Presented by Melissa Seggelke, Humanities Manager, Denver Public Schools (CO); Sarah Culp Searles, Supervisor, Library/Media Services, Knox County Schools (TN); Erin Conklin, Supervisor, K-12 Social Studies, Duval County Public Schools (FL); and Jacquelyn Whiting, Instructional Coach and Technology Integrator, Brookfield Public Schools (CT)

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Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation. Get a CE Certificate for this edLeader Panel Learn more.

Curiosity is the foundation of deep and meaningful learning—in fact, research has shown that curiosity is among the most powerful determinants of academic achievement.

Unfortunately, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, studies of secondary classrooms showed that most students asked very few questions in class, if any. These pre-existing dynamics have only been exacerbated by our current challenges. Fully 88% of teachers responding to a recent EdWeek survey reported their students are less motivated to learn since the start of the pandemic. What can educators do to turn the tide, reignite curiosity in the classroom, and reconnect students to their intrinsic desire to learn?

In this engaging edLeader Panel, four district leaders from around the country share lessons learned, best practices, and from-the-trenches wisdom about sparking and sustaining student curiosity in today’s schools. Viewers:

• Learn to apply principles of design thinking to student learning experiences for deeper engagement
• Explore methods for infusing greater voice and choice into the content and structure of student work
• Reflect on the importance of culturally sustaining pedagogy and culturally relevant resources in fostering student curiosity
• Gain insight and inspiration from success stories of leaders driving the shift toward a districtwide culture of inquiry

This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 teachers, librarians, school and district leaders, and education technology leaders.

About the Presenters

Melissa Seggelke is the humanities manager for Denver Public Schools (DPS). She has been with DPS for over 13 years and has previously supported both educators and students as a social studies teacher, content literacy partner, and curriculum specialist. Melissa saw firsthand the power of inquiry-based learning and culturally responsive education when she coached her seventh-grade students for National History Day, where students grappled with complex projects driven by both their passion and research.

Sarah Culp Searles is the supervisor of library media services for the Knox County Schools in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has served in multiple leadership roles for professional associations, including on the American Association of School Librarians Board of Directors and as Chair of the editorial board of the journal, Knowledge Quest. Sarah is a Lilead Fellow and in 2018 was named a distinguished administrator by the Tennessee Association of School Librarians. She is a frequent speaker and professional development facilitator at the local, state, and national levels, especially on topics related to school library instruction, collaboration, and leadership. She is the author of the book, Explore (ALA Editions 2021), and her articles on school libraries have been published in Knowledge Quest and School Library Connection.

Erin Conklin is the supervisor of K-12 social studies for Duval County Schools, Florida. Her background in education includes teaching middle school social studies, serving as Region Assistant Principal, and extensive work on state committees ranging from standards improvement to assessment creation. In addition to her role of District Supervisor, she is currently the secretary of the Florida Association of Social Studies Supervisors, and an adjunct professor with the University of North Florida. In 2021, Erin’s appreciation and respect for teaching civil rights and civil liberties earned her the Harry T. Moore Teaching for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Award.

Jacquelyn Whiting is the instructional coach and technology integrator for the Brookfield Public Schools in Brookfield, CT. She has a bachelor’s in government studies and studio art from Connecticut College and a master’s in social studies and education from South Connecticut State University. She is also a Google Certified Innovator, a Google Certified Coach, and Local Activator for Future Design School. Jacquelyn is the author most recently of Student-Centered Learning by Design and co-author of News Literacy: The Keys to Combating Fake News. She presents frequently on human-centered design, student and educator voice, and innovative educational technology practices.

Closed captioning will be added to the recording within 2 weeks of the live presentation.

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