Winds of change from the Windy City Education students will be treated to a free lecture on Monday concerning reform in public schools. Maribeth Vander Weele and Bob Deckinga of Chicago will speak on, “Teaching In and Changing a Large Public School System.”
Maribeth Vander Weele, a graduate of Wheaton College, is currently the Investigative Officer for the Chicago Public Schools. She works closely with Paul Villa on school reforms. She has written for two newspapers, including the Chicago Sun Times, where she was an education reporter. Maribeth is the author of the book, Reclaiming Our Schools: The Struggle for Chicago School Reform, (Loyola University Press, 1994).
Bob Deckinga is currently working for the Accountability Office for the Chicago Public Schools. Presently, he is stepping in as an interim principal for one of the struggling schools. Previously, he was a sixth grade teacher and then principal for Chicago Southwest Christian Schools for many years. Both speakers are interested in having Calvin students come to their schools to student teach and then later take full-time teaching positions.
About two months back, Professor Stronks of the Education Department, contacted Debra Klaasen, the President of ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), to inquire if the organization would help host these speakers.
ASCD, previously known as SURGE, is the nationwide organization that Calvin education majors are associated with. ASCD is trying to expand its club past its previous boundaries. This month members of ASCD will be helping Habitat for Humanity. Later this year, ASCD plans on hosting more speakers on various other educational topics, in hopes to better prepare the Calvin education students for the “real world.”
The lecture is recommended for anyone considering teaching, particularly in a public school setting.
