We work with school leadership to develop uniquely tailored professional development that is aligned with your school’s visions and goals.
INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS
Project Based Learning and Sustainability Education
A one-day introduction to the core content and competencies of Sustainability Education through examples of exemplary student work that show students engaged with their communities and involved in authentic, lifelong learning. Participants will leave with a shared understanding of sustainability education and identified examples of leverage points for change and growth in their own curriculum and context.
Interpreting the Reggio Approach for Early Childhood Classrooms
A one-day introduction to the fundamentals of the Reggio approach using work from both Reggio Emilia and North American contexts. Exemplars will be shared and participants will think together about how these fundamental principles can inspire their own work in school. Participants will leave with a shared understanding of the fundamentals of the Reggio approach and a good grasp of typical paths for introducing these principles and practices in schools for young children.
Interpreting the Reggio approach for Elementary Classrooms
A one-day introduction to the fundamentals of the Reggio approach approach as they have been interpreted in different contexts in elementary classrooms. Examples of multidisciplinary projects and excellent student work will lead participants to think together about how these principles and practices can apply to their own work in school. Participants will leave with a shared understanding of the fundamentals of the Reggio approach and several identified goals and action steps for their own contexts.
STRENGTHS ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Strengths Assessment and Recommendations for Early Childhood Programs
We interview school leaders in order to understand the dreams and goals that you have for your school. After a period of observation in your school, we compose and share our observations highlighting your strengths and leverage points for growth. In an afternoon workshop we weave together your strengths with possibilities for future growth. We offer specific examples from other school contexts that can inspire and lead to next steps in your school’s development. Participants will leave with a shared understanding of leverage points for their collective growth, and an action plan for first action steps toward their vision.
Strengths Assessment and Recommendations for Elementary Schools
We work with school leaders to determine specific visions and goals for your school. After a period of observation in your school, we prepare and present a document with images and descriptors that focus on your strengths and highlight leverage points for growth. In an afternoon workshop we build on your strengths and offer specific examples from other school contexts that can inspire and lead to next steps in your development. Participants will leave with a shared understanding of selected strengths, entry points for building on those strengths, and an action plan of first steps that lead toward their vision.
PROJECT COACHING AND CURRICULUM MAPPING
We support faculty in the development of small scale, integrated, multidisciplinary, real world projects that involve students and teachers in research and learning around a specific focus. We teach and coach teachers and administrators to use a curriculum mapping framework to build strong, relevant approaches to teaching and learning. We assist teachers and students in preparing and publishing a product or result that influences both the participants and the community to shift toward a healthy, hopeful future.
Participants will leave with a well-developed curriculum map and plans for a resulting in-house published document by students that will both engage and inform the community about their learning. This exemplary student work can be posted on school websites, distributed to local organizations and shared with other educators and community members.
SCHOOL DESIGN: PEDAGOGY, SYSTEMS ORGANIZATION,
& ARCHITECTURE
Cadwell Collaborative serves effectively as the translator of pedagogy into school design, acting as a bridge between educational leadership and architects.
We collaborate in the design of new buildings, additions and renovations. Our designs will reflect a new way of thinking about school and school buildings such that the form of the buildings and spaces support myriad learning styles, multiple disciplines, collaboration, and authentic youth engagement in the communities.
EXTENDED SERVICES
We work with school leadership to develop uniquely tailored professional development aligned with your schools visions and goals.
We work with school leaders and faculties to design on-going professional development and coaching in curriculum design and mapping, student work analysis, documentation and assessment processes, systems for faculty collaboration and shared leadership, and environment and building design.
SEMINARS WITH PARTNERS
One of the best ways to understand how to inspire excellent, creative student work and to educate for sustainability is to visit exemplary schools. We work with one or more schools in St. Louis (The St. Michael School of Clayton, Clayton Schools’ Family Center and The College School) and Opal School of the Portland Children’s Museum to design seminars that combine any of the workshops we offer with school visits, classroom observations, and conversations with teachers. Participants will leave with photographs, notes, and materials that will guide them to move toward their own visions and goals in their own contexts.
UNIVERSITY CLASSES
As an adjunct member of the faculty at both Butler University in Indianapolis, IN and Lesley University in Cambridge MA, Louise often teaches classes. For example, she has co-taught week-long field study seminars based at Opal School in Portland, OR with both Butler University and Lesley University. Opportunities such as this are posted on our website, included in our newsletter and listed in university catalogues.
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