We hear a lot of talk of innovation in regard to keeping education relevant and forward-looking. Perhaps it has been used so much as to become redundant. One way I view the idea of innovation is more akin to a synergistic process. A state where the end result is greater than the sum of its parts.
For example, I once found myself in possession of a petite grand piano with no place to keep it. It ended up in my classroom. One cannot have such an instrument present and not make use of it, but how? My students were about to explore a poetic unit that involved the classic storytelling device, the ballad. We had also started a new behavior program called "Make Your Day". As with any behavior system, there will be students who are not on board with it and let everyone know about it. One might say they had a case of the blues.
I decided to use the blues to let them get out their feelings. They used the ballad form to create blues lyrics that we later set to music. I'd play the piano, they as a class sang their lyrics, and I recorded the whole thing on a CD. In the end, we had something new that was greater than each individual part. They each received a copy of the CD, and it was even broadcast once on KJZZ. I am willing to bet that those students still have a firm understanding of what a ballad is.
We are fortunate to have a large number of experienced teachers and staff in the district. By picking up many different and varied ideas and concepts along their professional journey, they are able to create their own individual and meaningful additions to the education of our students. It's not just my opinion. The state of Arizona also recognizes the value of veteran teachers. There is a ratio formula they use to evaluate districts. They are looking for a balance between veteran teachers and new teachers.
Arizona’s school funding formula includes a way to help school districts with more experienced teachers who may have higher personnel costs to keep teaching. The Teacher Experience Index (TEI) recognizes that retaining an experienced teaching workforce can cost more because experienced teachers are generally further along on a district’s compensation schedule. The formula provides additional funding capacity to qualifying districts to help account for those higher costs. This recognizes that it is important to retain veteran teachers as an important resource for student learning.
Of course, you can only have a large number of veteran teachers if you create an educational climate that encourages them to stay. Here in PV, we have professional learning opportunities for staff that support individual growth, career advancement, and organizational excellence. We are always seeking out and hiring a high-quality workforce. Staff are provided with comprehensive wellness programs to support individual and organizational well-being. In addition, there are mentorship programs and opportunities for staff to collaborate meaningfully with one another.
If innovation means having the final product be the sum of different parts, the quality of our student experience can only be served if we have many quality parts to bring to bear. Here in PV we have the kind of staff that make that happen every day of the year.
Tony Pantera Governing Board President