Summer Institute for Teacher Candidates
The Summer Institute is a special event cosponsored by Character First.
This program is an informative, inventive, and interactive training session for Juniors and Seniors who attend one of the 22 Oklahoma Teacher Education colleges or universities. Each school gets to send 2 representatives to the Summer Institute held July 19-21, 2012 in Oklahoma City.
Below are details for those registered. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please contact us as soon as possible so we can give your place to an alternate. Call our registrar, Sylvia Bryant, at 405-225-9478 or e-mail sbryant@osrhe.edu.
We look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Where to Meet:
Please arrive Thursday morning, July 19, in time to begin our kick-off lunch at 11:30am. We’ll meet (and stay overnight) at the Bricktown Hampton Inn at 300 E. Sheridan, OKC 73104. Park in the circle drive, check-in with us in the lobby, and we′ll give you an access card to the parking garage next door (with in-and-out privileges).
We will meet in the hotel conference center (first floor). If your room is not ready to occupy until the afternoon, we can store your luggage downstairs.
What to Wear:
Please wear your school colors on Thursday to help us kick-off the event. We’ll provide Summer Institute t-shirts for you to wear on Friday (for a group photo). Then you can change clothes before Friday night’s dinner banquet at the Petroleum Club, which will be a dressy occasion. (Keep in mind that conference rooms are often cool, so dress appropriately.)
The Bricktown Hampton Inn has a well-quipped fitness center and indoor pool, if you want to swim or exercise during free time.
What to Bring:
Bring a thirst for learning and a willingness to concentrate on the material at hand. We will provide notebooks, pens, and materials for each session.
You’ll have a few hours of “free time” on Thursday night to explore Bricktown, so you might want to have some cash on hand. You can also hangout after our conference ends on Saturday at noon.
Lodging and Meals:
Thanks to our sponsors, all your housing and meals are paid for. Unless you prefer to stay at home, we will assign you and one other student (same gender) to share a double-occupancy room at the Bricktown Hampton Inn. (We will try to pair up students from the same school, if possible.)
If you prefer your own room, it will cost $70/night. Call Sylvia Bryant at 405-225-9478 or e-mail sbryant@osrhe.edu to elect this option. You can pay for the room when you come (cash or check to “Character First”).
You will not have access to hotel “incidentals” such as room-service, telephone, or movies unless you provide the front-desk with your own credit or debit card.
All your meals, conference snacks, and accommodations will be provided from Thursday lunch to Saturday breakfast. Please notify Sylvia Bryant if you have any special dietary or physical needs.
What to Expect:
Thursday, 11:30a–1:00p = Lunch
1:00p–5:30p = Sessions
6:30p–7:30p = Dinner
7:30p–10:30p = “Free Time” in Bricktown
Friday, 8:30a–12:00p = Sessions
12:00p–1:00p = Lunch
1:00p–5:00p = Sessions
6:30p–9:00p = Dinner Banquet at Petroleum Club
Saturday, 8:30a–11:00a = Sessions
11:00a–12:00p = Graduation
Our sessions will be interactive with plenty of round-table discussion and projects. Get ready to meet new friends, learn from veteran teachers, and ask questions in order to get the most from your experience. We will also equip you with information and resources to take back to school as a character education ambassador!
Want more info? Check out our Facebook albums to see last year’s training sessions and dinner banquet.
Our Objectives:
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To provide helpful tools and resources for future use as a character educator.
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To create a character-based PK–12 learning environment by integrating character concepts into the core curriculum and elective studies.
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To communicate the value of praise as a tool to reinforce positive behavior.
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To develop skills for conflict resolution and classroom management.
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To acquire an understanding of and the ability to bridge cultural differences.
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To connect character traits with the required professional disposition.
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To cultivate long-term professional relationships.
Summer Institute Planning Committee:
Dr. Lisa Holder, OK State Regents for Higher Education
Dr. Earlene Smith, Oklahoma Center for Character Education
Jennifer Gambrell, Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation
Robert Greenlaw, Character First
Deena Thomas, OK State Regents for Higher Education
Dr. Susan Scott, University of Central Oklahoma
Susan Fowler, Christian Heritage Academy
Paul Burkhardt, Oklahoma City Community College
Summer Institute Sponsors:
