The biggest problem in the attempt to redefine education, whether it's here in Alaska or nationwide: The inclusion of the expertise of teachers and students. And for me, teachers has a broader meaning. Classroom teachers, counselors, nurses, support professionals - the people in our schools every day. These are the only two ingredients that education really needs, actually. Students and teachers. Yet neither are fairly represented at the table and are usually entirely left out. There are over 8,000 experts on teaching and learning in our communities throughout Alaska with hundreds of thousands of hours of education and experience on any educational subject you could imagine. These include new teachers as well, for they are often the ones with the most innovative ideas when it comes to helping our students grow.

 

Additionally, we have over 130,000 young experts on learning in our classrooms. Experts from all different backgrounds and abilities. Yes, students. Students are experts on learning and should be invited to the table. When was the last time a committee, of almost any kind, at the district level, or even the school level, had a respectful representation of student voice? 

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I heard in a speech this month that the biggest problem we face in redefining education is the lack of inclusion of teachers and students in the discussions we have about public education. What I found ironic about this statement when it was made, was immediately following this speech was an opportunity for over 80 high school students from across the state to share with 230 school board members what they felt was going well, and what could use improvement in public education. The students were able to share what they felt from their perspective could help school board members advocate to make meaningful improvements in their districts.  

 

Many school districts have student representatives on the school board. I'd venture to say most school boards carve out time at their meetings to hear directly from students. I know in my district, we invite teachers to be part of the committees we form to work on school district business. During Alaska's Education Challenge, each committee intentionally had representation from teachers, students, and parents. For many of us, the voice of teachers and students are sought and valued.

Alaska is a place full of rugged mountains, incredible wildlife, and stunning remote villages and communities. Yet in addition to sitting on vast oil reserves, many Alaska schools may not realize they also are sitting on a potential gold mine: their used Apple ed tech devices. If you're intrigued by the possibility of trading up your Apple devices, here are answers to common questions we often hear: 

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When city councils, school boards or other public bodies hold their meetings, it is usual to reserve a time in the meeting for members of the public to speak to their elected officials. One common name for this is the public comment period. We recommend that detailed public comment should not be included in the body's minutes.

According to Robert's Rules of Order, and the common understanding of parliamentary procedure, minutes are a record of the decisions made by the body. They are supposed to include "what is done," and not "what is said." Personal comments and observations made by elected officials should never be included in the minutes.

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