used project-based learning as a vehicle to engage learners in meaningful, inquiry based learning that gives them an opportunity to learn and practice essential skills. Our facilitators and staff strive to build a culture where learners feel at home within the space, take real ownership of their learning and school, and have a voice in the classrooms and daily operations of the school. This student-centered approach is what makes Niles New Tech a dynamic educational environment. Come see how Niles New Tech uses Pbl, the iCard, and a focus on culture to meet the academic and emotional needs of our learners.
3:30-4:15 pm
Piloting an Elementary Competency-Based Microschool
Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw
The Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw began an elementary CBE microschool called CLK Engage at the beginning of this school year. Join us to learn how and why they began this program, what daily routines and assessments make this program personalized, the challenges and successes encountered, and what they are planning for the future of CBE in the district.
Innovation from the Ground Up: Working with Students Who are At Risk of Failing
Link Learning
Sponsor: Pulse
Operating an effective online virtual program for at-risk youth can be very difficult. Through trials and tribulations, Link Learning has crafted a strategy to address the needs of their program, staff, and students. This has taken innovation, creativity, and problem solving at its best. In this session, you will hear from members of the Link Learning Team who will discuss their roots, progress, and most importantly their strategies to reach and teach at-risk students.
10:00-10:45 am
Project-Based Learning
Niles New Tech
For over a decade, Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy has used project-based learning as a vehicle to engage learners in meaningful, inquiry based learning that gives them an opportunity to learn and practice essential skills. Our facilitators and staff strive to build a culture where learners feel at home within the space, take real ownership of their learning and school, and have a voice in the classrooms and daily operations of the school. This student-centered approach is what makes Niles New Tech a dynamic educational environment. Come see how Niles New Tech uses Pbl, the iCard, and a focus on culture to meet the academic and emotional needs of our learners.
3:30-4:15 pm
Piloting an Elementary Competency-Based Microschool
Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw
The Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw began an elementary CBE microschool called CLK Engage at the beginning of this school year. Join us to learn how and why they began this program, what daily routines and assessments make this program personalized, the challenges and successes encountered, and what they are planning for the future of CBE in the district.
Systems Changes Necessary to Move to a Student-Centered Learning Environment
Caledonia Community Schools
Blending Professional Learning to Personalize Learning for Students
Hamilton Community Schools
Caledonia Community Schools
Blending Professional Learning to Personalize Learning for Students
Hamilton Community Schools
Sponsors
