TEACHERS ROCK

We had the great honor and joy to screen one of the TEACHED Vol. I films--The Path to Prison--at the Friendship Schools Convocation in August. This annual event brings together all the 1,000 or so teachers who work in Friendship Schools, an excellent group of charter and traditional public schools in Washington, DC and Baltimore (which are featured in our other short film, Unchartered Territory, along with their inspirational leader Donald Hense).

Friendship Schools prove that it's possible to serve both students and teachers well. We knew the students were doing well, but WOW at this convocation did we some happy, joyful teachers! This is what teaching is supposed to be! Sometimes I think we all forget that. These days it seems like it's all arguing about how bad the job is, how hard the kids are, how terrible the parents are, etc. Hopefully schools like Friendship will light a fire to treat all teachers like professionals, let them work together and bring out their passion and JOY. 

Ok, off my soapbox to let our fabulous new INTERN Josh Saunders tell you about his experience at the convocation. We are so happy to have Josh on board! 

INTERNS SPEAK! From Joshua Saunders

The tenth Annual Friendship Public Charter School Convocation was held on August 22, 2012. It was a wonderful experience. While I learned a great deal on the errors in the school systems and observed everyone's appreciation for education, I also had a great time.  I enjoyed the music and the entertainment. This event was a fun learning experience. I met Donald Hense, chairman of the Friendship Schools, and Kenneth L. Campbell, founding member of the Black Alliance for Educational Options. The speeches made, especially by Howard Fuller, opened my eyes to the reality of educational issues and how they affect students all over America including me. I also had a great time with Ms. Kelly Amis.  I'm really glad I went to the convocation.

Check out photos from the Convocation HERE.

How bad does it have to get?

by Kelly Amis

I am always amazed by what gets people passionately angry when discussing education reform. It seems that everyone knows there's a serious problem with getting and keeping amazing teachers in the American classroom -- and that there's an even MORE serious problem being able to fire teachers who are not good at the job, or who are even ABUSIVE to children! -- but when you begin to discuss why (i.e. union-created and strongly protected rules that make it nearly impossible to fire anyone), the outrage is suddenly directed at YOU. You must be a union-hater! You must hate teachers! (This reminds me of a quote from the classic film, The Jerk: "He hates these cans!"). As in The Jerk, this outrage is misdirected.

How can anyone deny that the profession is SERIOUSLY screwed up when it is impossible to fire people who have sexually abused children? We can have absolute proof of a teacher's indefensible actions and still not be able to fire him/her. It is great to see the media finally bringing these often-ignored issues to the forefront. Some articles on this issue, including an op-ed by former CNN analyst Campbell Brown:

Campbell Brown: Teachers Unions Go to Bat for Sexual Predators

Miramonte teacher was paid $40,000 to drop dismissal challenge

A California State Senator introduced a bill to stop the insanity and make it easier to dismiss teachers who sexually abuse children...but the bill was killed by Democrats (my political party, btw) who presumably are more concerned with keeping teachers unions happy than taking even the most obvious and basic steps to protect children. How did we get to this point? And, more importantly, how do we get out?

One thing you can do is VOTE. Follow your elected officials and vote them out of office if they choose adult interests over childrens'. Who killed this bill in California? Names included in this article:

Why California Democrats Protect Sex Abuser Teachers

Also read:

Why Is It So Hard to Do the Right Thing?

"He hates these cans!"

FIGHTING FOR EDUCATION EQUALITY IN THE CORNHUSKER STATE

by Kelly Amis

OK, I'm a bit biased when it comes to Nebraska (my home state) and people from there, but I believe this young guy named Justin Wayne has the potential to be a national leader on education reform. A lawyer by trade, Justin got himself elected to the Omaha School Board and is really shaking things up there (and taking plenty of heat for it). 

Justin Wayne

Here's Justin's BIO.

And here's a letter today he submitted in support of a bill that would improve teacher evaluations in the state: Justin Wayne testimony for LB 809

You know, I can't help looking at that testimony and, for the millionth time, seeing just how crazy our system is with regard to evaluating teachers. Can you imagine if, as a new employee, you were only evaluated ONCE a year -- that is, a person actually came and observed you doing your job ONCE year (and you knew exactly when it would be)? Then, after a couple of years, you might only be evaluated every THREE TO FIVE years! Justin is supporting a bill to make sure every teacher is evaluated at least once a year. I mean, that's how far away we are from a system that holds teachers accountable.

For more reading on just how important teachers are, don't miss these recent articles by NYT writer Nicholas Kristof:

How Mrs. Grady Transformed Olly Neal

The Value of Teachers

MUST READ

This article by former NYC Chancellor (and former Civil Rights lawyer, and former teacher, among many other acclaimed positions) Joel Klein is quite long, but worth reading every word. It provides an overview, and stunning examples, of how the K-12 teaching profession has evolved into one with so little accountability, professionalism and just plain old commonsense. Why are teachers paid to not teach?

We need to transform the profession not just for the sake of students, but for teachers too. 

READ: The Failure of American Schools in The Atlantic.

Year of the Education Documentary-- Turning into a Decade?

We are thrilled to be included in this new Harvard Political Review article about the advent and ongoing production of education reform documentary films that started about a year ago, Silver Screens and Blackboards.

As the article explains, TEACHED will not just talk ABOUT teachers, we will let teachers do the talking. Over more than two years of filming interviews across the country, we have learned first-hand that many teachers are clear about what solutions would eliminate the achievement gap, improve their work environments and increase the opportunities for their students' success.  

What's amazing is that parents, students, principals and many education leaders by and large support the same changes. So what's the hold up?

Today, education debates are incredibly polarized, reduced to ridiculously simple "pro" or "con" stances: people and reforms are labeled as "pro" or "anti" teacher, "pro" or "anti" charter school, "pro" or "anti" union, etc. etc.

The TEACHED short film series will try to break through these simplistic arguments and show what commonsense--and just about everyone on the ground--would have us do to improve schools.

THE PATH TO PRISON -- NAACP REPORT

I was very glad to see the issues covered in our first short film "The Path to Prison" given so much attention in recent weeks with the release of an NAACP report called "Misplaced Priorities: Under Educate, Over Incarcerate." It's amazing how consciousness evolves around issues at the same time; we had no clue this report by such a prominent organization was forthcoming when we made "The Path to Prison."

A very interesting mix of groups and individuals is stepping up to fight the unjust practice of, essentially, ensuring so many American citizens (especiallly African-American men) are pushed on to the path to prison. From an education reform perspective, this is the story behind the story.

READ ABOUT IT

Where Superheroes and Sisyphus Meet...

...welcome to American education reform!

This article was published today on 3 Quarks Daily, a very unique website with stories and writers from all over the world writing about current events, politics, literature, science and more. I'll be writing a monthly column for them.

Check out the first one:

WHERE SUPERHEROES AND SISYPHUS MEET

A Film of the Filmmakers

New Schools Venture Fund has posted videos from their annual conference, including the panel discussion "Schools Hit the Big Screen," which featured TEACHED and Waiting for Superman. You can now watch the entire panel discussion on vimeo!

We introduce ourselves in the first clip:

NewSchools Clip 1

They show the trailers in the second (including the trailer for The Lottery by Madeleine Sackler)

NewSchools Clip 2

And the following three clips present the entire Q&A with the panelists. If you want to hear why I decided to make TEACHED, go to 5:38 in Clip #3. Hopefully you won't be able to tell how incredibly nervous I was!

NewSchools Clip 3 NewSchools Clip 4 NewSchools Clip 5