R.E.A.L. Discussion
GET TACTICAL ABOUT TEACHING DISCUSSION SKILLS.
R.E.A.L.® DISCUSSION IS ON A MISSION to teach, measure, and celebrate discussion skills in our polarized, tech-centric world. Their research-based methods and programs have been used by 70+ schools and they are widely noted for being teacher-centric and offering “the best PD ever.” The Grauer Institute is thrilled to host this in-person R.E.A.L.® Discussion professional development opportunity. Whether you're a new teacher at an existing R.E.A.L.® school, or a teacher hoping to pilot R.E.A.L.® at your school, this immersive week is the best way to get those conversations started.
R.E.A.L. Discussion + Certification
Are you a humanities teacher or academic leader who wants to equip students how to talk — and truly listen — to each other? If so, join us to get certified in R.E.A.L.® Discussion: a skills-based model for teaching, measuring, and celebrating discussion in middle and high school classrooms. We believe that discussion skills are teachable — but that in today's tech-centric, polarized world, they must be explicitly taught!
This program will be facilitated by Sumner McCallie, a Dean of Faculty and Curriculum who uses R.E.A.L.® Discussion in his own classroom. The week will start big picture — diving into the research and exploring the why behind discussion in today's world — before getting tactical. You will leave with a discussion skills taxonomy, classroom routines, assessment system, and pilot student materials designed to work in your classroom, with your students, content, and teaching style. Then, all year long, you'll be part of the R.E.A.L. Discussion community — with access to other educators on this mission and professional instructional support.
Monday
Kick-Off and Connections
Register, get set up in your dorm room, meet your cohort, and get started with. your R.E.A.L.® work.
Tuesday
Deep Dive into R.E.A.L.®
Begin your certification training with case studies and mock discussions
Wednesday
Building on Our Foundations
Complete your certification and build your launch plans — before joining for a R.E.A.L.® Community hike in the afternoon.
Thursday
R.E.A.L.® Discussions and Expert Sessions
Engage in R.E.A.L.® Discussions on pressing topics, including Discussion in an AI World and Discussion as an Antidote to Loneliness.
Friday
Departure and Inspirations
Reflect on the week and head home inspired to bring R.E.A.L.® Discussions into your classroom and community.
Meet Your Facilitators
Liza Garonzik
Liza leads the team at R.E.A.L.® to serve school partners across the US and around the world. She’s been on this mission to teach and celebrate “human skills” in a tech-centric world for over a decade – since she first built R.E.A.L.® to solve challenges she faced as a teacher and administrator.
Liza is an award-winning speaker and widely-published writer who brings equal parts research, reflection, and laughter to every audience.
Liza holds a B.A. from Harvard College and M.S. from Penn GSE with further graduate work at Harvard GSE and Klingenstein Center (Columbia Teachers College). She serves on several non-profit boards and is based in Atlanta, where she lives with her family (and many animals!).
Sumner McCallie
Sumner McCallie facilitates R.E.A.L.® PD for Humanities Teachers: a role to which he brings deep pedagogical expertise and experience in change management in schools from Switzerland to Tennessee. Sumner believes that Discussion is a Discipline – part art, part science – and is a critical skill for young people to develop as they build their community and their country.
Beyond REAL, Sumner serves as Dean of Faculty and Academics at McCallie School (TN). The son of a US Ambassador, Sumner grew up internationally. He holds a B.S. from Yale University and an M.Ed from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Chattanooga with his family.