Start Spreading the News...

In reflecting what we'd accomplished during the first year of our grant experience, we asked our 35 participants what they'd done to spread the good news of the journey.  They responded as follows:

Robin Lashley: "I talk with other teachers both inside and outside my school.  I use an edline website that updates parents on student grades and what is happening in my classroom."

Valerie Weaver:  "I have been sharing books and materials with other teachers in my district."

Lisa Hixson:  "I have been sharing with my principal, fellow teachers, and the students all the wonderful and insightful workshops I have attended."

Maureen Carroll:  "I took 110 students and 10 chaperons on the Valley Scenic Railway.  The parents, who were chaperone's, loved the trip.  I am presenting at the National Council for Social Studies.  I will do something that will link the Ohio & Erie Canal with the Grand Canal in China."

Lyn Nelson: " I explained the underground railroad to South Korean students which led to a discussion on American education and the dangers in American cities.  I shared the photos with my Japanese student who uses the towpath frequently.  She took the pictures home to show her daughter what the tow path was originally built for.  I took buckeyes that I'd bought at Mustill's Store to my Swiss/German students."

Jed McKnight: "Foster Brown came to our school to present the canalway and connected it to the underground railroad.  Revere teachers have appeared in local papers and will present to the school board in December."

Paula Tucci:  "Foster Brown came to Dover Middle School and A.P. History class.  Over 250 students got a musical introduction to the canal.  My A.P. students then, began their research project on the Dover Canal.  They created power-points and the put them on the web.  We will show the power-points to the entire school."

Amy Sumen:  "My principal wants me to present to our school.  Maybe I will get courageous and show it to the middle school, too."

Nate Loman:  "I made contact with our local newspaper to report on our bike field trip.  I presented at the November Board meeting."

Steve Testa:  "I explained what we were involved in at our staff meetings.  I shared books and other resources with people in and outside education.  I read Shelley Pearsall's books to my own children."

Andrew Glasier: "I shared resources with department members."

Joe Culley, "I put small tidbits in our school newsletters  about how I am infusing my work in this program into my art program."

Ardath Nigro: "After interacting with Foster Brown, my students made canal books.  They shared their books with the third grade students in preparation for their trip to Roscoe Village, another canal town."

Melanie Stuthard: "I have been in our local newspapers about our work with various guest speakers, like Shelley Pearsall.  I talk with my colleagues about all the local history I am learning."

Mike Kuenzel: "I met with parents and with staff to present information about the canal."

Al Huge:  "I talked so much about the experience that other faculty members started coming to the workshops."

Bill Boone:  "I was a guest on the Berea School District's Educational Channel.  I was able to spread the word about our program in that way."

Jane Talbott:  "I let CROOKED RIVER to my mother-in-law.   She, in turn, told all her friends about it.  They all want to borrow the book.  This summer, I am hosting a "breakfast talk" with all of them."

Roni Yaxley:  "Our Parent Literacy Reading Club meets once a month to discuss a book.  TROUBLE DON'T LAST will be on of the books the group will read together."

Addie Rae Tobey:  "I took my students on a field trip to the Boston Store and the Canal Visitor Center."

Jeff Bennett:  "I made a power-point presentation for our school board.  I shared RRR with the Zoar Community Association.  Foster Brown performed at the annual banquet of the ZCA."

Debra Rumble:  "I share every lesson plan I create for our program with my evaluation partner.  Since he teaches history and I teach health, I rely on him to "fix" my history knowledge.  He discuss and revise my lessons.  He learns something new with everything I share with him.  Thanks!"

Mike Sears:  "I suggested to our curriculum director that Maureen Carroll and I present our power-point to all fourth grade teachers.  We are still working out the details."

Like the participants in our grant experience, I cannot stop talking about what we are reading and what we are learning.  I have especially enjoyed STEEL DRIVIN' MAN and NATURE'S METROPOLIS.  Learning from each other is really fun.  I am enjoying every part of this journey. 

Jann