Tag: White House

Why do I spend so much time at work?

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Last night, I came home extremely tired.  I’ve been working nonstop.  I worked through my weekend and I envision that being the case this weekend as well.  I haven’t gotten in before 8:00pm this week because I’ve been spending every waking moment in DC Scholars Stanton.  I say this not because I want admiration or pity, I say this because I wholeheartedly want to do everything possible to be an effective teacher and lead my scholars to achieving their academic goals this year.

It is all I think about.  How can I teach this reading strategy better?  How can I reach my lowest students?  How can I make sure I’m creating a welcoming atmosphere?  How can I be a great school teammate?  The list of questions–much like my to-do list– is never-ending.  Whenever I think I’m ahead, I think of something else that needs to be done because we are in an educational crisis.  The stakes are too high and I refuse to be part of the problem.

Earlier today, President Obama delivered his annual Back to School speech, right here in Washington, D.C. at Benjamin Banneker High School.  Although, I could not see it delivered live, I felt compelled to watch it tonight before hitting the sack.  I was not disappointed.  I felt like he knew exactly how I felt at that moment.  It was like he was in my living room and speaking directly to me.

In one part of his speech, he talked about teachers.  Below is what he said:

Let me say something about teachers, by the way. Teachers are the men and women who might be working harder than just about anybody these days. (Applause.) Whether you go to a big school or a small one, whether you attend a public or a private or charter school –- your teachers are giving up their weekends; they’re waking up at dawn; they’re cramming their days full of classes and extra-curricular activities. And then they’re going home, eating some dinner, and then they’ve got to stay up sometimes past midnight, grading your papers and correcting your grammar, and making sure you got that algebra formula properly.

And they don’t do it for a fancy office. They don’t — they sure don’t do it for the big salary. They do it for you. They do it because nothing gives them more satisfaction than seeing you learn. They live for those moments when something clicks; when you amaze them with your intellect or your vocabulary, or they see what kind of person you’re becoming. And they’re proud of you. And they say, I had something to do with that, that wonderful young person who is going to succeed. They have confidence in you that you will be citizens and leaders who take us into tomorrow. They know you’re our future. So your teachers are pouring everything they got into you, and they’re not alone.

President Obama, you answered a question that many of my friends have asked me time and time again.  Why do you do it?  Why do you spend so many hours at work?  I do it because I want my scholars to succeed.  I know through life experiences that education is the way to a better life for the kids I teach.  I know that what I do in that classroom could set them on the path to success or to a life of poverty.  I want the best for them.  I want them to love learning, and most importantly I want them to succeed in doing what they love most.  I do not want their life’s outcomes to be dictated by their zip code or their parents income level.  I want their life’s outcomes to be controlled by their will to make the world a little better for those coming after them.
Thank you President Obama.  You just recharged my battery.

A Day at the US Dept of Education with Arne Duncan

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On Tuesday, I attended a day long event at the US Department of Education.   The event, planned by Leadership for Education Equity and Teach For America, brought together 150 people within the field for a day of speakers, panels, and question and answer session with the highest federal education policy advisers.  The highlight of the day was definitely getting a chance to ask US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan questions and hear his responses.

Taking a quick shot outside the White House.

The day began with a brief tour of the White House.  After the tour, I trekked over to the Capital Hill Holiday Inn to officially start the day.  I heard from several speakers including two of the Department of Education’s Teacher Ambassador Fellows.  They emphasized that the department really wants to hear from teachers.   Both women are lifelong teachers, who are taking a year off teaching to go around the country, lead town halls and focus groups,  and report back to the department, among other things.   I got a chance to chat with one who’s interested in visiting my school and learning more about our turnaround work.  I hope we are able to connect in the near future.

During lunch, there was school board panel that was of particular interest to me.  One of the panelists, Tina Hone, At-Large School Board member in Fairfax County in Virginia, shed light on her experience as a minority on a board comprised of people who differ greatly from her on various issues.  (She’s a Democrat, most of the people on her board are Republican.)  She spoke about being willing to take a stand–even if that means you will lose the vote.  I thought that was so timely and extremely important in this day, when so many people comprise for the common good.  As proponents of the common good, we must not comprise on what we know is true and just for Americans.  I applaud her for her dedication and fearlessness in the face of opposition.

After lunch, it was time to head over to the US Department of Education to hear from the chief– Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.  Duncan wore some slacks and baby blue button up, which matched his calm demeanor.  He spoke for about 10 minutes and then went right into questions.  “I want to see more teachers in unions,” said a stern Duncan.  He said that more teachers need to be told to join their unions and get involved.  He said, “that’s where change will happen.”  Duncan also talked briefly about the egos of many reformers and how that mentality is counterproductive to the education reform movement.  I completely agree with his sentiments.   The back and forth between the “new reformers” and “old reformers” needs to cease.  I do not completely agree with either side, and believe that the labeling and trash-talk hinder our progress in the field.

Additionally, the secretary went on to answer a question pertaining to Race to the Top.  “Race to the Top is about pushing policy,” he said.  Then he adding that many states who did not win money made many changes to their policy that would not have done before.  I do agree that Race to the Top has led to significant changes in our education system.  I also believe that it did produce massive changes in a short amount of time.  However, I am very concerned by some specific policies linked to the grant.  (I will talk about them in future posts.)

US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and I

Furthermore, Duncan also went on clearly state his priority of pushing colleges of education to better prepare teachers.   He stated plans to track college of education graduates and how effective those teachers are in the classroom.  Duncan emphasized that it is imperative that we bring the teaching profession  to the prestige of being a lawyer or doctor, and that we must pay teachers more.  Duncan understands that many teachers find it difficult to live off their salary, and that is one reason why it is difficult to attract and maintain talent.  The department is researching ways to be innovative in the future of teacher pay.

Although questioned about teacher evaluations, and more specifically,  linking teacher pay to test scores, Duncan said that “… just because a system isn’t correct, doesn’t mean we do away with it altogether.”  I understand how he feels about this.  However, what concerns me is linking teacher evaluation to test scores without adequate professional development and ongoing support.  Ensure that teachers have equal opportunities to develop, while simultaneously evaluating their progress.

Also, Duncan stressed strategic push for more people of color–particularly Black males–in the profession.   He said that he has been traveling around the country discussing this issue, and related the lack of Black and Latino males as teachers has an impact on how schools are able to support Black and Latino males.

It was a pleasure to here from Secretary Duncan.  Overall, the day was extremely insightful for me as a classroom teacher.  Rarely do teachers get a chance to engage with policy advisors and policy makers so I thank the Leadership for Education Equity and Teach For America for planning this event.  While I do not agree with every solution Secretary Duncan presented, I did believe that he is in fact  seeking teacher input.    During the last panel of the day, the department’s Communications’ Director said it best, “We’re just the bully pulpit.  The real work happens on the grounds.”  I could not agree more.   The department can only do, but so much in their position.  It is teachers, administrations, and communities that can lead grassroots, systemic change.