We’re Back LIVE!
Dick Comar’s Michigan Summer Institutes, Lansing June 22-25, plus one PBE Experiential Learning Independent Study Day
“The Power of 4…The Strength of TEAM” Educators Conference
University of Pacific – 3-4 Semester credits
Available “Live” for Michigan Educators and ZOOM for all other states.
Educator Well-Being Conferences & Accelerating Academic Achievement for 39 years (since 1987)
For more than a decade and a half, Michigan Summer Institutes have been guided by the steady leadership of Site Coordinator Dick Comar—now returning for his 17th year at the helm. After several years away from in-person gatherings due to COVID, he is excited to bring back the energy, connection, and impact of a fully “LIVE” Summer Institutes experience.’’
This four-day TEAM-focused conference is designed to inspire and recharge educators at every level. Under Comar’s direction, participants will engage with 5-star presenters, explore Place-Based Education at Michigan State University, and take part in subject-level Professional Learning Sessions (PLSs) tailored to real classroom needs.
Beyond the learning, the experience is built to support the whole educator—with daily wellness options from 4–6 p.m., including country line dancing, golf, and more. Attendees will leave not only with valuable knowledge and salary advancement credits, but also with renewed energy, meaningful connections, and plenty of moments to laugh, reflect, and grow together.
This high-energy professional development event blends proven classroom strategies with powerful coaching principles that help educators build stronger learning environments, improve student engagement, and combat teacher burnout.
Educators will gain practical strategies to strengthen:
• Classroom leadership
• Student engagement
• School culture
• Teacher motivation and resilience
Course Information
Course title:
The Power of 4…The Strength of TEAM
On Demand
Online
REGISTER NOW
About this conference
Summer Institutes provides a unique opportunity to engage in a series of separate courses that help participants learn new and effective ways to teach with “whole education” strategies and motivate students. The process maximizes the effort of the learner to understand new knowledge in best practice research with opportunity for application, in order to master the strategies needed to equip students for success in the real world – whether creating foundations for early learning, preparing youth for college, or enhancing skills for students joining the workforce. This professional learning format is designed to encourage teachers to engage in experiential learning and positively affect their classroom practice to increase the relationship, mindset and grit of their students, and promote greater student outcomes.
Mark Speckman, International Inspirational Presenter/Coach
Mark’s story is not about avoiding life’s twists and turns or hiding from our weaknesses, but about conditioning one’s self to believe in the power of the human spirit and achieve our highest goals.
Mark Speckman is so much more than a football coach. He is a teacher, a motivational speaker, and a man who has learned to turn the adversity that life has dealt him into a positive affirmation. His life speaks volumes about never giving up, always doing the very best you can regardless of the circumstances, and how you can use your difficult (some would call it impossible situation) to help others. Mark Speckman was born without hands, a situation which might ultimately destroy the strongest of us. Mark has taken his physical liability and turned it into a positive. He has touched many thousands with his uplifting story.
He has been listed in the prestigious Who’s Who among American High School Teachers. Mark was also selected a Mentor teacher in the state of California. Mark has been featured by numerous national media outlets (including ESPN and USA Today) and has established himself as one of the most in-demand motivational speakers in the country.
Mark learned early on that he couldn’t escape his disability. He had to face his challenges and “figure life out” without hands. In his mid-20’s Mark made a pact with God to use his disability to create a positive impact in others lives. He made a promise to share his life story with anyone who inquired. Since then, While Mark’s physical disability is evident, his message is about helping people recognize and overcome the “disabilities” in their own life. At the end of the day all of us are limited by disabilities that keep us from realizing our potential. Whether it is poor communication skills, fear of failure or lack of organization, we all have weaknesses in our lives that require extra effort or creativity on our part to achieve success. Mark’s story is not about avoiding life’s twists and turns or hiding from our weaknesses, but about conditioning one’s self to believe in the power of the human spirit and achieve our highest goals.
Scott Ricardo, President/Founder Summer Institutes
Passionate Team Intervention System (PTIS)
For more than four decades, Coach Scott Ricardo has helped teams, athletic departments, educators, students and organizations build winning cultures both on the field and in the classroom. Ricardo is a veteran educator and known for helping teachers and coaches build powerful learning cultures through his proven TEAM principles of Time, Effort, Attitude — and the “Mystery of M,” the pursuit of excellence.
A former collegiate coach, athletic director, and educator, Ricardo brings over 45 years of experience in team leadership, performance systems, and athlete/student development. His career includes coaching and recruiting roles at major universities including Washington State University, University of California Berkeley, Central Washington University, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Humboldt State University.
As Founder and President of Summer Institutes, Ricardo has consulted over 26,000 teachers who have enrolled in his University of Pacific graduate levels courses since 1987, equipping teachers with practical systems for classroom leadership and student motivation.
Today, he works as an international TEAM performance consultant, showing educators, coaches, and organizations how the same principles that build championship teams can transform classrooms, strengthen culture, and develop leaders.
Exciting STEM Place-Based Education (PBE) at Michigan State
Immerse yourself in our renowned STEM PBE day, where teachers delve into local heritage, cultures, landscapes, and experiences. This immersive approach serves as a springboard for the exploration of language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, and other subjects across the curriculum. At the Mt. Rainier, educators engage in PBE studies tailored to the local school and community context.
STEM Place-Based Education (PBE) offers a holistic approach that addresses three integrated goals:
- Student Achievement
- Community Social and Economic Vitality
- Ecological Integrity
The TEAM Principle
At the heart of every successful classroom, team, and organization are four simple but powerful
principles:
T — Time
Master time and preparation.
E — Effort
Commit to consistent, excellent effort.
A — Attitude
Choose a positive, “We Not Me” mindset.
M — The Mystery of the Winner Within
When Time, Effort, and Attitude align, excellence naturally follows.
