As in December 2006, this meeting was held at the Chicago Teachers Center of Northeastern Illinois University. Bridget Murphy of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association was the coordinator of logistics with the facility, and Maureen Gillette, the Dean of the NEIU College of Education, was the formal host. The 100 participants came from 15 of the 16 consortia. Jesse Ruiz, the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, was a special guest.
(L-R) Madeline Talbott of Action Now with Linda Tomlinson and Linda Jamali, of the Certification Department of ISBE, and Jesse Ruiz, the Board Chairperson
In addition to several breakout sessions on the pratical issues of academic progress, financial management, and cohort formation, (summarized in the excellent notes linked here - prepared by facilitating consultant Leslie Ramyk) there were two plenary sessions featuring candidates, one a presentation from Maestros Sin Fronteras, the new cohort at LSNA, and the other a panel discussion moderated by Imelda Salazar; a third plenary session, on the second day, looked at the expectations for ways in which Grow Your Own graduates may have special impact on the schools they work in.
Candidates from (L-R) Quad Cities, North Lawndale, Rockford, and Logan Square share experiences
Also on Friday morning, State Representative Esther Golar, one of the best friends of Grow Your Own in the Illinois Legislature, spoke and gave recognition awards to each of consortia that attended. You can find the complete book of award pages in PDF form here. (Large file - 1MB +)
Esther Golar, Illinois State Representative, speaks to the group
Look for an announcement of the next major Statewide Learning Network Meeting and plan to come. You may have as much fun as these participants!
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