University of Antwerp

"How Are You Smart: Understanding the Learner Through the Lens of Differentiated Instruction."

University of Antwerp, International Conference on Language Education and Emotion, November 26 - 28, 2018

Greetings,
As a native of Turnhout, Belgium, I am incredibly honored to be included in the International Conference on Language Education and Emotion at the University of Antwerp.

Since leaving Belgium in 1980 and immigrating to the United States, I have actively pursued an educational path. First by learning English and then studying at universities in Virginia (Longwood University), Louisiana (Southeastern Louisiana University) and Colorado (University of Colorado). I also returned to Europe in 1992 to study at the University of Salzburg in Austria. Upon graduating from university, I joined a national teaching corps called Teach For America. With the support of this organization, I started my teaching career at East St. John High School outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. Since 1997 I have taught at Denver Academy, an independent school in Denver, CO that specializes in teaching students with learning differences. During the last decade, I have also traveled around the country and presented at a number of conferences, consulted with school districts and maintained a partnership with Teach For America.

Below please find my session details and resources shared during the presentation, "How Are You Smart: Understanding the Learner Through the Lens of Differentiated Instruction."

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Email listed under the contact link.

So All May Learn: Differentiated Instruction

Since long before the term DI was popularized, differentiating instruction for students has been a core value and everyday practice at Denver Academy. Combining the work of Atul Gawande's Checklist Manifesto and Carol Ann Tomlinson's publications on differentiated instruction, this training provides clear examples, simple applications and a solid rationale for teachers to start taking steps toward purposefully differentiating instruction in their classrooms.

How Are You Smart?: What Students Are Teaching Us About Learning

A Film by Philippe Ernewein

"HOW ARE YOU SMART? is a remarkable film that can be used to assist teachers, parents and students In gaining a deeper understanding of the daily challenges faced by kids with Attentional Disorders. By putting a human face on A.D.D., the film enables the viewer to see through the eyes of kids who struggle in school.

The "featured players" in the film are a group of charismatic high school students who tell first-person anecdotes that explain ADHD far more effectively than the 'talking head' professionals that are traditionally used in such films.

HOW ARE YOU SMART? offers invaluable insights into ADHD and also provides specific strategies that teachers can use to enable students to reach their fullest potential. Join these remarkable kids and their talented teacher in an exploration of the puzzling disorder that can compromise and complicate a child's progress at home and in the classroom."

Richard D Lavoie
Author, The Motivation Breakthrough and It's So Much Work to be Your Friend
Executive Producer, The F.A.T. City video