Estimating the amount of Change at Sto-Rox

Dispatch from the 1-1 Conference at PSU: Josh Lucas, CFF Coach and two colleagues told the story about the beginnings of dramatic change in culture. Essentially, whne you've hit bottom, there really is nowhere to go but up. Committment from leadership and "agitation" within the teaching corps has begun to meld into an effective learning environment. Sto-Rox deals with a community saddled with a number of long-term problems that afffect the culture within school. Since the CFF and Project 720 initiatives have started, both teachers and students are energized.
Kudos to all, and a hope for continued cultural and academic change.

Paul Curtis, New Tech Foundation

Dispatch from the 1-1 learning Conference at PSU: Paul Curtis, Chief Innovation and Academic Officer (CIAO), explained that New Tech Foundation was formed to handle all of the site visits related to New Tech High in Napa CA. Has become a professional development organization that can convert schools to 21st Century environments.
RESPECT in 20th Century schools: listen to the teacher. 21st C: cultural shift - no single right answer, trust, responsibility, respect.

Focusing on certain 21st C Skills: Worked with WestEd - what essential skills do you want all Ss to have? Allkids should know and do - every class addresses. Do that now with every school wanting to become like "New Tech High"

Question for CFF Coaches to consider

The March 10, 2008 issue of Teacher Magazine online had a fascinating edited version of a transcript "Are Teachers Ready for 21st Century Learning?" in which members of the Teacher Leaders Network discussed their thoughts and feelings about their reaction to a Karl Fisch blog post from last year, "Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?"

As I read the article, and then re-read the Fisch post, I was struck by how much more we need to be having discussions about our commitment to, or lack thereof, transforming teaching and learning. Don't get me wrong - I will never, ever say it just takes putting equipment in people's hands. What I want to hear being discussed is, what will we do to make sure every child has a chance to find the spark that ignites a desire to learn? I would like you to read the two items and then vote via SMS in the Poll Everywhere widget at the bottom of this page.