Entrust.ED

Loving the Local: Potential of School Gardens

molly — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:30:28 +0000

As an educator and a researcher, I think about the real world solutions that are available to us in schools for the benefit of young people. I read about Myth Busting the Common Core and I think of the gray area in the politics of schools. Myth #2 talks about how the federal government is not involved in creating the common core. They don’t have anyone on the committee that is creating standards, but they are offering millions of dollars to cash-thirsty states if they adopt the standards, I mean the common core… While I suppose this is myth busting a misconception, it all seems a little slick. Race to the Top dangles money over the heads of states, desperate to fund basic programs and they would do anything (even stop thinking!) to get their hands on some cash. And within the requirements for being competitive for the Race to the Top competitive grant, “the administration awarded 40 points out of a possible 500 to states that adopted ‘a common set of K-12 standards’” In other words, states have a real incentive to adopt the common core. It has me wondering how does this play out at the local level where teachers and community members want to innovate in schools, but they are required to spend all of their time on standards. What if they are worried about rising obesity rates, the environment, and just plain old exploring our curiosities in schools? Does the common core leave time for that?

It seems that some schools are making time. In tough financial times, amazing things are happening in pockets at the local level. A successful Boulder restaurant took it upon themselves to fund a garden in a low income area in Denver. The Kitchen is thinking about health and experiential learning of kids in the Colorado community. Of course they are starting small and without the backing of federal grants, but they are thinking big about what kids are like, what their lives are like, and what might change their understanding of food, health, plants, and even disciplinary learning. Some worry that the fact that garden learning is not connected to the “local” common core might be a distraction. It might make teachers mad to take their kids in the sunshine to talk about plants. It might make kids run around and get distracted. It might have less to do with getting educated and more to do with authentic learning. And I have to say, I am hopeful that it does.

A Hot Little Space for Learning

molly — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:30:47 +0000

Who we are and why join our conversation:

We are imaginative, hopeful, change makers, who read a lot, and write some. We are thought provokers and action takers. George has started a few tech companies. Julia and Molly teach at CU Boulder. What binds us is our love of learning, our commitment to education, and creating promising opportunities for all young people.

What drives us:

Young people contributing their strengths to their communities.
Community based learning environments that spark innovation.
Innovation is happening everywhere. For innovative ideas to flourish they need to be recognized and connected to resources.

Expanded definition of learning:

Learning is so much bigger than what happens in schools. Learning is creating. Learning is following our curiosities into new places. Learning is bringing ideas from places near and far into new contexts.

Learning is being able to bring our whole selves into a process that is engaging and relevant to our everyday lives.

So, why have a blog?
This is a site for learning and exploring – we want to share everyday examples of educational innovation and promote a more dynamic view of what’s possible in our communities. We believe that everyone can be a part of expanding innovative ideas and recognizing communities that support young people. We want to celebrate “the gift of the human imagination” and share the stories of “our creative capacities for the richness that they are and…our children for the hope that they are”. Thank you Ken Robinson.

Thank you Imulus for providing this hot little space to dialog about the potential for learning in our communities. So, the Internet let us create a space to move ideas and we intend to use it! We see glimmers of promising innovative educational designs that support youth who have limited access to cool learning environments. We want this view of communities, young people, and learning to flourish. Can you help?

Looking for Volunteers

admin — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:31:34 +0000

Where looking for individuals willing to dedicate a few hours per week to help spread the word of Entrust.ED and bring attention to the non-profits we support. If you’re interested, let us know and someone will reach out to you shortly.

StudentsFirst Posts Survey Results

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 05:20:30 +0000

StudentsFirst.org just recently published the results of their member survey. It’s worth reading.

We’re up and running

admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:48:48 +0000

Finally, after almost a year of brainstorming, discussions and planning Entrust.ED is up and running. We have our initial project to fund, now we’re just looking for sponsors to support under-resourced schools.