Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Teacher provides list of what needs to be done to improve education

I receive a ton of emails from folks who offer solutions to the budget problem or say where stuff should be cut or blame public employees for everything. But one I received recently from an obviously dedicated teacher had a list of what she says works at her Clark County school.

Submitted for your perusal (maybe a legislator or two will take a look):

1. Small class size. I don't care what anyone says, small class size makes a TREMENDOUS difference. Kids have more contact with their teachers, and teachers are not constantly trying to keep order with 42 (or more) kids in class.

2. Teachers are able to teach because the discipline issues are minimal. Teachers generally handle their own minor discipline issues if there are any problems.

3. As a magnet school, you are here at the start of the year, or you're not attending. That means everyone has plenty of time to learn and internalize the values/expectations/practices of the school. Teachers do not have to re-teach things each week when they get four new students, and lose three others.

4. It's cool to be smart and successful. Even for the typical "cool" kids that come to A-TECH because their parents made them, they realize really quickly that being a punk gets you nowhere around here. Also, kids get to be themselves around here.

5. In making it cool to be smart, there are fewer absences. Students don't want to miss out on the latest lecture.

6. Setting behavioral and academic expectations. Aside from the administration and the teachers, current upperclassmen communicate/reinforce the high expectations and classroom/school norms. If you act out and get little or no positive peer reinforcement, the behavior either escalates (and is dealt with quickly) or declines since it does not accomplish its objective. Having students who want to learn makes a difference. They know from the beginning that if they don't keep up with grades or have discipline problems they will be sent to their regular high school, so for those kids who want to be here they will do what it takes to stay. And if they don't want to learn or start problems at school they are out.

7. The Ambassador Program models excellence for current students. The Ambassador Program is a community service organization that is an honor to get into. The students talk to middle school students, recruit for A-TECH and tutor students at the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Gibson MS, Hyde Park MS, Walter Bracken ES, and Cashman MS. They must complete 45 hours of community service each year, stay at above a 3.0, and have zero discipline issues.

8. Short periods (42 min) allows for no wasted time. Teachers teach bell-to-bell. However, students are also able to express themselves and work on hands-on projects on two block days during the week.

9. Since there are no sports, CLUBS are huge here and the kids make an A-TECH community through them. Board Game Club, NHS, Key Club, Architecture Club, and even Bacon Club where they eat bacon and discuss literature, are all packed with kids. Again, it is cool to be in clubs and it is even COOLER to give back to the community through these clubs. Every year A-TECH wins ridiculous amounts of awards for their clubs. Teachers volunteer their time to run these clubs. A few recent examples:

FBLA: State Pres two years in a row

DECA: completely swept the board this year

The Architecture students consistently sweep competitions every year

10. Because of the small student population, about 1000 students, counselors get to know all of their students. This enables them to assist them with their college planning. The scholarship counselor can easily get info out to all of the seniors and match scholarships to students who meet specific requirements. Last year, the scholarship total was 12 million for about 180 students, and the year before, 15 million.

11. Teachers keep simple tasks automated (tardy book in back of room, passes tracked, etc.)

12. Teachers send positive postcards (communication), and make phone calls home for problems EARLY on.

13. Teachers make time available for tutoring every day and they push for it. From either 1:40- 2:00 or 1:30 -2:00 on Wed & Thurs, students can go to any classroom for help. There is also peer tutoring in the library.

14. Departments collaborate extensively.

15. Individuals and departments look at data and plan accordingly. Review what needs to be reviewed.

16. Teachers are heavily involved in Professional Development through CPDD.

17. A strong, competent, likable principal and assistant principal who take care of everything that needs to be taken care of and let the teachers do their jobs. There is a ton of autonomy and very little that is micromanaged.

18. A number of faculty who have been out in the business world before entering/returning to the field of teaching.

19. True enthusiasm of the faculty, administration, and support staff. The building has a different atmosphere; it's very positive and energizing.

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