Practice Before the Moment: How Schools and Universities are using Simulations to Build Educator and Leader Readiness

This panel webinar discusses how universities are using SchoolSims simulations to build educator and leader readiness. The panel includes Professor Tiffany Bennett from West Chester University, Brittany Garling from Buena Vista University, Dr. Phillip Luck from Georgia State, and Dr. Queinnise Miller from the University of Houston Clear Lake, all moderated by Professor Michael Johanek and Ken Spero. The panelists share how they incorporate simulations into their courses, with Dr. Bennett using simulations in a diversity course to help pre-service teachers handle challenging family and community interactions, Dr. Garling implementing simulations in a human relations field experience course, Dr. Luck focusing on leadership decisions and reasoning behind choices, and Dr. Miller using simulations to help aspiring principals develop decision-making skills and address fear in making leadership decisions. The discussion reveals that simulations create safe spaces for students to make mistakes, develop reasoning skills, and practice handling difficult situations before entering the classroom, with particular benefits for diverse student populations and non-traditional learners. Key challenges discussed include time management, the importance of creating safe spaces for discussion, and the need for better integration of simulations with other course content. The panelists also shared future plans including recording simulations, developing new content areas like school consolidation and AI in classrooms, and exploring simulations for content-specific teaching.