kitchen table math, the sequel: Teacher to Teacher initiative

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Teacher to Teacher initiative

Cassy went to a Teacher to Teacher conference in Phoenix last week.

Sounds promising.

I need to move to Arizona.
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12 comments:

concernedCTparent said...

I need to move back to Arizona. The best teachers my children have ever had are in there.

This thought becomes increasingly persistent in March when it's still snowing in CT.

*sigh*

June 27, 2007 at 7:38 AM
concernedCTparent said...

Wow! There is some great information under Teacher Training Corps, Math. Click on the different trainers for their presentations and material.

June 27, 2007 at 7:46 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

I thought I remembered you were from Arizona!

Naturally Ed was bugging me about the Minutemen this week, at the very moment I start thinking we need to move to Arizona.

Fortunately I happen to have Matt Labash's great essay on the Minutemen from WEEKLY STANDARD.

Of course, the fact that it appeared in the WEEKLY STANDARD will instantly de-legitimize the essay.

sigh

(This is probably a short version of the piece.)

June 27, 2007 at 7:46 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

Looks like the original article is available free online.

A great piece of writing; I originally saved it because of the writing.

I'm going to have Christopher read it today, I think.

North of the Border

June 27, 2007 at 7:50 AM
concernedCTparent said...

Thanks for the link. It's always nice to read something well written...

Now, here's a link for you from Teacher to Teacher initiative

https://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Sessions.asp?SessionID=122

Direct Instruction: Getting it Right in Math

"Shatter the myth that direct instruction must be dull and boring, causing students to disengage. This workshop presents a collection of strategies for the high school math classroom to increase student engagement and accountability."

June 27, 2007 at 7:57 AM
Karen A said...

concernedctparent--

I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying your postings at Mindless Math Mutterings. I haven't posted a comment, but I did want to make sure that your postings are being read.

June 27, 2007 at 8:12 AM
Karen A said...

Let me try that again. What I meant to say in that last sentence was that I wanted to make sure that you knew that your postings were being read and appreciated.

June 27, 2007 at 8:14 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

It's a great blog!

June 27, 2007 at 8:28 AM
concernedCTparent said...

Thanks Karen and Catherine... that really does mean quite a lot.

As you can tell, I enjoy being at KTM too! It's so wonderful to learn something new each day. Thanks to all of you too!

June 27, 2007 at 8:45 AM
Catherine Johnson said...

Do you want to post here as well? (I tried finding your email address but didn't come across it...)

June 27, 2007 at 9:39 AM
Unknown said...

concernedparent said:

"I need to move back to Arizona. The best teachers my children have ever had are in there."

My husband is a Realtor, we'd be happy to sell you one ;-) The truth is, we're leaving Phoenix for Colorado after this school year. The schools in Arizona consistently rank among the lowest in the country in per student spending.

The AZ Republic newspaper spent 3 years trying to help one school's kids to read at grade level by giving them tutoring and extra resources from first through third grade.

Here is an assessment from one reporter who volunteered:

"Out of 109 kids who finished third grade at Creighton this year, just 15 can read at grade level. An additional 33 are close.

Smack! Sometimes, good intentions run head-on into hard reality.

More than 30 tutors volunteering an hour a week, plus $120,000 in grants from The Arizona Republic, just weren't enough."
by Kathleen Ingley
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 24, 2007 12:00 AM

June 27, 2007 at 6:59 PM
concernedCTparent said...

The schools in Arizona consistently rank among the lowest in the country in per student spending.

Absolutely true! The rigor and teacher qualifications depend on your district. Our district made up the deficit with a suggested "contribution" of a dollar per day per child. They were also greatly supplemented by the community (business and boosters). There is a tax incentive to do this and in our district most every parent contributed to some degree. It made a huge difference.

Also, AZ teachers are not paid what they are in CT (which I think is terrible) but I have yet to encounter a more dedicated and qualified staff. I've said this before but my daughter's math teacher was actually a math major with an advanced degree. I haven't seen that at the elementary school level anywhere else. I cannot stress what a difference that makes.

And the gifted program was supported by administration and well implemented by the director and all teachers. Enrichment opportunities at every turn. They really have their act together.

It just depends on where in AZ you live and there probably aren't many districts like that one. If we ever move back to Tucson, it would have to be to be to CFSD (District 16).

We moved there from CA (private schools) and I never expected the schools to be better than anything I had previously paid big bucks for. Paying a dollar a day per child was a bargain in my book.

June 27, 2007 at 10:25 PM

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