Unfortunately, most teachers working in the toughest schools in America have not yet heard of the Edcamp movement. Demands on their time and energy make the added burden of giving up a Saturday morning or after-school hours too onerous. The Edcamp Foundation, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has launched its District Initiative program to bring the Edcamp model to educators at under-resourced school districts in urban centers around the country.
The District Initiative program provides after-school Edcamps or Edcamps on professional development days in identified districts to provide the Edcamp experience for its educators. Each District Initiative Edcamp can be shaped to meet the particular needs of the district. Districts sign up for 3 Edcamps. We provide funds towards refreshments for each day. We also build an agenda that can include a theme to support your district goals.
The program also offers trainings for teacher leaders to become “Edcamp Specialists” in each district so they can help facilitate the initial Edcamp experience and lead subsequent Edcamps. As a follow up to the District Edcamp, the session boards will be evaluated, staff will be surveyed and the Edcamp Foundation will provide funding to bring in curriculum experts for Edcamp Encore unconferences to allow teachers to further develop an idea learned at the Edcamp. Hopefully, the Edcamp Encore will help educators enhance their curricula and classroom practice.
The District Initiative program is also available as a fee-for-service offering to districts that want to bring the Edcamp model to their educators, but don’t fall into the work identified by the Edcamp and Gates Foundations.
If you are interested in learning more about the District Initiative program, contact Cynthia Leatherwood, Outreach Manager.
