WATstaff

University of Texas Elementary: Lessons Learned in Urban Education

by WAT Staff on 08-15-2011 05:13 PM - last edited on 01-25-2012 03:39 PM by WAT Staff

 

 

We sat down with Melissa Chavez, the Executive Director, of UT Elementary School to discuss the elementary school's newly published book, "Teaching to the Spirit of Every Child: Lessons Learned in Urban Education.” The book was a collective effort authored by the entire staff at UT Elementary. Their goal was to give pre-service and in-service teachers tangible examples of the latest teaching research. It also has two methods woven into all of its chapters; the first is response to intervention and the second is social and emotional learning. Plus, Melissa talks about the school's latest initiative called the "The Healthy Families Initiative." This is UT Elementary's program to prevent childhood obesity and promote play and physical activity. Take a listen to learn more about UT Elementary, their new book, and identify some great teaching ideas for your classroom.

 

About UT Elementary: The University of Texas at Austin has undertaken many initiatives to increase the number of students who are the first in their families to attend college. The University of Texas Elementary School is key to this effort. It is not only a community engagement initiative with the goal of increasing the number of under-represented students in the college pipeline; it is a model for other schools in East Austin and beyond. UT Elementary’s administrators and teachers provide training to other teachers and help other elementary schools bridge the gap between theory, research, and practice.

 

About the book: This book largely focuses on Response to Intervention (RTI), dictates that each student should receive a level of instruction appropriate to his or her need; and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) promotes self-awareness and emotion detection that lead to a constructive self-concept and collaborative relationships with peers and others, by largely contributing to positive classroom and school climate, allowing for more learning to take place. To purchase the book go here.

 

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