Monday, October 27, 2014

The World Is Ours-Aloe Blacc and David Carrey

To quote today’s title song,
“I had an epiphany one night
Looking at the endless star filled sky
The world is ours

Dare what you dare to dream


I dare to dream of a world where teacher-leaders inspire students in the classroom, are respected as professionals, and help shape student-centered policy decisions.  

Tonight, I am headed home from a profound experience, a “teacher convening.”  They call it a “convening” because it’s so much more than a conference.  Today at the closing ceremony, Irvin Scott from the Gates Foundation had people stand and call out one word to describe their experience.  Here are a few:
 
“Rejuvenated”          “Elevated”            “Inspired”          “Empowering”


Hosted by the Gates Foundation, ECET2 stands for Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers.  The Fourth convening was held in New Orleans, Louisiana and included over 300 teachers from 34 states and Washington D.C.  What an amazing experience it was.  Here are just a few of my take-aways:

  1. “Leadership is no longer optional in the teaching profession”

This quote is actually from another event I attended this past summer, NEA’s Empowered Educators Day in Denver.  However, this idea was reinforced tenfold at ECET2.  In an era where so many people are pushing education policy in different directions, it is imperative that teachers’ voices are not only heard, but that teacher insight helps shape the future of education.  I was fortunate to attend a session by the Hope Street Group in which they discussed the need for teacher advocacy at different policy levels and found myself inspired to action.  The movement has begun, we now need to be the “First Followers” who can bring the movement to the masses.

  2.  Collaboration is critical for students and teachers alike.

Whether we are providing our students the skills to engage in our interconnected world, working together to plan units or lessons, or tackling the tough challenges facing the field of education today, it is essential that we reach out, network, and listen to one another.  There were so many wonderful opportunities to collaborate throughout the conference, many intentional and imbedded in the schedule, and so many more spontaneously occurring over lunch or Twitter or bead tossing from balconies.


 

   3.     There is always more to learn.

I learned so much in just 48 hours-from presenters, keynote speakers, colleagues, Twitter, the streets of New Orleans.  It can sometimes be overwhelming, but many of us became teachers because we are passionate learners.  Continuing to find new ways to learn and then build on, and implement, that learning into our practice is critical to moving the field of education in a positive direction.

   4.     Find ways to keep the fire burning. 

It is so easy to leave a conference feeling inspired and then fall back into our routine once we return home.  Finding ways to stay motivated and connected is vital to remaining a positive force for education.  I found this Tweet on point.

  5.     Take time to breathe. 

Another important lesson for me this weekend, thanks to my colleague circle (Shout Out to Table #22!!) was to recognize that it is also acceptable to sometimes take a break from the constant stream of knowledge and information and breathe.  Taking care of our physical, social, and emotional needs helps us maintain the strength we need to keep going when the obstacles seem high.

  

   6.     It’s a small world.


The first person I met when I got off the plane just happened to be a teacher who taught all three of my cousins in Louisville, Kentucky.  Then, I had an emotional (at least for me, I’m so sappy!) reunion with one of my former students who is now, not only a high school social studies teacher himself, but also a member of the Gates Foundation’s Teacher Advisory Council and a presenter, teaching other teachers how to be culturally responsive in their classrooms.  Connections are so significant to maintaining that positivity (see #4) and these personal connections are even more inspiring.
 

  7.     The Gates Foundation knows how to make people feel special.


There seems to be a growing movement for the professionalization of the teaching profession.  I try to model this in my own practice, even in little ways-like ordering business cards.  But WOW does the Gates Foundation make you feel special.  Welcoming us with a live high school marching band and parade down Bourbon Street, providing us with, not just materials, but an online community where we can continue to share, amazing accommodations, exceptional food and beverages at every turn, chronicling the event with photographers and videographers and providing ways for us to stay connected and active in this movement. 


Not only was I inspired this weekend, but this treatment left me feeling empowered, I do matter.



During my college career I took a year off to travel with Up With People, an international educational, musical, and service organization.  For many reasons, (that I should cover in another blog post) this was one of the most transformative and inspirational experiences of my life.  My experience from a year of traveling around the world with people from 22 different countries, staying in host families, performing a musical show every other day, and participating in service activities, had a profound impact on the person I am today and my choice to become a social studies teacher.  Partly because of the enthusiasm and idealism of the group, and partly because of the performance component, everything in UWP is an event.  No one just makes an announcement, it becomes a song or comedy skit.  Some may criticize this aspect of UWP as being a bit cheesy, but you can’t leave an UWP event without feeling inspired and more optimistic.  I kept thinking all weekend that ECET2 is like the UWP of teaching movements, and that is one of the greatest compliments I could give.
 
Thank you to the Gates Foundation for investing in ECET2NOLA, for investing in teachers, and for investing in me.  I won’t let you down.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

September-Earth, Wind, and Fire


How many of you were aware that September 17 is Constitution Day?  As a government teacher I find Constitution Day a fascinating topic for class discussion for several reasons:
1.     1. Most Americans don’t even know it exists.
2.     2. Many schools do not follow the federal law that requires students who attend a school receiving federal funds to learn about the Constitution on Constitution Day.
3.     3. Most people have no idea how Constitution Day became a law which is that it was added as an amendment to a bill to get a certain senator (who loved the Constitution) to vote for the bill.

All of these topics bring up such excellent discussion points for a government class:

 Should we honor the Constitution with its own day once a year?  If so, how?
  • Does daily good citizenship do more to honor the Constitution than one special day? And what does good citizenship really look like?
  • How is the balance of power determined with respect to our federal system and federal mandates?
  • How are laws made?
  • Should Senators and Representatives vote for a bill just because an amendment they like is added?
  • And so much more!

This year, I was able to participate in a unique Constitution Day experience in Washington D.C.  The Civics Renewal Network gathered a teacher and student from nearly every state in Washington D.C. for a Constitution celebration.  The Annenburg Public Policy Center and Close Up Foundation sponsored the trip and prepared an outstanding 48 hours full of activities.   

In conjunction with the events, the Civics Renewal Network launched their new website which is a collection of civic education resources from teachers and celebrated civic action projects from students around the United States.

I traveled with a Bozeman High School student, Claire, who was selected for her work on gender equality issues, voter registration initiatives, and other civic action projects.

Constitution Day began with a trip to the Capitol Hill area where all of the students and teachers participated in the #PreambleChallenge.  Classes from around the country submitted videos of themselves reciting the Preamble to the Constitution in a unique way.  While Claire and I were participating in D.C. which you can view here, some of my students in Bozeman participated as well, which you can see here.

We then walked over to the Japanese Internment Memorial which I found a fitting reminder that our country has not always protected our Constitution’s ideals equally for all citizens.  I say this, not to be critical of our country, but rather to emphasize the approach that as a society we should continually strive to learn from our mistakes and work to improve as a country.  I was so impressed with this quote by Ronald Reagan:





Being interviewed by the paparazzi




Students were then taken to the National Archives where they were able to observe a naturalization ceremony in front of the actual Constitution on Constitution Day, it doesn’t get much more patriotic than that.  Teachers were taken to the Newseum where we participated in a press conference launching the Civics Renewal Network’s new website, which you can check out here.  We then participated in a panel discussion on “Stewarding America: Institutions and Civic Life” hosted by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  It was an inspiring event that reminded me of the importance of maintaining strong support for civic education in our public school system.



Discussing policy with Congressman Daines
Discussing gender issues with Senator Walsh























Our afternoon was packed with appointments on Capitol Hill.  We were able to meet with Representative Steve Daines on the steps of the House while he was between votes as it was a busy day in the Capitol.  We also met with Montana Senator John Walsh who had a great discussion with Claire about her work on gender equality issues.  We were then able to observe a Senate committee hearing, a first for both of us.  We wrapped up the afternoon by applying for library cards at the Library of Congress before heading back to the Newseum for a dinner reception.  During dinner we witnessed an entertaining re-enactment of a Founding Fathers debate.  Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison debated whether or not the Bill of Rights needed to be added to the Constitution.  It was highly engaging and a good reminder that we should not take our rights for granted.


The view from Speaker Boehner's balcony
On Speaker Boehner's balcony
Behind the scenes before entering the House floor

After dinner, Claire and I were able to get special permission to meet Representative Daines back at the Capitol building for a private after-hours tour. He was so kind and patient as we explored the building and asked a ton of questions.  We were able to sit on the floor of the House of Representatives, stand at the podiums, and visit the Speaker of the House’s private balcony.  I learned so much more about the inner workings of the Capitol as well as the day-to-day life of a legislator-and I thought I was busy!  After nearly two hours we headed back to our hotel, but not before getting a Capitol stairs selfie with our awesome guide!



Library of Congress Main Reading Room


Thursday morning our Civics Renewal Network program officially ended, but we were lucky enough to schedule later flights to allow us a bit more time in D.C.  First thing in the morning, we used our new library cards and were able to explore the Main Reading room in the Library of Congress.  If you have never been to the Library of Congress, it is really a must-see in Washington D.C.   It is a beautiful building inside and out and the two story book alcoves in the main reading room were incredible to explore. I was able to find a book printed 202 years ago!
Following our library visit we spend some time with Senator Jon Tester, making our visits with the Montana Congressional Delegation complete.  Senator Tester and Claire had a great discussion about civic action.  We still had a little bit of time so we explored the International Spy Museum which was an exhilarating trip through air ducts and bugged hallways on the history of international spying.


Overall it was an exciting and thought provoking way to spend Constitution Day 2014 and I enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on the importance of civic education as I witnessed democracy in action. 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Back in the Saddle-Gene Autry

It’s been awhile since I’ve been blogging.  There have been many times over the past year that I’ve thought, “Wow, this was so cool, I should do a blog about it!”  But alas, I allowed time to get away from me and before I knew it, the event or idea had long past and it seemed silly to blog in retrospect. 

So, in my efforts to catch up, here’s a quick list and photo montage of things I thought about, that maybe I’ll get back to in the future:

1.     Importance of school spirit and sense of community in schools

















2.     Political crisis in Ukraine



3.     Snow days around the country

My yard on a Saturday in March
Every winter I love hearing about snow days around the U.S.  As a result, I found this map of how much snow it takes to cancel school fascinating.  It is mentioned in the comments section, but even though this map says it takes 2 feet (24 inches) of snow to cancel school where I live, I have never had a snow day in Bozeman, and have actually not even had a full "cold day" since I started kindergarten.  Several years ago the boiler broke at Bozeman High School, the high for that day was going to be 15 degrees below zero (Farenheit) and school was still not cancelled.  Kids came to class in coats and hats and the thermometer in my classroom showed it was only 43 degrees!
Me shoveling my driveway on a below zero morning
Despite the cold, the winter is beautiful and here are a few snow pictures to prove my point.




snow drifts



I love when the snow sparkles like glitter!

























Winter makes some beautiful sunrises


4.     Montana Economics Challenge















5.     Having fun in class making balloon animals


I always think it's important to teach life skills in addition to social studies skills and content.  Throughout the semester I tell my students to pay attention to key "life lessons."  I also think it's important to add a bit of fun to stressful things.  That being said, after the AP Microeconomics exam, we spent a day in class learning how to make balloon animals.  It was fun, relaxing, (except for all of the popped balloons!) and I'm pretty sure each student will use this skill at some point in their future.



So get ready, eschnee.blogspot.com is back in action with regular posts coming soon!