Blogs on Community Partnerships

According to the recent MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, teachers, parents and students all agree that parent engagement in schools has increased over the past 25 years. Given the role that family engagement plays in not only academic success, but life success, that is great news. However, the survey also noted that parent engagement remains a challenge for many schools.

Much has been written about changing role of the teacher from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side." Design thinking, which is a dynamic, creative and collaborative approach to problem solving, presents a unique model for educators who wish to facilitate from within the class, rather than impart knowledge to it.

Innovative teaching and student engagement happens when prepared students meet opportunity at the crossroads of education. I saw an example of this powerful intersection when my students -- the Crenshaw High School Digital Media Team -- got the opportunity to teach digital photography and podcasting to adults 50+ at Cal State Dominguez Hills' Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

Innovative teaching and student engagement happens when prepared students meet opportunity at the crossroads of education. I saw an example of this powerful intersection when my students -- the Crenshaw High School Digital Media Team -- got the opportunity to teach digital photography and podcasting to adults 50+ at Cal State Dominguez Hills' Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Read More

As the old African proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child." One could imagine then that it would take a community to raise a school. We can't rely on local, state, or federal governments to take ownership of the issues we face locally. We need to work as a community to nurture our schools for our particular community needs.