The Indiana Student Education Association (ISEA) hosted its second annual spring professional development conference, “Looking at Exemplary Work & More!” on Friday, March 27, at the IU School of Education Wright Building.  ISEA Leadership Team members planned, prepared and implemented the full day conference.

The purposes of the student sponsored event were:

1. to help incoming students better understand the complexities and challenges they might experience as students in Teacher Education at IU (Preparation for the Praxis, Preparing for the Clusters/Time Management, Preparation for Student Teaching);
2. to provide a format for exemplary work to be recognized, displayed and celebrated and also an opportunity for exemplary teacher education students to “present” at a conference for their peers and serve as outstanding “role models” for the School of Education. This conference can be a major “resume booster” for students who do present their work and finally,
3. to provide a format for exemplary student teachers to share their experiences as student teachers.

Breakout sessions focused on best teaching practices across elementary, secondary, special education, early childhood, and art education.  In addition to the student presentations and the keynote speakers, the Armstrong Teachers attended the conference and provided authentic feedback and encouragement to all in attendance.

What did students in attendance have to say about the “Looking at Exemplary Work & More!” conference?

• “The conference was a good professional development opportunity.”
• “The student teaching panel was so insightful, interesting and very helpful.”
• “We got good advice from all the speakers.”
• “I really appreciated ISEA for doing this conference. It is very helpful!”

In this short video, we take a look at some highlights from some of the students who presented their best work. See how innovative teacher education students have devised ways to teach through diverse methods including quilting and the movie “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.”

ISEA co-presidents Kacy King (kingkj@umail.iu.edu) and Brittany Kiel (bmkiel@indiana.edu) invite you to become a member of the ISEA Leadership Team. Contact them!