Become A Transformer

America’s educational system must quickly transform into a place where all children can learn and develop the skills they need to compete in a service driven, global economy.  Our new economy is facing more competition from abroad, and workers are becoming more competitive and more skilled.  This educational transformation must occur on various levels, and it will need new, bold, and innovative leadership from federal and state government, corporations, schools, parents, and teachers.

On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Then in October of 2009, the President and Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, officially kicked off the “Race to the Top Fund” in Madison, Wisconsin, at Wright Middle School (Cover Photo).

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has allocated $4.35 billion for the “Race to the Top Fund,” which is a competitive grant program to encourage and reward states that are serious about ending old and outdated instruction practices.  The “Race to the Top Fund” encourages significant improvement in student achievement and addresses improvements in the graduation rate.  Another key aspect of the program is that it emphasizes the importance of preparing students for careers.  All of these factors are of critical importance to our nation as we move forward in the 21^st century.

In January our national unemployment rate hit a staggering 10.6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.   A new study conducted by the Economic Policy Institute estimates that the unemployment rate for African Americans is set to soar to a 25-year high of 17.2% by the third quarter of this year.  The rate for Latinos is also expected to hit a record high of 13.9% this year.  And it gets worse: this past December, The Washington Post ran an article, which we shared on Teachersofcolor.com, showing that the unemployment rate for young (16-to-24-year-old) Black men is 34.5%.

Our educational system must do a better job now in educating and preparing our young people with the skills they must have in order for them to succeed in this new economy.  New solutions and new teachers are needed now.

In this issue we talk with the principal of Wright Middle School about innovation, diversity, and opportunities for new teachers.  We also focus on teacher leadership, special education, communicating, and motivating students.  To transform schools all of these important segments must be addressed.   So with a transforming economy it only fits that we have a transforming educational system.  With a transforming educational system it only fits if that we have transforming teachers.  Our nation, our communities, our student’s need transforming teachers.