Deer Creek Tragedy

I want to encourage everyone to keep the students, parents, and faculty at Deer Creek Middle School in their thoughts and prayers. It is depressing when such horrible atrocities take place at a school, but I know they have the strength to get by. One of my friends is a teacher at the school and she says that things have been difficult for everyone, but is confident that the strength within their school and community will see them through. Thank you to everyone who has been able to aid the students and families impacted by this event.

Beyond Brown

I just watched the PBS documentary "Beyond Brown," and I was reawakened to some of the ridiculous inequities in our society. I highly recommend the video and suggest some kleenex or a stress ball to squeeze in frustration. The ending is particularly upsetting.

Equity

All students deserve equal opportunity to achieve success. I'm sure no one will disagree with this statement, but the reality is that not all of our students are receiving equal opportunity. Students from non-dominant groups receive less funding per student in our state (Arroyo, 2006), are taught by less experienced teachers, and are held to lower expectations (Gandara and Contreras, 2009). It is unfortunate but true. In Denver Public Schools there are many teachers, administrators, students, and parents who are working very hard to change this, but we need more help. I urge you to seek equity in your community and work to ensure that all students are given equal opportunity. Most of my students are classified into non-dominant groups, and most of my students are finding success not afforded to peers in other schools. But...we still need more help to increase their chance at equal opportunity. We need your help and support. Please go to an underserved school in your comunity tomorrow and build a quality relationship with a student and give them the opportunities they deserve. In case it wasn't repeated enough...we need your help. :) I hope to see you in our schools soon.

Check out my new video

This video entitled, "working with at-risk students," is the first of many and only begins to scratch the surface of equity. The achievement gap is typically associated with the dramatic differences in standardized test scores and graduation rates between minority and/or low-income students and white and/or non low-income students. This does not mean that being minority or low-income prevents success, it means that the deck is stacked against you and it is harder to succeed. The gap is caused by numerous variables that are all linked to a lack of equity in our society and schools. I believe we are taking positive steps towards solving this problem, but there is a ton of work left to do. Please take the time to learn more about equity issues and how you can help students in your community. If the video raises questions, then please ask.

Business and Education

Today I was introduced as the 2010 Colorado Teacher of the Year to the state senate and house of representatives. This was a great experience for me, especially since I had never been in the capitol building before (it's beautiful). After this introduction I briefly spoke with some marketing businessmen about education. I shared with these men that I would love to see business more actively involved in our schools. I had two ideas that I would like to see progress throughout the year.

1. We need every business to foster ongoing relationships with schools and their students. This will require human capital and time to build relationships between business employees and students. Tutoring one or more days is very nice and most schools will not turn away this help, but I think we need year long, in-depth, person to person contact between students and business persons. This experience and demonstration of caring means the world to students and motivates them to succeed.

2. Many businesses offer scholarships to juniors and seniors in high school. This is very kind of them but it is too late for many students, particularly students who are classified as "at risk." We need to invest in our students at an earlier age. Offer these students scholarships in the 7th or 8th grade before they have moved onto high school. The scholarship could be offered as a guaranteed source of money for post-secondary education if students complete expected requirements in high school. You set the expectations and if they meet them they are rewarded.

Schools need business and business needs students. Let's work together to foster innovative ideas for increasing high school graduation and college attendance. Please add any thoughts, ideas, or questions.

Wonderful Students

I was back in class today for the first time since last Tuesday. It was great! Throughout the day student after student asked me about my trip, gave me a high five with a big smile on their face, and/or said how much they missed me. I had at least 75 reminders today of why my students are so wonderful and why I enjoy being around them in school. They were each vibrant and joyful and filled with genuine love and respect. You can't buy these kinds of relationships, you have to work at them. I am like most teachers in that I work very hard to support and strengthen students all while building incredible positive relationships. This work was reflected throughout the day with every smile, hug, and inquisitive question. I care about my students and they in turn care about me. This is what being a teacher is all about.