I have a sense of urgency...actually I have 2. Their names are Summer, who's a soon-to-be 5th grader, and Ethan, who's a soon-to-be oppressed/conformed Kindergartner (well, at least they'll try to get him to conform....). The Tom Peter's experience simply magnified my sense of urgency that we have a responsibility to actually DO something--no BUTS, no excuses.

I've seen what happens in a Technology Rich Classroom--the Kansas Dept of Ed grant program that focuses on creative and innovative student-centered learning opportunities in 4th-5th grade classrooms. The project focuses on supporting teachers as they transform their classrooms towards individual student learning opportunities. Through project-based (contextual) ideas, kids actually help create their own learning--the end result is not pre-determined. The project is a competitive grant program through EETT funds, that provides a teacher mentor and a variety of 21st century collaborative technologies--a laptop for every 2 students, digital camera, video equipment, projectors, and a variety of other student tools--to create a collaborative (yes--it's noisy) learning environment. Reimagining elementary classrooms? This is a great model! (See more at http://trc.altec.org )

URGENT!!! My daughter, Summer is NOT in a Tech Rich Classroom--and it KILLS me!!

Here are some of the stories I've heard in the last couple of days:

"My grandson--he's 4, and I'm afraid that the traditional school setting is going to make him "conform". It's going to be torturous for him and for me..."

"My son was 9 when he caught Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from a tick-bite. He ended up severely ill, with residual heart and immune system damage, and suffered from anxiety attacks. If it hadn't been for his ability to take classes online--through a virtual school--he would have dropped out, given up."

The Heroes & Stories blog will provide an opportunity for you to share your story--a story hopefully to help create opportunities for Kan-Ed to be the catalyst for REIMAGINING our world.
(Please do publish your email address so we can follow-up on your story!)