The Gardner-Webb University School of Education will conduct its annual conference, “Keeping Learning Alive,” with keynote speaker Karyn Dickerson, North Carolina Teacher of the Year, on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Tucker Student Center. The purpose of this free event is to facilitate discourse between administrators, practicing teachers, and pre-service teachers and provide  support in continued professional growth while sharing practices for a broad spectrum of educators.
“We are planning a variety of presentations,” said Jason Parker, assistant professor in the GWU School of Education and an organizer of the event.  “Some presentations will be targeted to specific populations, while others are crafted for general audiences.”
Topics include implementing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum for K-5; middle grades practices for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math); motivating students;universal design for learning (UDL), using action research in the classroom; and tips for dissertations. Attendees will be awarded continuing education credit.
Dickerson serves as an English teacher at Grimsley High School, located in Greensboro, N.C.  She has taught English at every grade level in high school, including recovery, inclusion, advanced placement and international baccalaureate classes. As the 2013-14 teacher of the year, Dickerson travels the state as an advocate for public education. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher, an advisory member of the State Board of Education, a member of the Governor’s Teacher Advisory Council and N.C. Education Policy Fellow. Dickerson earned her bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill and has a Master of Philosophy degree with Distinction in Romanticism and the Forms of Modernity from the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
The event is limited to 150 participates and the registration deadline is Feb. 1.  For further questions and information contact Parker by email at jlparker@gardner-webb.edu.
For more information on the GWU School of Education, contact Doug Eury at 704-406-4402.
Located in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb University seeks a higher ground in higher education – one that embraces faith and intellectual freedom, balances conviction with compassion, and inspires in students a love of learning, service and leadership.
-article submitted
by Paul Foster