TeacherDrivenChange

2012-2013 Grant Program is Open

The 2012-2013 Grant Program is open and IFT eagerly awaits applications from CTA members and chapters for projects and programs that demonstrate the efficacy of the strength-based, teacher driven approach to school change. Individual grants up to $5,000 and Chapter grants up to $20,000 are available for next school year. The deadline to submit a grant application is April 30, 2012.

Applications will be reviewed in May by the IFT Grant Selection Committee, composed of teachers from around the state. Awards will be announced in June. In the fall (and again in the spring), members of the Grant Selection Committee will join IFT staff to visit each project location and to meet with team members to discover their learnings.

Project grants are awarded directly to CTA members, although the funds are administered by their local Associations in order to avoid any tax liability to grant recipients.

The IFT Grant Program emphasizes the importance of teachers in school change from a positive, strength-based perspective. Grant proposals are judged based on a strength-based matrix that includes the following seven factors:

• Factor One: Future Oriented - Students have a dramatic, positive image of the future.

• Factor Two: Work Oriented - Work is valued, purposeful, and relevant to students.

• Factor Three: Student Centered - Emphasis is placed on learning over teaching.

• Factor Four: School Family Relations - Parents as strong partners in the teaching and learning process are encouraged to be involved in their children’s education.

• Factor Five: School-Wide Relations - All school stakeholders are responsible for the education of each student.

• Factor Six: Student Relations - Students view other students as supportive and interested in their well-being.

• Factor Seven: Results Oriented - Students understand strength-based thinking increases capacity and resilience to achieve goals.

The CTA IFT Grant Program is for CTA members, teacher teams, and CTA local Chapters. Below are important links for the CTA IFT Grant Program.

• General Grant Information
• Strength-Based Primer
• Frequenly Asked Questions
• Strength-Based Matrix
• 2011-12 Educator Grants
• 2011-12 Chapter Grants
• Grant Online Application (You will be directed to an external site- "CyberGrants")
   

Teachers Shaking Up the Conversation

CTA IFT Teacher Think Tanks are being formed around the state to focus on what's working in public education and what changes teachers believe should take place in our schools.  Specifically, think tanks will provide teachers the opportunity to voice their ideas on the teaching profession, public education, and the teaching and learning process.  Think tank conversations will build on what’s great about our public schools with the goal of making them even better.  Think tank participants will also have the chance to discuss factors believed to be important to the creation of a culture of success for students.

Factors Driving Success - The CTA IFT has identified seven factors supporting student success.  Grounded in student and parent interviews, teacher focus groups, and school-community forums, each factor emphasizes strengths over deficits, creating a teaching and learning environment where student, parent, and teacher assets drive the school change process. 

Think tank participants will help the IFT gain valuable information in support of a strength-based approach to school improvement.  The knowledge gained will not only help students but also provide practical examples in support of authentic school change.

Click on the links below to find out more about the IFT and the Think Tank Program.

• Summary of Current IFT Program
• Shake Up the Conversation
• Teacher Driven Strength-Based Change Model
• Teacher Driven Strength-Based Change Model: Description of Terms
• Think Tank Guide to Strength-Based Thinking
• Seven Factor Strength-Based Matrix

 

Algebra Success Academy Story

The CTA IFT sponsored Algebra Success Academy uses mathematics to create a teaching and learning environment based on student strengths.  Through the Algebra Success Academy students are learning that success is defined in many different ways – not just tests.  Success occurs in quite unassuming teacher-student moments that rarely receive headlines.  Teachers are developing an environment of hope and optimism where their students are gaining a sense of accomplishment and confidence.   Click here for the Algebra Success story. 

Algebra Success Academy

 

A Teacher Like No Other

Natalie Randolph is a high school football coach at Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C.  She also teaches Biology and Environmental Sciences.  She is believed to be the only active female head coach of a high school football team. Natalie loves football, loves teaching, and  loves her kids.  Her no nonsense, no excuses attitudes makes her much more than a role model for her students.  Teacher and Coach Randolph is a model for all of us.

During her second year teaching environmental science at H.D. Woodson Senior High School, Randolph was tapped to help with the boys' varsity football team as the wide receiver coach, becoming the only woman football coach in D.C.  After Randolph moved to Calvin Coolidge Senior High School, colleagues suggested that she apply for the open head coach position.  She beat out 11 other candidates for the position.

Coach Randolph offers four recommendations for her students:

• Have No Fear – People concentrate too much, on what others will say about them.  If you know you can do something, just do it.
• Show Up Every Day - No matter how hard the previous day was, never give up.
• It’s Okay to Be Afraid - But it’s not okay to run away from what you’re afraid of.
• Make Good Decisions - To do that, you must trust your instincts – and listen to the people around you.