Teaching & Learning “reform in a box.” Lily Eskelsen visited Corvallis to see how Oregon is doing it. She said she is collecting Oregon educators “like stamps.” And she is not only listening, she is talking about Oregon schools whenever she can. She spoke on local radio and on NPR while she was here, and she encouraged educators to go public with the great things that are happening — not to let the negative media outlets define education, but to get the word out that people are working hard and doing great things. The teachers at the meeting were looking forward to interacting with Dr. Rudy Crew during Saturday’s symposium, and worked on distilling their ideas and experiences to prepare for questions and answers with Oregon’s Chief Education Officer. Teachers described widely varying experiences working in collaboration with superintendents, school board members, administrators, and parents. Many districts are still learning to navigate within the new framework of collaboration, while a few have been working collaboratively for years, usually because the district administrators have been committed to the model. Turnover
of management personnel has been a sticking point for a few. Some have questions about what collaboration really is; is it just a chance for everyone to sit and talk and then the superintendent makes the decisions? Others see it as shared decision making, and have developed trust within their working groups, so that even though there are difficult discussions, people know they will be sitting down together and working it out. Some were encouraged and optimistic, others were confused, but all were engaged in the work and committed to continue with training and struggling to work through the differences and arrive at common ground with the people on their committees and in their schools and communities. Although teachers came with reports of very different approaches and experiences so far in their districts, common consensus was that it takes time, energy, and a commitment to building relationships and establishing trust between the participants if collaboration is to be successful. Districts reported on their progress toward their Achievement Compacts
and Educator Evaluations. There was a sense of mutual acceptance and interest in the room; while everyone was aware of upcoming deadlines, there was a feeling of “we’re in this together, whatever stage we are at is ok.” After a shared meal, the group returned to the agenda, this time focusing on challenges and opportunities that have emerged as a result of the collaborative process. A strong sentiment in the room was that teachers are tired of hearing about “teacher accountability,” as if it is the teachers alone who bear the entire burden of educating Oregon’s students. Teachers want to hear about “shared responsibility.” They want to feel supported by administrators and community members as everyone makes a mutual effort to do what’s best for the students. Oregon’s educators are leading the nation in ensuring that districts and communities work collaboratively in designing and implementing the best possible learning opportunities for students, and association members are determined that everyone involved accept responsibility for doing their part in this endeavor.
The OEA Foundation Thanks Our Partners for Their Generous Support
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he OEA Foundation is fortunate to have the support of thousands of members and staff throughout the state who donate every month to the OEA Foundation via our payroll deduction program. We also have some partners who have stepped up in a big way to help the OEA Foundation meet the most basic needs of the students we work with every day. Please join us in thanking and supporting the following partners for their great support of the OEA Foundation: GOLD LEVEL : a contribution of $1000 or more • California Casualty
• Associated Business Systems • OEA Choice Trust
SILVER LEVEL: a contribution of $500-$999 • Druckman and Platt P.C. • Hopkins (+) Sachs • ODS BRONZE LEVEL: a contribution of $250-$499 FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION: a contribution of up to $249 • Mele, Taylor & Westerdahl, Inc. • Wiser and Associates, Inc. • League of Women Voters – Rogue Valley
We would love to have you join this esteemed group. To get information and donate please go to www.oregoned.org/ foundation or call 503-684-3300 and ask for the OEA Foundation. We also have a great opportunity to support the Foundation at the Cinco de Mayo event on the waterfront in Portland May 3-5. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at this great event to support the Foundation email Hanna Vaandering at hanna. vaandering@oregoned.org. Thank you again for your support of the OEA Foundation.
TODAY’S OEA | APRIL 2013
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