Monday, February 1, 2016

9:30 – 10:30 EDUCATION

Education Across Cultures: Values and Styles

Speaker: Jon DeVries Jr., Consultant and Trainer, Intercultural Competence and Leadership Development

Working across cultures is always interesting and often humorous. Cultural differences in learning styles and education systems provide a window into understanding other cultures and their core values. DeVries will share insights and stories based on his experience directing university level programs for international students and scholars and teaching aboard an intercultural ocean-going university.

10:45 – 11:45 PUBLIC POLICY

Opting Out of Testing:
A Grassroots Movement to Save Public Education

Speakers: Nancy Ledesma, Teacher, Trainer, and Coach;
Retired Minneapolis Public Schools French Teacher
Sarah Lahm, Minneapolis-based Education Writer and Former English Instructor

Since the No Child Left Behind law was passed in 2002, standardized testing in the United States has exploded, becoming a hugely profitable industry. But what has it done for students, families, teachers, and community members who rely on our public education system? Schools were shut down over low test scores, and there has been a decline in whole-child teaching and learning.
Today, we are seeing an unprecedented grassroots pushback against test-and punish-policies.

11:45 – Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS
12:00 – 1:15 LUNCHEON

1:15 – 2:15 THE ARTS

What is Happening at the Walker?

Speaker: Siri Engberg, Curator, Walker Art Center

The Walker Art Center is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding as a public art center, and the Sculpture Garden is undergoing a $75 million renovation. Do we need a safe place for unsafe ideas? Engberg, curator at Walker Art Center, will fill us in on the details and speak about how the Walker Art Center can help us understand the art of our time.