Disrupting Class...

I'm in Memphis, TN, at the TURN Conference. This conference focused predominantly on teacher empowerment, autonomy, and innovation. Our conversations continued discussions from the fall meeting based on the book Disrupting Class by Clayton Christensen. Richard Ingersoll from UPenn also discussed teacher empowerment based on his latest book, and its effects in retention of teachers and the overall success of schools. Click here to see the powerpoint presentation.

DCTA and DPS presented the RFP process, and shared details of our proposed Mathematics and Science Leadership Academy. The Boston Teachers Union and United Federation of Teachers also presented overviews of their schools.

Thanks to Ethan Hemming from the DPS New Schools Office, as well as Melissa Verdeal, Elaine Giromini, and Melanie Mitchell from DCTA for presenting.

Next week we are gathering some local leaders and staff to talk about how this work can be continued in Colorado.

Adelante!

http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_11520256

I submitted a Speakout to the Denver Post that was published in Today's paper. It focuses on our Mathematics and Science Leadership Academy, as well as the need to create a high quality induction and mentoring program for our teachers.

Labor Calls for Unity!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/us/08labor.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Labor%20Calls%20for%20Unity%20After%20Years%20of%20Division%20&st=cse

Here's a great article on a meeting of the 12 largest labor unions including NEA. Enjoy!

DCTA Statement on the Superintendent Search

January 7, 2009


DPS Board of Education
900 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203


Dear President Peña and Members of the Board,

The Denver Classroom Teachers Association is looking forward to our continued work with the Denver Public Schools. In this time of transition, educational excellence is of utmost importance to our teachers and students. We have accomplished a lot in the last few months, and we want to keep moving forward.

One of the foremost challenges we face is bringing in new leadership. DCTA strongly encourages the district to conduct a national search to find a candidate for superintendent who has a strong education background. We believe a transparent process is critical to engaging the community and other district stakeholders.

The Denver community has played a significant role in the school district over the last year, and their continued involvement is imperative to the success of our students. They will be a valuable asset in the search for a new superintendent.

DCTA looks forward to continuing our collaborative efforts to improve the teaching and learning environments of our schools. We want to acknowledge and thank the Board of Education for all of their hard work.


On behalf of the DCTA Board of Directors,

Kim Ursetta, NBCT
President

Who's in the box, who's out?

I am continually amazed by the perceptions of the media in Colorado when talking about DCTA. Our recently retired Executive Director, Bruce Dickinson always told us that it's hard to be a prophet in your own land.

Across the country, DCTA is hailed as a progressive teachers union; willing to try new things; and even called "out of the box" which led to becoming charter members of the Teachers Union Reform Network . Some other teachers unions resent us and feel that we crossed the line when it comes to alternative compensation. Though most were intrigued by the thought of DCTA starting a school next fall, we even heard "there goes DCTA again... what are they doing now?" Yet, our friends in Denver continue to bash us for being too "in the box."
Oh, the irony...

I must remind you that DCTA (THE TEACHERS UNION) worked with the district to create the first CDMs in the country, Instructional Issues Council, School Leadership Teams, Beacon Schools, and ProComp. All of these efforts were groundbreaking in CO and are being modeled across the country. We did all of this so that we could work together to increase student achievement.

We also put together our own suggestions on how to increase student achievement called "Promoting School Success." In fact, both papers wrote supportive editorials about our plan.

I am very proud of our union members, and their willingness to try new things. Now, we are working with the district on case loads for Specialized Service Providers, and the Professional Practices Work Group to revamp our induction, mentoring, remediation, evaluation and dismissal processes. By the way, everything listed was negotiated and agreed upon by our teachers.

Are there other teachers unions like us in Colorado? Is DCTA in or out of the box?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U

NCUEA Fall Conference

This weekend, Melissa (VP), Lawrence (Treasurer) and I are attending the fall conference of the National Council of Urban Education Associations. We spent time in various sessions. I chose to attend sessions on new teacher induction, mentoring, and web enhancement. We also spent time on new business items pertaining to education funding, the development of a teaching learning institute, and issues related to the reauthorization of NCLB. It's a great opportunity to learn about things happening across the country, network, and gather resources to support DCTA programs. We are always asked about ProComp, and spent time talking with various unions about the settlement also.