Author Archive
Movie Inspires Hunger, Feed the Spirit
Oh my! Julie/Julia, the movie about Julia Child is an adventure in Bona Petite!
As I watched with my friend and our husbands, (they owed us after taking us to Inglorious Basterds), we laughed, cried and I really got how cool this blogging thing is. Julie, a modern-day Ngener, struggles to find her way through blogging her cooking experience as she makes her way through Julia Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If you haven’t seen it, you must! Even our husbands loved it!
And…it is fabulous to see how they enjoy eating. In today’s atmosphere of dieting and cutting back, the joy with which they eat together is delightful to say the least!
Teachers, principal and parents…treat yourself!
Understanding Gifted Students
Gifted students are sometimes difficult for teachers to recognize. They are not always your best behaved, quiet, easily engaged students. They do not always appear to be high achievers. There are many reasons for this. If their ability is very different than their peers, they may try to fit in or be willing to dumb-down so to speak so they don’t feel so different.They may not be willing to take risks, since often they are perfectionists.
Gifted students can behave poorly if they are bored, and they often are. They may act out and although they are gifted intellectually, they may not be gifted socially. Therefore, they may have problems getting along well with peers. One indicator of high intelligence in children is use of advanced vocabulary. If you suspect that a student may be gifted, it is important for you to receive assistance from professionals who can enlighten you about your student’s needs and how to meet them.
Students Deserve a Complete Education
Did you know that districts are narrowing curriculum to focus on tested subjects like reading, writing and math? I know this is important, but to teach everything in isolation and out of context is missing the boat! Students learn best when they are able to think about and experience a subject deeply. That is why I am such an advocate of integrated approaches to learning, such as Waldorf education and Core Knowledge–both of which provide rich thematic units within which students can learn the standards of social studies, science, and geography along with meaningful spelling, rich vocabulary and background knowledge important to citizens of the 21st Century.
My question remains, “Is curriculum narrowing equitable for students from low, middle and high socio economic homes?” Are all kids getting a well rounded education that builds essential background knowledge as well as skills?
Excellent Education Requires Great Teachers
Finally, DPS and other districts are talking about the need to deal with the failure of forced assignments in raising student achievement. Such displaced teachers are often forced into schools that are a poor fit for them–leading to ineffective teaching and ineffective learning for kids. Public education’s bureaucratic morass, not unlike other ineffective government systems, is not about high expectations in this case. If student results are what our goal is, then we must reassess how we do business on every front. If our system does not support high achievement–and that is public ed’s goal these days–then change the system.
I am convinced that too much money is spent on higher management–not meaning principals as I understand the value of good leadership at the building level! More resources must be spent directly on the classroom. Highly qualified para professionals or assistant teachers would get the results we are seeking, especially in failing schools where there are so many diverse needs in each classroom. Let’s put our money where our mouths are–into our classrooms and with our kids. Remember, the focus is on learning!
New Growth Model Brings Fairness to Schools
Good news! Colorado begins instituting the Growth Model today as a means of measuring student progress on CSAP. Hooray! Such student data will be much fairer to teachers and schools in determining whether they are making sufficient progress by measuring individual student’s achievement over time. In the past, each grade level’s progress was measured , not against its own achievement from the year before, but against the scores of the same grade level attained the year before. For instance, Grade 3 scores used to be compared to scores from last year’s Grade 3, etc. That simply was not good enough. How can you have high expectations for schools when the state defers to a system of measurement that doesn’t give a clear picture of actual progress made by individuals in a school? I am pleased to hear they will now be instituting the Growth Model and that the state is holding itself to a higher standard.
Finding the Right School for Your Child
It is just about time to send your child off to school once again. Your choice of schools is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Not every school will be right for your child, so you need to take a close look at their particular needs. What is your child’s temperament? Do they have special needs? What are they interested in? How do they learn best? Once you recognize these, you will need to look for a fit for your child. What a great time we live in when you can make a choice from a list of schools in your city/town. Do the research to find a school where your child can thrive and grow.
Teachers Experiencing Reform Fatigue
As the new school year is about to begin, teachers will be bombarded by well-meaning professional development, intended to increase their effectiveness in the classroom. It is just how things are done in education today. Good principals try to temper these days with some community building and good cheer that will start the year off with positive attitudes toward student learning. Still, I marvel at the poor teachers who are ever receiving lists of things to do from the top (Central Office especially) without having anything taken off their plate in exchange.
Teachers are the heart of education. How much can one little heart take? I wonder if we are moving toward more and more symbolic heart attacks among them. Unintended consequences are already being seen among our teaching staff. Teachers are leaving the profession. Teacher efficacy is down. I have thought that this is probably the most difficult time to be a teacher in public education–and at a time when we so need great teachers.
Ask Principal Donna is Launched
Hi all,
This is an exciting day! Ask Principal Donna is officially launched. I hope you find a wealth of knowledge on education–opinions and research–that can encourage discussion. Education is an enigma that presents huge challenges to educators and legislators as they endeavor to meet the needs of all students. Whether you choose to be part of the independent or public school systems, there will be something for you on this site.
My eclectic background in education gives me a broad perspective. My current work to complete my dissertation steeps me in the latest research on educational practices and theories. Years of experience in private, charter and public schools informs my understanding of each venue.
Since my passion has long been meeting the needs of all students, I have steeped myself in Waldorf education, as well as Core Knowledge and standards-based education for over 20 years. I am primarily concerned with the role of education and its ability to nurture the whole child. Work with students with special needs, including Gifted and Special Education, have provided years of insight that will inform the advice I can provide to you. Ask away! I’m here to serve!
Waldorf Education
Waldorf education provides an approach to teaching the whole child that is proving to be timeless. It continues to attract teachers and parents who want an education that is nurturing and fosters a classical understanding of the world. Waldorf schools make up the largest association of independent schools in the free world. Currently, there are many public charter and home school initiatives that are inspired by the Waldorf approach.
In this time of high stakes testing, do some of you feel that it is necessary to step back and reassess how we are doing business in the classroom and the school? Although I see the need for accountability in our nation’s schools, I fear we are losing the ability to meet the needs of students, as we endeavor to raise student achievement at all costs. Waldorf schools not only educate children, they become a center of the community within which they are housed. As in days of old, communities gathered for festivals and events. Waldorf schools are known for the strong rhythm they provide through festivals throughout the year.
Is Public Education Today Really Equitable?
Hey, folks!
Do you ever wonder if the DOE is doing the right thing as we move into this age of greater accountability in our nation’s schools? Districts have grown so large that teachers do not feel known or appreciated. Tested subjects are the focus in schools where large numbers of minority and low income students attend. Teachers are continually bombarded with more to do as we endeavor to eliminate the achievement gap without reassessing what can be taken off their plates in exchange. Billions of dollars are spent each year on public education, and we are still not seeing the results we had hoped for. I am concerned about a lot of things in education, but especially about the resulting narrowing of curriculum for all students. Are the needs of all students being met through when we cut back time spent on social studies and science? Is this equitable practice for kids in poverty who do not have the opportunity to learn these important subjects outside of school? Is a reduction in educational opportunities for middle and high status students driving them to charter schools who are able to maintain their rich content and course options?
