Some notes on CONTEXT

Hi TEAM!! So here is the note about context I promised long ago. Lots of info, and I hope it will help you with your planning.

Last year, Three Fold distributed a survey that we designed with this PD session in mind. It was sent to numerous schools in the area, and 40 teachers responded. Ellen Bermudez kindly translated them all for us. Here are the key themes that emerged from our questionnaire: 1. Teacher Education: for most teachers, the position is a pit stop on the way to another career. This is not to say that they are not caring, passionate and capable educators - it's more that teaching is not a particularly well paid career, or strongly supported & funded, focus of the government. (This may be changing however). So some of the staff have about the equivalent of a grade 10 education, plus some training specifically for the classroom. Others have some university level studies. I think only one teacher identified education as their area of study at university. The implication here for us is that whatever we bring needs to be light on theory, and really focussed on practical strategies for the classroom. Jim, I think your area (learning styles) may be something that requires a bit more background knowledge/theory basis. I will leave that up to you to sort out. :) 2. Resources: most schools are very resource poor, particularly the public schools. Private schools tend to have more equipment and consumables for the classroom (but still not much compared to Canada). Think chalk board or white board, a few posters on the walls, and maybe a class set of textbooks and workbooks that get recycled every year for the new students. (Pete was in one school where the students wrote their answers in the workbooks with pencil, so that it could all be erased and then re-used in the following school year). This means that anything we bring needs to be sustainable, and not reliant on photocopying, handouts, textbooks, etc.

3. Technology is very limited. One teacher wrote of his frustration at the lack of a library and the realities of working in a school without a single computer. (At the Skylark Center, we will have computers and PowerPoint access to run the workshops, but bear in mind that most schools do not have those same supports). 4. Areas of interest for PD: a) EVERY teacher who responded mentioned that they are looking for ways to incorporate art, music and drama into their curriculum. I think this reflects a recent push from the government to move away from rote memory learning, and into a focus on higher levels of critical thinking. Of course the schools are starved for supplies to support art curriculum, and we will think about this some more as we get closer to the workshop, and plan what to bring down with us. b) Student engagement was a frequent concern. Some students are bored with school, and teachers are looking for new ways to engage them. (Sound familiar?!) c) A focus on learning styles was a specific request from the principal of one school. Jim, you are on deck for that one, and it will be interesting to see how the materials we bring with us compliment/support your workshops. d) Strategies to build literacy and numeracy skills were also mentioned by many teachers. Remember that we are working with staff who work in elementary schools, up to grade 6. Any strategies that build engagement, and do not rely upon a lot of goodies to sustain the activities are key principles to keep in mind. 5. Interpreters will be available to assist during the workshops. This will REALLY SLOW US DOWN, though. Keep this in mind as you plan how much you cover each session.

6. Please build in time for questions at some point in your workshop. This is a culture that values relationships deeply, and so providing time for reflection and dialogue will be respectful and welcoming. There is lots more to share, but I hope this is enough to get you started with your planning. Please fire off questions to me via email, or even as comments on the blog itself.