Trumbull teachers hear expert advice

BY JORDAN COHEN

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

WARREN — “Don’t even think about teaching your students if you can’t help them feel safe or invited,” a nationally known educator advised Trumbull County teachers Thursday.

Cathy Hamilton, who holds a doctorate in education administration and has more than 30 years’ experience as a teacher and consultant, spoke before a teacher conference at DiVieste Banquet Hall.

She said today’s instructors face a number of challenges under the No Child Left Behind Act, which sets higher standards for schools and teachers and focuses on specific children it considers at risk.

“There are five groups of children that the law refers to as ‘subgroups’ and we have to reach them,” Hamilton said. She identified the groups as minorities, those who speak English as a second language, children with disabilities, the poor, and the gifted or intellectually advanced.

“We’re not going to get through to these students unless we provide them with a sense of physical safety and a sense of welcome,” Hamilton said. “That means if we see someone being bullied, we need to step in and stop it.”

Hamilton invoked the term “master taught” as another requirement, which she described as the result when teachers and administrators display visionary leadership, collaborative teamwork and a sense or urgency.

“Federal mandates require us to reach certain goals by 2014, but many teachers who start these programs may retire by that time, and we can’t wait that long,” Hamilton said. “That’s why we have to get through to our students now and realistically assess their progress.”

Hamilton’s lectures were sponsored by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center. Its curriculum director, Melissa Watson, said she believes the teachers were an appreciative audience.

Hamilton, who is based in Indiana, is a nationally recognized speaker who addresses educators on the topic of reaching children of poverty.

“We saw her speak several years ago and were very impressed with what we heard,” Watson said. “I believe she offers advice that should be seriously considered.”