Course Information
PDSI 9942
Successful Approaches to Today’s Teaching Challenges
Date: June 14-18, 2021
Location: Live Virtual Conference
Credits Available: 3
Summer Institutes presents:
This rejuvenating conference includes everything you’ve grown to expect from SI and more.
The Michigan conferences will be held online (using Zoom, Interactive Live Stream ). In the event of a personal scheduling conflict, all live presentations, PLC’s and relationship building activities will also be recorded for “On-Demand” viewing.
Course Information
- 3 Semester University of the Pacific Graduate Level Credits
- Three-credit class is a forty-five hour week (3 semester units = 4.5 quarter credits).
- University of the Pacific (non-profit/WASC approved)
- Save money with Early Bird registration and Group Rates! (3 or more from the same school)
Additional Links & Materials
- Syllabus – coming soon
- UOP Registration Form
- Transcript Request
- Official Transcript Request Form
- Official Transcripts (All programs except law and dental)Online orders, visit National Student Clearinghouse .Cost: $5 per transcript plus a $2.25 order processing fee. To check the status of an order, visit the Transcript Order Status Tool.Email, telephone, and fax requests will not be honored, nor will transcripts be emailed or faxed.
The Summer Institutes Difference
Attending a Summer Institutes Conference provides more than just a way to earn additional teaching certification credits, opportunities to earn salary advancement credits, or obtaining professional clock hours. We want to be your partner throughout your continuing education journey. Whether it’s listening to one of our engaging presenters, attending a PBE (Place Based Education) workshop, sharing peer expertise in PLC’s, or participating in a wellness activity or stress reduction class, we’re committed to providing you with the maximum return on your investment. You’ll leave our conferences feeling refreshed, replenished, and rejuvenated. Bottom line: we care about you!
“In my 25 years of evaluating educator conferences, nobody does it as well as Summer Institutes.”
Dr. Rich McBridge, Superintendent – 2014 National President AESA
Salary Advancement Credits Teaching Certification Credits Wellness Options Stress Reduction Place-Based Education
Presenters
Christian Moore
Christian Moore is an internationally-renowned speaker, licensed clinical social worker, and advocate for youth. He is the author of The Resilience Breakthrough: 27 Tools for Turning Adversity into Action. He was a commencement speaker in the School of Education at John Hopkins University and spoke at a White House convening for the Reach Higher Initiative.
Christian found his passion in social work. He created the WhyTry Program, which has been implemented in over 25,000 organizations. Christian has flown over 6 million miles and reached over 3 million kids.
Christian’s engaging style combines humor and research with a powerful personal journey. He consistently earns the highest ratings at conferences and events.
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri
Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, a 1996 graduate of the Human Rights Advocates Program, began his advocacy work with the organization, Human Rights Concern (HURICO), located in his home country, Uganda. Kaguri co-founded HURICO to help victims of human rights violations in Uganda and to educate the public about their rights. Reflecting on the impact of HRAP to his work, Kaguri says, “Without skills and knowledge from the Advocates Program, I would not have continued with HURICO.”
HRAP provides its participants with a greater understanding of human rights tools and methods as well as the confidence and leadership skills to enhance their individual pursuits. In addition, many participants take advantage of the courses available at Columbia University and the infinite resources available in New York City. Kaguri recalls that during the program, “I started using a computer for the first time and never stopped.”
Since leaving HRAP, Kaguri has made a number of professional and personal accomplishments. He served as a Program Assistant for People’s Decade for Human Rights Education (PDHRE) after having met the founder and director during his participation in HRAP. He also completed a second bachelor’s degree, specializing in fundraising and management, from Indiana University as well as received numerous certificates in various areas of fundraising.
Kaguri currently works with the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, which he founded and directs. Nyaka builds schools for HIV/AIDS orphans in rural Uganda, using a holistic approach to provide free education, uniforms, books, healthcare, shelter for the children, community water, and a community library. Kaguri has successfully started two schools in the villages of Nyaka and Kutamba, the impacts of which have been profound for the two villages and brought wide praise to Kaguri. He has been named Ugandan of the Year, Ugandan Making a Difference, and Social Entrepreneur by Global Giving. In addition, in June 2010, Kaguri and Nyaka were featured in Time Magazine. He is also the Associate Director of Development at Michigan State University.
Kaguri has also completed publishing a book entitled “The Price of Stones: Building a School for My Village,” released in June 2010 and which details the founding, evolution, and impact of the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project. However, Kaguri still recalls his experience in HRAP as a crucial component of his accomplishments, saying the greatest benefit had been “networking with fellow professionals and other organizations all over the world.” He concludes, “Without this program, I would not have accomplished what I have accomplished. Our children, their grannies, and communities Nyaka serves would not have anything if not for the exposure I got while at Columbia University.”
November 2016 update: Kaguri has been awarded the 2015 Waislitz Global Citizen Award, named a 2012 CNN Hero, a Heifer International Hero, recognized in Time Magazine’s ‘Power of One’ Series, and spoken to the UN about his work. In 2016 Kaguri received an honarory PhD in Humanities from Shenandoah University recognizing his work with Nyaka. Kaguri divides his time between Uganda and Michigan where he lives with his wife Tabitha, their two sons and two twin girls.
Tracy Hazel
Tracy Hazel, Owner/CEO at Advanced Training and Consulting, LLC. Advanced Training and Consulting, LLCEastern Michigan University. Lansing, Michigan. Tracy has been a long time presenter in the health aspect with AED and CPR for Summer Institute. Tracy’s teaching techniques and delivery of methods has been outstanding.
Anthony Ianni
Growing up near East Lansing, Michigan, Anthony Ianni knew he was different from other kids. Through fifth grade, he had an aide with him in class. In middle school, he’d go to a resource classroom. “So I was like, ‘OK, you know, I have a learning disability — I’m just going to put it that way. And I don’t know what it is, but I have a type of learning disability, just plain and simple,’ ” Anthony says: Anthony’s differences affected him beyond the classroom. Anthony loved the Michigan State sports teams — his dad worked in the athletic department — but attending games was rough. His story will be told at SI 2021.
Heather Lewis
Heather Lewis, Kindergarten Teacher, K-12 Social Emotional and Mindfulness Coordinator, Williamston Community Schools Discovery Elementary. Heather Lewis is finishing her degree in Educational Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, with an emphasis in Social-Emotional learning, Mindfulness, and Student-Athlete Mental Health. She coordinates K-12 Mindfulness and teaches Kindergarten for Williamston Community Schools, and her passion is bringing mindfulness to as many teachers, students, and athletes as she possibly can. Heather will be emphasizing Resilience for our students.
Derrick Veale
Derrick Veale is managing St John’s Community School’s online learning. He is an expert in teaching computer courses to educators, students and community members. For over 18 years, Derrick has taught RESA and Summer Institute technology courses along with numerous professional development sessions at various schools and levels. When he’s not teaching, he likes to spend time with his wife and two daughters and go to live concerts.
Site Coordinator: Dick Comar
Dick Comar
Dick graduated from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Minor in Math. He received his Master of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s College, Winona, Minnesota and his MA in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University.
Dick has taught science and math at the middle and high school level and health sciences at the college level. Dick is semi-retired and spent most of his last nine years teaching math and science in the Detroit Public Schools. Part of his career has been coaching football at the high school, college and professional level.
Dick received a National Science Foundation grant and is in the Michigan High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and the Catholic Coaches Hall of Fame. He has been a Special Olympics Volunteer since 1980. Dick was also chosen to serve as Track Marshall at 1999 World Special Olympic Games in Raleigh, NC. He has been a featured speaker at Parent-Teachers Associations and Banquet Speaker at Lansing Public Schools. Dick has presented in Grand Rapids Teaching Seminar about Self-Evaluation to Quality Teaching. He also has been a speaker at Michigan North Central Association (NCA) and Chicago National North Central Association NCA Convention. In 2012 Dick was a speaker near Seattle, at Port Townsend National Teachers Workshop.
Dick has also been an Athletic Director of a Class B High School and Director of Public Relations for the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. His work in School Improvement Accreditation included Outcomes Co-Chair in Responsible Behavior School Improvement and Chair, Steering Committee NCA (North Central Accreditation) Transition Endorsement Model. He also served on the North Central Association Visitation Team. Presently, Dick is on the Board for the Michigan State University Football Players Association and the Parkwood YMCA.
In his leisure time you may find him enjoying fishing, hunting, playing golf, gardening, landscaping and hang gliding.
A Word From the President
“Dick (Co) Comar, is the amazing Magic Man! I met Dick up against a wall at an AFCA National Coaches Convention. I asked him if Michigan Teachers need professional growth credits, explained to him what SI does and he simply said I’m in! Wow, I was sure glad to randomly meet “Co.” In his first year he had 23 teachers at Okemos, four years later he had over 400! One of the fastest working and most loved and loyal man that I ever met.”
Michigan Teacher Inspires Us to Inspire You:
I came expecting to be recharged and inspired – I didn’t expect to be changed! No other education classes than these with Summer Institutes have focused primarily on changing the teacher so that he/she can be unleashed to make the most powerful impact possible in the world and in individual lives! With Sincerity, Angela Schneider 2020
Directions
All participants will receive an email that includes an invitation to join the Zoom classroom link. Please check back periodically for further instructions and updates. Thank you for your patience during this transition.