Courtesy of The 74 Million
https://www.the74million.org/
Transcript
Dave Levin recounts his early teaching experiences, highlighting the pivotal influence of Harriet Ball, who mentored him despite initial reluctance. Levin faced challenges with a rowdy sixth-grade class but learned valuable lessons from Ball, including the importance of classroom order and meeting students where they are. Ball’s engaging teaching style, which combined fun and rigor, inspired Levin to improve. He later co-founded KIPP with Mike Feinberg, adopting an open-door policy inspired by Ball. The collaboration among KIPP, Amistad Academy, and North Star, fostered by David Saltzman, aimed to enhance education without competition. The Relay Graduate School of Education, initially named Teacher U, evolved from this collaborative spirit.
Outline
Harriet Ball’s Influence on Dave Levin’s Teaching Career
- Dave Levin met Harriet Ball in 1992 at a Teach for America luncheon in Houston.
- Dave was hired as a last-minute replacement and faced challenges with his sixth-grade class, which included rival gang members.
- Harriet initially refused to be Dave’s mentor but eventually agreed, showing him the power of a clean and organized classroom.
- Harriet’s teaching style, which combined fun and serious learning, had a profound impact on Dave, who learned valuable lessons about teaching and student engagement.
Lessons Learned from Harriet Ball
- Dave realized that the problem was not with the students but with his own teaching skills and lack of guidance.
- Harriet taught Dave the importance of meeting students where they are and building them up to higher levels.
- Dave learned to love his students genuinely, seeing them as people first and students second.
- Harriet’s influence led Dave to win Teacher of the Year awards and eventually co-found KIPP with Mike Feinberg.
KIPP’s Founding and Harriet’s Role
- Dave and Mike Feinberg started KIPP in 1994, but Harriet could not join due to family commitments and the high risks involved.
- Harriet remained committed to her school and community, even when it was difficult for her to move.
- Harriet asked Dave and Mike to share everything they learned from her, emphasizing the importance of openness and collaboration.
- KIPP adopted an open-door policy, allowing anyone to visit their schools and learn from their practices.
Collaboration with Other Educational Leaders
- Dave, Mike, Daisha Tolle, and Norman Atkins formed a collaborative network, sharing goals and strategies.
- They viewed themselves as teaching the same kids and saw themselves as brothers and sisters in the same mission.
- David Saltzman from Robin Hood played a crucial role in fostering collaboration rather than competition among educational organizations.
- The collaboration led to the creation of the Relay Graduate School of Education, which aimed to pass the baton of great teaching to other teachers.
The Origin of KIPP’s Name and the Relay Graduate School of Education
- KIPP’s name is derived from Harriet’s song “Knowledge is Power,” which emphasizes the importance of reading and education.
- The name “Teacher U” was initially considered for the graduate school but had to be changed due to accreditation requirements.
- The final name, Relay Graduate School of Education, symbolizes the passing of the baton of great teaching from one generation to the next.
- Dave emphasized the importance of collaboration and sharing knowledge to improve education for all children.
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