As another great school year has come to a close, we pause to reflect on the outstanding work of our educators, both inside and outside of the classroom.
As we work together to develop plans and systems to better inspire student learning and success, teachers truly are the 'boots on the ground,' putting in the extra hours and hard work to make a real impact on the lives of our students.
But as we ask and expect more from those dedicated professionals, we also want to involve them more in the decisions that affect both them and their students.
While our teachers have always had a voice, they're now stepping up in new ways - taking control of their professional development opportunities, teaching strategies and growth opportunities for themselves and our students.
A recent U.S. Department of Education "Teach to Lead" grant led to the establishment of a new teacher-led professional development think tank comprised of more than 20 Hamilton County teachers. Those educators are changing the ways we develop teaching talent through their collective brainstorming, research and exploring new tactics for teacher development. Through our growing emphasis on teacher leadership and empowerment, it is only fitting that the upcoming Hamilton County Department of Education Engage conference is, for the first time, entirely teacher-led and teacher-organized. This two-day conference to be held in late July will encourage innovation and engagement in the classroom through seminars, engaging speakers and discussion.
Teachers are also working together to ensure our children are engaged and inspired. This year saw the launch of Science Sparks, a nine-week fourth-grade science program developed and implemented by Hamilton County teachers. Through Science Sparks, 1,800 fourth-graders, who once received only weekly science lessons, are now falling in love with science through fun, hands-on lessons every day.
The same is true in a new arts program developed for second-graders in our schools. Our "Cue the Artists" program was developed by local educators to provide a full semester of art instruction to 1,160 second-grade students. The district hopes, with additional funding, to expand those art and science pilot programs to multiple grades.
This trend toward teacher leadership is present even in our keystone programs, such as the Volkswagen Mechatronics Akademie. Our local leaders and administrators have received much of the acclaim with the Akademie, but what is not as well known is that much of the program's success is due to two teachers working actively behind the scenes every day to maintain the partnership and prepare our students for careers.
Giving educators a voice in their career growth will not only benefit them and our children, but it also goes a long way in helping the district attract and retain the very best talent as we work to magnify the results of our most engaged and effective teachers.
One of our greatest gifts is our teachers. They just need the resources and the opportunity to explore the new and innovative ways that can help us produce students who are truly ready for college and career - and ready to contribute in so many ways for the benefit of our entire community.
Jill Levine is the chief academic officer at the Hamilton County Department of Education.