Indiana State University Newsroom

The Bayh College of Education at Indiana State University will host Sycamore Educator's Day on Nov. 6.

The event, free for ISU students and alumni, will feature Alfie Kohn as the keynote speaker, Todd Whitaker as the general session speaker and two supplemental workshops with various themes.

Kohn, who has been featured on various television and radio programs and profiled in the Los Angeles Times, was described in Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades and test scores." His keynote speech is entitled "Second Thoughts about A's, Praise, Stickers and Contests."

Whitaker, Indiana State University professor of education, leadership, administration and foundations, is a national and international motivational speaker. He has written 23 books for educators, as well as two books for a general audience. His presentation is entitled "The Most Important Things in Life Aren't Things."

The conference, held in ISU's University Hall, is open to all educators but is targeted to alumni.

"It's to provide a professional development opportunity to alumni," said Susan Powers, associate dean for academic and student affairs in the Bayh College of Education. "They can come back and network and learn a few things."

This year the conference focuses on themes of working with children with special needs, using technology in education and handling cyberbullying. ISU faculty and current students, as well as area teachers and alumni will be presenting the workshops.

Those attending the entire day may receive documentation for professional education units. Educators may also receive graduate credit at a reduced rate by attending all four sessions and fulfilling all necessary requirements.

The registration deadline is Oct. 22 or until filled. For more information and to register, visit http://coe.indstate.edu/sed/index.htm. The cost is $25 for participants who are not ISU alumni.

Contact: Susan Powers, associate dean for academic and student affairs, Bayh College of Education, at 812-237-2918 or susan.powers@indstate.edu

Writer: Lana Schrock, media relations assistant, Communications and Marketing, at 812-237-3773 or lschrock1@indstate.edu