Big Bang 9 – re:volve
Each year since 2002, staff members from the Big Picture Learning network of schools have gathered for a summer professional development session to improve their understanding of the Big Picture Learning design, share best practices, psych themselves up for the school year ahead, and strengthen their relationships with other schools. An enduring piece of Big Picture Learning’s professional culture, the non-proft is proud to announce the success of its ninth Big Bang that celebrated its fifteenth year as a national, and now international, network of schools.
Last week, over 200 staff members, students, and administrators from the United States, Australia and Canada gathered in Providence, Rhode Island to take part in Big Bang 9, four days of training that offered Big Picture Learning’s own unique blend of professional development, training, and culture-building. It was a valuable foundational experience for those opening new Big Picture Learning schools in the Fall 2010, a learning opportunity for those interested in incorporating the BPL design into their current work, and a great opportunity for those educators new to the BPL network who want to learn more.
In addition to a beneficial professional development and collaboration opportunity, Big Picture Learning also utilized this gathering of professional educators to honor three Big Picture Learning graduates for their outstanding achievements both in school and post-high school. Mia Lombardi, a graduate of the Met School in Providence in 2000, was an outspoken student committed to defending the welfare of those who were unable to fight for their own rights. Presently, she has become an ardent and vocal supporter of alternative education in her community. La Creelin Shaneice Caton, a graduate from the San Diego Met School in 2010, was the first in her family to finish high school, be accepted to and attend college. Currently, La Creelin is attending the University of California, majoring in Biology, and is focusing on her studies as she was granted a full merit scholarship. Finally, Christopher Pride, a 2006 graduate from Big Picture Learning’s Denver school, credits his advisor as the person who redirected his life, helped him value his own potential. Pride writes “I gladly would like to thank the Big Picture for helping me understand that I can be the change in this world and for showing me that education is the most powerful weapon that can be used to change the world.”