2008 Woodie Awards
Aspiring teachers get tips on trade
By: Joe Borlik
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
Karl Klimek is a man who loves his ties.
"When I was a principal in the Detroit school district, I would wear different ties to school everyday to bring a new flavor to the day as well as keep kids thrilled to see what new tie I'd wear," Klimek said.
Klimek was the keynote speaker of the Learn Today, Teach Tomorrow conference Saturday at Grawn Hall and spoke about his theories on brain/mind learning practices in schools.
Nearly 500 future teachers were invited to hear him present his "Incredible Teaching: Neurons & Nuance" speech.
Klimek is the Executive Orchestrator of the Convergence Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that incorporates brain/mind learning practices in school and has written books such as "Generative Leadership: Shaping New Futures for Today's Schools."
Klimek told students incredible teachers make incredible schools.
"A great teacher is a leader," he said.
He holds teaching and the principles of teaching so sacred that he believes teachers hold the responsibility to keep the American spirit alive.
"In Poland there is a saying about teaching that goes, 'To learn, to test, to forget.' We must fight against the 'machine' of education and learn the right way," Klimek said. "Emotions are the gatekeeper of learning and performance. Threat shuts down the learning experience. That is why you should always greet your students."
Other points in Klimek's lecture included his theory of intelligence as a function of experience that has nothing to do with worksheets and that humans in all cultures use multiple intelligences to solve problems.
"If you don't think kids from inner cities are smart, you're wrong," he said. "They know things that would amaze you."
The event also aimed to educate students about how to set up conferences.
Lansing senior Susan Smydra and Freeland senior Crystal Brownrigg were thrilled to attend this event.
"This has been a great learning experience," Smydra said. "We've been planning this since last year."
Brownrigg said she was surprised how much work goes into planning an event like this.
"I never realized the end product took so much planning," she said. "Everything from setting up rooms to figuring out name tags takes work."
Armada senior Laura Byrd said she wanted to come see what the student event had to offer and was impressed.
"It was useful and entertaining at the same time," Byrd said. "I'd come back; it was definitely helpful."
news@cm-life.com
"When I was a principal in the Detroit school district, I would wear different ties to school everyday to bring a new flavor to the day as well as keep kids thrilled to see what new tie I'd wear," Klimek said.
Klimek was the keynote speaker of the Learn Today, Teach Tomorrow conference Saturday at Grawn Hall and spoke about his theories on brain/mind learning practices in schools.
Nearly 500 future teachers were invited to hear him present his "Incredible Teaching: Neurons & Nuance" speech.
Klimek is the Executive Orchestrator of the Convergence Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that incorporates brain/mind learning practices in school and has written books such as "Generative Leadership: Shaping New Futures for Today's Schools."
Klimek told students incredible teachers make incredible schools.
"A great teacher is a leader," he said.
He holds teaching and the principles of teaching so sacred that he believes teachers hold the responsibility to keep the American spirit alive.
"In Poland there is a saying about teaching that goes, 'To learn, to test, to forget.' We must fight against the 'machine' of education and learn the right way," Klimek said. "Emotions are the gatekeeper of learning and performance. Threat shuts down the learning experience. That is why you should always greet your students."
Other points in Klimek's lecture included his theory of intelligence as a function of experience that has nothing to do with worksheets and that humans in all cultures use multiple intelligences to solve problems.
"If you don't think kids from inner cities are smart, you're wrong," he said. "They know things that would amaze you."
The event also aimed to educate students about how to set up conferences.
Lansing senior Susan Smydra and Freeland senior Crystal Brownrigg were thrilled to attend this event.
"This has been a great learning experience," Smydra said. "We've been planning this since last year."
Brownrigg said she was surprised how much work goes into planning an event like this.
"I never realized the end product took so much planning," she said. "Everything from setting up rooms to figuring out name tags takes work."
Armada senior Laura Byrd said she wanted to come see what the student event had to offer and was impressed.
"It was useful and entertaining at the same time," Byrd said. "I'd come back; it was definitely helpful."
news@cm-life.com
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