“Teach the stuff and cut the fluff!” ~Dr. Anita Archer Very wise words BUT I think this advice should apply to more than just classroom instruction- it should apply to teacher professional learning, too!! That’s one of the reasons why I love the researchED Canada conference so much! I truly learn more in one day at a researchED conference than I learn in an entire year of district-wide professional development. Why? Because the focus is on bringing in education experts and leading researchers in the areas of cognitive science, literacy, mathematics and evidence-informed instruction, and not on creating an elaborate venue complete with expensive frills! A fancy conference venue, white linen tablecloths and a 3-course meal do not help me become a better teacher-access to knowledge, empirical research and practical instructional strategies does. If we genuinely believe that every student deserves a knowledgeable, well-trained teacher, shouldn’t we be working to make high-quality professional learning affordable and accessible to EVERY teacher? Teachers shouldn’t have to spend hundreds—or thousands—of dollars out of pocket to access the knowledge they need to improve student outcomes- Professional learning shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for those who can afford it!! So perhaps it’s time we applied Anita Archer’s advice to teacher training and conferences, too: TEACH THE STUFF. CUT THE FLUFF. Because ultimately, the measure of a successful conference isn’t how impressive the venue was or how inspired teachers felt when they left. It’s what teachers learned, what they changed in their classrooms, and whether those changes improved student learning. Thank you @nsachdeva2019 and @researchEDCan, as well as @tombennett71 at @researchED1 for continuing to prioritize substance over spectacle. You are leading the way for affordable, high quality conferences for educators across Canada and the world! #TeacherTraining #AnitaArcher #TeachTheStuffAndCutTheFluff

“With targeted early intervention in Grade 1, we can remove a dyslexic child’s designation of dyslexia.”🎤 Shouldn’t this be EVERY school districts goal?? Instead of waiting until they’re in grade 3 for an assessment, a year later for a Tier 3 intervention program like Empower, which is not enough to close the gaps that have been allowed to widen over 4,5,6 years and then thrown back into the classroom without the supports that allowed them to be successful. Very inspiring presentation from @CunninghamPsych at the @researchEDCan today! A good reminder of what so many teachers already know- waiting doesn’t work!!!!

I was waiting for my Uber, reflecting on the incredible day of learning I’d just had, when these four superstars walked over! The icing on my Science of Learning cake!!🎂 #AnitaArcher @nsachdeva2019 @KJWinEducation @johnmighton