Date:
The Franklin Institute completes its first year-long professional development program for leading educators in the region to deepen their understanding of the science of learning and maximize impact in classrooms, schools, and communities.
The Franklin Institute has made history yet again. In our efforts to empower educators in our region to make impactful changes in classrooms, schools, and communities, we are proud to announce the graduation of the first class of our Master Educator Program. The class of 2018 includes 22 teachers and principals from five area school districts. Over the past year, Master Educators participated in professional development about the science of learning, and visited the museum with their students and families. They worked to apply what they learned at the Institute to elevate their teaching practice and engage their communities to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.
With knowledge rooted in research and our Your Brain exhibit, we challenged many longstanding beliefs and practices in education including learning styles, lecturing, cramming, multitasking, and more. Educators commented that they felt encouraged being with like-minded educators who believed that education should be based upon the principles of effective learning, rather than mandated testing or unrealistic curriculum expectations, and that they left feeling rejuvenated to educate—for some, even after many decades of classroom teaching.
“This experience is career-changing.”
-Program participant, a middle school teacher
“This experience has truly changed the way I think.”
-Program participant, an elementary school teacher
On May 24, district leaders, school board members, community stakeholders, colleagues, family members, and staff from The Franklin Institute convened to celebrate the work of these 22 educators, who proudly described the innovative ways in which they advanced teaching in their classrooms and communities. From having students identify areas of curiosity and passion to infusing research-based strategies into teaching, to engaging parents in their communities to understand and support a growth mindset, Master Educators presented manifold ways to improve learning across their communities.
“I think every parent should take this ‘class’ before they have children. I also think our schools should make it mandatory. A majority of our parents in our urban community need this ‘class’ to encourage our children more.”
-Parent of a child who attends the school of a Master Educator
We congratulate this impressive group of educators as they continue to inspire others, and will be welcoming them back as mentors to new Master Educators. As the program enters its second year, we look forward to empowering even more educational leaders in our region to guide decision-making with the science of how people learn.
For more information about The Franklin Institute Master Educator Program and our professional development initiatives, contact Assistant Director of Professional Development Julia Skolnik.
Applications for the next cohort of Master Educators are due June 15, 2018.
About the author
Julia Skolnik, MSEd
Julia Skolnik was the Assistant Director of Professional Development at The Franklin Institute. She oversaw professional development initiatives and partnerships with school districts and out-of-school time organizations, as well as developing and leading workshops for educators and corporate professionals.
Follow Julia on Twitter @julia_skolnik