At a middle school, where I had the privilege to work and teach, stakeholders buy into the Mission Statement:
Our Mission is to educate children within a supportive environment to become confident lifelong learners, intellectually discerning thinkers, effective communicators, and responsible participants in a global society.
One of the most important duties I have as an educator is to develop particular skills in my students. The skill of communication and the art of flexibility and responsibility are top priorities in my World Language classroom, as they should be in all schools across America.
I personally take language learning beyond the classroom "walls" and expose students to experiences with diverse cultures and networked collaboration. By integrating innovative World Languages pedagogy with 21st century technologies using the iPad, my course meets the evolving needs of students in a global society while catering to their individual needs. My Spanish students have "found" international students with whom to speak, question, collaborate, produce and celebrate. Through technology tools and creativity, CDWS students have demonstrated their flexibility, cultural awareness and innovativeness, even in another language!
The unique experiences of a CDWS student prepare them for that connected world in which they will live and work. They are learning the skill of adaptability. How will the rest of the students in the local community compare?
~Fran Siracusa
For more inspiration and expert advice, please see this wonderful article by Stacie Nevadomski Berdan:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacie-nevadomski-berdan/working-together-to-raise_b_4275825.html
