Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Mitchell 20: Teacher Quality is the Answer #edreform

The Mitchell 20 Trailer from Mitchell 20 on Vimeo.

Movie Trailer: mitchell20.com

Objective: The original objective was to follow a group of teachers in Arizona endeavoring to reach National Board Certification and spotlight the inspirational events of a journey toward quality teaching. However, through the course of production, the documentary turned into a testimonial about the state of education in America. The film captures the story of teachers as heroes in an urban school that serves primarily underprivileged minority students. This group of 20 elementary school teachers faced adversity every step of the way yet, they charged forward to meet the needs of their students. Mitchell 20: Teacher Quality is the Answer is a dramatic story that shows teachers are the key to improving education in America.

Timeline: April 2008, teachers begin certification process

September 2008, documentary begins taping

March 2009, teachers submit for certification

October 2011, documentary completed and screened

Quotes: “Too often educators can say, ‘they can’t reach this.’ ‘They won’t be this, this, this and this,’ and I think everyone here at Mitchell challenges that and says, ‘No they can.’” - Daniela Robles, Mitchell 20 Teacher

“We have about 95,000 schools in our country and if every single one of those schools followed Mitchell’s example, and entire cohorts of teachers were taking their next step in the journey, I think I could retire and go to the Bahamas. My job would be done. Education in this country would be transformed.” – Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education

“I think sometimes we define heroes by position or title. And I think heroes are defined by actions. I don’t know of another lace where a group of teachers just decided to lead the transformation in the school and bring everybody along. That’s exciting.” – Dennis Van Roekel, President, National Education Association

“The Mitchell School story is an amazing example of how we can fundamentally confront and overcome inequality in this society.” – Linda Darling-Hammond, Professor of Education, Stanford University and Director of the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future

“We have a huge problem with teacher quality in this country. But it’s not because of the fact that we don’t have enough smart people teaching. The fact is, we don’t treat them well enough, and we don’t support them well enough.” – Barnett Berry, President and CEO, Center for Teaching Quality

Production Team: Randy Murray Productions

Andrew James Benson, Producer and Director

Randy Murray, Producer and Director

Arizona K12 Center

Kathy Wiebke, Executive Producer

Cast: Marisa Barrio, Teacher

Nessia Boehmer, Teacher

Vanessa Bustamante, Teacher

Sylvia Carrizoza, Teacher

Tina Chiu, Teacher

Amy Coyle, Teacher

Linda Crawford, Former Principal