Disrict 218 Teacher Fair an exchange of best practices

Much like a trade association convention, the District 218 Teacher Fair provided the time and space for inspired thought and motivated conversation.  Strewn with groups of educators talking in animation, the event felt fresh and alive.

A seminar of classroom best practices and invention, the fair allowed teachers from Eisenhower, Richards, and Shepard high schools and Delta and Summit learning centers to proudly share their success stories at display booths and during workshops.  Teachers walked around gathering ideas, asking questions, and thanking one another for the collaboration. 

“This event allows faculty members to teach colleagues some of their best practices that they employ to successfully teach our students,” said Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Dr. Ty Harting.

Math teachers Lisa Rubik and Dan Ludwig provided an excellent example with their booth detailing the utility of HoverCam. 

“HoverCam acts as an overhead projector, an audio/video recording tool, and an image annotation device,” Ludwig said. 

Rubik and Ludwig talked at length with other teachers about how HoverCam has enhanced their instructional delivery.

“It’s a technology that helps students understand material.  They make connections as we work through problems.  They can hear the reasoning behind the solution,” Ludwig said. 

After the fair, District 218 teachers evaluated the event.  The only piece of constructive criticism teachers mentioned in any volume related to time.

“I would have liked a little more time for my presentation,” said one teacher.  “Fifty minutes would have been nice since we’re accustomed to teaching in 50-minute periods.”

“I ran short of time, but I understand the need to maintain audience interest for an extended period of time,” wrote another in their evaluation.

Overwhelmingly, faculty members supported the event.

“Keep the same format.  I heard nothing but positive feedback from staff in my building as well as other buildings about the day.  I think this event helps re-energize people by giving them choices in their learning,” wrote one teacher.