An American dream
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality," John Lennon once said. These three weeks in October 2013 were my dream, the best professional and personal event I have ever experienced with 13 colleagues from all over Bulgaria.
It all started a year ago when I saw the announcement for Educational Leaders' Training Program 2013, organized by America for Bulgaria Foundation. After the approved application, interview and TOEFL exam I got the great news - I was one of the 14 lucky high school teachers to participate in this study, organised by the Institute of International Education and held at Teachers' College, Columbia University in New York City.
New York, New York . . . I had been dreaming of visiting the City that never sleeps for years. And suddenly it was not a dream any more, it was reality.
The day when we set out was my birthday anniversary - 6th October 2013. And I knew it would be the beginning of a new period in my life.
The first time I saw the enormous buildings in the centre of New York I felt part of this unique city. I don't quite remember what I did in the first two days - the only thing in my mind was how I felt - I was a small piece of this cosmopolitan place.
During the three-week professional development and training program, we had sessions at university facilitated by experienced teachers and each of us visited two schools, observing lessons of their partner teachers and sharing ideas about the teaching process. The goal was to introduce us to the latest pedagogical innovations used in the US education, foster collaboration between Bulgarian and American teachers.
The first week classes were based on Understanding by Design. We discussed and compared the educational beliefs in Bulgaria and The US at the beginning of the 21st century. Also, we prepared lessons in groups or on our own using the plan of the backward design. The idea of this popular way of planning in The US is to start with the final goal of the lesson, which is what the students should learn. Then, we focused on the essential questions we should ask in class, performance tasks and evidences of learners' success. An idea about our work can be seen in the presentation of my group, available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_pletB_SijUMGRydDl0SUtZbzQ/edit?usp=sharing
The second week was about authentic, formative and peer Assessment. In the sessions we discussed what students' marks 'tell' us and what remains hidden behind figures. We agreed that grades don't lead to deeper understandings of achievements and many ways of assessing students are needed. We talked over authentic assessment, which is about real-life tasks; debated on formative assessment with measuring understanding and modifying teaching to address problematic areas. In addition, we considered peer assessment as a way to help students collaborate, be tolerant and critical thinkers, who learn from peers' mistakes. We emphasized on a very important issue for the teacher, that is, to use a good rubric for evaluation. Two examples of sites for ready rubrics are: http://www.rubrics4teachers.com/ and http://rubistar.4teachers.org/
The third week was designed to be about Leadership, an issue of great importance in the US. We discussed the crucial and complicated role of the teacher - to be a leader, a facilitator, a lesson designer, a member of professional learning communities, etc. We agreed on the length and difficulty in the process of change that is constantly needed at school, and talked about the small steps and one by one followers in the process.
School visits were the second part of the program. In the first two weeks four colleagues and me visited Frederick Douglass Academy III secondary school in Bronx, a state school of about 300 students, mainly black. The school website is available at:
http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/09/X517/AboutUs.
Each of us had a partner teacher, whom we followed during the four days we spent at the school. My partner was Takeisha Babb, who is the head of the English language department. I visited her lessons, observed what the procedure to hire a new colleague was, attended a methodology department meeting and saw the results of an online exam students sat. Most importantly, Mrs. Babb discussed with me details of her work, her worries about the teaching process and the evaluation of teachers which was being changed at the time of our visit. Also, in one of the days of our visits Frederick Douglass Academy III secondary school had organized a school trip on Randalls island, a green part of New York City area, with the idea of improving students' social skills and create a team spirit. All in all, the teachers at the visited school aimed at encouraging students' beliefs in the point of working hard for their future. We saw in practice how all teachers demonstrated a leadership at a new level - not with the authority, but with tolerance, sharing and respect among themselves and to students. At the same time, even problematic students followed the rules and felt loved and cared for.
The second school six of us visited twice was Ethical Culture Fieldson private school, which is in Bronx too. The school website is: http://www.ecfs.org/. The mission of the school is to develop individuals competent to change their environment in greater conformity with moral ideas. This school is the one that we have seen in films and every teacher would dream to teach there - with excellent facilities, and respect between teachers and students. Pupils in class are up to 15, there are many selective subjects, a lot of opportunities for group work and technological devices usage for learning. Interdisciplinary projects used at school provide various ways to study - students were to participate in a trip to Boston, where they would discover the place of the historical Boston tea party, visit a famous spot for a literature figure from Boston and extend their knowledge on social studies. My partner teacher was Cecile Droz, who is of Belgian origin and explained that what she appreciated in the US was the collaboration with colleagues and almost unlimited resources to motivate students to learn.
Besides the official activities, we could feel the cosmopolitan culture of New York City with its unlimited opportunities, looming skyscrapers, enormous billboards, wide avenues full of yellow taxis and tourists. On the first day I was impatient to visit the heart of it - Times Square, feeling part of the world among hundreds of foreign visitors. Then, we were at The Rockefeller Center, one of the highest skyscrapers in the center of New York, and climbed upto its 62nd floor, called 'Top of the Rock' looking down at the bright lights of Manhattan. A few days later, lucky with the sunny weather on an October day, we strolled along The Brooklyn Bridge, and felt special to be part of the excited audience at the Broadway show "Wicked". The Central Park and the countless settings of films I have watched were unbelievably in front of me. John Lennon's song 'Imagine' I used to listen to for hours was real - I was next to the place where he used to live. Waiting in the queue to enter the 9/11 Memorial and seeing the notorious place made me think I was part of the world history. Then, I'll never forget the hospitality of The Pforzheimer Family, one of the members of America for Bulgaria Foundation, in Scarsdale, who made us experience a real American home. Last but not least, we felt really blessed passing by the statue of Liberty on our way to Staten Island, yes we were part of it - New York … New York.
The American dream has come true for me and my other colleagues during these three exciting weeks in New York. It is not only the place we explored and inspiration we had, but also the new friendships we made. Now, we share experiences and valuable resources and can't wait to meet again. In January 2014 five of us met at the American Corner of The Library in Sofia to present the program to the colleagues who would be interested to apply for the same program and be in our shoes next year. A few people came to listen. Still, we all know big changes can't happen at once. We have to be patient and persistent.
I have published my experiences in NYC in photos in the site tsvetelenataralova.weebly.com in section Qualifications. In addition, I did two peer assessment lessons with 9 and 12 graders, where students evaluated their classmates' writings and presentations. One of the rubrics I used is available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_pletB_SijUbkp2dXk2QnpKUG8/edit?usp=sharing
When I think back of this stay I'd say it's worth every single minute, and I hope some friends and colleagues will be selected and experience New York next year.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality," John Lennon once said. These three weeks in October 2013 were my dream, the best professional and personal event I have ever experienced with 13 colleagues from all over Bulgaria.
It all started a year ago when I saw the announcement for Educational Leaders' Training Program 2013, organized by America for Bulgaria Foundation. After the approved application, interview and TOEFL exam I got the great news - I was one of the 14 lucky high school teachers to participate in this study, organised by the Institute of International Education and held at Teachers' College, Columbia University in New York City.
New York, New York . . . I had been dreaming of visiting the City that never sleeps for years. And suddenly it was not a dream any more, it was reality.
The day when we set out was my birthday anniversary - 6th October 2013. And I knew it would be the beginning of a new period in my life.
The first time I saw the enormous buildings in the centre of New York I felt part of this unique city. I don't quite remember what I did in the first two days - the only thing in my mind was how I felt - I was a small piece of this cosmopolitan place.
During the three-week professional development and training program, we had sessions at university facilitated by experienced teachers and each of us visited two schools, observing lessons of their partner teachers and sharing ideas about the teaching process. The goal was to introduce us to the latest pedagogical innovations used in the US education, foster collaboration between Bulgarian and American teachers.
The first week classes were based on Understanding by Design. We discussed and compared the educational beliefs in Bulgaria and The US at the beginning of the 21st century. Also, we prepared lessons in groups or on our own using the plan of the backward design. The idea of this popular way of planning in The US is to start with the final goal of the lesson, which is what the students should learn. Then, we focused on the essential questions we should ask in class, performance tasks and evidences of learners' success. An idea about our work can be seen in the presentation of my group, available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_pletB_SijUMGRydDl0SUtZbzQ/edit?usp=sharing
The second week was about authentic, formative and peer Assessment. In the sessions we discussed what students' marks 'tell' us and what remains hidden behind figures. We agreed that grades don't lead to deeper understandings of achievements and many ways of assessing students are needed. We talked over authentic assessment, which is about real-life tasks; debated on formative assessment with measuring understanding and modifying teaching to address problematic areas. In addition, we considered peer assessment as a way to help students collaborate, be tolerant and critical thinkers, who learn from peers' mistakes. We emphasized on a very important issue for the teacher, that is, to use a good rubric for evaluation. Two examples of sites for ready rubrics are: http://www.rubrics4teachers.com/ and http://rubistar.4teachers.org/
The third week was designed to be about Leadership, an issue of great importance in the US. We discussed the crucial and complicated role of the teacher - to be a leader, a facilitator, a lesson designer, a member of professional learning communities, etc. We agreed on the length and difficulty in the process of change that is constantly needed at school, and talked about the small steps and one by one followers in the process.
School visits were the second part of the program. In the first two weeks four colleagues and me visited Frederick Douglass Academy III secondary school in Bronx, a state school of about 300 students, mainly black. The school website is available at:
http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolPortals/09/X517/AboutUs.
Each of us had a partner teacher, whom we followed during the four days we spent at the school. My partner was Takeisha Babb, who is the head of the English language department. I visited her lessons, observed what the procedure to hire a new colleague was, attended a methodology department meeting and saw the results of an online exam students sat. Most importantly, Mrs. Babb discussed with me details of her work, her worries about the teaching process and the evaluation of teachers which was being changed at the time of our visit. Also, in one of the days of our visits Frederick Douglass Academy III secondary school had organized a school trip on Randalls island, a green part of New York City area, with the idea of improving students' social skills and create a team spirit. All in all, the teachers at the visited school aimed at encouraging students' beliefs in the point of working hard for their future. We saw in practice how all teachers demonstrated a leadership at a new level - not with the authority, but with tolerance, sharing and respect among themselves and to students. At the same time, even problematic students followed the rules and felt loved and cared for.
The second school six of us visited twice was Ethical Culture Fieldson private school, which is in Bronx too. The school website is: http://www.ecfs.org/. The mission of the school is to develop individuals competent to change their environment in greater conformity with moral ideas. This school is the one that we have seen in films and every teacher would dream to teach there - with excellent facilities, and respect between teachers and students. Pupils in class are up to 15, there are many selective subjects, a lot of opportunities for group work and technological devices usage for learning. Interdisciplinary projects used at school provide various ways to study - students were to participate in a trip to Boston, where they would discover the place of the historical Boston tea party, visit a famous spot for a literature figure from Boston and extend their knowledge on social studies. My partner teacher was Cecile Droz, who is of Belgian origin and explained that what she appreciated in the US was the collaboration with colleagues and almost unlimited resources to motivate students to learn.
Besides the official activities, we could feel the cosmopolitan culture of New York City with its unlimited opportunities, looming skyscrapers, enormous billboards, wide avenues full of yellow taxis and tourists. On the first day I was impatient to visit the heart of it - Times Square, feeling part of the world among hundreds of foreign visitors. Then, we were at The Rockefeller Center, one of the highest skyscrapers in the center of New York, and climbed upto its 62nd floor, called 'Top of the Rock' looking down at the bright lights of Manhattan. A few days later, lucky with the sunny weather on an October day, we strolled along The Brooklyn Bridge, and felt special to be part of the excited audience at the Broadway show "Wicked". The Central Park and the countless settings of films I have watched were unbelievably in front of me. John Lennon's song 'Imagine' I used to listen to for hours was real - I was next to the place where he used to live. Waiting in the queue to enter the 9/11 Memorial and seeing the notorious place made me think I was part of the world history. Then, I'll never forget the hospitality of The Pforzheimer Family, one of the members of America for Bulgaria Foundation, in Scarsdale, who made us experience a real American home. Last but not least, we felt really blessed passing by the statue of Liberty on our way to Staten Island, yes we were part of it - New York … New York.
The American dream has come true for me and my other colleagues during these three exciting weeks in New York. It is not only the place we explored and inspiration we had, but also the new friendships we made. Now, we share experiences and valuable resources and can't wait to meet again. In January 2014 five of us met at the American Corner of The Library in Sofia to present the program to the colleagues who would be interested to apply for the same program and be in our shoes next year. A few people came to listen. Still, we all know big changes can't happen at once. We have to be patient and persistent.
I have published my experiences in NYC in photos in the site tsvetelenataralova.weebly.com in section Qualifications. In addition, I did two peer assessment lessons with 9 and 12 graders, where students evaluated their classmates' writings and presentations. One of the rubrics I used is available at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_pletB_SijUbkp2dXk2QnpKUG8/edit?usp=sharing
When I think back of this stay I'd say it's worth every single minute, and I hope some friends and colleagues will be selected and experience New York next year.