Quantum Learning - Accelerating Learning & Maximizing Student Retention

John Le Tellier providing instruction.

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY: On Friday, January 13, the Mission teachers and staff had the opportunity to welcome John Le Tellier from Quantum Learning. I have worked with John a number of times with different faculties. His high energy workshop provides the best professional development I have ever experienced. Every time he presents, I learn something new.

Quantum Learning helps better equip our teachers with new effective teaching techniques, skills and rational to improve instruction in every classroom. It utilizes best practice and brain-based strategies that can easily be implemented into the classroom.

Quantum Learning suggests "That when we apply the WHY to artfully ORCHESTRATE LEARNING and LIFE skills, and effective TEACHING STRATEGIES, there is a SHIFT in teachers that creates a SHIFT in student learning.

Shift and change probably best describe education in this day and age as formal education systems attempt to prepare students for jobs that won't even exist for another five years. To make this type of shift or any change, Quantum Learning suggest we do the following:

"Use your brain to change your mind, to change your brain to change your life." 

Those that attended the workshop understand this quote and how the plasticity of the brain effects the mindful choices we make that effect our lives. The idea is that we can change ourselves: how we think, choose and act. In addition, we can help others make the needed shifts and changes in their lives to be more successful.

This session only marked the first of five levels presented by in the Quantum Learning system. Level One is the basic educational methodology that increases teacher effectiveness and improves student performance. We explored how to orchestrate appropriate student risk-taking, encouraged high levels of effort and accountability, and modeled a strong classroom culture that builds student character and facilitates behavior management. All of this in order to accelerate learning and help students maximize retention.

The teachers are acting as NEURONS! Getting reading to fire and make connections with other NEURONS!

Teachers learning how to juggle using a chunking "teacher move."

NEURONS connecting to reinforce long term data relationships.

Learning can be fun with the right partner/samurai!

Samurai partner!

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY - Winter Weather Conditions

NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY: Due to unchanged road conditions for much of rural St. Ignatius as well as continued winter storm forecast, the St. Ignatius transportation, maintenance and administrative team met and have cancelled school for FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012. Many county roads are yet to be cleared. Unnecessary travel only puts students, parents and staff at risk. 

 I hope everyone is able to dig out and stay safe. Weather permitting, school will resume on Monday, January 23, 2012.

 

Extra-curricular Activities & Weather Conditions

Extra-curricular activities (games) scheduled for tonight (January 19, 2012) are pending! The status of county and state road access and conditions, wind and weather forecast will be considered before a final decision is made. Like school, the district does not like to cancel events, but wants to ensure the safety of our children. Because a decision involves other institutions, the district will be in contact with the other schools involved and a joint decision will be made no later than 1:00 PM today. Confirmation or cancellation will be posted and announced at that time on the district website (http://stignatiusschools.org/) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/stignatiusschools). Coaches and sponsors will also be in contact with their players and participants.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to monitor the ever changing winter conditions and forecasts. Activity Director, Alan Pule will be able to address any additional questions that you may have. You may contact him at apule@stignatiusschools.org.

Stay warm, safe and have a great day!

NO SCHOOL

Due to weather and road conditions, school has been cancelled today (Thursday, January 19, 2012).

Quantum Learning Comes To Mission

by Superintendent Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, January, 13^th as our district will host a professional development opportunity for our teachers called Quantum Learning. Quantum Learning for Teachers is a professional development program for educators that provides a proven research-based approach to curriculum design and delivery. Each level is a one-day, six-hour workshop, which sets the stage for the next level and emphasizes fundamental competencies. Our teachers will be presented level 1 of 5. The presenter will be John LeTellier.

John Le Tellier is an international trainer and educational consultant helping teachers and school administrators understand the process of learning and the recipe for improved performance in the classroom and school organization. He has helped thousands of educators understand the fascinating connections between learning and the brain, giving them insights into specific strategies that can be used to enhance and accelerate the encoding of long-term memory. John has trained educators in over 250 schools in the United States and at numerous international locations with Quantum Learning Education. He is a frequent presenter at national and state educational conferences speaking on educational methodology and leadership.

John was the founder and former director of Colorado NeuroLearning Center in Denver, Colorado, where he worked with students who had sustained brain injuries. Through this work he made discoveries that enhanced his extensive knowledge in motivational psychology and neuroscience. John is also a former principal, teacher, and has spent hundreds of hours in private practice as a counselor working with students and their parents to enhance academic performance. John is the author of Quantum Learning and Instructional Leadership in Practice recently published by Corwin Press.

Quantum Learning is research based in its applications to learning.

An extensive amount of research has been conducted over the years by a number of sources that validates the success of the Quantum Learning methodology. You can link to a number of document downloads that encompass Quantum Learning research findings, the impact of achievement in multiple settings, teacher workshop evaluations, as well as research documentation from a number of schools. Also available are results from an evaluation survey that has been completed by over 10,000 teachers trained in Quantum Learning methods who have evaluated the program.

Educators receive theory and strategies for:

• building a strong foundation of common understanding of classroom norms and procedures
• creating a positive atmosphere of rapport and respect
• constructing a supportive environment that reinforces learning
• facilitating effective classroom management based on motivation
• designing engaging lessons that make content more meaningful and support standards-based curriculum
• identifying and reaching all types of learners
• improving presentation skills 

WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT QUANTUM LEARNING:

The Quantum Learning model demonstrated a consistent pattern of positive impact on student achievement in 18 schools in four states. This impact included statistically and educationally significant gains in reading, mathematics, writing and more comprehensive measures of core academic achievement. Students who have participated in schools implementing QL, have also shown a pattern of greater gains in achievement than comparison sample students not participating in the QL model.
External Evaluator for Program Improvement Schools
William Benn and Associates, 2003

With Quantum Learning, 17% of LD ISAT intensive math students met or exceeded the standards, compared to 0% in traditional classrooms.
Masters Study
Aurora University, IL

The students identified as performing below grade level, without Quantum Learning, would have been placed in remedial Math. After attending a 22-day Quantum Learning Program, 67% passed Algebra, while only 62% of regular students passed.
Masters Study
Thornton Township School District, IL

After Quantum Learning, two out of three students increased their grades.
Masters Study
Brock University, Canada

97% of students felt that they learned better in classes taught with Quantum Learning methods.
Paper presented at Eastern Educational Research Assoc. Conference
Tampa, FL

After attending Quantum Learning Programs, there was an average 85.8 point gain on SAT scores. 98% of students with a 1.9 and lower GPA, improved their GPAs by an average of one letter grade. Overall students across the A-F range, increased their GPA by half a point.
Doctoral Study
Northern Arizona University, AZ

After Quantum Learning training, learning-challenged 8th graders earned their best GPAs average ever (only one D and no Fs).
Case Studies
Northwood Middle School, IL

After Quantum Learning, 98% of at-risk children have been successful in achieving average or above-average success in literacy acquisition skills and are no longer in need of special education.
Action Research
Waterloo Region School District, Canada

After attending Quantum Learning, 63% of low-performing students earned a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Case Studies, 1993
Grossmont Union School District, CA

Students develop both emotional and physical trust. Students begin to understand themselves, becoming aware of personal attributes, feelings and thoughts.
Doctoral Study
California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno

After Quantum Learning, students' test-taking skills increased 35%. Teachers' perceptions of student self-confidence were six times higher than before the program. Students reported an average of a 33% increase in their own self-confidence.
Teacher and Student Surveys
Encinitas Union School District, CA