Throughout my career, whether as New Hampshire's Education Commissioner, Special Master at Hope High School in Providence, Rhode Island, or over the last decade in my current role at the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, I have always found that the best people to carry out a message - especially when it comes to education - are those who live it every day. For several years, our Foundation has advanced the notion of student-centered learning, promoting a remodel of education to meet the needs of all kids. Like remodeling a house, we're not just adding a new coat of paint, we're strengthening what works and substantially upgrading the outdated parts of our education system.
Recently, a respected group of teachers, administrators, parents, community organizers, students and researchers came together to launch the Nellie Mae Speakers Bureau on Education Innovation to help audiences think about advancing the way students learn to better prepare them for the future. These experts speak at national and regional conferences, community events and professional development workshops to share their perspectives and experiences on the innovative approaches to learning taking place inside and outside the classroom.
The Speakers Bureau members have the unique ability to discuss the complexities of public education in a way that no one else can. They are doing this work on the ground, living it every day.
Salim Salim, a student at Deering High School in Portland, Maine, recently presented at the Education Writers Association conference in Boston where he shared his journey of immigrating from Iraq in 2010. Salim's assimilation into American culture was shaped by learning experiences that gave him voice, autonomy and leadership skills. James Flynn, a social studies teacher from Meriden, Connecticut, led an engaging session this Spring at the Leading Future Learners conference at Holy Cross College on using social media as a learning tool. And John Freeman, superintendent of schools at Pittsfield Middle High School in New Hampshire, recently led a workshop at the New England League of Middle Schools conference where he shared his expertise around community engagement and school reform.
These are just a few examples of the knowledgeable and engaging speakers that are excited to share their stories about education transformation with you.
Are you an educator who wants to learn more about the ideas that define student-centered learning? Are you a parent, school board member or community leader who has strong instincts that your school system should be more student-centered but are not sure how to move forward? Are you a policymaker or business leader interested in helping your local school district think about how it can do better by students so your community has a secure future?
The members of our Speakers Bureau are excited and ready to share their insights. We hope that you will check out our website, www.nelliemaespeakers.org and reach out. We look forward to hearing from you.
Nick Donohue is the President & CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.