New England Basecamp's Blog

Avoiding Racial Equity Detours - Educational Leadership   In a recent workshop NEB was given this great article about Racial Equity Detours and how to avoid them. Some of these may feel familiar to you in your school or organization.  Teaching Channel Webinars   Browse through this resource for teaching webinars! You can register anytime and the focus is on virtual learning.  New Providence School Board member, youngest ever, sworn in Providence has a new school board member and he is the youngest they’ve ever had! We look forward to seeing what new and much needed thinking comes fro m 20-year-old Ty'Relle Stephens in the coming year. Continue the discussion in the comments!

          I am a first year teacher at Charette High School in downtown Providence, RI. I teach 9th and 10th grade English. What has always driven me as an educator is the power of stories -- not just the ones we read, but also the ones we have inside of us, waiting to be shared and told. The project I'd like to feature is called "Poetry & the People," which introduces our ninth graders to poetry - they learn to analyze poems for tone, word choice, imagery, style, and theme, and then apply that knowledge to their own work. We've just started the process of writing our own poems and while many are hesitant, the great thing about this project is that by the end, students really begin seeing themselves as writers -- not just students who write. The last part of the project has them "perform" or present a poem of their own to the class. One of my favorite quotes to share with students when we start this project is from Anne Carson: “If prose is a h...

  Schools in Long Beach, Calif., Start Reopening This Week   Schools are reopening nationwide, and back here in Rhode Island teachers and students are facing the same safe return roadblocks in the article above.  With only part of the staff vaccinated, many teachers are still opting out of in person learning. Parents, who have set up a distance learning schedule, are also tasked now with weighing whether to return or keep what’s working.  More arduous than that will be how we address the emotional toll this past year has had on students. Right now, we’re discussing what programming will be most effective for prioritizing SEL in the schools we serve. Teachers and parents are beginning to express concern over how students will adjust to this return, what anxiety will be lingering, or what grief will have to be processed.  To join the discussion, or ask about programming for your community next year, reach out to us at nebpd@nebasecamp.org  or get involved in ...

  10 Ways to Harness the Power of the Chat Function As teacher’s we’re always searching for new ways to engage students. This article focuses on how to get the most out of chat features to keep your students active and responsive in an online setting.  Coaching for Equity with Elena Aguilar   In case anyone is interested, Elena Aguilar has been doing a “Coaching for Equity” book club series on Instagram live! Last night’s discussion was really good.  How to Implement Virtual Coaching With K-12 Teachers   Really interesting piece on virtual coaching. Whether you are a coach for a district, or a partner org, you may find this piece helpful to your practice.  Perspective | I was a well-meaning White teacher. But my harsh discipline harmed Black kids. If you are a white teacher working with students of color, you have a critical responsibility to confront how your race impacts your practice. It is not enough to listen to your administration, or your peers, abou...

  Who We Are - Every member of our team is an educator with expertise and certifications in a wide range of areas from Pre-K through 12th grade. We are members of the Southern New England community and have professional experience in a variety of locations and contexts. Who We Serve -   We partner with schools and districts in the region to empower educators and leaders with the mindsets, knowledge, and skills necessary to serve all students. We believe all young people, especially those from historically underserved groups, deserve student-centered educational environments designed for them to thrive. What We Do - We provide customizable and affordable professional learning with embedded coaching opportunities for schools and districts. We show up and follow up - educators leave our engaging learning experiences with strategies to implement the next day and plans for our team to support, build capacity, and sustain their practice. Our Approach - Our relationship-focused app...