Dear Everyone Learning @ Amherst, Region, and Pelham Schools:
Outside of being in classrooms and development meetings where kids and adults are learning, respectively, the best part of my job is interviewing teachers.
When I interview a teacher, s/he has already been selected with others to be interviewed at the school, has interviewed with an interview team and a department head, and has interviewed with the principal. I just completed an interview with a candidate who was interviewed by a team of students. In many instances, the teacher has been observed teaching a "model lesson." In addition, I get to read all the academic reference checks that our administrators have recorded from the candidate's previous schools and settings. It is an impressive process and the results are as impressive.
So, by the time I meet the candidate, s/he has been immersed in our schools. My questions are about the candidate as a teacher in general, not about content. I am curious about their mission, their expectations, their ability to build rapport for student learning, their individualized perception which is the root of "differentiation," their talents in innovation and activation, and a variety of other topics depending on the position. I will always contend that while there is a science of teaching, teaching is a gift - that, yes, there are born teachers - and when we find those teachers and keep them developing all, not some, all of our kids blossom and reach new heights.
But that's not what I wanted to write about here.
See the good!
As I listen to these candidates, no different than when I walk through the schools, I get to hear their perceptions of what THEY have observed and sensed in our schools. THEY are impressed. Through their lens they talk about the richness of the interviews, the high degree of professionalism, the intense focus that those interviewing them had on content and learning, the breadth of our programs, and the mission of the administrators and the schools as a whole. I could go on and on. I heard the same perspectives interviewing dozens of principal candidates earlier this year. My point? It is a fascinating and remarkable reminder of just how good our schools are.
In spite of the wonderful newspaper articles about the contest winners, the projects that make for great pictures, and the activities that get publicized, the proverbial buzz is about the problems that, of course, occur or the issue that just lingers. We're not perfect in spite of trying and some decisions or actions may not reach 100% agreement or consensus. Still, we move forward and will keep our focus on students. On other issues, where all may not agree, I am convinced that committed adults will work as hard as they can to make something work for which they are passionate.
I wish you could spend time listening to our teachers and administrators just talk about kids and curriculum and projects and school, no specific topic, just about all that makes up school and how enthusiastic they are to make it work well. I wish you could walk through the halls with a principal - no specific agenda or topic - just get a glimpse of all that is going on and all that goes on to make it work.
There's a lot of good; in fact, there's a lot of amazing and impressive! Knowing there is always room for improvement and seeing that our "to do" list and goals lists are lengthy, it is good to be reminded that there are impressive and amazing things going on in our schools and behind the scenes.
Sincerely,
Jere Hochman
AGENDA for REGULAR Meeting of AMHERST School Committee
7:00 PM, TUESDAY—May 20, 2008
High School Library
Call for Executive Session
1. Welcome
· A. Call to Order—Election of Officers
· B. Agenda Review
· C. Minutes—April 15, 2008
2. Announcements and Public Comment
3. Superintendent's Update
· A. Wildwood Elementary School Environmental Award
4. Unfinished/Continuing Business
· A. Marks Meadow Portable Building
· B. Policies
o 600.01 Goals of Instructional Program
o 600.05 Instruction: Enrichment
o 500.01 Financial Management: Fiscal Management Goals
o 500.02 Fiscal Accounting and Reporting
o 500.04 Purchasing
o 500.05 Revenues from Investments
o 500.06 Audits
5. New Business
· A. Accept Gifts: Amherst Education Foundation for $1,300; Sophie Kinder Memorial Donation for $100.00
6. Reports
· A. Elementary Schools Organization Report
7. School Committee Planning
· A. Calendar review
· B. Items for upcoming
· C. Sub-committee reports
8. Adjournment