Hadley Ferguson

Middle School History Teacher at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

How are you involved in education?
I teach middle school history at Springside School, an independent school for girls. I am also one of the faculty representatives to the Middle School technology group. I am one of 19 advisors to the Library of Congress in developing their outreach to teachers through Teaching with Primary Sources.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
It would be one where there is lots of interdisciplinary work being done, work that supports learning the skills of each discipline while integrating them within a larger understanding of the world. It would be one where the students are engaged in inquiry, research and self-reflection.  Students would be empowered to ask questions and take an ever-increasing role in their own learning. The teacher would be there to facilitate a student’s love of learning, not to run the show.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I would either lead one on how to use primary sources to increase student engagement or one on how to teach students to be effective collaborators, from working with a partner to making and sustaining global connections.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://hadleyjf.wordpress.com

Are you on Twitter?
@hadleyjf

Mary Beth Hertz

Technology Teacher and Instructional Technology Specialist

How are you involved in education?
I am a Technology Teacher at a K-8 elementary school in North Philadelphia. I also support teachers as they incorporate technology in their classrooms. I am an active member of the educator network on Twitter and blog for Edutopia. I have a Master’s in Instructional Technology and was just named PAECT’s 2013 Outstanding Teacher of the Year.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal school would have a school culture that encourages open dialogue, student-centered learning, high levels of staff collaboration with each other as well as outside the school walls. There would be seamless integration of technology into daily activities with students expressing themselves through blogs and collaborating using wikis. The school would have a Twitter feed and a Facebook page to keep families and community members involved in the school community and its goings-on.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I would love to run a session on assessing technology-rich projects, on teaching research skills to K-8 students, or on Makerspaces in schools (mostly so I could hear about how others do it!)

Do you have a website or blog?
I blog at  http://mbteach.com/

Are you on Twitter?
@mbteach

Kevin Jarrett

Teacher of Computer Education, K-4

How are you involved in education?
I’m a K-4 Computer Lab Teacher / Technology Facilitator at Northfield Community School in Northfield, NJ, where I have been teaching since 2003. Prior to teaching I worked in the corporate world for almost 20 years. I left the private sector in the aftermath of 9/11 because I wanted to do something more important with my life, to follow my lifelong dream of one day becoming a teacher.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
Since I teach in a computer lab, my ideal classroom is truly a laboratory – one in which inquiry, curiosity, experimentation, exploration and learning are aided by technology and its ability to link people, places and ideas. It doesn’t even have to be a physical, formal space; it could be in a hallway or even outside in a field. Students should work independently yet collaboratively on authentic, challenging tasks and projects in which the technology is ubiquitous and natural, like reaching for a pencil or crayon, a piece of paper or a book. Work would be published online for the community (and world) to see and interact with. There would be no state tests, only portfolios required for graduation, a living digital archive representing the summative work of a student from their first day in school. The linkages between school, home and the community would be seamless and transparent.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Honestly, after all the planning and preparation we’ve done for the event, leading a session is the last thing on my mind. We are however considering running a couple of sessions in which we discuss “the making of edcamp philly,” which would be led by different members of the organizing team (whoever is available). I think that would be a lot of fun, and, it might inspire others to put on their own edcamps, just as we were inspired at BarCamp Philly.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.ncs-tech.org

Are you on Twitter?
@kjarrett

Ann Leaness

High School English Teacher

How are you involved in education?
I am currently a High School English Teacher at The Franklin Learning Center in the School District of Philadelphia. I also teach Graduate Education Classes for Neumann University.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom would be open in the center for class discussions, mini-lectures and model lessons. It would be surrounded by nooks and crannies for private reading and independent work. There would be tech centers and work spaces fit for group planning and working. The walls would be covered in idea paint for brainstorming and organizing information. There would be books EVERYWHERE!  The environment would be fun, safe and comfortable, a place to learn and explore new ideas together.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I think I would like to run a session about the pitfalls of problem-based learning and how to build in progress monitoring supports to sustain momentum and ultimate success. Of course any type of techie session is a given.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://lifewithl.com

Are you on Twitter?
@aleaness

Christine Miles

Educational Consultant & Curriculum Development Specialist

How are you involved in education?

In September 2012, I joined Grant Wiggins and his organization, Authentic Education, in order to provide educators with professional development on Understanding by Design. In addition to providing meaningful PD, Authentic Education assists districts and education-based organizations in writing and developing high-quality curriculum.

In addition to this, I am pursuing my doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University. Through this pursuit, I have been studying the diffusion of the Edcamp model of PD throughout society. It’s amazing to see how the Edcamp phenomenon has grown in such a short time!

In my spare time, I facilitate several websites, http://EngDoCollaborative.wikispaces.com and http://miles-o-resources.wikispaces.com, and my alter-ego throws down some mean back-up vocals with Johnny Miles & The Waywards http://www.johnnymilesmusic.com.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom inspires students by providing them with autonomy in learning. It shows them that all members (teacher included!) have unique interests and empowers students. It is an environment where we all have the ability to contribute, explore, and develop into our best possible selves.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Creating collaborative environments online; web tools to enhance literacy and differentiation across the curriculum; the empowerment of choice vs. the oppression of force in the English/Language Arts classroom.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.miles-o-resources.wikispaces.com
http://EngDoCollaborative.wikispaces.com

Are you on Twitter?
@ritzius2

Mike Ritzius

High School Science Teacher and Union President

How are you involved in education?
I am a HS science teacher going on 10 years at Camden County Technical School. I am also the president of my local association, a position that I have held for the past 4 years

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
I have been living in my ideal classroom for the past 9 months. We created a program consisting 100 students, 5 teachers, and 1 giant room with a curriculum that is fully integrated both vertically and horizontally. We deliver all content through a hybrid of face to face and asynchronous online learning. The students are empowered to make many choices with regard to how they meet standard. It has been both a challenging and wonderful experience for everyone in the room.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I will be talking about my ideal classroom and how I made it a reality.

Are you on Twitter?
@mritzius

Kim Sivick

Technology Coordinator

How are you involved in education?
I am currently the Director of Technology Engagement and Coordinator of Student Leadership with Technology at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom would be fluid, able to be rearranged frequently to re-energize the environment. I’d like all students to have access to technology at all times. PK-4 would have iTouches or iPads, grade 5 and above would have MacBooks. Every room would have multiple stations(quiet reading nook, completely stocked arts and crafts area, math immersion area and lots of round tables. Technology would not be the focus rather a commonly used tool in all concentrations. Students PK-5 would leave the classroom for at least 1/2 day, once a month for outside learning experiences in the neighborhood. Grade 6-8 would have overnight trips at least once a year within a few hours of the school and grades 9-12 would travel internationally to specific areas to learn with students whom they have established an online collaborative educational relationship.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I’d like to lead a session on how to connect, collaborate and create meaningful project based learning with a global connection focus.

Do you have a website or blog?
Teachers of the Future | independent school education blog

Are you on Twitter?
@ksivick

Kristen Swanson, Ed.D.

Curriculum Coach

How are you involved in education?
I work with Grant Wiggins to help teachers implement Understanding by Design as part of the iZone project. Helping teachers give their students opportunity for meaningful transfer is my passion!

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
My ideal classroom would be the REAL WORLD! Students would travel to places near and far to get authentic learning experiences. They would then evaluate and create new products based upon what they learned!

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I hope to lead a “fishbowl” session where we debate different pedagogical strategies.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://www.kristenswanson.org

Are you on Twitter?
@kristenswanson

Former (Founding) Members:

Nicolae Borota

High School Math Teacher and Adjunct Professor

How are you involved in education?
I currently teach Mathematics for Camden Country Technical Schools in the Integrated Studies Program.

I am also a adjunct mathematics professor for Kaplan University and ITT Tech.

In my past jobs, I was the Mathematics Coordinator for the New Jersey Department of Education in the Office of Assessment. I also worked for The Educational Testing Service as a Mathematics Content Specialist assigned to develop assessments for various programs.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
I pretty much have my ideal classroom. It is 3600 square feet and I am in the room with 4 other teachers. We have 100 students all day long. They are Freshman through Seniors and are immersed in a project-based learning environment. Can’t get better than that.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
I along with my colleagues are planning of presenting the ideas behind our Integrated Studies approach to education. I think that people who attend this session will see many interesting things…Make sure to attend it!!!

Do you have a website or blog?
http://sites.google.com/site/borotamathematics

Are you on Twitter?
@nborota

Dan Callahan

Technology Integration Specialist

How are you involved in education?
After spending eight years as a special education teacher in Pennsylvania, I’ve moved up to Burlington, MA to be a Technology Integration Specialist for an elementary school.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
Two parts curiosity, three parts kindness, one part technology.

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?

My specialty at Edcamps has become Things That Suck, a session filled with debate about about educational issues. I’m going to sunset my TTS experience at Edcamp Philly with the special series finale.

Do you have a website or blog?
http://dancallahan.net

Are you on Twitter?
@dancallahan

Rob Rowe

Private Instrumental Strings Instructor

How are you involved in education?
After teaching in public schools in both urban and rural districts as an instrumental music teacher, I left “the system” to teach violin, viola, cello, and bass privately. Currently, I offer lessons for grades 3 through adult in the Bucks and Montgomery County area.

What does your ideal school or classroom look like?
I believe learning happens everywhere. We, as educators, need to harness our students’ loves, passions, and interests, and offer instruction that helps them achieve their goals (or strive for goals they don’t know they have yet).

Have you ever attended an unconference? If so, which ones?
I’ve attended Philadelphia’s past 2 BarCamps, as well as their 2009 PodCamp (which is slightly more structured than a BarCamp).

If you were to lead a session at Edcamp, what would it be about?
Intellectual Property (with an emphasis on open-source and Creative Commons licensing), or including students’ talents in their everyday learning.

 

Do you have a website or blog?
http://rorowe.blogspot.com

Are you on Twitter?
@rorowe