Engaging Education: Rethinking Learning, Teaching, and Achievement in Urban Schools
University of Memphis Fogelman Conference Center
Thank you to all who took part and made this such an exciting and successful event.
Agenda | Directions
Report from the Conference
Press
Op-Ed: Facing History Hones Kids' Sense of Duty
Memphis Commercial Appeal
by Margot Stern Strom , Founder and Executive Director of Facing History and Ourselves
'The Wire' Actress Talks Education at Memphis Forum
Memphis Commercial Appeal
Engaging Education: Facing History Hosts Full-Day Conference in Memphis
Slideshow
Click here for a photo slideshow of the conference !
Tweets from the Conference
A sampling of the energetic social conversation going on during the conference, captured on Storify.
Tweets for #urbaned
[<a href="http://storify.com/lizk/urban-education-memphis" target="_blank">View the story "Engaging Education - Rethinking Learning, Teaching, and Achievement in Urban Schools" on Storify</a>]<h1>Engaging Education - Rethinking Learning, Teaching, and Achievement in Urban Schools</h1><h2>Facing History and Ourselves was proud to host this exciting conference in Memphis, Tennessee on Nov 12, 2012 http://www.facinghistory.org/urbaned #urbaned #facinghistory</h2><p>Storified by Liz Kelleher · Tue, Nov 13 2012 11:09:04</p><div>Urban Education and Facing History | Facing History and OurselvesThroughout the day, participants will learn from practitioners, scholars, students, families, community members, and Facing History staff...</div><div>Future of Digital Learning in Urban Ed session beginning: facilitator @Bjfr, educators John Kittredge & Michael Robinson. #urbaned #edtechFacing History</div><div>RT @facinghistory: "This is a Siren" - @FacingHistory alumna & poet Jonathan Lykes http://bit.ly/TVLZAQ #urbaned @sonjasohnSonja Sohn</div><div>#urbaned at awesome session 3Amber McCullough</div><div>Listening to panelist discuss how young people need each other in school and how a strong school culture is fostered. #UrbanEdCynthia Ham</div><div>Larry Myatt talks about 'ed renewal' rather than 'ed reform'. #urbanedMare Stotts</div><div>#urbaned - you can get a good sense of school culture in how adults interact with the young adults and how they interact with one anotherMark Swaim-Fox</div><div>@facinghistory teachers share use of digital media in #urbaned classrooms - engaging creativity and reflective thought, basing on deep ideasMary Hendra</div><div>RT @bjfr: Intellectual frustration provokes stereotype threat increases cognitive load reduces test performance. Claude Steele #urbanedWayde Grinstead</div><div>“@mswaimfox: #urbaned The need to personalize relationships between students and teachers is essential.” true even when using digital tools!Mary Hendra</div><div>Great questions from students from St. Agnes and discussing why there is a such thing as "too much technology" #UrbanEdTJ Green</div><div>#urbaned having teachers to create lessons together, observe each other teach, and root for each other and all students is powerful!Mr. William E. Woods</div><div>#urbaned@facinghistory.org Good question to wrestle with, can teachers grow into an effectiveness or are they hired this way?Rick Daniel</div><div>Steve Becton: bring parents into school before its on fire, before there is a problem. Work with parents in ongoing ways. #urbanedJustin Reich</div><div>RT @SMH0619: Enjoying @FacingHistory 's #UrbanEd conference. Doing a deep dive into what makes a teacher effective. Hired that way or developed?Farrell B.</div><div>#urbaned Dennis Barr - FH pushes adults to be learners which is a great model for our students @facinghistoryMark Swaim-Fox</div><div>RT @mswaimfox: #urbaned Dennis Barr - you cannot just hope positive school culture occurs - You have to be purposeful in creating itAdam Strom</div><div>"I got two Cs in college 1st sem; I wanted to dropout and sue the NYC schools for leading me to believe I was ready." TFA teacher #urbanedJustin Reich</div><div>#urbaned thinking about the challenges of consolidating Shelby county and Memphis public schools. Is it about quality education or history?Adam Strom</div><div>#urbaned Becton hopes educators will be allowed to work together on consolidation in Memphis acknowledging history but not yoked by it.Adam Strom</div><div>RT @mswaimfox: Dennis Barr - you cannot just hope positive school culture occurs - You have to be purposeful in creating it #urbanedNew Tech Network</div><div>Awesome job on the poem #urbanedMarc Lane</div><div>RT @mswaimfox: #urbaned Douglas student Britany recites her poetry: "greatness stands in my bones" - "my ambition stands strong and unwaivered"New Tech Network</div><div>RT @bjfr: All Ed conferences should start with student slam poetry. One of the best arts-in-education movements in recent decades. #urbanedCrystal Dumitru</div><div>Conference closing with Allstate Community Conversation w/ @SonjaSohn: "What's at Stake in Our Communities if Our Schools Fail?" #urbanedFacing History</div><div>RT @tracygf: #urbaned Sonia Sohn closes our conference! What a day!Mark Swaim-Fox</div><div>Steve Becton doing his thing getting ready to introduce Sonja Sohn #urbaned fac @ Fogelman Executive Center http://instagr.am/p/R8euh8mmPK/Tracy GF</div><div>Sonja Sohn! #urbaned @facinghistory @ Fogelman Executive Center http://instagr.am/p/R8fYoAGmPz/Tracy GF</div><div>RT @MKHtweet: "we all have a brain, We all have a heart, and we all have tremendous gifts to share" @sonjasohn @facinghistory #urbaned conferenceFacing History</div><div>#urbaned Sonja Sohn What is missing today are the "interpreters" of the 24/7 media and the their messages.Mark Swaim-Fox</div><div>Sonja Sohn speaks @facinghistory #urbaned conference about what is at stake in our schools. http://bit.ly/lsAOJ6 http://pic.twitter.com/xHZisZaYMark Swaim-Fox</div><div>Sonja Sohn: need for media interpreters for youth today #urbanedTracy GF</div><div>@sonjasohn is AMAZING #urbaned @facinghistoryAylen Mercado</div><div>"we all have a brain, We all have a heart, and we all have tremendous gifts to share" @sonjasohn @facinghistory #urbaned conferenceMary Hendra</div><div>RT @MKHtweet: "we all have a brain, We all have a heart, and we all have tremendous gifts to share" @sonjasohn @facinghistory #urbaned conferenceFacing History</div><div>Steve B and Sonja #urbaned @ Fogelman Executive Center http://instagr.am/p/R8kM2GGmEI/Tracy GF</div><div>@sonjasohn describes an ecology of #urbaned: schools, media, community members, store owners, scoutmasters. #connectedlearningJustin Reich</div><div>"Never diminish the value of your own personal story." @sonjasohn #urbanedliz vogel</div><div>#urbaned students ask questions @sonjasohn @FacingHistory conference http://pic.twitter.com/i9emIA9dAylen Mercado</div><div>#urbaned@sonjasohn, @facing history, if you try to picture something great, you limit what it can beRick Daniel</div><div>RT @tscsmemphis: Armicia Pratt '13 speaking on a panel at #UrbanEd. She shares how her Facing History class impacted her H.S. journey. http://pic.twitter.com/XUv4mpnHKrista Clark</div><div>RT @bjfr: @sonjasohn describes an ecology of #urbaned: schools, media, community members, store owners, scoutmasters. #connectedlearningFacing History</div><div>Powerful words from @sonjasohn at #urbaned conf "come with an attitude of learning" @facinghistoryMary Earheart-Brown</div><div>RT @bjfr: In the top income quartile, 75% of kids get through college, in the bottom quartile, it's 4%. Steve Becton. #urbanedAnn Ashworth</div><div>RT @bjfr: Intellectual frustration provokes stereotype threat increases cognitive load reduces test performance. Claude Steele #urbanedWayde Grinstead</div><div>RT @mswaimfox: #urbaned Dennis Barr - research shows that the relational trust among the adults in the building is a key element to strong school cultureSarah Kadden</div><div>RT @bjfr: @sonjasohn describes an ecology of #urbaned: schools, media, community members, store owners, scoutmasters. #connectedlearningWayde Grinstead</div><div>RT @mswaimfox: #urbaned Dennis Barr - you cannot just hope positive school culture occurs - You have to be purposeful in creating itAmy Sanga</div><div>@bjfr #urbaned You have to fight for your own ed. US civil rights struggle taught 1 way 2 answer / fight. But it has to matter for real.Doc MO</div><div>RT @bjfr: #urbaned incredible stumper question from student "what would you tell students in schools that are not equipping them for success?"Gabi Dallas</div><div>What's at stake in our schls if our communities fail?@facinghistory, @SonjaSohn: "What's at stake in r comm if r schls fail?" #urbanedDoc MO</div><div>RT @tracygf: #urbaned Sonia Sohn closes our conference! What a day!Adam Strom</div><div>On a @facinghistory trip to Little Rock with Terrance Roberts. #urbaned drawing comparisons between 2012 and 1957 http://pic.twitter.com/m5dag2cKJustin Reich</div><div>Teachers: Any "little bit of positivity is lighting up that kid's world." Sonja Sohn the at #urbaned conference: http://goo.gl/V386clarasue</div><div>RT @bjfr: On a @facinghistory trip to Little Rock with Terrance Roberts. #urbaned drawing comparisons between 2012 and 1957...Deb Socia</div> About the Conference
Throughout the day, participants learned from practitioners, scholars, students, families, community members, and Facing History staff. Discussion focused on proven practices for teacher effectiveness, student engagement, student achievement, parental and community involvement, and building positive culture in urban schools.
Eminent social psychologist and author Dr. Claude Steele
In a Community Conversation Sonja Sohn The Wire —discussed ReWired for Change, an organization she founded to empower youth and families in underserved communities.
Participants left inspired and better equipped to work together for schools where all students can thrive.
About Our Work in Urban Schools
For the past three decades Facing History has been working with large urban schools and districts across the globe to provide students with a rigorous and engaging educational experience. Comprehensive evaluative findings demonstrate our ability to help instill the student competencies critical for success in college, careers, and active participation in society. In 2011 we launched an Urban Civic Learning Lab in Memphis to continue to evaluate and communicate our extensive work in urban education.
Hear students speak about the impact of our work at Douglass High School in Memphis in this video.
This conference and the Facing History and Ourselves Urban Civic Learning Lab are supported by the Rita Allen Foundation and the Memphis Endowment donors.
Dr. Claude Steele Sonja Sohn
Engaging Education: Rethinking Learning, Teaching, and Achievement in Urban Schools
