| I received an email from Dr. Roberts, the "Head of School" at Catherine Cook, in which he explained that a national educational conference was being held in Chicago and they asked him to suggest two former students that he felt would be up to the task of addressing 350 educators. He attached his letter to EdLeader21, recommending Lane Lubell. EdLeader21 is a national network of school and district leaders focused on integrating the 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity) into education. Catherine Cook Garners National Exposure from EdLeader 21 The Catherine Cook School was invited to participate in the EdLeader 21 3rd annual national event from October 2 to 4. Focusing on the implementation of a 21st century education for all students, this event seeks to identify key 21st century competencies for students and to determine how to build them into teaching and learning strategies. CCS was the only independent junior school included in this conference, selected because of our high-tech/high-touch program and our success in preparing students for top tier high schools. We participated by sending two of our CCS alumni to speak on a panel for 350 educators at the Hyatt Regency on October 2. On October 4, 30 of these educators toured our school, listened to presentations by JD Pirtle and Brian Puerling, and observed a panel discussion with Dr. Roberts, Dr. Pifer, and Dr. Robbins. CCS alumni Samantha Erwin, Sophomore at Northside College Prep High School and Lane Lubell, Senior a Latin School of Chicago joined two superintendents and an independent school head from Kentucky for the October 2 panel discussion. The title of the discussion was Why the 4Cs Matter: A Perspective from Education Leaders and Students. The 4Cs are critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity (CCS adds a 5th C: character!). The panel focused on the importance of students mastering the content and the skills necessary to be successful in high school, college, and in their careers. Listening to Samantha and Lane speak made it incredibly apparent that they were set on a successful pathway to top tier high schools because of their education here at CCS. The panel discussion was an excellent opportunity to showcase CCS as an exemplar school, leading the way in current century teaching and learning styles that are designed to build capacity in students to be adaptive and effective problem solvers. The alumni were asked to speak in detail about their education at Catherine Cook. “At a smaller school it [the learning environment] was more individualized, and I felt I could be more creative with projects and assignments than I might in other places,” remarked Samantha. When asked to provide advice for the EdLeader 21 audience, Samantha told them, “When you’re trying to organize the model for teaching students … it’s really about tailoring it [the curriculum] to your students, your community.” Lane emphasized that students not only take in information to educate themselves, that they also put it to practical and customized use: “That’s really what learning should be about. Taking what’s in your head and what you know is right and translating it, making it tangible.” The EdLeader 21 event this year included 350 representatives from over 100 districts and schools across the country. We are so grateful that CCS was included in multiple portions of this event, and look forward to the benefits that will come from such national exposure. Our Twitter account was incredibly active on Friday due to all the positive and praising tweets from EdLeader 21. Here are just a few: “At @cathcookschool they don't use term "21st century", they are 13 years in with the 4cs. It's "current century" here #EdLeader21” We look forward to fostering the connections we made with the EdLeader 21 members and continuing to learn from each other. It is events like this that remind us how important effective collaboration is for educators, and how proud we are to be counted among the best schools in the country, preparing students for a current century high school experience and career. |
