A popular conference hosted by Hope College for educators has returned for a ninth year. Professor Emeritus of Education Leslie Wessman and Associate Professor of Education Linda Jordan are members of the planning team for the annual Midwest Brain and Learning Institute, which was held at the Haworth Inn and Conference Center at Hope June 22-25. Co-sponsored by Hope and the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, the institute was attended by 136 educators from area and state-wide school districts as well as Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Hawaii. The institute is intended for educators who work with students of all age levels, including pre-school teachers, K-12 educators and college professors. The event is organized particularly with educators from West Michigan in mind but regularly draws attendees from throughout the state and beyond.
This year's institute focused on "Healthy Brains, Engaged Learners." The program's format is designed in light of research and emphasizes the guiding principle that learners must be actively involved. The institute's settings have been varied to include whole-group presentations, question-and-answer panels, small-group learning clubs and opportunities for informal discussion. Enrollment is capped at approximately 135 in keeping with the organizers' goal of enabling all of the participants to be actively engaged. Speakers included Dr. John J. Ratey, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of "SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain" (2008) and "The User's Guide to the Brain" (2001). Dr. Paul D. Nussbaum, a clinical neuropsychologist and consultant on brain health at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and author of "Your Brain Health Lifestyle" (2007). Susan Kovalik, president of The Center for Effective Learning and creator of ITI (Highly Effective Teaching - HET), a comprehensive school improvement model designed to increase student performance and teacher satisfaction. Kimberli Boyd, the CEO and founding director of "Dancing Between the Lines," a nationally known dancer, performing artist and artist educator whose approach to movement with students addresses many items enumerated by the National Standards for Education and No Child Left Behind. Ronna Alexander, a graphic recorder who graphically recorded all the presentations for the week, continuing her involvement in the 2007 and 2008 institutes. Jack Olwell, an award-winning physical educator from Minnesota, who presented on Jump Start, a brain-health program in Otsego.More information about the institute may be obtained online at
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