Investing in Teachers to Transform Schools

Dear Friends,

Can you recall the last movie you watched about a teacher or our schools?

Most likely, the story follows a heroic individual working with challenging students, surrounded by a bureaucratic administration and apathetic peers. The teacher will go to extraordinary efforts to get through to the students, gain their trust, and educate them. By the end of the movie, the teacher will have managed to reach these formerly-unengaged students, and ultimately make a difference in their lives.

While uplifting, these types of movies send the wrong message: that excellent teachers are necessarily uncommon; that only heroic teachers will be able to reach all students. Center for Inspired Teaching challenges this storyline. We envision a future in which every teacher provokes students to think, create, ask questions, and play; a future in which every teacher is transformational.

Imagine walking down the hallway of a school, and peeking in the doorway of each classroom to see what’s happening….what do you see? Do you see fractions on the blackboard, and students sitting quietly in their chairs completing a worksheet? Or do you see students playing an active, whole-body math game? Imagine an entire school filled with classrooms where learning was fun, imagination was valued, and educational opportunities were created with everything from play dough to nature walks. This is the Inspired Teaching School!

In April 2010, the Inspired Teaching School received conditional approval from the DC Public Charter School Board. Beyond preparing children to be inquisitive learners, creative problem solvers, and thoughtful citizens, the Inspired Teaching School will create a professional community where master teachers work with teacher residents to supply a diverse group of students with a great education and increased chances for future success. Renowned education advocates and community leaders have partnered with Center for Inspired Teaching to launch the school.

At full capacity, the school will offer Pre-School–8th grade. In school year 2011-2012, Inspired Teaching School will provide inquiry-based curriculum for age 3 to Grade 3. Each year, the school will add one grade level until reaching full capacity in school year 2016-2017 with the addition of 8th grade. The Inspired Teaching School is already searching for an exceptional Principal and Executive Director to lead the school, teachers, and students to high achievement.

It is an honor to share this exciting news with you as your support has helped Inspired Teaching reach this immense opportunity for growth. I look forward to having more inspiring stories to share about our work and the work of the Inspired Teaching School.

Warmly, Aleta Margolis Executive Director