What Was the Question? (A response) « Deborah Meier on Education

What Was the Question? (A response) « Deborah Meier on Education:

What Was the Question? (A response)

by debmeier

The Harvard Business Review has an essay “What Was the Question?” in which Dan Ariely (Prof. of Behavioral Economics at Duke University) says, “The bottom line is that we need to spend more time helping people understand and deal with complexity and less time concocting dumbing-down mechanisms.”
OK.
But where do we (or Ariely) imagine our citizens might learn how to deal with “complexity”? Especially in arenas in which they have no direct experience or which require abstract reasoning/logic. In schools? It might work if complexity could be reduced to 5 multiple choice answers. Of course this is not the case–at least for most citizens. However, was it ever better?
As a whole, probably not. But, within classrooms there were always those “great” teachers who closed their doors and gave their students amazing experiences. I used to say, regarding my own kids, all I need is no more than one bad teacher from K-6 and at least one “great” teacher and the rest “good enough.” The great ones not 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: 1240 - It Battles On

Seattle Schools Community Forum: 1240 - It Battles On:

1240 - It Battles On

by Melissa Westbrook

Over at the No On 1240 Facebook page, I had unofficially said I thought this was done.

To understand, nearly all the counties were trending the same as they had since Tuesday night and it did not seem possible to overtake that slight Yes lead.

Today, I realized that the Yes on R74  campaign  had crunched the numbers (even as their lead had been as slim as the Yes on 1240 lead Tuesday night) and said they won.

So, I thought, if Yes on 1240 has all this money, why haven't they crunched the numbers and announced THEIR

 

Wednesday Open Thread

by Melissa Westbrook

Gee, Tuesday got away from me.  I wonder why.

Hoping to parse through the BEX IV vote and ask you to consider what happens now.  There is a lot of vagueness in this BEX so it's hard to gauge what will be done and when.  Also, probably a year back now, Director Carr said at a Work Session that there would have to be a heck of a good narrative to sell this to voters.

Okay, I'll ask you - what is the narrative that will sell this to Seattle voters?  Keep in mind, you are selling over $1B of levies.

On another subject, Superintendent Banda.  I am still feeling good about him.   I find him quietly assured (but not in an Olchefske-type way).  But, what would make you feel assured?  What one thing, that's within the realm of possibility, could he do to make you feel like he's on the right track?  Or is there a signal you would look for that would make you believe he can't/won't be co-opted by the powers that be?

What's on your mind?

More from student making anti-testing film

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » More from student making anti-testing film:

More from student making anti-testing film

by admin

Back in September I wrote about Ankur Singh, a student from downstate Illinois who reached out to me and others about a film he wants to make about how students feel about testing. Since then he has created a web site for the film and written a great post about why he feels so strongly about testing and what it is doing to education. Here’s part of his story:

I enrolled in AP English due to my great experience with English the previous year hoping it would be more rigorous and I would grow even more as a writer and as a person. I was wrong. The entire purpose of AP English was not to improve our critical 

PAA’s 2012 Election Roundup | Parents Across America

PAA’s 2012 Election Roundup | Parents Across America:

PAA’s 2012 Election Roundup

by pureparents

 2012 Election roundup!

Here’s a review of how education issues fared, from our members across the country. Some good news, some not so good, in no particular order. What happened in your neck of the woods?

Disclaimer: As a not-for-profit organization, PAA does not endorse candidates; any opinions on specific races in the reports below are those of individual members only.   

From Wendy Lecker of Connecticut: The big news in Connecticut is the defeat of the charter revision in Bridgeport. The mayor, Bill Finch, supported by Michelle Rhee, her husband, Kevin Johnson, Michael Bloomberg, ConnCAN, business leaders and more pushed a revision to the city charter that would eliminate an elected school board in favor of one appointed by the mayor. Just over a year ago, in July 2011, Mayor Finch, the President of the State Board of Education, ConnCAN and TFA reps engineered an illegal takeover of Bridgeport’s BOE, which was  overturned by the Connecticut Supreme Court. So, Mayor Finch and his allies aimed their efforts at disenfranchising Bridgeport parents through a revision of the city charter.

Big money was poured into this campaign by Rhee, Bloomberg, ConnCAN, the Connecticut Coalition for Education Reform (a business group), companies like United Illuminating, Aquarian Water, the local hospitals, etc (PAA-er Jonathan Pelto detailed the donors and their likely election law violations at jonathanpelto.com).  Ads flooded the airwaves and t-shirt-clad workers staffed the polls yesterday.

PAA-CT member and retired Judge Carmen Lopez, who was instrumental in the lawsuit challenging the illegal board takeover, worked tirelessly to educate the public about the implications of an appointed board.  She wrote op-eds, and spoke at gatherings all over the city. BOE members Maria Pereira (also a PAA_CT member) and John Bagley also spoke out.  Jonathan Pelto exposed the questionable campaign activities of Rhee and others.

In a surprise  David vs. Goliath victory for democracy, the charter revision was defeated by a vote (unofficial) of 11,121 to 9,231.

From Dora Taylor in Seattle: It’s 50% for and 49% against charters in our state so far.  There are still 600,000 mail-in ballots to count and most are from King Country, the most progressive county in the state and where Seattle is located. We are all crossing our fingers. It will take a few days to find out.

From Sharon Higgins, Oakland CA: Sadly in Oakland,

NYC Educator: Put a Flower in Your Hair

NYC Educator: Put a Flower in Your Hair:

Put a Flower in Your Hair

by NYC Educator

by guest political analyst Suddenly ATR

I grew up in the Reagan/Bush era in a super-duper Republican town. It was/is the sort of town where the first question anyone asked was always "Oh, which church do you attend?" Every year, the lawns were filled with candles during the holiday season.

In this bastion of upper-middle-class Republicans, there was one Blue Grinch, and that person was my father. He banned anything that was remotely Christmas-related in our house. "Christian conservative" was the worst insult he could think up for someone. He seethed every time he saw Ronald Reagan on TV. He wanted to know what the class was 

Learning the Vernacular: Slang in the Classroom « Cooperative Catalyst

Learning the Vernacular: Slang in the Classroom « Cooperative Catalyst:

Learning the Vernacular: Slang in the Classroom

by rad fag

My sixth grade teacher was the only Black male educator in our entire school system when I had him as an eleven year old. In my racially and economically diverse elementary school, virtually all the Black children in each grade were put into his class every year–a fact which as a young student upset me. Once I was placed in his class, however, I immediately saw the profound power and unique value of having a dedicated, veteran teacher who shared my racial and cultural identity. While I do not believe that Brown teachers are inherently better suited to teach Brown students, I do believe that the mark of a good educator is an awareness of the skills and experiences which they can and cannot bring to the communities with which they educate, and how to make both relevant to the lessons they teach. My sixth grade teacher exemplified this.

The most powerful knowledge he invested us with was always delivered outside of the prewritten lessons—during breaks before recess or while we were eating lunch in the classroom. While he was an expert math, reading and writing instructor, what I remember more than anything else were the informal lessons he taught us on Black slang. During open moments in the daily schedule, he would stand at the board and write down words from his own vocabulary, or words that he had heard members of our classroom community using, and ask those who knew to define them. He would speak at length about the slang of his generation as compared to ours, drawing 

California Teachers of the Year for 2013 - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

California Teachers of the Year for 2013 - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Names California Teachers of the Year

Torlakson also nominates Oakland educator for National Teacher of the Year

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today named five exemplary educators as the 2013 California Teachers of the Year. Profiles and contact information for each teacher are attached.

"These five wonderful teachers have shown the kind of skill, passion, and dedication that exemplify the very best of the most important, most demanding, and most rewarding profession there is: teaching," Torlakson said. "I congratulate and thank them all for the work they are doing to brighten the future of their students and our state."

The five California Teachers of the Year are:

I'Asha Warfield is a grade seven English teacher at Oakland's Frick Middle School in the Oakland Unified School District, Alameda County. Torlakson also nominated Warfield as California's representative for the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Sebastien Paul De Clerck is a grade nine through twelve French and Italian language teacher at Ventura High School in the Ventura Unified School District, Ventura County.

David Goldenberg is a grade ten and eleven history teacher at Irvine's Arnold O. Beckman High School in Tustin Unified School District, Orange County.

Veronica Marquez is a grade five multi-subject teacher in Los Angeles' Harmony Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County.

Martin Reisert is a grade six multiple-subject teacher in San Diego's Oak Valley Middle School in the Poway Unified School District, San Diego County.

The California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to acknowledge the growing complexity of challenges faced by the profession and the need to promote collaboration among teachers to address challenges. The program is also designed to encourage new teachers to enter the field.

The competition is open to educators teaching prekindergarten through grade twelve. County offices of education nominate winners through their regional Teachers of the Year competitions. A state selection committee reviews candidates' applications and conducts site visits to evaluate the teachers' rapport with students, classroom environment, presentation skills, and teaching methods, among other criteria. The teachers are interviewed at the California Department of Education in Sacramento. The State Superintendent then selects the five awardees.

The 2013 California Teachers of the Year, the finalists, and semi-finalists will be honored by Torlakson at a gala to be held February 11, 2013. The list of finalists and semi-finalists is attached. For more information on the award program, please visit the California Department of Education's California Teachers of the Year Web page. Pictures of the 2013 California Teachers of the Year are posted on the Department's Multimedia Web page.

# # # #

Attachments

The 2013 California Teachers of the Year

I'Asha Warfield
Seventh Grade English Teacher
Frick Middle School
Oakland Unified School District
Also, National Teacher of the Year Nominee

"It is my aim that students are able to use their life experiences and connect them to the world through analysis and evaluation. Simultaneously, I hope that with the skills they develop they are able to look beyond their own experience to critically and creatively engage in this world."

—I'Asha Warfield, from her 2013 California Teacher of the Year Application

Warfield has taught English and reading intervention, and world history at Frick Middle School since 2000. She also works as a coach in the Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment program to help guide new teachers through their self-assessment process in order to clear their California credential. Warfield serves as a representative in Frick's Instructional Leadership Team to help assess the instructional needs of the school through data analysis and teacher feedback. She also works as a consultant to the Bay Area Writing Project that presents teacher trainings on secondary literacy with an emphasis on writing. Her prior experience includes working as a consultant with the California Reading and Literature Project; a corps member advisor at Teach for America Summer Institute; a collaborating teacher at the University of California, Berkeley and Mills College; and an assistant language teacher with the Japanese Exchange Teaching Programme, Miyagi, Japan.

"Ms. Warfield has an innovative way to ensure her students are learning, by having them write down their own daily learning targets," said Tom Torlakson. "Then she uses these learning target sheets to evaluate whether the students master the lesson that also helps inform her of how well she is teaching. This constant cycle of evaluation keeps her students learning and keeps herself at the top of her game."

Warfield earned a Master of Science degree in Education at California State University, East Bay; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at Occidental College. She earned her Single Subject—English Teaching Credential at CSU, East Bay; and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Patten University. Warfield received numerous accolades, including Oakland's Honoring Our Own Secondary Teacher, Oakland Teacher of the Year, and Phi Alpha Alpha Outstanding Teacher awards.

Warfield may be reached through Frick Middle School at iasha.warfield@ousd.k12.ca.us or 510-729-7736.

Sebastien Paul De Clerck
Grades Nine-Twelve French and Italian Language Teacher
Ventura High School
Ventura Unified School District

"I teach all students. I know their individual potential and I mold myself and my teaching to suit. My energy, my patience, my passion, my love of youth, my knowledge of what I teach and respect for whom I teach are the elements that make me the teacher I am."

— Sebastien Paul De Clerck, from his 2013 California Teacher of the Year Application

De Clerck has been teaching French and Italian at Ventura High School since 2005. His prior experience includes teaching French, English, grade nine study skills and college readiness, as well as serving as the World Language Department Chair at Ventura High School and as the Gifted and Talented Education coordinator at San Marcos High School. He also taught multiple subjects at the Soledad Enrichment Action Charter School.

"Mr. De Clerck's passion for teaching foreign language is very evident in the way he interacts with his students," said Torlakson. "He not only respects his students, he knows they want to learn, and has high expectations for them in the classroom. His colleague, Dan Nelson, said it best, that De Clerck ‘does not just close the achievement gap, he demolishes it' by the way he teaches."

De Clerck earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian and philosophy at the University of Southern California. He earned his Single Subject Teaching Credential at CSU, Northridge; and an Italian Language & Culture Certificate from the Università di Firenze. De Clerk won numerous accolades, including the Ventura County Office of Education Educator of the Year, Ventura Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Month, and Barnes & Noble "My Favorite Teacher" Award, among others. De Clerck is also a member of several professional associations, including the Ventura Unified Educators' Association, California Teachers Association, and National Educators Association, among others.

De Clerck may be reached through Ventura High School at sebastien.declerck@venturausd.org or 805-641-5116, extension 2225.

David Goldenberg
Grade Ten-Eleven History Teacher
Arnold O. Beckman High School
Tustin Unified School District

"I do not see students as they are today, but as the people that they can become—I want my students to see possibilities, to overcome adversity, and to become the best versions of themselves."

—David Goldenberg, from his 2013 California Teacher of the Year Application

Goldenberg has taught Advanced Placement and honors classes in world history at Arnold O. Beckman High School since 2005. His prior experience includes teaching world history at A.G. Currie Middle School and teaching on special assignment at Tustin Unified School District. He also has extensive experience providing staff development, mentorships, and training for other teachers.

"Mr. Goldenberg makes history come alive for his students that makes them feel engaged and eager to learn," said Torlakson. "He sees his career as a calling to serve his country in a profession that has meaning. Every school day, he teaches as if it's a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of his students."

Goldenberg earned his Master of Science degree in educational leadership and his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at CSU, Fullerton. He also earned his Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development Single Subject Teaching Credential in social science at National University. Goldenberg won numerous accolades, including Teacher of the Year at Tustin Unified School District, Beckman High School, and Currie Middle School, among others.

Goldenberg may be reached through Arnold O. Beckman High School at dgoldenberg@tustin.k12.ca.us or 714-734-2900.

Veronica Marquez
Grade Five Multi-Subject Teacher
Harmony Elementary School
Los Angeles Unified School District

"I make home visits to better understand the students I serve…. I establish a positive relationship with parents and students that transfer into the classroom. I believe it is my duty to empower my students to be agents of change."

—Veronica Marquez, from her 2013 California Teacher of the Year Application

Marquez has taught multiple subjects, Gifted and Talented Education, Sheltered English Immersion, and bilingual education at Harmony Elementary School since 2004. Prior to this, she taught at Trinity Elementary School. She also has extensive experience providing staff development, mentorships, and training for other teachers.

"Ms. Marquez has made a remarkable journey as a child from the inner city and then decided to stay in her community to help lift other children out of lives of poverty and despair," said Torlakson. "She sees herself as a gardener who watches her students bloom under her leadership, and sees her students as scholars worthy of better lives."

Marquez earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology at UC Los Angeles. She also received her National Board Certification in English as a New Language. She received her Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Certificate from UCLA Extension, and her Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at Los Angeles Unified School District, District Intern Program. She is also a member of several professional organizations including the National Teachers Association, California Teachers Association, and United Teachers Los Angeles. Marquez received the Los Angeles Unified School District Teacher of the Year award.

Marquez may be reached through Harmony Elementary School at vxv1119@lausd.net or 323-238-0791.

Martin Reisert
Grade Six Multiple-Subject Teacher
Oak Valley Middle School
Poway Unified School District

"I have based the core of my teaching philosophy on these four words, ‘I believe in you.' When children know I believe in them, learning occurs, and they begin to believe in themselves."

—Martin Reisert, from his 2013 California Teacher of the Year Application

Reisert has taught multiple subjects, Gifted and Talented Education, and Resource Specialist Program clusters at Oak Valley Middle School since 2005. His prior experience includes teaching similar subjects at Bernardo Heights Middle School and Chaparral Elementary School. He also has extensive experience providing staff development, mentorships, and training for other teachers.

"Mr. Reisert became the wonderful teacher he is today by living through a challenging childhood and the joy of having a teacher who believed in him," said Torlakson. "He knows if he can instill a sense of confidence in his students, then they can succeed and change their lives for the better."

Reisert earned his Master of Science degree in education-elementary education and Bachelor degree in business administration at Dowling College, New York. He received his Teaching Credential from the State of New York as well as California. He is a member of two professional associations, the Poway Federation of Teachers and the United States Professional Tennis Association. He also received numerous accolades, including San Diego County Teacher of the Year, Poway Unified School District Teacher of the Year, and Oak Valley Middle School Teacher of the Year, among others.

Reisert may be reached through Oak Valley Middle School at mreisert@powayusd.com.

The 2013 California Teachers of the Year Finalists

County	Name	Subject	Grade Level	School	District
Los Angeles	Kyle McClure	Life & Physical Science	7th-8th	Clifton Middle School	Monrovia Unified School District
Los Angeles	Lynda Okerson	1st Grade	1st	Cullen Elementary School	Glendora Unified School District
Orange	John "H" Wood	Science	6th & 7th	Talbert Middle School	Fountain Valley School District
Riverside	Amyleen Tuiza	Special Ed - Moderate to severe Autism	Elementary level	Phillip Stokoe Elementary School	Riverside County Office of Education
Stanislaus	Lynda Griblin	Multiple subject	4th	Standiford Elementary School	Sylvan Union School District
Yolo	Jerry Delsol	AG Biology, AG Chemistry, Environmental Science	9th-12th	Woodland High School	Woodland Joint Unified School District

The 2013 California Teachers of the Year Semi-Finalists

County	Name	Subject	Grade Level	School	District
Kern	Jeremy Stephen Adams	Social Studies	10th and 12th	Bakersfield High School	Kern Union High School District
Lake	Richard W. Schaut	English, Philosophy	9th, 11th, 12th	Middletown High School	Middletown Unified School District
Los Angeles	Daniel Johns	Physical Education	7th	Richard Henry Dana Middle School	Arcadia Unified School District
Los Angeles	Maryann R. Nielsen	World History, American Government	10th & 12th	South Pasadena High School	South Pasadena Unified School District

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Blue Jersey:: Booker: A Hot Pocket In Every Microwave

Blue Jersey:: Booker: A Hot Pocket In Every Microwave:

Booker: A Hot Pocket In Every Microwave

by Jersey Jazzman

The Huffington Post reports that Newark Mayor Cory Booker, thanks to his unrelenting tweeting, has secured hundreds of coupons for free Hot Pockets, soon to be distributed to Newark's residents.No, I'm not kidding.
As of 5:40 this evening, PSE&G's outage map shows between five and ten thousand Newark customers still without power. No word yet on how these folks will be able to enjoy their delicious, decidedly non-organic snacks without electricity to power their microwaves.
Perhaps the mayor can use his heat vision...

I can also do popcorn!

Chris Christie's Jersey Coattails... or lack thereof

by interested observer

PolitickerNJ has a piece looking at "The Christie Scorecard" and how the Governor fared in races he campaigned for around the country.  But I was more interested in what ConservativeJersey noted regarding Republican lack of success in races across New Jersey:

Incumbent Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez cruised to an easy victory over Republican (and close friend of the Governor) Joe Kyrillos.

Bergen County Freeholder Board - Democrats sweep two Freeholder seats, Republicans lose control.

Cumberland County Freeholder Board - Democrats sweep two Freeholder seats, Republicans lose control.

Passaic County Freeholder Board - Democrats sweep 3 Freeholder seats defeating 3 incumbent 

Is Education Rephorm Phever Hereditary? | EduShyster

Is Education Rephorm Phever Hereditary? | EduShyster:

Is Education Rephorm Phever Hereditary?

by edushyster2012

There is growing evidence that rephorm phever may be genetic.

Reader: the rich are different from you and me. For starters they REALLY want to bring freshness and innovation to the public schools they didn’t attend—and they have the dough to realize their dream of a world in which every minority child will be taught by a young white teacher traverse the achievement gap with panache.
But it turns out that the species known as homo job creator-us may be handing down more than trust funds and horsemanship to their offspring. Like a Habsburg chin, a passion for education rephorm can also be passed from generation to generation.
EduShyster first became aware of said phenomenon last year when she encountered one of the phirst phamilies of rephorm: the Connecticut Sacklers. Pere Jonathan, of the OxyContin Sacklers, sits on the boards of six different rephorm groups, including my personal phave: Students for Education Reform. Phortunately his daughter Madeline inherited the gene for rephorm; her “documentary,” The Lottery, chronicles the travails of four young African Americans competing to attend Eva Moskowitz’ Success Academy for Excellence, Innovation and 

HechingerEd Blog | Controversial new child care attendance system examined in Mississippi

HechingerEd Blog | Controversial new child care attendance system examined in Mississippi:

Controversial new child care attendance system examined in Mississippi

by Jackie Mader

Mississippi parents will have to scan their fingerprints every time they drop off and pick up their children at daycare when a new program goes into effect next year. But childcare providers have been protesting the system for months, saying that it stigmatizes low-income families and may ultimately take away income from already cash-strapped centers.

Child care providers in Mississippi say the new attendance system may discourage low-income parents from enrolling their children in daycare. (Photo by Kim Palmer)

On Wednesday, the House and Senate Investigate State Offices Committee listened to concerns from a representative of the non-profit Mississippi Low Income Childcare Initiative, reports The Clarion-Ledger, in what has become a contentious battle between child care centers and the state government.
Under the new system, Mississippi eChildcare, parents who receive child care vouchers from the state will have to scan their fingers so the state can track their children’s attendance at daycare and preschool. Childcare providers say they fear that the fingerprint scanners could lead to a payment system in which the state would

Physical activity and digital learning: Two peas in a pod

by Michael Horn

What’s digital learning got to do with physical activity?
Quite a lot I believe.
A couple weekends ago I had the privilege of presenting at TEDx Manhattan Beach where I heard another presenter, Dr. John Ratey, speak about the importance of physical exercise in increasing brain plasticity and boosting student learning. His book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, details the connection.
Although I normally write about digital learning’s potential to transform our education, as a Crossfit enthusiast myself, I believe in the importance of living a healthy life with physical exercise.
One of the biggest misconceptions about the rise of online learning is that a student’s schooling will be spent primarily in front of a computer, with a student clicking away relentlessly as though she were playing eight ho

Jersey Jazzman: Obama's Education Policies Will Alienate His Base

Jersey Jazzman: Obama's Education Policies Will Alienate His Base:

Obama's Education Policies Will Alienate His Base

by Duke

Charles Blow explains how Obama won:

President Obama and his formidable campaign machine out-performed the Republicans, holding together a winning coalition that is the face of America’s tomorrow: young voters, urban voters, racially and ethnically diverse voters and women voters.

According to exit polls, Obama won 60 percent of the 18 to 29 year old vote and 52 percent of the 30-40 vote. He won 69 percent of the vote in big cities and 58 percent of the vote in mid-sized cities. He won 93 percent of the black vote and more than 70 percent of both the Asian vote and the Hispanic vote. He won over half of the female vote. And he won 76 percent of the gay, lesbian and bisexual vote. 

Mitt Romney won the white vote, the male vote, the elderly vote, the small cities vote and 

Bob Haisman says why retirees should vote for him to be a delegate to the IEA RA. « Fred Klonsky

Bob Haisman says why retirees should vote for him to be a delegate to the IEA RA. « Fred Klonsky:

Bob Haisman says why retirees should vote for him to be a delegate to the IEA RA.

by Fred Klonsky

Dear Pension Warrior…
I am asking for your VOTE! I’m running to be one of the Retired Delegates to the IEA Representative Assembly in April of 2013. There are 30 IEA-Retired members running for 17 delegate spots (there are 1100 total IEA RA delegates).
I’m number 10 on the ballot. It is a mail-in Ballot.
YOU MUST BE a member of IEA-R to get a Ballot! Most people throw the ballot away! Please don’t throw it away! Vote for Haisman and mail the ballot back to IEA. The ballots just were mailed 

A Teacher's Open Letter to George Lucas: We Need Your Independent Vision - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

A Teacher's Open Letter to George Lucas: We Need Your Independent Vision - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

A Teacher's Open Letter to George Lucas: We Need Your Independent Vision

by Anthony Cody

Anthony Cody

Anthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high needs middle school. He is National Board certified, and now leads workshops with teachers focused on Project Based Learning. With education at a crossroads, he invites you to join him in a dialogue on education reform and teaching for change and deep learning. For additional information on Cody's work, visit his Web site, Teachers Lead. Or follow him on Twitter.

This morning the CNN Schools of Thought blog carried the following:
Dear Mr. Lucas,
I have recently read of the $4 billion that you will receive for selling your movie empire to Disney, and your plans to give most of this money to support education. This is wonderful news. I deeply appreciate this generosity. I am writing a letter to encourage you to think outside the box as you decide how to spend these funds. It is critical to consider where educators find ourselves in 2012.
The George Lucas Education Foundation already has made a substantial impact on our schools. Edutopia has been an amazing resource for years, sharing news and examples of project-based learning, authentic inquiry and other innovations. The emphasis is almost always on giving students rich challenges, with opportunities for creative expression.
This emphasis is decidedly at odds with the direction of the other giants of "education reform."
Continue reading the full letter here, at CNN's Schools of Thought blog.
And continue the dialogue with me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody

Education “Reformers” and “Status Quo”: Timeout!:

Education “Reformers” and “Status Quo”: Timeout!

NOVEMBER 8, 2012 BY M.D. ANDERSON 1 COMMENT

Democracy is messy, but this election season at times was downright filthy. The partisan pot-shots and polarization was most prevalent in social media – let he who hasn’t retweeted @LOLGOP cast the first stone – but the campaigns had their moments too.

In his victory speech Tuesday night, President Obama called for unity. He challenged us to put the rancor of the 2012 campaign behind us. And in a refrain familiar to those who have witnessed warring parties in a divorce, the President pleaded to do it for the kids:

“We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools, the best teachers. We want our children to live in an America that isn’t burdened by debt, that isn’t weakened by inequality, that isn’t threatened by the disruptive power of a warming planet. We want to pass on a country that’s safe and respected and admired around the world.”

“Let’s do it for the children” is a message that resonates strongly in me. Yet like political operatives, I often fall prey to divisive sniping – all too common in the sphere of public education.