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Greetings!
The temperature is shifting, the leaves are turning, fall is in the air. As the world around us begins its seasonal transformation - we are also seeing changes in the schools and classrooms of our Inspired Teachers.
Last weekend we took the staffs from two of our Inspired Partner Schools (Tyler Elementary and Webb-Wheatley Elementary) on retreats to build community among the adults in the building and establish common goals for school and student achievement throughout the school year.
"I believe the retreat has brought about a deeper respect and appreciation for my staff," one teacher commented. "I see that since we are in this together it will take the work of every one of us to be successful," said another. This month we'll take two more of our partner schools (Orr Elementary and Clark Elementary) on their retreats.
Our full year of courses is now up and running with a "Teaching Self Discipline" seminar starting this month. The course catalog is online, but if you'd like a copy sent to you, please contact our Teacher Education Coordinator, Kaneia Mayo. (202.462.1956)
We wish you a wonderful October, filled with all the good things fall brings! |
IN OUR OPINION...
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 What is a "Highly Qualified Teacher?"
The Federal No Child Left Behind Act is up for reauthorization this year and the Miller-McKeon Discussion Draft (PDF) of the new bill presents a much more comprehensive approach to supporting high quality teaching than previously existed in the law. Since we know that for each and every challenge faced by our nation's schools, excellent teachers are the solution - this seems like a positive step for NCLB, but only if the law recognizes that a "highly qualified teacher" does much more than raise test scores.
LEARN MORE: Read our blog.
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CONVERSATION CHANGERS
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 Does school have to be boring?
(overheard in a grocery store)
Parent: How was school today?
Child: Boring.
Parent: Why was it boring?
Child: We just did all this reading and
math... nothing fun.
Parent: Well, that's how school is supposed to be. You're
there to learn, not have fun.
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This is the common perception of school, and because many adults remember school being boring they have little expectation that it should be any different for today's youth. But research shows that the boring nature of our schools is directly linked to the serious drop-out rates and discipline problems plaguing our educational system.
Think about the last time you taught yourself to do something. Were you bored during that process? Probably not, because you were actively engaged in, and responsible for, what you were learning. We learn more by doing than by being told what to do. We remember more through experience than we do by memorization. Nobody learns in exactly the same way, so one-size-fits-all instruction frequently leads to boredom on the part of students who don't fit the mold.
Instead of accepting the boredom of our students as a normal part of the school experience, perhaps we should be asking ourselves what we can do to change this norm?
Check out the Inspired Teaching Philosophy, which presents a vision for what an engaged school experience should look like.
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NEWS
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Inspired Teaching in The Washington Post
Center for Inspired Teaching was featured in the Metro section of The Washington Post on September 10, 2007 in an article entitled "Center Focuses on Teachers, Not Test Scores," by Valerie Strauss. The article covers many aspects of our programming including school partnerships and the Inspired Teaching Institute. READ IT ONLINE.
Inspired Principal Institute Begins
In September we launched our first Inspired Principal Institute, a new program designed to provide principals with innovative tools for effective school management. This year's cohort includes principals from our partner schools as well as those from DC area independent, public, and public charter schools.
This year's cohort is full but if you'd like to learn about participating next year contact Angela Garcia, Director of School Partnerships.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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 2007-08 Inspired Teaching Institute Practicum Session
Teachers enrolled in the 2007-08 Inspired Teaching Institute will join us for the last Practicum Session of the fall in October. (The Practicum will resume in February.)
Tuesday, October 2 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Peoples Congregational Church
4704 13th St., NW / Washington, DC 20011
Visitors are welcome, please call Indhika Jayaratnam 202.462.1956 to RSVP.
LEARN MORE: about the Inspired Teaching Institute.
Teaching Self-Discipline
Decrease
the time spent on discipline by building student problem-solving
skills. Learn to create a classroom where students' behavior is
governed by their role as valued members of their classroom community,
rather than punitive measures or rewards. Develop strategies for
successful student and teacher conflict resolution. Location: Center for Inspired Teaching 1436 U St., NW / Suite 400 / Washington, DC 20009 Dates and Times: 4:30 to 7:30 pm Tuesdays: October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6LEARN MORE: and register online.
Chocolate Inspiration Celebration
It may seem like it's early to mark your calendars but it's never too early to start daydreaming about our next Chocolate Inspiration Celebration: February 7, 2008 - 7 to 9 pm Location: Embassy of Italy 3000 Whitehaven St., NW / Washington, DC 20008 Check out pictures from our last event so you know what you have to look forward to!
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Center for Inspired Teaching is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that exists to ensure schools make the most of children's innate desire to learn. We do this by investing in teachers. Please visit our website to learn more about our philosophy, programs, and results.
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