Aliyya Swaby Photo
Malloy (left), Cicarella and Weingarten (right).
Fair Haven teachers told Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Friday that new opportunities to work together — rather than against each other — have made them better at their jobs.
In his first-ever visit to K‑8 Fair Haven School, Malloy participated in a roundtable with Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), who endorsed the governor at a Connecticut AFL-CIO convention in June. After his comments on teacher tenure garnered furious reactions earlier this year, Malloy has needed her help to maintain support from unionized teachers for his uphill fight to win reelection this November.
The focus of the Fair Haven discussion Friday was an initiative begun in the 2013 New Haven teachers’ contract that adds an extra half-hour to the school day for teacher collaboration and professional development. The most effective teachers can apply for leadership positions as “facilitators” who lead regular meetings with small groups of teachers to share strategies and solve problems.
Teachers shared with Malloy and Weingarten the ways the program has drastically improved their quality of work.
“How frustrating was the old way?” Malloy posed to the table.
“I felt frustrated,” Fair Haven kindergarten teacher Martina Ramos (at left in photo) responded. She felt like she was expected to improve her skills without any support.
Fair Haven sixth-grade teacher Kathy Blodgett (at center in photo) described the previous atmosphere as “divisive.” If student scores in one classroom came back lower than expected, that teacher was compared to another with better scores, with little constructive feedback on how to get there.
Blodgett, who has been teaching for six years, said she finally feels like she is being heard and trusted by the administration.
The initiative “allows the best teachers to stay in the classroom,” said teachers union President David Cicarella.
“We’re trying to make adult learning work more like we know student learning should,” said Justin Boucher (pictured), one of the teachers who designed the program.
Malloy, Weingarten and Mayor Toni Harp all took time out to praise New Haven’s school reform drive that began in 2009, which unlike in other cities has been marked by collaboration rather than fighting between the teachers union and the administration.
“You saved public education,” Weingarten said.
Malloy, Weingarten and other AFT representatives also visited Roger Sherman Elementary School in Meriden Friday morning.
Past stories on Fair Haven School:
• As Death Nears, She Passes Down The Dance
• From Burundi, A Heart Beats On
• At Fair Haven, Debralee Graduates Twice
• VH1 Gets A Left-Handed Thank You
• Idled Dental Van To Rev Up Again
• Toni Harp & “Toni Harp” Take History’s Stage
• Harries Floats Class-Size Switcheroo
• A “Snowball” Aims At Latino College Gap
• New Recess Rules Kick In
• Boys Find A Place On The Stage
• Bilingual Ed Overhaul Under Way
• New Havener Of The Year
• Common Core Hits Fair Haven
• Firefighters Respond To The Turkey Call
• VH1 Helps 15th City School Start Tooting
• Mr. Shen & Ms. Benicio Hit The Books
• Maneva & Co. Take On The ‘Burbs
• Aekrama & Ali Learn The Drill
• Fair Haven Makes Room For Newest Students