This content was published: September 10, 2007. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC In-Service steps up to the next level
Story by Dana Haynes, photography courtesy of Washington Speakers Bureau
Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D.
There was a time when the term “in-service” just meant a short assembly at the beginning of the school year to get everyone reacquainted and on the same page. Some faculty attended. Many did not.
That time isn’t now.
Under the leadership of Christine Chairsell, vice president for academic and student affairs, and Linda Blanchette, staff and organizational development facilitator, In-Service is bigger and bolder than ever.
And the first, best evidence of that is the morning’s keynote speaker, Sir Ken Robinson.
Robinson is an acknowledged leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources. Now based in Los Angeles, he has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia, with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit corporations and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations. They include the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sir Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, the Royal Ballet, and the Hong Academy for Performing Arts, the European Commission, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the J. Paul Getty Trust and the Education Commission of the States
“We’re excited to have an internationally known speaker of such caliber come to PCC. His messages of creativity and preparing for the future blends perfectly with the themes of access and success, which will be the focal point of this year’s In-Service,” Chairsell said.
“This is a tremendous way to kick off an exciting year,” said District President Preston Pulliams. “We had so many great accomplishments last school year, and we are planning for much more of the same in the months to come. Sir Ken’s speech sets the year off on just the right note.”
Robinson spent a decade teaching education at the University of Warwick in England and is now professor emeritus. In 1998, he led a national commission on creativity, education and the economy for the United Kingdom. His report, “All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture and Education” – also known as the Robinson Report – was published to huge acclaim.
Find out more about In-Service, scheduled for Monday, Sept. 17.
Hear a speech by Robinson at the 2006 TED Conference.