Baton Rouge

One of the things I vividly remember from my grade school days in East Texas is the strict classroom rules.  You always raised your hand, you never interrupted the teacher, and you ALWAYS said “yes, ma’am.”   And, I’m pretty sure those niceties still exist in classrooms throughout the South (and across the U.S.).  But, when the tables are turned, and it’s the teachers sitting behind the desks, it’s a whole new ball game.

Today was an absolute riot for Racquel and me.  We watched as 13 teachers, ranging from first-years to veterans, tried to grasp the concept of how to adapt Apple-based technology to their classrooms.  Decorum was out the door.  The “students” chattered and laughed, spoke out of turn, and left their seats to “play” with their shiny new MacBooks.  Several times, their Apple instructor had to reign them, asking them to focus so that he could continue on with his lesson.

But even with all that misbehavin’, there was one thing for certain: the teachers were all eager and open to learning how to apply the technology to their lesson plans.  They know that today’s youth learns differently than that of previous generations, and in order to keep their pupils’ attention, the teachers had to become students again themselves. 

-Courtnee

It doesn’t happen often for teachers to become the pupil. But Valerie Jaques is about to get that experience after being a teacher for 21 years.

Valerie teaches fourth grade sciences classes at the Dunham School and for the next three days she’s learning how to transform her classroom into a digital atmosphere that includes brand new Apple computers for every student in the classroom including one for herself.

The problem.

Valerie has hardly ever used an Apple computer before and now she’s being asked to learn it, use it and applying it to her curriculum.  During our talk on the eve of her first lesson, Valerie said she felt apprehensive yet excited about what the next couple of days would hold.

She even shyly admitted to us that she bought a MacBook for Dummies book and that she knows her 14 year old daughter will most likely become her best troubleshooting source.

Well, off to bed for tomorrow’s early morning MacBook training session where Valerie says she’ll be taking notes with a pen and paper.

-Racquel

Funny Daily Tibit:

Courtnee rolled down the windows to the car, blasted “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion and belted out one heck of a tune as we drove down one of the busiest streets in Baton Rouge. Great entertainment, but not American Idol quality if you catch my drift.  I’m sensing a William Hung part deux?

It’s been a little like déjà vu.

Everything’s pretty much as we left it here in Baton Rouge.  The sun is still scorching hot, the food is still deliciously deep-fried, and the folks are just as friendly.  And, just like before, we landed here on a holiday weekend.  But instead of Memorial Day, Racquel and I had to work around the Fourth of July, a prime time for our local friends to dash off on their summer vacations.

But today was a bright spot, as we were able to reunite with Destiny Cooper, the creative writing teacher from McKinley High School.  It was great to see a familiar face and we got a chance to chat with her after doing a follow-up interview.   Mrs. Cooper and her class have been such an inspiration to both Racquel and me.  She doesn’t stop her work when the last bell rings.  She keeps in touch with her students over the summer, continuing to motivate them to excel in school and in life.

Tomorrow we will talk to another teacher, this one at The Dunham School. We’ll follow her as she prepares for a workshop this week that will teach her how to apply new technology to her class.   The Dunham School, which has teamed up with Apple, is transforming their school into a digital learning environment.

More tomorrow!

-Courtnee