Hite's expectations for classrooms: Rigor, engagement, problem-solving
by thenotebook on Sep 12 2012 Posted in Latest news
On the first day of school for students on Friday, reporter Benjamin Herold interviewed incoming Superintendent William Hite for Newsworks and the Notebook. Following is an excerpt from an exchange in which Hite speaks forcefully about the importance of engaging students in activities that matter to them.
Herold: I know a lot of folks in Philadelphia were excited about your hiring because of your background as an educator and because you are familiar with the classroom. As you have toured schools and started to go through your transition, and here at AMY Northwest, even today, what are you looking for in classrooms for the start of the year?
Hite The first thing is the level of engagement for all the students who are in those classrooms.
Is it a classroom that creates an environment where students are learning from each other, where students are able to find knowledge from multiple places? Do they have opportunities to problem-solve? Do they have opportunities to think critically? All the things about the classroom environment then become really important. So, that’s what I’m looking for.
I’m looking for individuals who are not the sole bearers of every piece of content information that students receive, but instead they are asking questions to students where that point of inquiry actually allows the student to think differently about their response.
I’m also looking for the level of rigor in terms of what we’re exposing all students to in each and every classroom and whether or not the expectations are high enough so that our students have opportunities beyond their time here in the School District of Philadelphia.
And I’m also looking for opportunities to provide our professionals who are standing in front of students -- and they are professionals who are leading schools -- with the resources, with the support, and with the development to continue to improve their science and art of educating young people.
Comments (11)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 08:08.
oh new superintendent. That means new buzz words to incorporate into lesson plans. thanks for the heads up on the right words.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 09:07.
Classrooms don't create environments. People create environments. Teachers, security staff, administration, librarians, counselors, building engineers, food service workers, NTAs, coaches, secretaries, and of course students and parents and communities create environments.
As a teacher, what I'm looking for includes:
- students who are ready to learn, able to behave, fed, clothed, and at least minimally equipped with basic school supplies
- basic supplies provided to me (copy paper)
- clear direction, support, and consistency from my administration
I am looking.
Submitted by anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 09:56.
You forgot school nurses! :)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 20:39.
Amen to this comment. How about having students that want to learn, parents that want to be involved and support the teachers, principals who are interested in being educational leaders instead of being there to make the money, sit on face book all day, slam teachers with crazy rosters while some of their preferred people are released all day, leave early and come late. How about that? Everyone wants what's best for students if there was support to go with it? Rigor??? Who is Dr. Hite fooling, rigor means crap if no one wants to learn--this all sounds good to the media that's all. Wake up America! The culture on Education sucks and that is why teachers have a hard time trying to educate!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 20:40.
Amen to this comment. How about having students that want to learn, parents that want to be involved and support the teachers, principals who are interested in being educational leaders instead of being there to make the money, sit on face book all day, slam teachers with crazy rosters while some of their preferred people are released all day, leave early and come late. How about that? Everyone wants what's best for students if there was support to go with it? Rigor??? Who is Dr. Hite fooling, rigor means crap if no one wants to learn--this all sounds good to the media that's all. Wake up America! The culture on Education sucks and that is why teachers have a hard time trying to educate!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 09/15/2012 - 13:56.
Why teach in Philadelphia then? Seriously. If you want to teach middle class kids, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. Our kids need teachers who are going to reach students even when they don't come ready. This is exactly the problem in the majority of struggling schools in Philadelphia.
Submitted by MBA to M'Ed mom (not verified) on Sat, 09/15/2012 - 15:03.
well said!! The kids in Philadelphia want to learn, I don't know why people don't hear me? Parents want their kids to do well also. But our lives in Philly are hard and poverty means we don't always have the money for school supplies or the organic nutricious breakfast, or the flexible with hours off corporate job, or the car to drive to school.
The role of a public school teacher is to teach the students you get. Leave the personal attacks about the kids and the parents alone. Teachers who complain about parents and kids are unprofessional and their comments are part of the reason as a parent, I don't trust this school district.
Too many teachers and staff insulting the parents and kids.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 18:22.
Blah blah blah blah blah.......
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 09/13/2012 - 19:07.
Dr. Hite, discuss the role Ms. Nixon will play in your new administration.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/14/2012 - 14:57.
Please discuss her role. Parents need to know if we will really have a voice. Most of Nixon's friends are in key positions. Who will have an answer for parents when we have to deal with nasty Friends of Penny Nixon. The Principal at the Henry School. Ms Rodgers she spelled her name and said report me. Is she a friend. I saw this interaction between Rodgers and a parent. I was applaud.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/14/2012 - 16:31.
There are far too many entrenched administrators - at school level and 440 - who need to go. They are part of Nixon's regime and follow the Ackerman/Nixon MO - bullly, bully, bully. It is appalling that they bully teachers but also parents!
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