As many of you know, the HOPE Foundation provides world class conferences for educators featuring national leaders in education. Recently, my former colleagues from my time as a Superintendent of Schools returned from an exciting time in Atlanta at the latest HOPE conference.
Here is what Wendy had to say:
I have been an educator for 16 years. The Failure Is Not An Option conference was the best conference I have ever attended. The basic message it sent to me is, “No Excuses.” Schools have all the tools and resources they need in the building as long as everyone in the building is capitalizing on one another’s strengths, collaborating, and utilizing best teaching practices. Successes were shared from schools in New York City that have 90% poverty and students speaking 17 different languages. In the rural school district I work in, I often hear excuses about how many problems our students have, which makes it difficult for educators to be successful. Our student population certainly isn’t similar to those in New York City. Therefore, our mindsets need to change about how to best work with our students. Success is possible regardless of the dynamics of the student population. It is our job as educators to figure out what works with our students!
Additionally, each of the speakers at the conference actually lived the mission of the HOPE Foundation. Each one struggled early in life, whether it be from poverty, broken family relationships, disability, etc and was able to succeed in life and help others in spite of it.
I refer to the conference materials on a daily basis to keep me focused on what my mission as an educator is all about. I am grateful to Alan Blankstein for his work in helping me become better in my life’s work.
Wendy Hite
I talked to Wendy after she returned. She was truly rejuvenated!! Check out some of the future conferences on the web site link above!
Tags: Alan Blankstein · assessment · conferences · education · educational leaderhsip · fun · HOPE Foundation · poverty and student achievement · professional development · school improvement · Shaping America's Future IV · teachers · training1 Comment
I agree with Wendy, in the sense that I feel both sides, government and teachers, use various excuses as to why things are being done as poorly as they are. Teachers blaming the government for whatever reason, and vice versa. If everyone was motivated to do the one thing they are there for, which is educating students, a lot of problems would be erased.
The climate right now is clearly political, with the students sandwiched in the middle to take whatever they can from the education system. And for the ones that feel left out because the curriculum doesn’t involve their way of learning, are left to choose other options, which might be self-destructive.
All in all, there is a lot of BS in the air at the moment, and it has to stop from both sides, and focus on the students more.