Welcome To Esperanza Elementary Blog

I want to give you a special welcome to our Esperanza Elementary blog as we take our journey to found the school of our dreams. I invite you to visit us often and offer any ideas, thoughts, suggestions, questions, comments, etc. you might have.

Showing posts with label research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label research. Show all posts

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Lesson From Rigoberta Menchú

I recently finished reading the book I, Rigoberta Menchú An Indian Woman in Guatemala. Reading about the life of Rigoberta Menchú was a reminder that both intellectuals and non-intellectuals can offer understanding to a situation. Having lived a situation gives you a real consciousness and practical experience. This is true even if those persons are illiterate. I can see this application in two areas at Esperanza. First, it is important to not only respond to research but also listen to those who are in the classroom on a daily basis when we are making decisions. Second, it is important to listen to what our Hispanic (and other ethnicities) parents have to say as well as read books about how to involve them and engage them.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Wholesome Traditions Are Inviting

As I listened this morning to the BYU devotional speech given by Ed Adams about traditions I thought how perfectly it fit with the Esperanza training we had yesterday on Invitational Education.

Wholesome traditions that we intentionally employ will play an important part in making Esperanza inviting. It would behoove all of us to think of traditions that would make Esperanza inviting for each of our stakeholders--educators, parents, students, Board members, members of the community.

Being inviting also means cheering on other schools. Ed Adams gave examples of some colleges that are finding ways to support opposing sports' teams such as inviting them to tailgaiting parties and cheering when they score. In a similar manner we want to think of specific traditions Esperanza can employ to be inviting to other schools.

According to Ed Adams basic research has found over the years a relationship between group behavior in the public sphere and the perception of that group. Yet, not only do we want Esperanza to be perceived internally and externally as the most inviting place in town but we also want this inviting spirit to be manifested in the life of each person involved with Esperanza...and to let that spirit attend him/her in all aspects of his/her life.