2008 is coming to a close and we’re facing some big challenges. The economic downturn and real estate collapse in Arizona have hit budgets hard. The Arizona K-12 Center has been forced to cut back, along with school districts and most people. But our mission isn’t any less urgent.
The students in our schools today require just as good an education, if not better, than those who attended in stronger economic times. So we can’t let down just because the going has gotten tougher. In fact, now more than ever, we all need to advocate for the profession of teaching and for students. Education shouldn’t be seen as a casual expenditure but as a capital investment.
As a PhD student at Arizona State University, I regularly receive
emails from the ASU President, Michael Crow. One in particular recently
caught me eye. It was an invitation to innovate that said:
Change begins with an idea, what’s yours?You can see more at:
http://www.asuchallenges.com/I
don’t know that any one idea will answer the challenges we are facing
in Arizona education, but this is certainly the way we need to be
thinking today. Empowerment and responsibility go together. We can make
a difference; so we must make a difference.
Speaking of which,
I’m really excited to announce that 100 teachers achieved National
Board Certification in 2008, including the first National Board
Certified teachers from Window Rock and Somerton. For several of these
teachers, this wasn’t their first try, so a special congratulation is
due to them. Perseverance is a trait teacher leaders can use in
abundance these days. Our learning communities will be all the stronger
for the presence of these accomplished teachers.
Even the most
motivated teachers need innovative tools to support them. Andrew
Benson, working with Randy Murray Productions, has already helped
create excellent videos for the K-12 Center. Now he is pushing the
creativity further with his idea of using discarded shipping containers
to create unique, mobile learning spaces for teachers and students.
Andrew is working with the Center, the Arizona Education Association
and other partners to bring this about.
More encouraging news
has come in Barack Obama’s choice of Arne Duncan as his nominee for
Secretary of Education. As Chief Executive Officer of Chicago’s Public
Schools, Duncan understands the investment necessary to make our
schools strong. Our greatest defense is an educated citizenry.
Improving teacher quality is a vital piece of the equation.
On
a personal note, I’ve finished the first semester of my PhD work. Yay!
It’s given me the opportunity to do something that many teachers never
get around to, which is to read original research. While news media and
others are quick to report bad news about our schools, there is
significant research to show the real impact teachers are making. So
let’s keep up the good work even as we find new ways to get better.
drpvcybv
Tracked: Jan 27, 03:28