David S. Berezin, a 40-year-old CPA, had a successful experience as a high school teacher for two hours. His stories about his work-related moments captivated the students, and even the sleepy girl in class responded thoughtfully to his case study. However, this experience made Mr. Berezin realize that being a good teacher requires more than just being a natural in front of a crowd.
The Great American Teach-a-Thon, organized by Linda Lecht, the president of the local Education Fund, aimed to raise awareness about the skills and qualities required for effective teaching. The event paired educators with professionals from the business community, who helped prepare and deliver a lesson to the students. These "champions" also raised funds for the teachers and the local Education Fund.
The focus of the event was not just on raising money, but on promoting understanding and support for teacher quality. According to Howie Schaffer from the Public Education Network, efforts to improve teacher quality require the community to be knowledgeable about it in order to sustain progress.
Before participating in the teach-a-thon, volunteers attended three sessions. They were tested on their knowledge of the teaching profession and learned about the importance of teacher quality in closing student achievement gaps. Experts also provided guidance on fundraising and master teachers taught the champions how to plan effective lessons. The message of teacher quality was summarized in three R’s: retain new teachers with support, renew with professional development, and reward with recognition.
The teach-a-thon was supported by Washington Mutual bank, who provided $100,000 in funding and promoted the event in their branch locations. Many of the volunteers, who dropped out due to hurricane-related date changes, were Washington Mutual employees. The funds raised during the event will be divided between the participating teachers and the Miami fund, which finances various projects and raises approximately $4 million annually.
Legal professionals in early childhood education
Barbara E. Ruiz-Gonzalez, another volunteer, took a unique path. She initially trained as a teacher but decided to attend law school instead. Her decision was influenced by factors such as bureaucracy and lack of training in the education system. According to Ruiz-Gonzalez, teachers are often thrown into inner-city schools without proper preparation, which can be challenging.
Ruiz-Gonzalez, along with Mark J. Neuberger from the law firm Buchanan Ingersoll, visited Peggy Gordon’s prekindergarten classroom at Biscayne Gardens Elementary School. This school is located in a predominantly working-class neighborhood north of downtown Miami. During their visit, Ruiz-Gonzalez was wearing 4-inch-high black sandals, while Gordon wore loafers. The classroom consisted of 18 students, with 12 of them speaking Spanish or Creole at home. The students enthusiastically sang a welcoming song in English to greet their visitors.
After the initial introductions, Neuberger sat on a small chair and read a picture book about animals hibernating, which Ruiz-Gonzalez had found online. The discussion that followed quickly shifted towards the topic of dogs sleeping, as one of the children mentioned their own dog. However, Ruiz-Gonzalez, a mother of two, refocused the children’s attention by informing them that they would be creating a hibernation spot for animals. With assistance from the adults, the children calmly moved to tables filled with shoe boxes, twigs, leaves, and pine needles.
Gordon, 57 years old, explained to the children that this hibernation spot is similar to their safe place in the classroom, providing comfort. She emphasized this concept by elongating the "U" sound in the word "cushy" for emphasis.
Inspired by the Artistry
Nerissa Street was fascinated by the craftmanship demonstrated by teachers Tanisha Cunningham and Tiffany Bart in their 3rd grade classroom at the Bob Graham Education Center, located in the suburban Miami Lakes neighborhood with its large, red-tile-roofed houses. Street, the community liaison for James B. Pirtle Construction Co., decided to participate in the teach-a-thon due to concerns about the state of public education. Street worries that the emphasis on standardized testing and a rigid approach is hindering critical thinking and creativity.
Observing the classroom dynamics made Street contemplate how skilled teachers strike a balance between structure and creativity. When one group of students began to lose focus during a lesson that required matching school subjects with possible careers, Cunningham signaled for help. Bart quickly intervened by praising William for paying attention, which immediately settled the group down. Street was impressed by their effective use of group work.
While Street was unsuccessful in convincing any of her colleagues to participate in the teach-a-thon, James B. Pirtle Construction Co. donated $1,500. However, Street is confident that next year will be different, and more colleagues will be involved. Education Fund’s chairman, Mr. Pappas, agrees with this sentiment and believes that the teach-a-thon has the potential to become a significant event.
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