Well, hey there! Thanks so much for considering me to share at your event...
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I have spoken at over 150 events and have experience providing:
I would love nothing more than to work with you to design experience for your audience that will engage and inspire. My hope is to always leave an audience with the tools, resources, and encouragement that they need to take the next step. I also enjoy staying connected beyond the event to offer support along the way. You in? |
Source: giftED Conference Keynote 2021
"We're Not in Kansas Anymore: The Future of Learning" |
Most Popular Learning Experiences
Designing for Depth: Meaningful Differentiation for Gifted Learners
In this learning experience, I will share how to engage and empower learners through meaningful experiences. I will walk educators through the important pieces of any learning experience (Engage, Experience, Empower, Evidence, and Extension/Extra Support) and how they can be used to cultivate a willingness to invest, create an opportunity to learn, and encourage authentic connections beyond the walls of the classroom. I will also share the importance of weaving life-ready and SEL skills into the experiences that we design as well as share practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. Educations will leave this learning experience with a new perspective regarding differentiation and an understanding of how important it is that we not only plan for our learners that don't understand, but also those that do.
In this learning experience, I will share how to engage and empower learners through meaningful experiences. I will walk educators through the important pieces of any learning experience (Engage, Experience, Empower, Evidence, and Extension/Extra Support) and how they can be used to cultivate a willingness to invest, create an opportunity to learn, and encourage authentic connections beyond the walls of the classroom. I will also share the importance of weaving life-ready and SEL skills into the experiences that we design as well as share practical ideas that can be implemented immediately. Educations will leave this learning experience with a new perspective regarding differentiation and an understanding of how important it is that we not only plan for our learners that don't understand, but also those that do.
A Meaningful Mess: Utilizing Passions to Ignite a Love for Learning
Many of our learners have lost their love for learning because of our current circumstances. They are tired, unmotivated, and unwilling to invest in learning just for the sake of doing so. Finding a passion and learning through that passion has the potential to change their perspective and help them see learning through a new lens. In this learning experience, I'll share the 6 Ps of Genius Hour (Passion, Plan, Pitch, Project, Product, and Presentation) and how they can be used to support this type of learning both at home and in the classroom. Educators will leave this learning experience with a clear understanding of why passion-based learning or Genius Hour is important and how it can be implemented in a way that is both manageable and meaningful.
Many of our learners have lost their love for learning because of our current circumstances. They are tired, unmotivated, and unwilling to invest in learning just for the sake of doing so. Finding a passion and learning through that passion has the potential to change their perspective and help them see learning through a new lens. In this learning experience, I'll share the 6 Ps of Genius Hour (Passion, Plan, Pitch, Project, Product, and Presentation) and how they can be used to support this type of learning both at home and in the classroom. Educators will leave this learning experience with a clear understanding of why passion-based learning or Genius Hour is important and how it can be implemented in a way that is both manageable and meaningful.
To schedule one of these learning experiences for your campus or district, please CLICK HERE.
What People are Saying...
"Andi was the keynote at our conference at a time of uncertainty during the middle of the COVID pandemic. She instantly bonded with our audience of nervous, exhausted teachers and had them chiming into discussions and polls. They enjoyed her real-world applications and hands-on style and have been begging to have her back!" - Melissa Saphos, ESC Region 6
"Andi changed the way that I saw PD. She reignited my passion as a learner and therefore as a teacher. I consistently walk out of her PD feeling a renewed sense of purpose and hope for my classroom and the next generation of learners." - Megan Puckett, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
"Andi changed the way that I saw PD. She reignited my passion as a learner and therefore as a teacher. I consistently walk out of her PD feeling a renewed sense of purpose and hope for my classroom and the next generation of learners." - Megan Puckett, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Keynotes
My keynotes are designed to shift mindsets and change perspectives. I spend time helping the audience understand the why first and then move into how to make what it is that we are addressing happen in any classroom, on any campus, or in any district. I take time to really connect and create an experience that is not only meaningful, but lots of fun!
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Consultation and Designing for Change
- I absolutely love working with school districts to create experiences for their learners. Professional learning doesn't have to be a presentation. My consultations are designed to take place during PLC time, planning time, or any other opportunity for small groups to come together and develop solutions.
- I am also passionate about helping district administrators create meaningful change and drive innovation. I believe that school should be an experience instead of a place and would love the opportunity to work with you to create change on your campus or throughout your district.
Workshops, Conferences, and Virtual Trainings
Genius Hour Professional Learning Experiences
💡 Passion-Based Learning Academy - 2 (or 3) Day Experience
This learning experience is designed for campuses and districts that want educators to be able to implement passion-based learning in the classroom with confidence. Day 1 will be an introduction to Genius Hour and the 6 Ps. Educators will experience technology tools that make Genius Hour both manageable and meaningful and begin thinking about what Genius Hour will look like in their classroom with their learners.
Day 2 will provide teachers with tools and ideas to take Genius Hour to the next level. This day also involves learning how to weave the standards into this type of learning so that students are learning through application.
If a campus or district opts for Day 3, I will stay on campus and be available for questions, coaching, and additional support.
💡 A Meaningful Mess: Utilizing Passions to Ignite a Love for Learning
Many of our learners have lost their love for learning because of our current circumstances. They are tired, unmotivated, and unwilling to invest in learning just for the sake of doing so. Finding a passion and learning through that passion has the potential to change their perspective and help them see learning through a new lens. In this learning experience, I'll share the 6 Ps of Genius Hour (Passion, Plan, Pitch, Project, Product, and Presentation) and how they can be used to support this type of learning both at home and in the classroom. Educators will leave this learning experience with a clear understanding of why passion-based learning or Genius Hour is important and how it can be implemented in a way that is both manageable and meaningful.
💡 Genius Hour: Coaching and Consultation
If your district is already implementing Genius Hour or passion-based learning but you are needing additional support or a more manageable and meaningful process, I am available to work with you and your district as a coach and/or consultant. Throughout this process, we will develop a plan that makes sense and will give you and the educators on your campus the biggest return on your investment. We will spend time creating a Genius Hour experience that runs itself so that it will result in the sustainable change that you are hoping to create.
This learning experience is designed for campuses and districts that want educators to be able to implement passion-based learning in the classroom with confidence. Day 1 will be an introduction to Genius Hour and the 6 Ps. Educators will experience technology tools that make Genius Hour both manageable and meaningful and begin thinking about what Genius Hour will look like in their classroom with their learners.
Day 2 will provide teachers with tools and ideas to take Genius Hour to the next level. This day also involves learning how to weave the standards into this type of learning so that students are learning through application.
If a campus or district opts for Day 3, I will stay on campus and be available for questions, coaching, and additional support.
💡 A Meaningful Mess: Utilizing Passions to Ignite a Love for Learning
Many of our learners have lost their love for learning because of our current circumstances. They are tired, unmotivated, and unwilling to invest in learning just for the sake of doing so. Finding a passion and learning through that passion has the potential to change their perspective and help them see learning through a new lens. In this learning experience, I'll share the 6 Ps of Genius Hour (Passion, Plan, Pitch, Project, Product, and Presentation) and how they can be used to support this type of learning both at home and in the classroom. Educators will leave this learning experience with a clear understanding of why passion-based learning or Genius Hour is important and how it can be implemented in a way that is both manageable and meaningful.
💡 Genius Hour: Coaching and Consultation
If your district is already implementing Genius Hour or passion-based learning but you are needing additional support or a more manageable and meaningful process, I am available to work with you and your district as a coach and/or consultant. Throughout this process, we will develop a plan that makes sense and will give you and the educators on your campus the biggest return on your investment. We will spend time creating a Genius Hour experience that runs itself so that it will result in the sustainable change that you are hoping to create.
Gifted and Talented Professional Learning Experiences
💡 Tools of the Trade*
Teaching gifted students requires us to be creative and find ways to engage and empower them even when they are not in our classrooms. Find out how technology can be used to do just that. In this learning experience, I will share with educators how to know if technology is meaningful and why it is important to use these tools to help students make connections. Educators will leave this experience excited about the potential ways to engage their gifted learners in meaningful learning experiences using technology tools that are accessible and easy to use.
💡 Meaningful Differentiation for Gifted Learners*
Differentiation for gifted learners is more than just assigning a more challenging activity or giving more work. It’s important that we understand today’s gifted learners and what they need at school to not only be engaged but empowered. Designing meaningful learning experiences, rather than just assigning activities, is essential if we want gifted learners to grow and achieve both inside and outside of the classroom. In this learning experience, I will share practical ways that educators can provide meaningful differentiation in the classroom for today’s gifted learners.
General Education Professional Learning Experiences
💡 Creating The Perfect Wave
Learning should look a lot like surfing. When you watch a surfer, they are fully immersed in the experience. Surfers are also given the opportunity to learn by doing. Their instructor gives them the information that they can to be successful and then they turn them loose in the ocean to make it happen. Some surfers are ready to ride extreme waves and others are barely able to stand up on their board. In this learning experience, I'll share how we can learn so much from the surfing community when it comes to learning and how our ultimate goal should be to create learners ready to grab their boards and ride the waves...even if that means that they will wipe out here and there. After this learning experience, educators will have a new perspective of learning and their role as educators. They will have practical resources that will help them encourage their learners to ride the waves and have fun while doing so.
💡 Differentiation: A New Perspective
Differentiation doesn’t mean that every learner gets a different experience, it means that they experience it differently. In this learning experience, I will share what differentiation is, what it’s not, and practical tools that can be used to make it manageable and meaningful in the classroom. Educators will leave this learning experience with a new perspective and ideas that can be implemented immediately into any classroom.
💡 Reflection - The Missing Piece to the Learning Puzzle
John Dewey said, "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on an experience." In this learning experience, I will explain how reflection can be used to make learning meaningful for today's learners. Educators will also understand the difference between reflection and remembering. When done well, reflection gives students an opportunity to make connections and take their learning to the next level. Educators will leave this experience with a toolkit full of ways to make reflection a priority in their own classrooms.
💡 Meaningful Makerspaces
Maker spaces have become very popular in education. While designing, creating, and making are all very important for today's learners, it is also important that we are engaging them in activities that are meaningful and relevant. In this learning experience, I will explain why it is so important that our students have time during their school day to produce. I will discuss what a meaningful maker space looks like and what is needed to make it successful. I will also share a variety of ideas for creating a maker space that will give students that opportunity to focus on life-ready skills. I will discuss how to implement the 4 C's + 1R - collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and reflection - into a maker space, as well as how to encourage students to be willing to take risks and learn by doing.
Learning should look a lot like surfing. When you watch a surfer, they are fully immersed in the experience. Surfers are also given the opportunity to learn by doing. Their instructor gives them the information that they can to be successful and then they turn them loose in the ocean to make it happen. Some surfers are ready to ride extreme waves and others are barely able to stand up on their board. In this learning experience, I'll share how we can learn so much from the surfing community when it comes to learning and how our ultimate goal should be to create learners ready to grab their boards and ride the waves...even if that means that they will wipe out here and there. After this learning experience, educators will have a new perspective of learning and their role as educators. They will have practical resources that will help them encourage their learners to ride the waves and have fun while doing so.
💡 Differentiation: A New Perspective
Differentiation doesn’t mean that every learner gets a different experience, it means that they experience it differently. In this learning experience, I will share what differentiation is, what it’s not, and practical tools that can be used to make it manageable and meaningful in the classroom. Educators will leave this learning experience with a new perspective and ideas that can be implemented immediately into any classroom.
💡 Reflection - The Missing Piece to the Learning Puzzle
John Dewey said, "We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on an experience." In this learning experience, I will explain how reflection can be used to make learning meaningful for today's learners. Educators will also understand the difference between reflection and remembering. When done well, reflection gives students an opportunity to make connections and take their learning to the next level. Educators will leave this experience with a toolkit full of ways to make reflection a priority in their own classrooms.
💡 Meaningful Makerspaces
Maker spaces have become very popular in education. While designing, creating, and making are all very important for today's learners, it is also important that we are engaging them in activities that are meaningful and relevant. In this learning experience, I will explain why it is so important that our students have time during their school day to produce. I will discuss what a meaningful maker space looks like and what is needed to make it successful. I will also share a variety of ideas for creating a maker space that will give students that opportunity to focus on life-ready skills. I will discuss how to implement the 4 C's + 1R - collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking, and reflection - into a maker space, as well as how to encourage students to be willing to take risks and learn by doing.
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Andi's Book OfferOften, audience members are inspired after hearing Andi share. As an option, meeting planners can offer audience members the opportunity to receive a copy of one of Andi's books for an additional fee. These resources can be utilized to encourage application of what has been shared. Genius Hour and A Meaningful Mess will inspire educators to think beyond what they've always done and consider what will actually be meaningful for today's learners. If there is time, Andi is more than willing to sign of copy of her books for everyone as well. If this is something that you are wanting to make a reality, please let our team know in plenty of time before the event. We simply need to know which book and how many copies will be needed. After receiving that information, we will be able to provide the quote for the additional cost. |
Upcoming Events
I have spoken at 150+ events over the course of my career and absolutely love getting to spend time sharing and learning with educators all over the world. I am often told that teachers appreciate my down-to-earth style and willingness to share an honest perspective of what has to happen in education for school to be a place that both educators and learners want to be. Below are the upcoming events on my calendar...
- July 11th - 15th ESC Region 12 GT Training
- July 12th - Fairfield ISD SEL for Gifted Learners
- July 18th - ESC Region 12 Genius Hour
- July 19th - Houston Co-op Virtual Training
- July 20th - Los Fresnos ISD
- July 21st - ESC Region 12 Design for Depth
- July 25th - ESC Region 12 EdTech Ideas
- July 26th - 28th - Killeen ISD
- July 29th - Los Angeles Unified School District (Virtual)
- August 1st - ESC Region 12 GT Conference (Virtual)
- August 2nd - Irving ISD
- August 3rd - 4th - Northside ISD
- August 5th - Midland ISD
- August 8th - Copperas Cove ISD
- August 9th - Salado ISD
- August 10th -11th - Jacksonville ISD
- August 15th - West ISD
- August 16th - Whitney ISD
- October 15th - Mississippi GT Conference
- October 20th Ysleta ISD, El Paso, Texas
- November 7th - ESC of Lorain County, Ohio
- November 15th - 18th - NAGC Conference, Indiana
