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I must say I like his style.

AVC: Hacking Education

I found this quote today:

7) Teachers are more important than ever but they will have to adapt and many will have to learn to work outside the system. It was suggested at hacking education that teachers are like bank tellers in the 1970s. I don't agree but I do think they are like newspaper reporters in the 1990s.A VC, Mar 2009

Teachers who are unwilling or unable to adapt new technologies into the classroom are going to have little place in the modern classroom.  Students who do not have "tech" skills will fall behind the competition.  It is our responsibility as teachers to help prepare students for the future by facilitating their growth in various content areas.  Technology needs to take a position next to reading, writing, and math. 

Visit to The Children's Day School of San Francisco

This past weekend I took a trip to San Francisco to visit a fellow "progressive" school, The Children's Day School of San Francisco and then extended the trip to include visiting good friends.  I decided I needed to divide the work and play portions of the visit into different posts.

I would like to thank Sebastian and Nick for having me to thier wonderful classroom on Friday.  Their studetnts were very welcoming and gave me further insight into what other kids are doing in fourth grade classrooms similar to mine. 

I arrived just as groups were working on a treasure map navigation project.  Groups of 3-4 students were creating a treasure map for other group to follow using a series of directions given in metric measurements.  Example: Walk forward 180 centimeters and turn Left.  Then, much like our day, students went to lunch and as the weather was nice, they were able to eat outside.

While outside I was given a tour of the grounds.  The grounds are just great here.  They have a cooperative urban farm and organic garden on site.  There are two sheep and sometimes chickens.  Different classes are responsible for the farm chores and learning about how to care for the various animals and vegetables being grown on site.  There is seasonal sheering of the sheep whose wool is then spun by classes to make yarn for finger knitting and other art projects.

Back inside the day continued with the second part of the math/navigation project, then Academic Choice which is very similar to the Choice time we have except it is always within one's own room.  During Academic Choice, some students wanted to visit the library.  I went with Nick and a couple of students and went to the library.  Now, the school has gone through various expansions and eventually out grew the Catholic Mission that most of the classroom are in.  They purchased an adjacent home and converted it to administrative offices, music center, and the library.

The similarities between The Children's School where I currently teach and The Children's Day School of San Francisco are astonishing.  The differences are not as readily noticeable.  Both school put an emphasis on teaching children through a hands-on/project based experience.  Both share similar origin stories and have similar visions for the future.

Where the schools differ is in tuition and size.  Both schools are fairly small.  They have 15 to 25 students in a class, but have two teachers in each class.  The benefit is a great teacher/student ratio and with a medium size class one has the optimal size for classroom dynamics.  

I really enjoyed my trip to their school and hope to keep in touch with their community.  

Making Some Changes

After much deliberation, I have decided to move on to other teaching opportunities.  I am completing my second year of teaching at The Children's School and have evaluated my personal and professional goals.  After many conversations with the school's director and friends in the education field I have determined that it would be best if I move on.  By resigning now I am giving the school board ample time to find a suitable replacement. 

Professionally, I am interested in instructional technology and urban education.  I would like to research these areas more through a PhD program.  However, before I can effectively pursue a doctorate, I need to have experience teaching in a urban setting.  By moving on from The Children's School I will be able to teach at a school in my community on the South Side of Chicago.  My community schools are often in need of dedicated teachers who believe as I do that all children can learn and achieve their dreams if they have committed adults who care for them on their side. 

I am looking forward to the new challenges that await me at these schools.  I am thankful for the many great people I have had the chance to work with and meet while at The Children's School. 

If you have any questions for me you may contact me at: robfreedman(at)comcast(dot)net