Mehta: I think on that point — would it take longer for teachers to become deeper teachers, or whatever you want to call it?
But in the 1990s, during a period of deep recession, teachers agreed to Section 1.5 of their contract, which allows the district to ignore these maximums.
However when engaging in deeper inquiry, teachers existing orientations featured more prominently in the conversations.
They have been a team for 15 years, and their relationship falls just short of father-son, but is much deeper than teacher-student.
These are: a deep commitment to teacher training, peer-to-peer learning and constant professional development, a deep involvement of parents in their children's learning, an insistence by the school's leadership on the highest standards and a culture that prizes education and respects teachers.
This distinction between a community of practice and a learning community has taken on heightened importance as increasing curriculum standardisation and high stakes assessments further narrow the historically fragile opportunities for deep and collaborative teacher learning within the traditionally structured academic department.
Unsurprisingly (because it's no secret), Tom Friedman named key ingredients of Shanghai's success to include relentless focus, high standards, peer-to-peer learning and deep commitment to teacher training.
"There's a ton of children here and the families are very kind and supportive". Geneva Cunningham, 9, a fourth-grader, said she was in the library when the shooting erupted and she heard "a lot of screaming and yelling". She said the school loudspeaker came on, and through it came the sound of a scream and then "really deep breathing". A teacher ordered her and other students into a closet.
Inclusion is widely considered beneficial for students with and without special needs and the co-teaching model at the Mason places two teachers in each classroom, allowing students to get more individualized attention and encouraging deep collaboration among teachers.
Her success in leading four different schools stemmed from her profound faith in the unlimited capacity of children and a deep respect for teachers as professionals.
