The 2021 Summer Proficiency Institute was hosted by CT COLT on June 23 – 25 via Zoom. This was the fifth Summer Proficiency Institute and the fourth in the series with Greg Duncan. CT COLT is proud to be able to maintain the Summer Proficiency Institute in the same collaborative spirit that keeps participants returning for many years. The conference was a great success with over 80 educators from around the globe participating in the three day conference. We can thank a year of pandemic teaching and learning for the ability to offer an updated and more engaging format via Zoom.
Participants were able to interact during the new learning portion hosted by Greg Duncan and then interact with colleagues and facilitators in small groups. We were able to delve into Backward Design, create performance based assessments, and collaborate with a wide variety of colleagues for feedback on the newly created assessments and focus on Stage 2- determine the evidence through assessments. Participants left with performance based assessments that were school ready and a wealth of information created by the other educators through the conference virtual folder.
We would like to thank all of the participants once again for spending 3 days learning and collaborating with us to improve their practice. We were honored that you chose to spend the time learning and Zooming with us after a very long 20 -21 school year. Special thanks to Rita Oleksak, Charlotte Gifford and Catherine Ritz for their incredible work leading their groups and a huge thanks to Greg Duncan for preparing and engaging us in such high quality Professional Development!
Here are just a few comments from some of the 2021 attendees:
“This was the best SPI I have attended, including workshops in person at ACTFL, etc. The objectives were clear, and we were given time to work on them. The models and can-do statements provided were extremely useful. I can’t wait for the next institute. Working and learning with colleagues from other languages and schools was exciting and beneficial since we could compare notes and share resources”
Sangeeta Dhawan, Green Farms Academy
“I loved the format and it provided the perfect amount of instruction, small group, and individual time.”
Denise Fitzsimmons, Danbury High School
“It was stellar this year in organization, planning and time to work alone and in groups. Congrats! It was awesome!”
Allison DiCicco, Oxford Public Schools
Kathleen Archibald
CT COLT Coordinator, Summer Proficiency Institute
