A massive room full of 4,000 attendees and I am anxious to see and hear opening speaker Bill Gates. The conference theme is INNOVATION and Bill shares that studies show students learn more via blended learning and on line learning vs the traditional classroom setting. Embrace technology! The Sewickley school shared that they moved to a new compensation program – 5 bands of pay – just two years ago and they are surviving the change thus far! Staff prepare portfolios and a team of five administrators review and place teacher within a pay band. Teachers can apply for consideration to a higher level. If denied, then a growth plan is provided to help you get there.

Then Hathaway Brown School in Ohio shared their “Putting Imagination at the center – student driven learning”. They have about 14 different academies which they call centers. Impressive.

Sarah Kay, one of the closing speakers was my favorite. An example of how education can help shape and form students into passionate adults who make a difference. She runs Project Voice. KS should bring Sarah out to the islands….the students would love her! and so would teachers and staff.

Grateful for the day 🙂