Understanding education goes beyond the classroom, which is why the College of Charleston’s Teacher Leaders spent three days in Washington D.C. learning about policy and advocacy from some of the nation’s educational leaders, including Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Their photo was included in the U.S. Department of Education’s newsletter.
“It was a jam-packed, eye opening, and incredible experience I feel beyond fortunate to have been a part of,” explains Ashton Huge, an elementary education major from Lovettsville, Va.
Teacher Leaders are senior education majors who have been chosen to participate in challenging, extracurricular opportunities in the education community. The program was launched in 2012 and each year starts with a trip to see education outside the classroom. See photos and tweets from this year’s trip to Washington D.C.
The group met with the president of EdTrust and discussed closing the gap of opportunity and achievement between low-income and mainstream groups. They met with a representative from American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education where the conversation was focused on strengthening teacher prep programs at the college level. At the U.S Department of Education, the Teacher Leaders met with Scott Sargrad, deputy assistant secretary for policy and strategic initiatives and they dove deep into policy and the challenges surrounding re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, students talked with staff of the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, focusing on the importance of connecting schools and businesses in order to boost college and job readiness.
The students were also able to meet with a large group of current and past teachers who are now working at the U.S. Department of Education or who are part of the Teacher Ambassador Fellows. The students learned about their experiences as teachers, what led them to Washington, and what they are doing now.
“The trip most certainly opened our eyes to the complexities of education in the United States and gave us a better understanding of the field as a whole,” Huge says. “At each meeting we asked how we could contribute to the bettering of our education system at the national level and the answer was always advocacy. This trip provided us an unforgettable bonding experience and surge of inspiration which we will use to work together as Teacher Leaders and advocates of education throughout the year to make an impact in our community.”
For more information, contact Fran Welch at welchf@cofc.edu or 843.953.5272.
