Investing in Teachers to Transform Schools

Dear Friends,

Below we’ve highlighted a few of the many inspiring stories our supporters made possible in 2009. Highlights include the successful launch of a new teacher certification program, induction of our 14th class of Inspired Teaching Institute teachers, and plans in the works for a demonstration school. If all goes as planned, 2010 promises even more growth. That means more children than ever have access to the rich, rigorous, and relevant instruction Inspired Teachers make possible.

I am so grateful for the many individuals, foundations, and corporations that have kept Inspired Teaching moving forward. It is hard to believe, but this spring we’ll celebrate 15 years of operation in Washington, DC. I look forward to sharing many more stories like the ones below in the months that lie ahead.

On behalf of the entire Inspired Teaching family I wish you the best in 2010 and hope that your year ahead is filled with realized potential.

Very best, Aleta

Stories from the Classroom: 1. In the summer of 2009, Maya Garcia took the Inspired Teaching Institute and credits that experience with "revolutionizing" the way she approaches her work in the 2009-10 school year.

Maya revamped her school's science fair, moving from the traditional poster-board displays and cookie cutter projects to using digital presentation software and authentic student-driven inquiry and research. Presentations included: using a pediatrician's hearing test machine to evaluate the sound-canceling effects of different types of earplugs, and investigating the effects of mints and music on test-takers' concentration. 2. Gabrielle Tucci is a first-year high school English teacher, and Inspired Teaching Fellow. But five months into the school year she already does much more than simply teach English at Friendship Collegiate Academy.

Within days of starting at Friendship, Gabby became the first female teacher of the RoboKnights robotics club - making it possible for female students to participate in off-campus competitions. So far this year the girls' team has been raking in the wins, claiming victory in a November championship in North Carolina.

Gabby also bakes for almost the entire student body every Sunday. She started the wildly popular "Brownie Mondays" as part of an effort to promote tutoring in her classroom after school.

3. Every year Inspired Teaching partners with schools across the city preparing and supporting educators to practice, defend, and advocate for a child-centered approach to teaching. This year partnerships include Oyster Bilingual, Arts and Technology Academy, and Next Step Public Charter School.

But interest in this instructional approach goes well beyond the District of Columbia. In the past few months we've had educators from Tajikistan and the Rural China Education Foundation visit our staff to learn about our work and discuss ways our teaching methods can be shared with schools in their countries.