Re: [arn2-strategy] Nel Noddings and Parker Palmer

[Alan Young <alanyoung@mchsi.com>]

Hi folks,

I finally have a superintendent to work with who literally wants to do what
is best for learners. We are attempting to bring in many truly progressive
experts to help us truly create the schools our children deserve. Part of
that has to do with stressing the importance of caring, authentic
relationships with and between students and the creation of caring and
democratic learning communities.

Nel Noddings and Parker Palmer are persons that come to mind in terms of
their wonderful work. However, we know little about their abilities as large
group speakers. If anyone has actually heard a presentation recently of
either of these great thinkers and can share your thoughts as to whether you
found them engaging, motivating, and ³perspective shifting² (or not) as
public speakers, please email me directly with your thoughts. (Please do not
reply to the whole list since the intent of my request is to not to critique
them publicly.) No need for exhaustive details, just some brief comments by
some whom have actually heard them.

We have already had Heidi Hayes Jacobs this year, with some of our
administrators also getting to have dinner with Monty Neill, at least. We
intend to see if we can also get Alfie Kohn and Rick Stiggins, all of whom
are known as excellent presenters as well as thinker/writers. We truly are
impressed with the writings of Noddings and Palmer as well, but would like
to have some perspective by some who have actually heard them present. We
have others in mind as we get to different facets of our change efforts, but
thought of Noddings and Palmer with regard to caring relationships. If you
have other suggestions, we are open - so  please let me know ASAP.

There are many wonderful writers who do not necessarily share the same
strength as speakers, so our intent is just to see if anyone has heard them
and knows what they are like as speakers. We also realize that most good
change happens with simply a lot of local work by thoughtful stakeholders.
Still, strategic high-powered motivational speakers can help to jumpstart
efforts and spur paradigm shifts. Thus speakers are one of the things we are
looking for.

My direct email is ayoung@dmea.org

Thanks so much!

Alan Young
President
Des Moines Education Association
and
Iowa ARN State Coordinator