8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Instructor of Record: Scott Ricardo

Email: Scott@summerinstitutes.com Phone: (209) 648-4054

Grading: Grade Matching Work Required

Summer Institutes offers graduate level courses through Pacific Lutheran University (Independent Study & Washington Sites) and the University of the Pacific (California Sites, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio & Oregon Sites).

• 3 or 4 semester credits (credit offerings differ at each site) 

Summer Institutes has been serving educators with professional growth workshops/courses since 1987 and offers fresh ideas in a stress-free environment!

I.                  Rationale for Courses

a.      Summer Institutes is designed to prepare teachers to help students improve relationships, work ethic, self-esteem, and test scores by using a variety of instructional strategies to improve the “whole child”.
 

II.                Course Description

a.       The Summer Institutes staff consists of professional educators who are carefully selected and trained as Site Coordinators to facilitate their respective workshops.

b.      Each workshop includes several quality speakers that span a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise to meet the dynamic variety of needs of today’s teachers and students.

c.       Additionally, the week is filled with Professional Learning Community (PLC) interactions and the sharing of ideas, breakout sessions, hands-on applications, and wellness activities.

d.      This series of separate courses will help participants learn new ways to motivate students, so they can master the basics of their education and be equipped for success in the real world - whether heading off to college or joining the workforce.

e.       Participants are given the opportunity to earn three or four semester credits or 50 - 60 clock hours (check for details at each site), which may be applied toward professional development and salary advancement.

f.        While immersed in an engaging community atmosphere, teachers will be inspired by our speakers, have opportunities to network and build relationships with fellow educators, and most of all, spend valuable time remembering why they teach!

g.       When the week concludes, dialogue and shared experiences can continue; Attendance automatically makes teachers eligible to join the Summer Institute Alumni Network, which works to expand ideas and career opportunities!
 

III.             Specific Learning Objectives

Each Site Coordinator will emphasize a minimum of four objectives listed below, but in most cases, presenters within the week will cover many of these objectives. Educators (course participants) will:

a.       Learn new classroom management and instructional strategies.

b.      Expand leadership skills as teachers, principals, and members of a school community.

c.       Learn best practices and current research to support teaching, student learning, and leadership principles.

d.      Develop effective teaching content and strategies.

e.       Understand the importance of personal health and wellness and what it means to be a role model for youth wellness.

f.        Gain new course curriculum ideas from experiential field based learning activities.

g.       Learn new coaching techniques to develop positive relationships with students, parents, and staff.

h.      Update technology skills to use successfully in the classroom.

i.         Become aware of the educational programs offered at off campus learning sites.

j.         Learn how to effectively integrate current educational philosophy and methods into classroom lesson pans and staff meeting agendas.

k.       Study varied interdisciplinary topics/methodologies and explore strategies for integration into current classroom content.

l.         Gain a broad knowledge of interdisciplinary topics and how to implement interdisciplinary studies into the curriculum.

m.    Understand that education is a social institution and how education impacts teachers, students, and the greater communities in which they teach.

n.      Evaluate educational opportunities and be better prepared to develop lessons that allow for alignment with ever evolving state standards.
 

IV.             Course #'s and Titles by Workshop Site: See course site page.

a.       Each student is expected to be on time, not leave early, and not be a distraction to the presenter. 

b.      Each presentation is designed to inspire thinking among the teachers and challenge them to become better educators.
 

VI.            Clock Hour and Credit Workshop Requirements

a.       Attendance is mandatory and will be taken daily.

b.      Students who are unable to attend a session or leave early because of an emergency will be responsible to contact the class coordinator in order to make appropriate arrangements.

                                                   i.      Failure to do this may affect the student’s grade, credits, or clock hours.

                                                 ii.      Opportunities are available to make up time other Summer Institutes sites.
 

VII.           Format and Procedures

a.       The presentations may be in a large setting or in a smaller classroom grouping.

b.      All students must attend all sessions.

c.       Students will discuss the information from most presentations in smaller PLC (Professional Learning Community) groups.

d.      Some of the classes are hands-on: involvement is expected of all students (teachers).
 

VIII.         Grades

Grades are determined by the number of speakers the student chooses to write about and how the presentation of materials by the speakers will impact the teacher’s own classroom.

a.       “Pass/Fail” Letter Grade and Clock Hour Requirements

1) Attendance.

2) “Check for understanding” test(s) – pass/no pass.

3) Participate in and complete Professional Learning Community assignments.

4) Course readings will be used by teachers whenever possible to support the changes they are developing for their classroom. 


5) Information packets or outlines will be available from most presenters. Handouts may be available on our website. Teachers will be expected to download and read handouts prior to the presentation.

b.      “A” grade

1) Complete Pass/Fail requirements.

2) Type a synopsis paper for three speakers of your choice (three separate papers). Papers shall include a summary of the topic, a critique of the information, and information gained from the speaker that may be incorporated into your classroom.

c.       “B” grade

(1) Complete Pass/Fail requirements.

(2) Type a synopsis paper for one speaker. Paper shall include a summary of the topic, a critique of the information, and information gained from the speaker that may be incorporated into your classroom.
 

IX.             Four Semester credit option

a.       A working lunch assignment that will require a minimum of 5 hours outside the normal class schedule.  

b.      Using an idea(s) from the class curriculum choose, develop, and organize a classroom lesson plan or yearlong student improvement strategy that is relevant to your teaching assignment. 

                                                   i.      Learning outcomes, student activities, and state standards must be addressed in the lesson plan. 

                                                 ii.      This project is designed to be an enjoyable experience for you and allow you to take the new learning from Summer Institutes and incorporate these ideas back into your curriculum!  (Example: Develop “Relevant, Rigorous, and Relationship Building” lesson plans, integrated wellness curriculum, safe school plan, classroom strategies, power point presentations, etc.)

                                               iii.      This must be typed. 
 

X.               Academic Integrity

a.       Although many students may write about the same presentation, it is a violation of academic integrity to hand in copied materials.

b.      Students who have identical wording in their papers, unless it is a direct quote from the presenter, will be penalized for engaging in plagiarism with a lower grade or failure of the course.