Another Report from the Field that is really a celebration, this one from James:
Ben,
I thought everyone might like to hear some good news, all of which has roots in our work here in this PLC.
My Latin program is growing hugely next year. We got numbers recently and mine are simply stupefying everyone. My program is growing from some 160 students total this year to some 220 next year. I have nearly twice as many students as the French teacher at my school and basically half as many as all three(!) Spanish teachers combined.
I am the only teacher who uses TPRS or tries TCI in my district. The change in pedagogy I have adopted from the inspiration of this PLC has resulted in better student performance and, I think, a greater feeling of joy in my classes. It all just feels more human. And the students have responded in a big way.
I’d like to offer everyone in this PLC a heart-felt THANK YOU! Seriously. Talk about job security and the peace that comes from my family being able to settle down a little bit without the worry of having to relocate. I cannot find the right words. Simply put, the work we do here has given financial security to my (growing) family of four. Not to mention how much more fun I now have at work!
Anyways, I have been approved for another overload next year. I just got that news today. So that will be two years in a row of teaching an extra class and earning more money and impacting more students and building my program even stronger.
Again, thank you all.
James Hosler