Gates grant funds education initiative in Jefferson Co.

Minor feeder school principals and teachers talk about the "Take One Initiative".

By: Linda White | Alabama's13.com
Published: July 22, 2010

Homewood, Ala.(WVTM)---A Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant is funding the “Take One Initiative” in the Jefferson County School District. Jefferson County is the only school district in the nation to receive funding for the project. The ultimate goals, train better teachers to help every child succeed.

These principals and some teachers, are reflecting on a new project they've all agreed to take on, the "Take One Initiative". All principals and teachers at schools whose students feed into Minor High School will begin step one of the National Board Certification process. Former National Teacher of the year Dr. Betsy Rogers is heading up the program.

Samford University Teacher Education Dept Chair, Betsy Rogers, EdD said, "National Board is more about the practice of teaching and are you an accomplished teacher and the thought process that you put into what you do everyday."

Thanks to a 700 thousand dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, over the next three years, many of these principals will head back into the classroom. Teachers, who choose to, will go through the same process. Their performance will be videotaped, scored and principals and teachers will get feedback on how to improve and become more affective in the classroom. The people here insist, this won't add to a teachers workload. Tammarra Tippett just received her certification.

Hillview Elementary Curriculum Specialist, Tammarra Tippett said, "It's going to improve your teaching practices. it's going to give you a stronger foundation. It's going to help your students, it's going to motivate your students, it's going to be an excellent way to communicate with the parents."

Rogers aid, "That is what we don't want them to see that this is on top of. This is actually so closely aligned with teacher evaluation in our state with the new Alabama quality teaching standards and moving to evidence based teaching for our teacher evaluation."

Rogers and others believe this system will help teach students at a higher level.

Teachers have until the end of August to decide to participate in the "Take One Initiative". The grant money will pay for research, curriculum and stipends for facilitators, teachers and project leaders over a three year period.