The Plot that is not a Plot
For almost two months I have had a secret, double identity – not actually hopping from rooftop to rooftop but plotting for the best possible future for New Bedford High School students. The plot which is not a plot is not actually secret, but it is destructive. I, and my fellow conspirators, are planning on blowing up (metaphorically) the high school and replacing it with something mostly, but not completely, different. Thematic academies. Teacher-driven schools. Empowered and engaged students. A truly effective alternative academy. Technology, technology, technology. An end to pointless battles over meaningless garments that shroud the upper extremeties of the body. Personalized instruction. Site-based professional learning. Lesson study and common planning time. 21st century teaching strategies that don’t base the beginning and end of all lessons with MCAS. All of this and hallways that have colorful murals and meaningful student-created messages (my fellow plotters don’t know about this one yet) is coming to a large public education facility (grades 9-12) very soon*. ['Soon' is a relative term as defined by various sources.]
