Last week was new teacher orientation at Mariana Bracetti Academy, my placement school. We learned some of the school’s policies and procedures and spent two days learning the principles of cooperative learning from a consultant from Kagan. The school has fully bought into the idea of cooperative learning, which is differentiated from “group work” in the structure and emphasis on accountability from each team member. All of the new teachers were great to work with and my experience at the school so far has been amazing. Every member of the staff is incredibly friendly, from the principal to the janitorial staff. On Friday, I started to set up my classroom, which was easily the most exciting part of the week. My room is small, cozy, and now adorned with posters which range from a list of classroom expectations to a poster of President Obama with the following quote written next to it on chart paper: “No one has written your destiny for you. Your destiny is in your hands- and don’t you forget that.” Other posters say “Excuse Limit: 0,” and “This is a no bully zone.” I couldn’t help myself and also included a Phillies rally towel and 3 bobble head dolls. Speaking of Obama, he is set to deliver a speech on whitehouse.gov on September 8th, the first day of school for many students nationwide: “On Sept. 8, when young people across the country will have just started or are about to go back to school, I’m going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education, the importance of staying in school, how we want to improve our education system, and why it’s so important for the country. And so I hope everybody tunes in.”
I am thrilled about this speech and wonder how this idea never occured to a prior President. Though I’m sure I had nothing to do with this speech, I wrote a letter to the White House two weeks ago asking the President to do just this in a tape recording to my class. Even better that he’s doing it for the entire country to hear. Next week, I have curriculum meetings and more policy meetings- kids come the 8th. Unbelievable. Can’t wait.
