2013 Conference

Fourteenth Annual Institute, 2013

Theme:  Engaging the Net Generation as Learners: Using Technology to Enhance Student Learning
Speakers:  Dr. Ronald A. Berk, professor emeritus, Biostatistics and Measurement, and former assistant dean for teaching, Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Greg Sherman, director of instructional technology program, Radford University
Award Recipient:  Doris Ennis, Roanoke Valley lifelong educator
Luncheon Speaker:   Dan Brown, author, teaching ambassador fellow, U.S. State Department of Education
Sponsoring Divisions: City of Salem Schools, Chesterfield County Public Schools, Roanoke City Schools, Roanoke County Schools and Roanoke Valley Christian Schools
Date:  June 17-19, 2013

Dr. Ronald Berk	Dr. Gregory Sherman	Mr. Dan Brown

Participants

The fourteenth annual Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute for Teaching and Learning was held June 17-19, 2013, on the Roanoke College campus.  Dr. Ronald Berk and Dr. Gregory Sherman presented keynote lectures on the 2013 annual theme, Engaging the Net Generation as Learners: Using Technology to Enhance Student Learning. Mr. Dan Brown, teacher and author, presented at the awards luncheon. This year Mrs. Helen Hanes, the Institute's patron, joined participants on Tuesday and Wednesday. She was accompanied by, by her personal assistant, Vickie Cuthrell, and friend, Jean Butler.

Four public school divisions and one independent school partnered with Roanoke College to sponsor the 2013 Institute; City of Salem Schools, Chesterfield County Public Schools, Roanoke City Schools, Roanoke County Schools, and Roanoke Valley Christian Schools.  Thirty-two teachers and administrators represented the sponsoring schools as full-time participants. An additional 79individuals attended based on application submissions, steering committee membership, or service as a breakout speaker.  In total, 111 individuals participated in the Institute.  Mrs. Stephanie Doyle, 2009 Virginia Teacher of the Year, and Ms. Kathy Gilford, 2013 Virginia Teacher of the Year, participated in all three days of the program. 

The Institute was privileged to host a number of special guests, including Mrs. Doris Ennis, recipient of the eleventh annual Margaret Sue Copenhaver Contribution to Education Award. Breakout speakers and discussion leaders included experts from eight school districts and seven colleges and universities; City of Salem, Craig County, Halifax County, King George County, Portsmouth City, Roanoke City,  St. Johns County (FL), The Episcopal School in the City of New York (NY), Bridgewater College, Ferrum College, Indiana Wesleyan University, James Madison University, Radford University, Roanoke College, and Virginia Tech. Apple Incorporated  personnel  also participated as breakout speakers.  Roanoke College faculty and staff contributed to various Institute events; including President Michael Maxey, Vice President and Dean of the College Richard Smith, Professor Katie Elmore, Ms. Patty Powell, Dr. Maria Stallions, and Dr. Lisa Stoneman. 

This year's Institute attendees represented seven states:  Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  Fifteen school divisions were represented: Botetourt County, City of Salem, Chesterfield County, Craig County, Franklin County, Guilford County (NC), Halifax County, King George County, King William County, Portsmouth City, Roanoke City, Roanoke County, St. Johns County (FL), Town of West Point, and Virginia Beach City. Five independent schools also participated; Roanoke Valley Christian Schools, Ron Clark Academy (GA), St. John Neuman Academy, Summit School (NC), and The Episcopal School in the City of New York (NY).

The number of 2013 full-time participants is listed below. Compared to 2012 there was a significant decrease in the number of participants, but it remained steady with numbers in attendance during 2010 and 2011. The lack of name recognition of the keynote speakers may I have influenced enrollment. In addition, many Virginia schools were still in session. 

In addition to the full-time participants in attendance at the Institute, a number of invited guests attended one or more events across the course of the three days.  These individuals included Roanoke College faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, session leaders, invited special guests, and area educational leaders and colleagues.
 

 
A continuing Institute initiative is to accept a balanced group of applicants, representing teachers at all grade levels, as well as administrators (both at the building and central administration level).  Established acceptance criteria were used for this purpose, and the attendance shows a representation of participants in all sub groups.  A participant goal for 2013 was to achieve at least a 10% enrollment of preservice teachers. The goal was identified to strengthen the college's teacher preparation program and to align with the donor's original desire to provide students with an early professional development experience. Nine percent of participants were preservice teachers, supported by scholarships given by Kappa Delta Pi Upsilon Tau Chapter, Roanoke College's Fortnightly Club, Roanoke Valley Reading Council, Southwest Virginia Professional Education Consortium, and Virginia State Reading Association. 

In recent years, the Institute has successfully balanced the number of participants representing elementary (K-5) and secondary (6-12). The trend continued for 2013, with 29% middle and secondary teachers and 26% elementary teachers. The number of administrators attending remains strong.

Faculty and students from six colleges and universities attended: Bridgewater College, Ferrum College, Indiana Wesleyan University, James Madison University, Radford University, and Virginia Tech. For the third year in a row, participation by sister institutions has been above 10% of all participants, increasing this year to 22%. This strongly suggests MSCI emerging influence and respect in the education community.
 
Attendance across various groups is reflected in the table below. 
 

**In years prior to 2004, college and university faculty representing teacher preparation programs and preservice teachers were classified within the elementary, middle and secondary categories based upon grade level emphases of their courses or licensure pursuits. Beginning in 2004, they were reported as separate classifications.

Reflecting on this data, we have determined the following goals for 2014:

• Continue soliciting scholarships supporting the participation of pre-service teachers. 
• Continue strengthening the partnership with the Virginia Teacher of the Year Network.
• Continue balancing participation by elementary and secondary teachers.
• Expand advertising of the Institute to reach a broader geographic audience; including RC alums and a diversity of educators.
• Shift Institute dates one week later during June to encourage attendance among school divisions with later school years.

Institute Events 
Engaging the Net Generation as Learners: Using Technology to Enhance Student Learning was the focus of this year's Institute.  Grounded in the scholarship of keynote speakers who build their professional work on student-centered, constructivist classroom practices, this year's program furthered the Institute's commitment to offer annual themes that build on a consistent theoretical base. Furthermore, it focused on one of the Institute's guiding goals,"examining a variety of multimedia and instructional technology strategies and tools for enhancing students' growth as learners."

The Institute continued offerings that have been well received in the past, such as keynote addresses, question and answer sessions with keynote speakers, technology workshops, and a variety of breakout sessions.  The Monday afternoon reception in the Colket Center was continued as a special event to conclude a day of interaction with Drs. Berk and Sherman.  Tuesday continued with an additional keynote session and breakouts.   Wednesday offered additional breakout sessions, including a panel discussion of next year's theme on teacher evaluation and student performance.  Physical fitness activities were offered on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and Tuesday afternoon.  In the evenings, participants were invited to interact on campus and at various local sites.  The College's bookstore also offered resources for participant purchase.
 
Breakout sessions focused on areas of continuing interest such as faith and learning and hands-on classroom application of Institute themes. The twenty-six speakers for these sessions were selected from a pool of proposals submitted to the Institute faculty.  

At the Institute's closing luncheon on Wednesday, June 19, Mrs. Doris Ennis were honored as the recipient of the eleventh annual Margaret Sue Copenhaver Contribution to Education Award.  The award recognized her life work as an educator in the Roanoke Valley.  Mrs. Ennis was instrumental in aiding Roanoke City School's process of desegregation. She has served the city for 50 years and continues to contribute her time and expertise as a lifelong educator.

At the award luncheon, institute participants presented Mrs. Hanes a bouquet of flowers and a copy of Betts Rivet's autobiography. Bett is the 2009 Contribution to Education Award Winner. Mrs. Hanes addressed the audience expressing how the Institute had grown beyond her expectations as a living tribute to her sister, Margaret Sue Copenhaver.