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In This Issue
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"Deal or No Deal" - A Quality Education
“Living a meaningful life” is the theme of our keynote speaker’s presentation by Actress Mia Farrow. It is a great topic for teachers because living a meaningful life is a primary reason for becoming a teacher. As teachers we get to touch the lives of our students every teaching day, but can we do more? Obviously the answer to this question will be unique to each teacher and our particular period of life. Over the years I have watched colleagues make amazing contributions to human kind in inspiring ways. Ms. Farrow’s recent work in Darfur will certainly inspire us to seek out opportunities to expand our “meaningful lives” and stimulate our own efforts to inspire our students toward living a meaningful life themselves.
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The Climate Project
Climate change has become one of the most heavily researched subjects in science and a subject of great personal interest to many of us. SWEIO welcomes Jim Hubing, Zoo Director, Henry Vilas Zoo, to discuss the profound effects that climate change is having on our natural habitats and animals. In March of this year, Hubing read about Al Gore’s Climate Project and his promise to personally train 1,000 individuals about climate change. Hubing applied, was accepted, and trained, by Mr. Gore. The two and a half day training program was uniformly excellent. Mr. Gore personally led each session. His commitment and passion to help find solutions to climate change challenges was inspirational. Participants will get a unique and focused view on the impact of global climate change in our community.
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Using Humor to Enhance the Learning Environment
The presentation will explore ways in which humor can enhance and improve the learning environment. Drawing upon research and brain-based concepts, I will present a theoretical model of humor, along with practical examples of its integration into the classroom. Numerous funny stories, jokes, and puns are sprinkled throughout the presentation to demonstrate practical applications of the research. (Did you hear the joke about the breakfast of ham and eggs? The chicken was involved but the pig was committed.) Scientists conclude that when you laugh, your endorphin level rises in the body, and that when people are laughing the brain operates more efficiently and symmetrically. Students need to be engaged in the learning process or all of the great lesson plans in the world, and all the research means very little. Humor provides that connection with the students by enhancing emotional intelligence and keeping students engaged. This presentation will “practice what it preaches” by using brain-friendly teaching techniques, integrating theory and practical, with interactive activities.
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Coach Jack Bennett - Sports
Jack Bennett’s nine-year career at UW-Stevens Point had been written almost like a storybook and his final two seasons were a perfect supplement to that tale. During those two years, Bennett’s teams captured a pair of NCAA Division III national championships and set school records for victories, winning 29 games each year. He also accomplished the feats with his son, Nick, earning first-team All-American honors and won his 200th career game in the 2005 national title game against Rochester (N.Y.).
The winningest coach in UW-Stevens Point history, Bennett fashioned a 200-56 career record through nine seasons and his .781 winning percentage ranks third all-time in WIAC history behind UW-Eau Claire’s Ken Anderson and UW-Platteville’s Bo Ryan. He is one of three coaches ever to lead a team to back-to-back national championships. SWEIO is proud to have Coach Bennett at our February convention.
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Suzanne Zahn: Foundations and Frameworks
Foundations and Frameworks is a 4MAT based reading program, which emphasizes the use of visual tools to teach and reinforce reading comprehension skills. Students read books at their reading level and participate in small group discussions where the comprehension strategies are practiced and the visual tools discussed. The program enables the students to put their thought process on paper through the use of the visual tools. This thought process is shared during the small group discussion. This presentation would be an overview of the program, what an average lesson looks like at the elementary and middle school levels (vocabulary work, use of SPECS logs, seat work, small groups, leveled books, use of think-alouds), the assessment process, and a description of the culminating project at the end of the unit called intellectual art.
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Live Like a Child, Succeed Like a Child
Award-winning kid rocker and Warner Brothers recording artist Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove is a former newspaper reporter and corporate public relations professional who had the sense enough to get a “real” job helping kids laugh. He has performed for audiences throughout the US and Europe, and twice at The White House. Now he will be coming to SWEIO.
After ten years working with kids, Cosgrove has discovered that they have much to teach adults about communicating, attaining goals, and living life to the fullest. No matter what our occupation or title in the work world, taking a more child-like (not childish) approach to life can make a remarkable difference in our pursuit of success.
We welcome Mr. Stinky Feet to our conference for in an interactive and musical presentation that will leave you eager to “Live like a Child!”
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For Those of You Contemplating Retirement
SOCIAL SECURITY AND RETIREMENT
In a fact-filled presentation, your questions will be answered regarding how to qualify for retirement benefits and what those benefits will be. The impact of retirement at full, early, or delayed retirement dates will be discussed, as well as spouse benefits. The practical matter of choosing an appropriate retirement date will be explained, as well as the method for signing up for social security benefits. This is a two-hour presentation.
YOUR WISCONSIN RETIREMENT SYSTEM BENEFITS
This is a presentation covering many of the WRS benefits administered by the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Topics discussed will include retirement, separation and survivor benefits, along with life and health insurance, if applicable. Wisconsin Retirement System benefits are calculated using two separate methods: the formula method and the money purchase method. This presentation will illustrate both calculations and explain the various annuity options available. Ways to increase retirement benefits by purchasing service, receiving credit for active military duty and making additional WRS contributions will also be covered. There will be opportunities for questions during and after the presentation. This will be a two-hour presentation.
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Adobe Acrobat Reader is required |
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Newsbeat Archive |
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Volume
54
Number
2 December 2002
Number 3 March
2003
Volume 55
Number
1 September 2003
Number
2 December 2003
Volume 56
Number
1 October 2004
Volume 57
Number
1 October 2005
Number 2 December
2005
Volume 58
Number 1 August 2006
Number 3 December 2006
Volume 59
Number 1 October 2007
Number 2 January 2008
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