Documentary aims to 'bring back trust of teachers'
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Teaching a herd of sheep to move in one direction at the same time works. Similarly, teaching a herd of children to read a book, solve math problems and other lessons doesn't.
That's one of the messages conveyed in a new documentary a former Colorado Springs public school teacher created, directed and produced.
"Heal Our Schools" "illuminates the problems federal and corporate takeover have created in our schools and provides teacher-generated solutions." It will debut with screenings in Colorado Springs this weekend and June 13.
Laurie Gabriel, who taught music, drama, choir and orchestra for 27 years in public schools in Colorado, most recently in Colorado Springs School District 11, spent four years and a chunk of money creating the film.
She traveled the country talking to teachers, education policy analysts, authors and other education experts.
"It's getting more and more important that the general public understands what's going on in education, that kids and teachers are being left out, as profit-driven corporations have taken over testing," she said.
Her goal: "To bring back trust of teachers. We've been painted sometimes as not knowing what's best for the kids. We do, and we can work together with parents for the benefit of the kids."
Teachers, Gabriel said, are being left out of the decision-making processes in education to the point that "the silence of the teachers is deafening."
Teachers are being blamed for students not performing well on standardized tests, she said, and in many cases are being threatened with losing their jobs for speaking out against the system.
"I watched the profession deteriorate bit by bit, and it seemed like we teachers were helpless to do anything," Gabriel said. "I heard the same stories in the teachers' lounge and on Facebook and instead of swallowing it, I decided to tell the story."
Along with teachers and students talking about today's classroom environment and impediments to learning, the film includes commentary by high-profile personalities. Those include former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch; Jonathan Kozol, an award-winning author onCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.: Documentary aims to 'bring back trust of teachers' | Celebrities | The Sun Herald: Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2015/05/30/6249123/documentary-aims-to-bring-back.html#storylink=cpy
Heal Our Schools: documentary on teaching, testing, and more | Education Town Hall Forum: Archives, Announcements, ... http://bit.ly/1LPYR4F
