Additionally, the AEC uses many techniques and
strategies outlined by the authors when designing
each professional learning experience – particularly
“questioning and creating environments safe for
appropriate risk taking,” as well as “encouraging
lifelong learning and ongoing discovery.” Further,
AEC programming emphasizes reflection for educators
and administrators: we provide for it at the beginning,
middle, and end of each event through techniques
such as mind mapping, written musings, and group
discussion. The reflection component of the AEC’s
work is critical to building trust among the members
of each cohort as a professional learning community.
Other opportunities exist in providing specific
workshops around the Habits of Mind or embedding
them overtly in programming for educators and
administrators. This is an avenue that we intend
to explore in the future.