2008 Summer Institute for Teachers

Testimonials

“It might seem extreme to label my introduction to DBL as a life changing experience, but that is what it became for me. I’m not a new teacher. In fact, I have been teaching for over 35 years. I’ve studied so many methods, some good and some worthless. But DBL yanked me right out of ‘classroom mode’ and into a learning, creative, active experience for children (and myself). I can’t imagine that I could do a complete 180 degrees in terms of my thinking about what it is I’m really doing with my students and getting excited about it.”

—Toni Schoenberg, Teacher, Special Education/Social Studies, Grades 9-12,
   Huntington Park HS, Huntington Park USD,
   2007 Summer Institute participant

“I’d like to speak to the positive experience of being around other teachers and people who, like me, want to refresh something in ourselves by attending the Summer Institute for Teachers. Being here this week has helped re-infuse my philosophy of teacher, remembering what really matters. By being here, I’ve remembered why I teach in the first place and have been with people who are like-minded. It’s been great to knock around ideas and learn together.”

—Erin Brady, Teacher, Grade 2, Oliver Wendell Holmes ES, Long Beach USD,
   2007 Summer Institute participant

“I enjoyed the pace of the workshops. We were able to get information, play with the ideas, discuss, and return to the DBL concepts again and again. This circular learning process reinforced Dewey’s principles and design.”

—Alfredo Mathew, Teacher, History, Grades 11 & 12, Blair HS, Pasadena USD,
   2007 Summer Institute participant

“This was actually something I could use. I’ve always gone to conferences and at
the end gained knowledge without the actual knowledge of how to apply it. For once,
this workshop has gone above and beyond that, and it just wasn’t for the salary points this time.”

—Victoria Ruelas, Teacher, Science, Grades 9-10, San Pedro HS, LAUSD 2007,
   2007 Summer Institute participant