The Peters Group and CaseNEX have joined forces to help prepare educators and school leaders for the complex demands they face in classrooms and schools. The Peters Group provides professional staff development to school districts and schools throughout the United States and Canada. Stephen Peters, CEO, leads a team of experienced and dedicated trainers who have all been classroom teachers, as well as school and school district administrators. Our goal is to provide quality services to our clients to the degree that the exchange will create a solid foundation for teaching and learning so that “No Child is Left Out.” This blog will allow you to keep in touch with Stephen and with others who have been touched by his work. In our professional and personal lives we are influenced daily by the sum total of our experiences. Feel free to expound upon the rich stories that are born both inside and outside of school house walls.
Best,
Lisa Wilhelm &
Doran Gresham, Ed.D.
(Site Moderators)
El Puente Academy fosters a greater understanding of the student and community by empowering students. The Self-Directed Improvement System (SDIS) gives students greater responsibility in their learning experiences. With the necessary staff development and experiences, I would like to see students in our school acquire the skills necessary in order to achieve success with such an approach to learning.
This is truly AWESOME! GREAT work guys….
In the past month, i’ve traveled to 21 cities and met some of the most AMAZING educators in the world. I want to personally thank you for everything you do for your students each and everyday! You are truly AMERICAN HEROES! I challenge you to continue to BRING YOUR BEST STUFF EVERYDAY!
Stephen
Mr. Peters:
About two hours ago you spoke to our school’s leadership staff in Ohio (Linden McKinley–Tiffany Chavers, principal). I was the overly tanned white girl sitting in front of you with a white shirt . I came up and thanked you after the seminar was completed, and you said you enjoyed my participation in the seminar, and I told you that I would blog you later. I wanted to keep my promise to you of writing.
This is my 9th year of teaching, and last year almost killed me. I nearly didn’t come back to teaching at Linden McKinley this school year. Last year was my first year teaching in an urban setting swamped with the problems of poverty and violence. I had only taught in rural and suburban schools previously, so this was an overwhelming and disheartening experience for me. I came from a school district in Indiana where I was teacher of the year in 2007. However, I received a major reality check from my new environment. I was now being cussed at by teenagers and told that I didn’t get them, so I should just leave. After the first 9 wks, I almost did.
Around the third 9wks, God kicked me in the butt. He told me that the mission field in which I always wanted to work was right in front of me. In no uncertain terms He told me to love the kids into success. I couldn’t pretend to know and care about them–I had to work at knowing and loving them. I had to realize that kids are kids. I had to get over myself and start again.
So, I did and am. Whether it’s loving them with rigorous homework, loving them with high behavioral expectations, staying after school to help, or simply talking to them in the hallways, I am there for my kids. I realized that the tougher I pretended to be on the outside, the further away I was pushing my kids. I got real with them. I relaxed. The difference was palpable.
This school year will be better than last year, and next year will be better than this year. I have found my place. I am not the same person who won those awards in Indiana–I’m better, and I have my students to thank for it.
I just wanted you to know.
Thank you for giving all of us your time.
“My students do not pass through my classroom. They pass through me.”
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with me and others. The best is yet to come as you continue to Capture, Inspire, and Teach your students. Have a GREAT school year and my your students appreciate ALL of your efforts.