KDSL responds to are cellphones the next paper and pencil? on www.teachermagazine.org

Recently I worked on a mathematics team at an international school where there was a focus on the increase in use of technology. 100% of students had cell phones and could use them in addition to calculators during math time. This actually worked out well and was not abused. Students even balanced the use of each device. My fear was that they would elect to only use the cell phone. Teachers would explicitly state when cell phones could be used for calculations. Otherwise they were expected to be out of sight.

Making it HAPpen

Students reading The Pact , a newspaper being created, preparation for the College Tour and Olympics of the Mind Event, a student discussing his writing with a teacher, dressed up for “What You Want to Be Wednesday”, and positive quotes and affirmations posted throughout the hallway was what I experienced today (on a summer afternoon) as I returned to visit Higher Achievement Program or HAP. I started as middle school literacy volunteer during 2007 with a group of grade 5 boys. At that time professionally I was out of the classroom working on a project, but wanted to still have a community impact.  I found Higher Achievement Program which reminded me of the College Bound Program I was afforded growing up.  This program immediately impressed me because  I was interviewed by a former scholar (as the students are referred to) and the Director of Volunteer Management. So I knew they were serious. The focus of HAP was on providing year-round academic enrichment programs to middle school  students from underserved areas. This would serve to prepare students for top high school placements and beyond.  Volunteering with the organization was a no brainer decision for me. They are the essence of what I want for ALL students everywhere.

So thank you to Mrs. Angela, the interns, teachers, volunteers, and students  of the “A Team” (Alexandria, VA) for sharing today and making it HAPpen-enrichment, summer learning, and higher achievement . Even though I was away overseas for work and was unable to mentor last year, it was great to see the HAP spirit and work ethic in full mode on a hot July day!

 

For more information on Higher Achievement Program please see my blogroll.

Raising Alabama

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14034911&fsrc=rss

What a story of education possibilities especially integrating technology in a purposeful manner. Alabama and their government have stepped up to the plate to provide high quality educational opportunities for their students. They may be small and rural, but have a no excuse mentality when it comes to ACCESS. As President Barack Obama recently stated in his speech on America’s Education Strategy we all have an education story.  He shared his story of how his mother would wake him up at 4:30a.m.  in order to complete work for a correspondence course while they lived overseas.  This was due to the fact that he did not attend a fancy international school. Alabama is working towards making sure their students do not have deferred dreams but have ACCESS both now and later. What an education story!

Obama to schools: Change or miss out on cash

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32116686/ns/politics-washington_post

All children deserve only the best teachers by Arlene C. Ackerman, Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia

 ”Teachers are the bedrock of our schools and the single most important key to student success. To achieve great results, every student needs a great teacher, and every teacher deserves a fair and accurate evaluation that enhances their capacity to grow and improve without fear that the process will threaten their position or their professional standing.”

 

WOW!! What words of wisdom above. Do we want great? Do our students deserve great? I say yes. I expect great. Otherwise there is no need for my presence in the education field. Research states that the teacher effect is huge.  Great should also be rewarded financially. I want the Michael Jordan and Lebron James of education on my team. And yes they would want to be highly paid for their talents. Educators should be also. Time out for the be great now and get paid 20-30 years later based on an antiquated system of education and number of years put in on the battlefield. Too many folks settle and accept what is instead of questioning and challenging systems. Well I ain’t scared to do it.  What if students received great every day and teachers taught great every day? What would our classrooms, schools, community, nation, and world look like?

Measuring Up

http://www.air.org/news/documents/AIR%20Measuring%20Up%20Report%20042709.pdf

Top-Scoring Nations Share Strategies on Teachers

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/06/30/36global.h28.html?tkn=LRQF3a0PF4%2BgzXOPZSrw6PKV575IQl6qMRU4

Excerpt from KDSL July/August 2009 Newsletter’s Education Around the World Article

Below is an excerpt from Tosh Patterson, author of the KDSL July/August 2009 Newsletter Education Around the World Newsletter. From August-December 2008 Tosh participated in the Semester at Sea Program.

 

Now, in hindsight, I can be in awe of the experience. For 108 days a community of people floated on the Atlantic, Indian, & Pacific Oceans AND felt soil in eleven countries. I had the privilege to witness humility in India, reconciliation in South Africa, forgiveness in Cambodia & Vietnam, and kindness in Japan. And like a flying fish that jumps out of the ocean, glides across the top, then dives back into the ocean…I lived outside of my comfort zone (out of water), even when I really did not want to do so.

 The complete reflective piece will be out in the next KDSL newsletter.