Fellowship Summer Session 2021: It’s Good To Be Back
For the third time now, we have seen the impact that three days can make on a teacher.
The DLC Teacher Leader Fellows completed their three day summer sessions in Nashville and Memphis this month, and we could not help but be inspired by the transformations that took place. Teachers who began the session as simply participants in a program left as colleagues. Teachers who arrived feeling drained from the most challenging year of their career left with a renewed sense of purpose. While the three days are just the launching pad for the year-long Fellowship experience, the supportive community and personal growth that the Fellows experience during this time becomes a source of professional strength for the months ahead.
Over the three days, each presentation, guest speaker, and group work session is aimed towards equipping diverse learner teachers to become better at their craft and leaders in their schools. The first day focused on growth as an individual leader, and included a presentation by Gallup-Certified Strengths coach, Krystal Clark. Fellows learned how to connect their individual strengths to their work, a practice they can continue as they encounter new challenges in their career. The second day was centered around how they can lead best practices using their strengths. Fellows dove into the CEC’s High Leverage Practices and worked with each other to understand how to implement those strategies in their own classrooms. Finally, on the third day the Fellows applied their learnings on a larger scale, as they learned about and began planning their impact projects.
Across Nashville and Memphis, we found several things to be true. The Fellows in both cities were serious about their profession, and passionate about their work with students. When asked about their “why”, Janell Gilbert, an English Learner teacher from Memphis said, “I want to advocate for diverse learners that are often overlooked. I believe it is important for ESL students to know their strengths and realize they have an equal opportunity. “ Michelle Prinzo, an English Learner teacher from Nashville said, “My students deserve a safe, comfortable voice to build language. I want them to be a part of their classroom, school, and our larger community. Their voice is important and I want them to have the tools and confidence to use it.”
We’re also grateful for community support in both cities to make the summer session a reality. In Nashville, we received donations from GreKo Greek Street Food in Nashville, Jason Egly at Farmer’s Insurance, free use of space from Valor College Prep, and generous donations of children’s books for the Fellows’ classrooms from multiple donors. In Memphis, the TN Charter School Center offices at Crosstown Concourse and Journey Community Schools hosted the Fellowship in their inviting spaces.
As Fellows reflected on their experience at the end of the third day, many shared that they felt energized for the school year ahead. When asked what she is looking forward to this year, Director of Student Supports Kaela Payne from STRIVE Collegiate Academy in Nashville shared, “I am looking forward to getting together with the fellows again. I am also looking forward to moving forward with this impact project. I have really gained confidence and feel that I can truly make a difference in my school. “
The DLC team is also energized from working with these amazing teachers. We look forward to sharing more of their work with you in the months ahead!
