Dear Friends and Colleagues,
With the first day of summer finally nearing, I am feeling reflective. For me, this season always evokes powerful memories of summer camp in the northern woods of Wisconsin – the glistening waters of the lake, lush green forests and open meadows, bountiful communal meals, and lots of fun, excitement, and learning.
Summer presents unique opportunities for growth, and a chance to catch up on reading that inspires, motivates, and delights. With that in mind, we are dedicating this newsletter to building your summer reading/listening/watching list. In this issue we are sharing:
- A chance to participate in our first-ever “Community Read.” This year our Faculty-in-Residence Bryan Mascio led our Book Club in a multi-part discussion on the book Normal Sucks, by Jonathan Mooney. If you haven’t read it yet, now’s your chance! First 15 people to register will get a free copy, and Bryan will be sharing insights and reflections throughout the summer to all who sign up.
- Bryan has also curated a Recommended Summer Reading List which includes books, podcasts, research papers and videos that align with our four curricular pillars: Universal Instructional Strategies, Human Development, Educating Across Differences, and Change Leadership. Choose what interests you, and let us know what you think.
- I want to congratulate Alyssa R. Boucher, ECLC guest faculty member Gabrielle Rappolt-Schlichtmann and Rockport English teacher Emma Hensler on their recently released peer-reviewed journal article about Emma’s pioneering UDL collaboration with a speech-language pathologist on a student’s behalf. Emma’s first exposure to UDL was in ECLC. Their article, “Universal Design for Learning: A Shared Language to Create a Culture of Collaboration and Leverage,” is a great example of an ECLC Ripple Effect: A sign that what you are learning in the PoP community is having an impact back home in your practice, and with your students and peers. Email me at jfeinberg@powerofplacelc.org to read the full article.
- Today we are also happy to share a Q&A with new team member Diana Lebeaux, who is a self-declared bookworm.
Lastly, if you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to register for our August 5-6 Summer Institute, Staying Human in the Age of AI. Bring your laptop and your sneakers – we are co-hosting this year’s institute with the Day of AI and Project Adventure, so this will be an engaging and interactive couple of days that promise to be equal parts high tech and low tech.
Despite the tenor of the some of the recent local, national, and international headlines, I see much cause for hope. As you take some time to step back, relax, and breathe this summer, remember that you are making the world a better place by bringing your heads, hearts, and hands to your profession and to the children of Massachusetts. There is no more sacred calling.
With warmth and appreciation,
Jane
Read the full newsletter here.