KNEA Blog

What's happening in DC?

2009-09-26T13:49:00.002-04:00

About 4 times a year, our NEA Board of Directors and I spend a day on Capitol Hill visiting each of the offices of our representatives in Washington, DC. Coincidentally, we usually represent at least three of the congressional districts with our team. The tough economic times have highlighed for me the quality of thinking, the depth of analysis, and the spirit of problem solving that is evident with two of our more experienced legislators - Reps. Dennis Moore and Jerry Moran. Representing two different parties, this also is heartening to know that some legislators are able to look beyond position or party to try and find real solutions. Rep. Lynn Jenkins also spent a good block of time with us and, while we are definitely not on the same page on some issues, there is a sense that she is still listening to the voice of teachers and has not colosed out her constituents in favor of predetermined positions. We'll watch carefully how each one of these folks votes AND how they work together across party lines to solve the tough problems of health care, education funding for growth, and our economy.

One more note... our visits to the Hill accompany a series of other meetings so that we maximize every minute of a 3 day trip to DC. During the NEA Board Meeting on Friday, the 25th, we were fortunate to be joined by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Ever since he was named as Secretary, we have been encouraged that he shares our concerns about poor assessment systems that fail to measure growth, lack of a focus on 21st century skills, and teacher salaries that fall far below comparable professions. Solutions? We're still working on those and don't always agree. But being at the table to help craft the solutions is a significant indicator that the Secretary honors the profession of teaching. With all the challenges we face, that's good news.

A gathering to remember in Wichita

2009-08-19T10:38:00.003-04:00

What would bring together hundreds of superintendents and union leaders, school board members and students, policy makers from conservative and progressive perspectives, people from all over the midwest and even Washington, DC? The memorial service for Sherri Yourdon, KNEA's Vice President held just last Friday (the 14th) at Heartland Community Church in Wichita, KS. Sherri was diagnosed almost exactly one year ago with cancer. In that year, Sherri battled. She endured numerous chemo treatments. She fought the complications that came with these invasive and destructive strategies to kill the cancer.

That's not all, though. Sherri continued her work on projects with Kansas Learning First Alliance, Kansas Action for Children, Safe Kids Coalition, Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, and most of all, working with the teachers, support professionals, and other school personnel of Kansas NEA. Sherri's vision of a great public school for every child was evident in her work teaching English and Journalism to high school students, helping prison inmates earn high school diplomas, and also as a counselor for thousands of students at the high school and middle school level in Nickerson School District. Her leadership and passion for the transforming power of public education are a major part of what we will always remember about Sherri.

We will also remember that Sherri was a peacemaker when there was division, a collaborator when a challenge arose, a bridge builder when there was a chasm to be crossed, and most of all, a caring and dear friend to all who worked with her, knew her, were her students. There is a tremendous void in so many lives and yet we are all challenged to step forward and pick up the load in her honor. Only together will we be able to continue the progress she had begun. I am sure that is what she would want us to do, too.

Democracy at work

2009-07-07T08:09:00.002-04:00

It's 5 AM at the San Diego airport and I'm among the first wave of 9,000 educators on their way home from the Representative Assembly. During this meeting, we set in motion work plans to ensure that teachers will have a voice as national standards including 21st century skills are developed. We supported new and more appropriate systems of assessment to truly demonstrate that students are acquiring these important skills. Dr. Linda Darling Hammond received the NEA Friend of Education Award - we affirmed her inspiring call to raise the status of the teaching profession and improve professional working conditions to match those in countries frequently cited as the "best" on their national assessments. And finally, we acknowledged our dual role as both professional organization and union recognizing that bargaining (particularly in the form of interest based collaborative problem solving) and advocacy are both important tools to achieve improved salaries, needed school funding, affordable health care for all, and to guarantee human and civil rights for both students and educators.

For me, though, the RA was more than a major business meeting. The remarks by the national Teacher of the Year, Anthony Mullen and by Dr. Darling Hammond were inspiring - renewing each of our 170 Kansas delegates' commitment to our desire to touch the lives of our students and make a difference in the world. We were also profoundly moved as we recognized the work of Mr. Bob Chanin, NEA General Counsel who is retiring after 41 years. Lawyers aren't often noted for endearing themselves to our hearts, but Bob is no average attorney. He has argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court, helped craft the bargaining laws in numerous states, and made a career of defending our students, public education, and the educators who work in those schools. Personally, I worked with Bob on a task force to analyze Distance Learning. He facilitated as our members, teachers from across the country, formulated positive and forward-looking guidance for how we should add distance learning to the repertoire of tools to meet the educational needs of each student. Bob brought wisdom, commitment to excellence, and always remembered that our profession needs a united voice if we are to have the power to exert influence on these important issues. Bob's good humor, incisive analysis, and deep caring are a combination that mean his shoes won't be easily filled. But each of us who know him are also committed to do our part to pick up the banner of great public schools for every child that he leaves in our keeping.

Thanks to the Kansas educators who gave up a week of their time to serve... thanks to Bob who dedicated a lifetime of work!

July 4th for teachers

2009-07-05T01:31:00.002-04:00

Each year, the NEA holds its annual Representative Assembly (RA) over the 4th of July... and there seems to be no more fitting way to celebrate our nation's heritage and the birth of our freedom. From Kansas, 170 teachers representing every corner of the state joined almost 9,000 educators from across our country to discuss a wide range of issues: how to ensure every child has access to a great public school, ensuring quality health care is available and affordable for our students as well as for educators, equality and civil rights guarantees - it was a list worthy of the 4th. In addition, a choir of music educators sang patriotic songs, prayers, and readings from our nation's great leaders were all part of a midday celebration in the convention center.

I should also mention that the high point of this RA may have been at the annual Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner. Matthew Heck and seven other members of his cross country team from Wichita East High School were honored for their relay run from Wichita to Washington, DC to raise funds to help refugees from Darfur. These fine young men exemplify the kinds of values of hard work, caring, and responsibility that each of us as teachers hopes our students will see in our lives and learn from our examples. Read more about these students on the KNEA web site's record of the 2009 KNEA RA. This group humbles us all and makes us proud of public education and our students. Watch for more about the RA in a couple of days.

Remembering great teachers

2009-04-26T17:01:00.002-04:00

These are tenuous times for schools and the people who work in them across Kansas and the nation. A good friend of mine, former finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year, is among those who have already received a RIF notice (reduction in force.) It’s just one case in hundreds across Kansas, and it could be thousands very soon, depending on the approach the legislature decides to take when they return this week. Some influential folks continue to demand more tax cuts, making the task of funding crucial services for the disabled, health care for children, and schools almost impossible.

As important as these events might be, though, I feel a need to give recognition to another great teacher who retired a few years ago. It may be inappropriate to share a personal story, but my sister-in-law, past winner of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics, gave a career of service in my home town of Independence, MO. Sheri Adams helped found the Math-Science Institute about 20 years ago, but her teaching skills helped not only the gifted, but the student with more limited skills.

Sheri was diagnosed with cancer just last fall and it claimed her life earlier this month. I was humbled by her dedication and skill as a teacher for so many years. In the face of this terrible illness, though, I was also humbled and uplifted by her faith and courage. Times are tough for so many people these days; for those who have found teaching to be their calling, may you have faith and courage; and for the legislators who return this week, may they have the wisdom to find solutions that strengthen our schools even when tax breaks and funding cuts are the popular alternative.

Worthy beginnings, inspiring conclusions

2009-04-01T08:09:00.001-04:00

The best part of my job is definitely the opportunity to visit schools, seeing the tremendous work of our members and to hearing their concerns and vision for public education. Sometimes, though, I don’t even have to leave the office for that kind of renewing experience.

Yesterday, about a dozen future educators, members of the KNEA-Student Program at Colby Community College came to Topeka, toured our offices, visited classrooms across the street at Topeka High School, and even volunteered for a time at the local Mission. What an inspiring group – their commitment gives encouragement that the next generation of teachers in Kansas will be just as dedicated to our profession and making a difference for students as the outstanding teachers who currently serve in our schools.

At the top of the list of current educators making a difference might be Carolyn May, the sponsor of the KNEA-SP group and faculty member at Colby CC. This was her final field trip… she plans to retire at the end of this year. She is such a positive force; conveying to these aspiring educators both the caring attitude AND the professional skills they will need to excel in their quest as educators. I’m encouraged by the promise exemplified by the next generation of teachers I met from Colby. And even more so, I’m thankful for the teachers like Carolyn who have lived that promise for an entire career.

On the front lines in Wichita KS

2009-03-02T02:23:00.002-05:00

Educators across Kansas are on the front lines, working to create 21st century learning opportunities for students in the face of tremendous challenges. No place is this more true than the middle schools I visited last week in Wichita, KS. In particular, imagine that a major architectural defect was discovered in your school over winter break that required 2/3rds of students to be sent elsewhere for their safety. Those students are relocated for second semester to a nearby elementary school that was unused because it 1) was too small, 2) lacked necessary wiring for technology, 3) had inappropriate learning spaces, etc. even to use as an elementary school!

Such is the situation faced by the 7th and 8th grades of Hamilton Middle School. In addition to the tremendous overcrowding, all of the educators forced to leave their old classrooms were not allowed to reenter their old building to retrieve ANY of their teaching supplies (many purchased at their personal expense.)

Everyone – the district, the students, and the faculty – are trying to make the best they can of a very bad situation, but be aware that the impact on learning is inevitable. The impact on the resolve of students is measurable. Most amazing to me was the tremendously positive attitude of the educators. They actually shouted for joy when United Teachers of Wichita President Paul Babich brought each member a ream of paper to help them survive the shortages. But of course, I’m sure there are some legislators that think schools just need to tighten their belts & give up all those frills… like paper.

My greatest admiration and appreciation goes out to KNEA members across Wichita. And my challenge goes out to policy makers – stop using the economic down turn as yet another excuse to shortchange the students, families, communities and education professionals of this state.

2009-02-16T08:40:00.003-05:00

In the past couple of weeks, there has been much to write about (but apparently, too little time to submit an entry - sorry!) Our Kansas members of the NEA Board of Directors and I did our best to convince our US congressional delegation of how much we needed the federal support for our schools. I also had a chance to meet with members and leaders in several districts from Blue Valley to Buhler and beyond.

Possibly most encouraging, though, was a chance to be part of a presentation on 21st Century Skills at the Kansas Staff Development Conference in Wichita last week. Despite all of the negative economic news, I was so impressed that these teachers and other school personnel were still thinking about how to help our schools do the best job possible. In the face of budget cuts and an antagonistic attitude by key policy makers, our teachers refuse to give up their spirit of commitment to a great public school for every child and a strong teaching profession. I hope we're working on both fronts, though - advocating for our schools AND strategizing how to do our best work.

You can sign up at the KNEA web site to receive news from our legislator or to receive action alerts and become a cyber-lobbyist. You can ALSO learn on that site how to help achieve our vision for 21st century teaching and learning. I hope you'll visit www.knea.org when you get a chance and join the ranks of those committed to making a difference for our schools, our students, and the future of Kansas.

Our profession: In great hands!

2009-01-26T10:39:00.002-05:00

Last week, the eight finalists for Kansas Teacher of the Year met in Topeka for their annual visit to the Kansas Legislature. One of the most enjoyable parts of that event for me is the pre-visit workshop during which Cyndi Menzel, KNEA Director of Communications works with the Teacher Recognition staff from Kansas State Department of Education to help these excellent teachers begin to craft their message about our profession; begin their new role as spokespersons for our students, our schools, and our work.

This year’s eight member team, led by Cindy Couchman as Teacher of the Year, developed their remarks, delivered powerful messages, and also did an outstanding job of fielding tough questions from both the House and Senate Education Committees. For me, though, the best part of the two days was a luncheon sponsored by KNEA – a chance for the team to meet with several of us to talk about the future of public education, the challenges confronting us, and a shared vision – great public schools for every child, a strong profession, and the well-being of people who work in our schools.

We had a chance to talk about the challenges they face every day in the classroom and hear the passion they bring to their work with students, parents, their teacher colleagues and their communities. It was an honor to meet these outstanding individuals. It is also heartening to know that KNEA is playing a crucial role to provide research, professional development, and a platform for unifying our voices for the good of public education. And we have a fantastic new group of Teacher of the Year voices to add to the chorus.

To learn more about the 2009 KTOY team... http://www.knea.org/news/2009/ktoy09.html

Meeting our future - A visit at Emporia State University

2009-01-17T00:17:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday, January 13, 2009, the highlight of my day was a visit to Emporia State University. One of the regular appointments for me each semester is a presentation for the student teachers at ESU. This time, we talked about a range of legal and policy issues facing Kansas educators. We addressed such questions as, "what are the responsibilities of a teacher to ensure students use technology appropriately" or "what must a teacher do if she/he suspects a student is the victim of abuse?" ESU Student Program President, Alex Weis, also spoke about the importance of KNEA membership to provide liability insurance for professional practice. She also recruited volunteers to participate in a community service project in connection with the inauguration of the next President of the United States.

The 180 new educators at ESU attending this class were a tremendous group. It was so inspiring to hear their enthusiasm and desire to be a positive influence in the lives of students; to learn of their commitment to serving their community and our state. Contrast their dedication to education and our future with the short-sighted, self-centered discussions of Kansas policy-makers these days. There is no doubt who it is that is willing to put their lives on the line for the good of students... and I feel honored to work with these outstanding students - the next generation of my teaching colleagues!.

Happy New Year… and welcome back to work!

2009-01-04T23:19:00.001-05:00

January 2 was “back to work” in Independence, KS and I was privileged to meet with the dedicated educators of the district during their in-service activities. Independence is proposing a bond issue to provide for important renovations and new construction. I was there providing a workshop to help district staff inform the public about the proposal ethically and legally.

It’s an interesting time to try and get public support for school construction. While there are tax implications, there is also the prospect of millions of new dollars flowing into a local community. Construction costs and materials are cheaper than they have been in years. And interest rates are low. Improving education infrastructure is about the surest way to improve the economy of any community. As we approach the 2009 legislative session, it will be profoundly important for Kansas educators to make sure policy makers make smart economic decisions – and support public schools.

By the way, I must apologize for getting too busy to complete blog entries the past few weeks. If you would like more information about the past few weeks, drop me a line. We had a two-day meeting with the National Governors’ Association to talk about teacher quality (and salaries), NEA Fund Council met (along with the NEA Board), we had a fantastic KNEA Board Meeting, participated in work with the Teacher Working Conditions data, and much more. Truly hectic!

Thanksgiving and time for reflection

2008-12-02T03:36:00.001-05:00

It seems extremely appropriate that Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week were devoted to meetings with Dr. Alexa Posny, Kansas Commissioner of Education, two members of the Governor’s staff, and some forward-looking individuals from NEA and Knowledge Works Foundation. We don’t often get a chance to stop and think about the purpose of our lives and profession, but that was exactly the focus of this group’s discussions. In coming months I hope to follow up with more about this group – for now, though, let me just say that I couldn’t have been more impressed with the genuine caring of Dr. Posny for our students and our profession. It’s a privilege to work with her, the Governor’s office and the others who came to Kansas from Knowledge Works and NEA.

I hope each of you had a chance to spend some time over Thanksgiving with family and friends. Since this time last year three close friends or members of my family have been diagnosed with cancer. Each one is demonstrating tremendous strength in their respective battles. I feel so fortunate that each one is making progress towards remission, but I’m also reminded that our time for work and family is not guaranteed. We have to make the most of our opportunities. Their courage impresses me just as does the commitment of Dr. Posny. I’m very fortunate to know each of these people.

One other activity of the past week was a chance to use the time over the holiday to spend 2 days cleaning up files at my desk. The time alone allowed me to remember how thankful I am for the people in my life: (to just name a few) Dr. Posny, KNEA Vice President Sherri Yourdon, Bruce and Diana Goeden, my sister-in-law (and life long teacher) Sheri Adams… and for the tremendously talented and caring members of KNEA. Thanks to each of you for your work and for the opportunity to represent you.

Technology - it's great when it works

2008-11-24T06:00:00.004-05:00

Opportunities for technology to stretch the envelope and help us stay more fully engaged with members across the state are increasing by leaps and bounds. Last week, I was in between a meeting in Nebraska City, NE on Wednesday afternoon and a 6 AM flight out of Kansas City to another meeting - just enough time to drive to Topeka, catch up at the office, and repack, right?

Add to that a chance to meet with leaders in the northwest quadrant of Kansas - the great educators serving as local presidents and other local leaders of Cottonwood UniServ District! Despite a few glitches in the system, teachers from three locations (and me) were able to connect via audio on Skype, and others connected using "chat" due to some problems with the audio.

The topic of our discussion was important on two levels. First, I shared news about the new KNEA Leadership Academy - a graduate-level professional growth opportunity for mid career members who want to build their knowledge, skills, and abilities to help our members achieve our mission for great schools and a great profession. I hope that some of the members in Cottonwood follow up and complete an application. UniServ Director Kathy Rome (kathy.rome@knea.org) can get you more information as needed.

In addition, as we proceed to implement more tools to enhance the teaching profession, technology that can provide distance connections, even when our schedules (or gas prices) make meeting in person difficult, will be a crucial tool to use and master. If I ever have a choice, I would prefer to be face to face in a room to hear member concerns first hand. But with technology to assist, we don't have to restrict our conversations to the times when face-to-face meetings are scheduled. We can be connected with each other any time and from any place.

It doesn't work perfectly every time... but the power and possibilities make these tools too valuable to ignore. I hope you'll join me on the journey!

Catching up - sharing the good news

2008-11-23T12:51:00.004-05:00

This entry is a week later than it should have been... Unfortunately, my usual time to write (Saturday night) was taken on Nov. 15th with another occasional activity - preparing a sermon. In addition to my day job working on behalf of great public schools and the great educators of Kansas, I'm a layperson minister in my church and get to deliver an occasional sermon. They may think it's an NEA meeting, though. On Sunday, the 16th, I had newsprint around the sanctuary, called on congregation members, and there were refreshments served. I think those are all the key elements of a good meeting of teachers!

On a more business related note, it was my privilege to meet with the Administrative Board of Prairie Fire UniServ on Wednesday, the 12th. We had food, fellowship, and a great discussion of how our schools ought to change for the 21st century. It is so encouraging to hear the vision of teachers representing many content areas and grade levels as they talked about transforming lives through the power of public education. They made me proud to be part of this profession.

Also a week ago, I represented the teaching profession at a meeting of the Governor's P20 Council. That was also a time to hear good news from Dr. Alexa Posny, Commissioner of Education. She provided an update on the continuing saga of how Kansas schools are responding to raise achievement of all students and to close achievement gaps, where they exist. Kansas was ahead of the curve on this challenge since we were using Quality Performance Accreditation to analyze student data and implement strategies to help every student succeed long before NCLB was enacted.

With the overemphasis on the wrong kind of assessment and punishment for the past 5 years, it brings real hope that the next version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (now called NCLB) will bring back sound policies that focus on really helping our students.

If that happens, I'm confident that the great educators (just like the Prairie Fire group that met in Ottawa) of Kansas will be ready to step up to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

A Visit to Pittsburg State University: Meeting with the Future

2008-11-10T01:00:00.006-05:00

Last week, I had a tremendous day with a series of events at PSU. Faculty members discussed issues such as intellectual property rights in this age of electronic communications and the erosion of scholarship through overreliance on part-time instructors (a money-saving strategy by colleges).

During an hour with Dean Andy Tompkins (yes, former KSDE Commissioner Tompkins), we reviewed the ongoing work of the Kansas Educational Leadership Commission – a group that is developing a new “Teacher Leadership” endorsement and degree programs that could enhance salaries and professional opportunities for teachers.

And thanks to Dr. Kenny McDougle who knew that playing classical organ music was my hobby, I enjoyed an hour playing at the University’s C.B. Fisk concert pipe organ.

The true highlight for the day, though, was a meeting with about 20 student members under the leadership of KNEA-SP chapter president Dana Beckenhauer. Wednesday, the day after our momentous national election, we talked about Kansas election results, our work ahead to influence policy makers (particularly in races where excellent friends of public education were defeated), and the underlying meaning of those results.

Often, folks talk about Student Program members as the “future of KNEA and of our profession.” On November 4, we got to see that the under-30 demographic represents the political future of our nation. With the significant increase in voting by younger citizens and minorities, states that used to be “red” were turned “deep blue.” This is a real challenge for those of us who have spent the greater part of our professional lives as educators.

You see, we have not yet achieved our vision of a great public school for every child. We have not yet achieved the level of professional recognition that should be afforded to educators. But as a new generation of teachers joins our ranks, bringing enthusiasm and a renewed commitment to grass-roots activism, I believe success is closer to reality than at any time in history. What an exciting time to be a citizen, an educator, and a colleague of the best new generation of teachers ever!

P.S. To hear selections I recently played at the Community of Christ Auditorium in Independence, MO, download the following (large) files:
http://www.klfa.org/images/musheltoccata.mp3 (Toccata by Gyorgi Mushel)
http://www.klfa.org/images/faithfulgod-kargelert.mp3 (Hymn setting by Sigfried Karg-Elert)
http://www.klfa.org/images/wondrouslove.mp3 (Hymn setting by David Johnson)
http://www.klfa.org/images/festivalprocession.mp3 (Richard Strauss Processional)

Business advice to public schools – Making it work

2008-11-03T05:00:00.001-05:00

Many folks seem to want to tell educators how to do our jobs. Often, such advice lacks a realistic understanding of the characteristics of students and families today or the bureaucracies that govern much of what we do.

Still, there is a tremendous opportunity for positive partnerships between business, communities, families, and public schools just on the horizon. Last week, I spent two days representing KNEA members at the “Business & Education: Call to Action” sponsored by the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Governor’s office, KSDE, and the Kansas Post Secondary Technical Education Authority. It was a great opportunity for me to represent the voice of k-12 educators in this discussion that would otherwise have had no teachers in the room.

As we approach conversations about business input for schools, please understand this: we shouldn’t simply transform schools into job-preparation factories for students. But we CAN and SHOULD use business partners to help integrate real-world authentic, project-based learning across all curricular areas and all grades. Our discussions at this conference surfaced the understanding that engaging, relevant activities must be used as a vehicle to teach a rich, broad, and rigorous curriculum that incorporates new skills students need for success in the 21st century. Any future discussions of these ideas should ALWAYS include teachers, counselors, other k-12 educators, and even students (when age appropriate.)

There is probably no better place to start exploring what the new curriculum for schools should be than to go to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills – www.21stcenturyskills.org. Add to this the Kansas Career Pipeline (www.kansascareerpipeline.org) and the doors of opportunity open for education and business to connect AND for our students to expand their future horizons.

Support from business, tools and resources to transform our schools, time for educators to plan and integrate project based learning: all of these elements are necessary ingredients to empower and engage our students. With smart, strategic partnerships and true collaboration, our students will be the winners!

The Next Secretary of Education in the U.S.?

2008-10-27T15:58:00.002-04:00

During the past week, I spent two days serving as part of a national “Expert Panel” discussing how we could do a better job of helping beginning teachers (and all educators) incorporate developmentally appropriate practices into our work. Let’s face it – there are things that we do in schools even though we know they aren’t the best educational practice. For example, we have high school students begin their day around 7:30 AM even though research has shown they will do better academically by starting a couple of hours later.

It was a real privilege to represent the teaching profession amongst this group of cognitive psychologists and professors of education from prestigious universities across the country. Maybe the most impressive individual was one of the co-chairs, Professor Linda Darling-Hammond from Stanford University. She truly understands the realities of teaching in today’s public schools. She also understands what needs to be fixed with NCLB. She even understands that paying teachers based on their student’s test scores is a very bad strategy.

Dr. Darling-Hammond left a bit early on the second day. In addition to her many other duties, she is the chief policy analyst on education issues for Senator Barack Obama. She left to participate in a debate with the chief policy analyst for Senator John McCain, former Superintendent of Public Instruction from Arizona, Lisa Graham Keegan.

There could be no clearer contrast for me – Dr Darling-Hammond collaborates with NEA and has a positive agenda for improving schools in the U.S. Ms. Keegan sees vouchers, private schools, and pay for test scores as the best course for public education. I sincerely hope that Dr. Darling-Hammond is the next Secretary of Education in the U.S. because the alternative could mean that the Department of Education goes from bad to worse (yes, worse than calling teachers terrorists!)

Policy Pundits versus Pratitioners: KNEA Teachers Shine!

2008-10-20T06:18:00.003-04:00

I spent much of last week chairing the Accreditation Board of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in Washington, DC. NCATE establishes standards for preparation of teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. Then, teams of practitioners review schools/colleges of education every seven years to determine if they are nationally accredited.

In addition to reviewing 63 colleges and universities, we took time to invite a panel of “experts” to talk about the future of teacher preparation. The panel included a range of speakers – from the Ohio Commissioner of Education to a couple of pundits with limited real school experience (but many opinions.)

Some ideas they shared were fine. Others were troublesome. For example, a non-teacher suggested that we lower standards for teachers and then use high-paid specialists to diagnose student needs and prescribe interventions for the “education workers” to implement. It is kind of a medical model… a high paid physician sees the student for a few minutes to prescribe for the nursing staff to “treat” the student.

I’m guessing that most parents really DO want their child to have a qualified, caring teacher. We have the best results helping students learn when their teacher works directly with them in a manner that demonstrates genuine caring. Teaching is about skill as an educator… AND about the dispositions that teachers possess. As teachers, we want to make a difference. Every child deserves a great teacher that cares. In Kansas, that is what we have had for many years and we must work to ensure that it continues.

Also on a positive note, the staff at NCATE reported to me that they LOVE having teachers from Kansas serve on their accreditation visits and boards. National folks tell me that we, in Kansas, have extremely professional, knowledgeable educators. That may be why we are the only state with TWO teachers on the Unit Accreditation Board! Just for your information, KNEA’s Advisory Councils online will be a place we will look for teachers who demonstrate expertise and their willingness to be a voice for public education. We'll tap these folks when opportunities for national appointments arise. I hope our members are joining those communities of practitioners where we can work together to raise our skills and energize our advocacy for great schools and a great profession.

Keep up the great work!

21st Century Skills and Satanta, KS

2008-10-13T07:57:00.007-04:00

Rural districts in many parts of Kansas are under tremendous pressure to maintain quality schools and to fill teaching vacancies when retirements occur. Schools are at the heart of whether a community can survive and thrive.

That’s why I appreciated the chance to spend a day last week in Satanta, KS. For much of our time we visited schools in the district, met staff members and heard their ideas and concerns for their schools. I’d like to particularly thank Linda Nelson (KNEA Board member from Satanta) and Steve Taton (local president) for hosting a great reception for me after school. I enjoyed meeting the teachers and school board members who stopped by!

As the “main event” for the day, I was the luncheon presenter for a meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce. What a great group! At least 60 people were in attendance and my topic was transforming schools to prepare students for the 21st century.

For some, talking about 21st century skills in rural Kansas is like suggesting that their kids should all be prepared to leave rural Kansas to “join the global workforce.” Nothing could be farther from the actual facts, though.

Students who learn for the 21st century are engaged in real-world projects, solving community problems, etc. Rather than simply preparing students for 20th century businesses, rural schools could be getting students involved in seeing how technology can make their communities great centers for future work and life. In one locale, students are beginning to manage a wind-farm. With connectivity, we could have students working with startup business ideas that involve online work from the great communities of rural Kansas.

KNEA supports 21st century teaching and learning – authentic projects, creativity and problem solving, communications and collaboration – infused into a rigorous curriculum of core subjects. This MAY be the key to energizing vital communities across rural Kansas… so our grandkids will still live in town for us to visit when we’re old (someday.)

Pratt teachers make a difference in spite of NCLB

2008-10-03T09:56:00.007-04:00

Opportunities to visit classrooms are never frequent enough for me – being back in schools is like going home. Yesterday I had a chance to "return home" and visit classrooms, meet with teachers, administrators, and support professionals in Pratt, KS. Let me thank the staff in Pratt for welcoming me as I interrupted their work and lunch time, and especially thank Denise Roebkes for scheduling a wonderful event ending with a pot luck dinner at the high school with teachers from across the district.

I asked them, “what are the most pressing issues you face in your profession?’ This kind of question always raises some of the financial challenges to be a teacher… and it did in Pratt, too. Retirement system with no COLA, salaries far below other professions, student loans for the new teacher were all heavy on their hearts and minds.

But the FIRST issue they raised was how to fix NCLB and overcome the negative pressures of testing. I heard about a student who loved music class, but wasn’t being allowed to go to music any more since he needed extra help in reading… all in the name of test scores. Think of this: The student was being deprived of one thing that made school enjoyable; the student lost the connection between singing lyrics and learning to read; AND the student was forced to give up a broad 21st century curriculum so he would perform on a narrow slice of life - the test.

The teachers of Pratt reminded me how profoundly important Election Day will be in November. We MUST elect policy makers that will reform NCLB to include locally-developed authentic assessments, support for a broad 21st century curriculum, and appreciation for creativity and problem-solving. These changes won’t be easy, but this is the challenge teachers across Kansas embrace with enthusiasm every single day. Keep up the good work!

Welcome!

2008-09-30T13:42:00.003-04:00

We hope you enjoy reading this blog by KNEA President Blake West. He travels the state and beyond advocating for KNEA members and Kansas public schools.