Students and faculty of the first Governor’s Institute on Education came together on November 22, 2002 for the premiere screening of a documentary filmed during the Institute. This moving film tells the story of 26 Vermont high school students who, along with their faculty, challenge us all with their questions and their passion for learning. Jim Ritvo and Dave Raizman, our filmmakers, captured the spirit and the excitement that were shared at the screening.

Find out more about Jim and Dave's production company: www.132main.com

Go to:

• Program Information
• November 25, 2002 Times Argus Article
  

Many of the people who played an important part in making the Governor’s Institute on Education a success were able to share in this celebration.

The event was a celebration of the magic that happens when students and teachers choose to become a community of engaged learners to explore their dreams, challenge old assumptions, share their passions, and whole-heartedly support one another in their learning. We honor and thank them for their inspiration.

Presenters: Michele Forman, Jim Mosenthal, Charlie Phillips

Special Appreciation: Jim Ritvo and Dave Raizman, Videographers

Special Thanks*:

• David Kraus, Composer & Musician
• Early Vision Group: Rosalind Andreas, Susette Bollard, Angelo Dorta, Kerry Garber, David Gibson, Steve Gross, Peg Meyer, Donny Osman, Piper Stewart, Terri Vest, Doug Walker, Alice Whiting
  
• Johnson State College: President Barbara Murphy and Staff
  
• The State College System of Vermont: Chancellor Robert Clarke and Karrin Wilkes
  
• The Vermont Department of Education
  
• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation
  
• Vermont National Education Association

Thank you to Woodbury College for hosting us and to Darlene Carey for keeping us well-fed!

*Everyone who participated deserves to be honored. We apologize if we have forgotten anyone.

Alums reunite over dinner at the premiere.	Lead Learner Harmony Harriman and Director Ethan Stephenson clown for the camera.

Reflecting on education:
Participants, film praise Governor's Institute learning programs

By Stephen Mills
TIMES ARGUS STAFF

MONTPELIER - The success of the first Governor's Institute on Education (GIE) summer program was celebrated at a film screening at Woodbury College on Friday.

Dozens of faculty, students and staff associated with the program attended the showing of a video by Jim Ritvo and Dave Raizman, documenting the activities of students at Johnson State College over nine days in June and July.

The GIE joins several other governor's Institute programs that include: the arts institute, Asian cultures, current issues and youth activism, engineering, math and computer sciences, information technology and science and technology. The Governor's Institutes of Vermont celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

The GIE is designed to excite students about learning and challenge them to become educators, advocates and educational leaders. It encourages them to take a lifelong interest and responsibility for education by deepening their understanding of the role of education in a democracy.

Woodbury College President Larry mandell welcomed participants, saying he and his wife, marcie, are parents of children who attended the Governor's Institute on arts, and Asian cultures. Mandell also noted that Ritvo was a former president of the college.

"We see our students and faculty as part of the community and this is our way of participating," said Mandell.

Program Executive Director Jean Olson and Director Ethan Stephenson also welcomed guests.

"Today is a celebration," said Olson. "It's really a party."

"I've decided that we don't celebrate enough. You do whatever it is and move onto the next thing, but this is special. It's wonderful that you're here to celebrate this. We're here to honor the students who participated in the Governor's Institute on Education," she added, also thanking David Kraus for his musical contributions to the video.

Stephenson, who said his wife is expecting, likened the launch of the GIE program to having a child.

"Unlike other institutes, governor's institutes that are a little more defined, education is so broad,k so we spent a lot of time thinking about what students should experience in the program," he said. "It felt exciting, and we knew we were onnto something exciting.

"The day we got to Johnson State College, the labor pains began," he added, to much laughter.

The video went on to reveal the successful ‘delivery’ of the program, showing students arriving to register and in class discussions, student presentations, and reflections by faculty and students on the meaning and purpose of inspired learning. There were also some comical moments during breaks in the program to play games, and in candid camera-style cutaways, showing students playful antics during leisure time.

The students learned that education can be an interactive, creative process, with opportunities to explore new ideas and interests with the help of sympathetic educators.

Major issues in education that were discussed by students included testing, Act 60 and resegregation.

The institute was in part inspired by a growing teacher shortage in Vermont, and the need to inspire studetns to become teachers and advocates for education

One parent present said that "an overwhelming number of children hate school," and suggested the video should be shown to all students to give them an appreciation of the importance of learning.

Another parent, regina Librizzi, said her daughter, Kristen Hurley, a Montpelier High School student, had returned inspired by the program, but had become frustrated by the pressure to conform to certain standards at school.

"I think she must be one of many students who are frustrated," she said. "I hope the Governor's Institute on Education will reshape education and attitudes toward it."

"There are other learning options available, but they make it very difficult," said Hurley, 15. "I think a different learning style should be as accessible as some of the other programs they have now."

"It was incredibly motivating, incredibly inspiring and it was tons of fun," said Twinfield Union High School student Nicole Good Stefani, 16. "I think they were really open to a lot of things happening."