Stephen G. Barkley

Leadership and the New Science

This address focuses on Margaret Wheatley's work. Steve utilizes two exciting videotapes, and has participants explore chaos theory and the possible applications to organizations. Participants will develop ideas for working with colleagues in their schools and associations. In addition, they will understand classroom application to constructionist learning.

Power of Optimism

Steve presents the l2 behaviors of optimists, which are taken from Allan McGuiness' work, The Power of Optimism. Selected behaviors are connected to the keynote audience with specific examples, stories, and questions. This presentation makes a great motivational opening or closing for staff development programs.

Natural Leadership

The key elements of natural leadership: survival, satisfaction, approval, and integration are illustrated as central to team building in classrooms and schools. Natural leaders arrange job tasks that need to be achieved so that individuals receive satisfaction and recognition from the group while meeting the survival needs of all the group. Their role in restructuring and shared decision making is included.

Increasing Options: Lowering Risks

Highly skilled educators have many options for responding to students' learning needs. This keynote encourages the audience to consider staff development, coaching, restructuring, risk taking, and community involvement to increase instructional options.

The Magic of Excellent Teaching

Like a great magician, an excellent teacher often fills us with awe. As we watch and listen, we learn. We are aware that this learning is happening, and yet we are at a complete loss for words when asked to describe why or how it happens. What are the skills that make the great teacher? How does the expert teacher make learning happen? In The Magic of Excellent Teaching, Steve Barkley probes the answers to these questions, showing teachers how to create their own magic by starting with their own teaching skills.

Schools for Tomorrow

This workshop is for all K-12 teachers, counselors, Tech Prep teachers, coordinators, and administrators. The comparison of real-life learning, cooperative learning, and traditional school learning will be analyzed. Strategies will be studied to increase long-term learning. To prepare students to live, work, and flourish, schools must restructure instruction. Staff developers must lead the way. While exploring labor's requests, research on learning, and motivation for quality, you will develop strategies for encouraging changes in what teachers and students do in school. This is a work ... shop.

Finding the Basics in Complex Learning Tasks

Steve tackles the general misconception that students need to master the basics before entering into a complex task. He will demonstrate that undertaking the complex task is reason, purpose, and motivation to internalize the basics. Sports and music provide strong examples by engaging students in the production of a complex task while teaching the skills (basics) that lead to a successful product or performance.

Raising Student Expectations

In order to raise student expectations, it is necessary to restructure what and how we teach. Responsibility for learning is placed on the students and they learn from their mistakes by experiencing the natural consequences. Steve encourages teachers to act as facilitators and coaches while students solve real-life problems. Teachers need to provide recognition, approval, and communicate a belief in the students' potential.

Introducing Peer Coaching

Teachers coaching teachers is a sure way to respond to the present cry for excellence in education. Introducing Peer Coaching covers the rewards of colleague-to-colleague dialogues for all involved, from the highly skilled, experienced teacher to the insecure beginning teacher. Steve identifies the skills that are necessary for teachers to reap the benefits of peer coaching and outlines possible strategies for the successful implementation of formal or informal peer coaching in the school or district setting.

Together Toward Tomorrow

The focus of this workshop is on strategies that bring various groups and individuals together for solving common problems. Topics addressed include:

• Identifying common vision and mission;
• Developing creative plans for change;
• Encouraging risk taking and implementation;
• Measuring and modifying programs in place; and
• Celebrating successes to reinforce continued progress.

New Paradigm for Learning

In this workshop, participants will examine their understanding of "how we learn best." The comparison of real-life learning and school learning will suggest ways to modify existing instructional strategies. They should leave the workshop with a better understanding of how they can best serve students.

Schools to Work

State Departments of Education staff, Chambers of Commerce members, postsecondary and K-12 educators are engaged in building partnerships that connect learning and earning. The comparison of real-life learning and school learning will suggest ways to modify existing instructional strategies. Steve identifies the why and how in this interactive keynote. The win-win payoff is illustrated.