VSA/VSBA Fall Conference

October 30-31

 

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This year, the Annual VSA/VSBA Fall Conference is at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee on Thursday & Friday, October 30-31.  The conference is a great resource for school board members.  It features nationally recognized keynote speakers, professional development in small workshop settings, and opportunities to network with board members and superintendents from around Vermont.  The resort is located in a beautiful lakeside setting with a 18-hole golf course.

 

All school board members and administrators will receive a free USB computer flash drive containing conference materials and resources.  Register today!

 

 

Thursday, October 30th Keynote Speaker

Dr. Russell Quaglia

Dr. Russell Quaglia is the founder and president of the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations. The Quaglia Institute produces and disseminates research on developing drive and aspirations from surveying over 500,000 students nationally.  Unless positive, supportive relationships exist between students and their role models, many students will not accept even relevant and rigorous academics.

 

A central theme of this research is, “The 8 Conditions that Make a Difference.”  Adults in students’ lives, including parents, educators, and others, can work to integrate these conditions into their relationships with youngsters.  Dr. Quaglia believes that, “When the conditions that foster aspirations are in place, every child can reach his or her potential.”

  

The 8 Conditions That Make a Difference

Belonging         

Curiosity & Creativity

Heroes

Spirit of Adventure

Sense of Accomplishment       

Leadership & Responsibility

Fun & Excitement         

Confidence to Take Action

 

Thursday, October 31st Keynote Speaker

Dr. Gene V Glass

Dr. Gene V Glass, a distinguished education professor and researcher from Arizona State University, has recently published a provocative book titled, Fertilizers, Pills, & Magnetic Strips: The Fate of Public Education in America.  Dr. Glass posits that seemingly unrelated technological advancements in the 20th century have transformed American society and are the causes of many of the most important debates in education today. 

 

Glass sees America’s shift from a rural, agrarian society to a contemporary service economy, complete with advanced financial institutions and modern medicine, through a special lens.  He believes that the values of our democracy today put at risk a host of public institutions, services, and infrastructures, not the least of which is public education.  As he puts it, American culture has become “hyperconsuming and xenophobic.”