Talk Priority Schools

By Greg Johnson, NEA Executive Committee

On Tuesday, November 23^rd, I visited 2 schools in the Winston-Salem Schools.  My Association contact was Forsythe County Association of Educators President Tripp Jeffers.  Tripp prepared a full day of school visits combined with some discussions with Administrators from WS/FCS.  Accompanying us were Rodney Ellis, Vice-President of the North Carolina Association of Educators and Steve Snider and Denise Alston of the NEA Priority Schools Campaign.

Our day began bright and early entering the halls of Petree Elementary.  Petree is a turnaround model school that has close to 70% new staff, 2 new principals, 16 first year teachers and a huge challenge ahead of them.  From the beginning of our visit we were met with friendly, smiling faces welcoming us to their school.  From the secretary in the office, to the Assistant Principal, to the teachers who came to meet with us in the media center, you could just feel a good vibe at the school.  With Priority Schools Campaign materials in their hands, we talked about the road ahead and how they would tackle the task at hand.  Although reluctant to verbalize any concerns, the staff took the time to write comments about what was working and what needed some help.

Promptly at 8:30, a video announcement started the day.  Students from different grades gave out lunch menus, thoughts for the day, and ended with a cheery message to all the students to make it a great day.  It’s all part of the new vibe at Petree.  Staff and students coming together and working positively towards making Petree a great public school.  So far test scores are up, the community is supporting the changes, and best of all, the students are learning in a positive, encouraging environment.  The Home/School Coordinator (a full time person devoted to creating partnerships with the school and the community) talked to us about how the neighborhood has embraced the change, and is even looking forward to sending their kids to Petree, something that hasn’t always been the case in the past. read more »

By Paula Monroe

Does it take every one to help students succeed?  Do students need a healthy breakfast in order to learn?  Is it important to provide a safe ride to and from school for our students that live to far to walk?  Is a clean and healthy teaching and learning environment important to all of us who work at a school site?  Is a school nurse who knows the students and community a valuable partner to the teachers and school staff?  What about the librarian or media tech, is their contribution to student learning important?  Does the extra help that paraprofessionals provide improve student learning?

You’re probably thinking, “Absolutely, of course!”  Why do I even need to ask those questions?  Well, one thing that was abundantly clear to me during my visits to Cleveland High School and Hawthorne Elementary School – our Priority Schools – was the invisibility of these dedicated and valuable members of the education family, the education team.  read more »

By Princess Moss

Walking in the shoes of NEA members at our Priority Schools in Washington State.  Free and organic conversation.  This is how my day started and ended on Oct. 5.  It is a day that has forever left an imprint on my heart and soul.

6:45 a.m. – Met with Marysville Education Association President Arden Watson, NEA Director Kim Mead and WEA President Mary Lindquist at the Marysville Education Association headquarters.  Got a briefing on the two schools that we will be visiting today, Totem Middle and Tulalip Elementary Schools.  Both have a significant Native American population. read more »