Submitted by De’Andre Shepard and Melissa Sreckovic, University of Michigan-Flint Assistant Professors of Education

Assistant Professors Melissa Sreckovic and De’Andre Shepard give a poster presentation.

Participants enjoyed discussing ideas on shared topics in education like this one.

Today at the Institute for Innovation in Education (iiE) March Gathering, here at Florida Keys Community College, the conference participants attended a work session that is creatively called an “un-conference,” a term which helps participants  to relieve the pressure associated with conferences. In addition, the un-conference allows educators and technology professionals to relax and provide feedback that will allow the participants to be innovative in their approaches to tackling a range of world and educational issues.

In our work session our topic was “Communicating Fun Through Youth Leadership.”  We were overwhelmed with the innovative ideas that were shared from the leaders in our group. We discussed how communication is the key to building relationships with our youth, and helping them find their passion, and that in today’s society, we have to help our youth find their voice as future leaders. We agreed that whether youth are in a special or general education class, in a marine biology class, or even in a community-based mentoring group, we need to take the approach that not only are all students accepted—they all belong.