Commentary
The SHIFT Chronicles is a new monthly feature dedicated to amplifying student voices, where those most impacted by the public education system share their thoughts, reflections, and experiences. In collaboration with FaithBridge SHIFT fellows, these commentaries offer a genuine glimpse into the challenges students are facing within our city’s schools.
It’s not lost on me that school shootings are a complicated societal issue and that everyone is invested in school safety. I am suggesting, however, that when we have an issue that everyone is invested in solving and we still haven’t solved it, we might want to start thinking about it in a different way.
It is true that DPS students and subgroups of students (low-income students and kids of color) outpaced the state on growth measures in many areas. But at the rate that many DPS students are growing, they will never reach grade-level proficiency. That has profound implications for their futures, and is hardly cause for celebration.
We have an opportunity in Denver to lead the way in how to equip students with these vital skills; to be the standard of financial education and cultural awareness in the state and beyond. However, for this to be possible, we need to create the systems and structures in DPS to last beyond any administrative changes, personnel movement and alumni who graduate from Denver high schools.
As students prepared to return to the classroom in Denver, Boardhawk asked teachers to share what they were hopeful for in the new year and what they wished for their students.
In the upside down world of schools, classroom teachers rank the lowest while those closest to administrators rank the highest.
From columnist Alexis Menocal Harrigan: It’s clear this email campaign did too much and missed the mark by focusing on self-promotion and not the immediate needs of students and families. When parents like me are seeking reassurance and helpful information as the school year begins, we were instead met with a barrage of grandstanding that did little to address anything we are concerned with at present.
When students saw teachers hitting the Nae Nae, they were elated. It’s a clearcut example of how Hip Hop improved schools. When teachers did the dance, students began to see them as human as opposed to disinterested adults that know nothing about them. Teachers connected with students in a way that was authentic to them. Connecting with students in authentic ways directly contributes to student engagement.
Each student brings a unique perspective, and I find immense joy in encouraging and motivating each of them in different ways.
One of our primary goals with Montessori on Wheels is to help children and families look out their windows and see their communities as spaces for learning and innovation.
SHIFT Chronicles: Amplifying Denver student voice
The SHIFT Chronicles is a new monthly feature dedicated to amplifying student voices, where those most impacted by the public education system share their thoughts, reflections, and experiences. In collaboration with FaithBridge SHIFT fellows, these commentaries offer a genuine glimpse into the challenges students are facing within our city’s schools.