Teachers and the public schools are being buffeted by continual change - political, social, economic, and educational. In this turbulent and confusing environment it is easy to become frustrated and at times, pessimistic. In response, the CTA IFT Early Childhood Education Alliance (ECEA) has been organized to create a new environment for P – 14 teachers to participate in school change – one that encourages optimism and hope based on the great work taking place in our schools right now. The purpose of the ECEA is to build on the talents, best thinking, and wisdom of classroom teachers in order to drive the educational change process. Through the development of a virtual collaborative learning and collegial Internet support network, the ECEA will emphasize the importance of professional dialogue in the school change process. This change process will be based on the strengths, assets, and great teaching and learning practices taking place in our public schools.
The ECEA will be organized around the following key activities: a) Developing collaborative learning and collegial support amongst P - 14 teachers to introduce shared innovation; b) Fostering professional dialogue as a means of resolving educational dilemmas and challenges; c) Creating a statewide virtual platform for teacher driven change; d) Rethinking approaches to the teaching-learning process, including classroom management, planning, instructional strategies, student outcomes and assessment, and e) Redefining the role of parents and administrators in the overall school change process. Click here to join the ECEA and begin the change process.
