All Are Invited to RISE on November 7th!

I would like to personally invite you to the third annual Iowa Student Learning Institute RISE Conference on November 7th from 10 am- 4 pm at Waukee High School. Formerly the ISLI Fall Conference, RISE will be filled with many opportunities for students to learn and grow. RISE is unique it that it is organized by students, for students. Our organization firmly believes that students can do much more than sit in a desk and “receive” an education. We are asking students to rise to the challenge of creating change on issues they are truly passionate about. The conference will kick off with keynotes featuring local students from the Dowling High School walkout that embraced their right to free speech, the inspiring story of Yesenia Ayala who traveled across the country to pursue her dream of a quality education, and Benjamin and Amanda Yao from Kids Change The World who are working to empower students globally. For the remainder of the day, students will attend breakout sessions led by students and bootcamp workshops led by professionals. These sessions will enable students to collaboratively explore their passions and gain practical skills about how to be agents of change in their schools and communities. After the conference, we will also host the first screening in Iowa of the debut film Most Likely To Succeed, a documentary about the potential schools hold. These stories will push thinking, tug on heartstrings, and encourage students to take action! Best of all, the day is free and includes complimentary lunch and giveaways for all attendees. So, what are you waiting for? Register a group of students from your school today, check us out online at iowasli.org, and feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Hope to see you on November 7th! Remember, the world needs you! Ian Coon Co-Founder & President iancoon@iowasli.org 515.822.8834 @iancoon

Student Voice Opportunity - Iowa Student Learning Institute

School is changing. With No Child Left Behind and Common Core combining with new types of standardized testing and the integration of technology, straight row school is no longer a viable option. With all this change shouldn't we be listening to the voices that are affected most by change?

We are proud to announce the Iowa Student Learning Institute. Designed to give a stage to the voice of our students with the support of our educators. ISLI will be a combination of a variety of sessions. A keynote from Duane Magee and Scott Mcleod along with breakout sessions in the morning with a time for face to face collaboration carried out by students throughout the afternoon. We welcome students of all ages across Iowa to come and make your voice heard in this 1st annual student education conference.*

Register to attend with your students on Eventbrite.

View more details on our Smore website.

*Composed for the ISLI campaign by Dane Barner.

Questions are the Basis of Progress

Upon submitting an application to be a part of the student shark tank answering questions from teachers, I had to compose a brief essay on the two questions below. The Bacon Wrapped Lesson conference is a great professional development tool, leaving you with over 60 new lesson plans at the end of two days. Considering registering for the event here.

What do you think makes for a good and engaging class in school? Why do you want to be a part of this?

The role of educators in and out of the classroom has shifted recently from containing all of the information in the classroom to being guiders of knowledge in our 21st century global community. The physical space needs to enable students to gather, collaborate, research and then create at their own level and pace. When you allow the students to guide their own personal learning, differentiation and assessments come naturally. Teachers are still leaders and students will take after how they compose and function their own learning as educators.

I have witnessed the change of teachers handing over the reigns to students and have only seen success stories. My blog is focused on “Live to learn, learn to live, then teach others” (Horton) by sharing my stories and daily observations. If one does not apply or do anything with the knowledge they contain there is no meaning in even possessing it.

As our system becomes more dynamic than ever, I challenge educators to not only question and accelerate their students, but question themselves on how they empower students in their room and curriculum.

It is important for everyone to make time to reflect and change because “the power to question is the basis of all human progress” (Gandhi). The future of thousands of lives are in your control and the power lies within everyone of us to make that difference. I am asking to be a leader at the forefront of this revolution in the name of lifelong learning.

Creating Creatively: What I've been up to

I haven't taken time to write formally on my own and it really does make me feel bad. I have been doing much more creating lately though. Everything from posters, logos, presentations, documents, videos and photo organizing. I thought I would share some of what I have done. Anyways, why does it matter if you can't share it with someone?

Here are the PDF downloads (in Dropbox) of inspirational quote signs I made. Feel free to use them however you would like to.

I have made logos, dance tickets, posters and numerous planning for the Student Ambassador groups at the middle school and my current building.

I am currently working on a presentation on volunteering to present to Becky Goerend's 5th grade students along with many more in my speech class.

You can check up some of the other recent videos I have worked on at my YouTube channel or in this 9th grade playlist. My featured and favorite works are collected in this playlist.

Most of my daily time has been shifting through the thousands of photos I have taken. Here is an album I've collected so far of my favorites and publishing worthy photos.

I have been drafting blog posts (on paper!) that I hope to sit down and publish soon.