June 4, 2002

Summer Workshops Focus on Innovative Ways to Help Kids Learn

While elementary and secondary school students celebrate the start of summer vacation this week, many of their teachers are making plans to attend Boise State University workshops designed to enhance their effectiveness in the classroom.

About 850 individuals, most of whom are public school teachers, are expected to enroll in a wide variety of two-day workshops offered between Saturday and July 27 as part of the sixth annual Institute for Effective Teaching and Learning. The workshops are held on the university’s main campus, at its Canyon County Center and at Meridian High School.

The 62 workshops range from papermaking in the classroom to improving parent engagement, storytelling, financial literacy, integrating flytying into a secondary curriculum and teaching with a global perspective. Participants can earn one hour of graduate or undergraduate credit for successfully completing each two-day class.

“Because of growing demand, we’ve expanded the number of workshops we’re offering this year,” said William Parrett, director of the Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies in the College of Education. “There is a real attraction to being able to work two long days and complete a course.”

The workshops are taught by nationally recognized scholars and practitioners, including Idaho teachers and principals of the year, National Board certified teachers and other award-winning educators. They offer educators, parents and community members access to the latest research-based instructional strategies, approaches and programs to improve their classrooms and schools and better prepare students.

It’s not too late to register for the workshops. A schedule of classes and other information can be found online at csi.boisestate.edu/institute.htm. Participants can begin the registration process by contacting the Extended Studies office at 426-1709. Registration deadline is one day prior to the course. All classes have enrollment caps, so early registration is encouraged.

Contact:
William Parrett
Center for School Improvement
426-1077 or 426-4343