Second in a series.
Re: “Meet a Different Breed of Candidate”
School Board candidate Kelly Kent was saying she wants to bring to the Board three elements presently missing:
Infrastructure discussion, instruction and mindsets. She defined “instruction” as meaning, “Are teachers able to differentiate in their classrooms? What does teacher-to-student ratio look like?”
Dr. Kent, a professor of neuroscience, defined “differentiate” as meaning “reaching the kids who need the most intervention. It also means reaching the kids who need the most extension, those who need more challenge.”
Sitting down with Dr. Kent, it quickly was clear that she was differentiating herself from School Board contenders of recent years by accenting specific classroom methods and philosophies.
This approach is distinct from the majority who dwell on the business of operating schools.
“Teacher-to-student ratio is a big part of being able to differentiate,” Dr. Kent said.
In her daughter’s third-grade class at Lin Howe Elementary, the ratio is 25-to-1. “Not ideal,” she says, “although it might be considered that with respect to the state. The ratio of one adult per 25 students means that the kids on either end of the spectrum have to move toward the middle,” Dr. Kent said. “That is too hard. That is why aides are so important. Just getting other grownups into the room makes a big difference.”
Question: How should a teacher approach a class of 25 students with several different levels of learning abilities?
“The only solution, if you have no other adults,” said Dr. Kent, “is to have kids work in small groups. That is why inquiry base learning projects, base learning, is really important. Especially with limited resources.”
(To be continued)
Ari, thank you for this article that explores my campaign issues. I appreciate the opportunity to further clarify some points. First, I do not believe the board is currently missing these three components. On the contrary, these are the ongoing issues of discussion in which I would like to participate.
Infrastructure is currently the most pressing topic on the board agenda, and I am eager to make informed contributions to the progress on capital improvements on multiple campuses.
Second, excellent instruction is best supported with great teacher-to-student ratios. As that is a mammoth and not easily solved issue, the real question is, “How do we work within our current confines?” We differentiate in the classroom, and in part, that is achieved by teachers leading small group learning projects that are based on the students’ interests and strengths.
I welcome the chance to share my thoughts on these issues more in depth in this publication, during the candidate forums, and in person with our citizens.