QuEST 2007

The AFT’s biennial QuEST (Quality Educational Standards in Teaching) conference, held in Washington DC, in July, brought together more than 2,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, school officials, parents and others to learn about the latest research on school improvement and to share professional development ideas.

Six members of Local 943 attended this year’s QuEST conference. They were Sheri Maher (Ridgeland #122), Vicki Risley (Ridgeland #122), Bob Goldsbury (Alsip #126),Theresa Long, SW Special Ed Cooperative), Eddie Caffey (Posen #143 1/2), Claudine Loyd (Posen #143 1/2), and Odessa Conner (Posen #143 1/2). Following are Claudine’s and Odessa’s impressions and insights after attending their first AFT QuEST Conference:

As a first time participant of QuEST, I would like to say, thank you, for the experience. I was in awe of the 99 sessions available to attendees at this awesome event. It was very hard to decide which workshop to attend. Based on my need in the classroom, I attended workshops that will enhance reading and writing in our school. I learned several strategies I cannot wait to get in my 5 th grade class this year and put what I have learned into action.

“Integrating Rich Curriculum into the Reading Block”, presented by three ladies from New Jersey was very helpful to me. What stands out the most was a strategy that teaches students to ask the right questions and use their textbook. I will begin my school year copying and laminating the first chapter of a textbook and step-by-step show students how to use and gather information. My students will benefit tremendously using this strategy of direct instruction.

“Establishing Learning Teams to Evaluate Student Work” focused on deeply looking at students work to drive instruction. Here, I learned how to listen to people. Sometimes, people will interrupt speakers before they finish their statements. With a simple interactive group session, everyone in the room walked away with a method to conduct building meetings allowing everyone to speak without being interrupted. I am looking forward to introducing this one at my next staff meeting.

Finally, the plenary sessions were informative. The entertainment was great. I had a wonderful time being in the capital of this great nation all thanks to the men and women of solidarity representing our most precious leaders of the future, children.

- Odessa B. Conner, Posen School District 143 1/2

I want to thank you for the opportunity to attend such a great conference. Each day was not only filled with thought provoking messages from key speakers, but meaningful workshops with information that could actually be applicable in our classrooms and schools.

I experienced the true meaning of unions as organized expressions of solidarity. I was especially encouraged to hear in the plenary sessions to hear that principals are not instructional leaders but coordinators of instructional leaders, letting us know that we all must work together to really not leave children behind.

I thought that ending the conference with such an efficient health fair was a wonderful way of showing that the union is not only concerned about the everyday academic struggles of teachers, but their physical, social, and emotional welfare as well.

-Claudine Loyd , Posen School District 143 1/2

  AFT Local 943
  15521 South 70th Court
  Orland Park, Illinois 60462
  (708) 633-0943
  (708) 633-0944 (Fax)

  Kathy Setlak, president

  IFT Field Staff