HOME Calendar of Events What is Constructivism? Conference 2008 Captivating Classes With Constructivism Applying Standards-Based Constructivism Quote & Strategy ...of the Week Newsletter Archive Standards Based Lessons Online Courses JPACTe Parent Involvement Special Education Technology In Support of Student Centered Learning About Us Related Links Participant Quotes   "We were expecting to gain a few tidbits on teaching, but we left with strategies that have the potential to change the culture and attitude of our school forever." ...4 Teachers from Brooklyn College Academy, grades 9 - 10 "Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share in this awesome learning experience." ...Math Teacher, Cape Coral, Florida "This conference was the best educational experience I've had since I left college. I've been to seminars, clinics, and all kinds of workshops, but this conference was more value than anything I've experienced. In the past week, I reflected more on my teaching practices than I've ever done since I began my career." ...Teacher of Middle School Science, St. Lawrence County, New York "I was awed by your effort to make each person at the conference feel valued." ...Middle School Teacher, ELA, State of Delaware "We had an amazing experience at the conference!" ...Social Studies Teachers, New York City, New York "I want to say how much I enjoyed the week. The level of learning just continues to rise every year!" ...Staff Developer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin "Our team became a cohesive group of educators that truly have the kids at heart. We are going to really try to get together on a regular basis to discuss and encourage each other with things learned at this conference." ...Elementary Teacher, St. Lawrence County, New York

Applying Standards Based Constructivism

At last, a book that shares practical classroom application of constructivist theory of how people learn.

Published by Eye on Education, Larchmont, New York, and authored by the Institute's Pat Flynn, Don Mesibov, Paul Vermette, and Mike Smith, it is now available. One version focuses on Elementary schools and the other on Secondary education. Each one is available for $29.95.

About the Authors

Pat Flynn taught on both the elementary and the secondary levels. He has been a Language Arts Coordinator, a Title I Coordinator, a Resource Room Teacher, and a Labor Relations Specialist, and an Associate in Educational Services for the NYS United Teachers union. He was the co-creator of the union’s School Reform Initiative. He represented teachers’ regarding the development of the NYS Learning Standards, student assessment and school accountability system. He served on State councils, including those dealing with Career and Occupational Education. He has studied first-hand, innovative schools and school structures in the USA and overseas. He and his wife, Marge, reside in Albany NY. They have three daughters and four grandchildren.

Don Mesibov is founder of the Institute for Learning Centered Education. He has been a weekly newspaper editor, child care counselor at a school for the emotionally disturbed, grocery store clerk, middle school English teacher, and labor relations specialist for a teachers’ union. Mesibov credits “whatever I bring to the table in the field of education” to his many years as a camper, counselor, and athletic director at eight week overnight summer camps where “We collaborated for the welfare of every child and the organizational structure supported a team approach.” He and his wife, Susan, reside in Potsdam, New York with their daughter, Raina, a middle school student. Their son Darren is a pilot and older daughter Marli is a sophomore at Brandeis University.

Dr. Paul Vermette received his doctorate in Learning and Instruction in l983 from SUNY at Buffalo and has been a professor of Education at Niagara University, since l985. He has authored “Making Cooperative Learning Work,” from Prentice-Hall/Merrill and co-authored, with Chandra Foote and Cathy Battaglia, “Constructivist Strategies: Engaging adolescent minds and meeting standards,” from Eye on Education. He has published over 20 articles and has given presentations at conferences of every major educational organization. He, and his wife Kathleen, live in Niagara Falls, NY, and their son, Matt, is currently completing a BA in Education from Niagara.

Dr. R. Michael (Mike) Smith received his undergraduate degree from Brock University, two Masters of Science in Education from Niagara University (Foundations and Teaching and Elementary Education Pre K to 6), and his Ph.D. in Social Foundations and Administration from the University of Buffalo. Mike is in his fourth year as an Assistant Professor of Education at Niagara University where he teaches undergraduate courses in Foundations of Education, and graduate courses in Foundations of Education, Multicultural Education, and Motivation and Classroom Management. Mike’s previous careers were: Assistant Golf Professional, Hotel and Resort Manager, and Account Executive for various Canadian Breweries.