Urban School Triumph Wins Comment from Brearn Wright

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 24, 2013

Brearn Wright has worked in the field of education for more than 15 years. He has experienced education as both a teacher and an administrator. The world of teaching has changed over the years and with it the views of teachers and their roles. A recent article in The Washington Post has won a comment from Wright regarding the importance of collaboration among teachers.

The article focuses on the success achieved in the public schools of Union City, N.J. The community has a population of poor, mostly immigrant children who face an uphill battle every day. For some, it is an accomplishment just to make it to school each day. And yet somehow this school district has managed to thrive in spite of all of the challenges it faces.

The articles investigates the success achieved by the third grade "Dream Team" at George Washington Elementary School. Comprised of five teachers with varying levels of experience, they have helped their students to score some of the highest test scores in the district. None of them come from exceptional schools or background themselves, and with the exception of one, none has ever taught anywhere else. And still they take the direst of situations and turn them around into learning opportunities.

The teachers credit their success on collaboration with each other. Each week they are given 45 minutes to plan together. They use this time to share ideas and come up with strategies. Their classes are all comprised of different types of students, but they use the same general ideas which they cater to their specific needs. If one teacher finds something particularly effective, they share with the rest of the group. They consider their success a group effort, rather than focused on a single person's contribution. All of their individual experiences, successes, and failures, have led them to where they are today and impact their teaching strategies. Immersing their students in classrooms rich with vocabulary and opportunities to relate content to the real world, they continue to reach great heights. Lessons are taught so that they make sense in the world these children live in, yet they are still getting the foundation that they need.

Brearn Wright commends the school district on its achievements by saying, "The pendulum is beginning to swing and favor teachers. For the past five years, our country has embarked on demonizing teachers and blaming them for all of society's ills. We are realizing the complexity of the art of teaching. More importantly, we are learning that accelerating student achievement is not going to be accomplished through missionary groups working in schools or other gimmicks like revamped pay for performance teacher evaluations. Accelerating student achievement will only occur when we empower teachers, allow teachers to collaborate, and provide them the time for that cooperation." Brearn Wright concludes, "Keep up the splendid work Union City."

ABOUT:

Brearn Wright worked as a principal for District of Columbia Public Schools and Providence Public Schools. He has more than 15 years of experience in education and is a passionate advocate for school reform, focusing on urban public schools. He holds a Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum and a Master of Science in Education Administration. Wright is highly involved in professional development for educators.