2009 Reviving Michigan: The Role of Developmental
Educators!
From
all accounts the 2009 conference was a resounding
success! What were some of the highlights?
Jim Folkening,
Director of Post-Secondary Services, Department of
Energy, Labor & Economic Growth kicked off the
conference by discussing the current economic climate
and the key challenge to educators: 1.7 million Michigan
adults lacks the basic skills or credentials to attain a
family-sustaining wage. Clearly, developmental education
practitioners have a key role in the current transitions
into a new economy.
The National Breaking Through
organization hosted an afternoon long
mini-conference showcasing some of the break through
practices institutions are implementing around the
country. Representatives from Grand Rapids Community
College, Mott Community College and Washtenaw Community
College shared amazing new programs they’re pioneering
at their schools including: contextualized programs,
cohort studies, combination Adult Education, credit and
non-credit coursework, and more.
The keynote speaker, Dr.
Sandy Shugart,
President Valencia Community College, shared wonderful,
thoughtful ideas and solutions to common problems for
those teaching first semester coursework. We should
adopt his mantra, “Any student can learn anything!”
Let’s be the first to believe in student potential.
From integrated technology presentations to brain-based
learning instruction to one-on-one discussions in the
hallways, educators were engaged in learning, sharing
and inspiring one another.
Let’s keep the conversations going!
Who
We Are