Arizona | The VIVA Project

Jul 24, 2013Kim Bolton2 CommentsBlog, Teacher Blog PostsArizona, guns, violence

Another view of students, teachers, guns and schools…

Having witnessed the effects of gun violence first hand, Charlene Mendoza questions the wisdom of putting guns in schools.

Dec 19, 2012Rachel JonesBlog, Teacher Blog PostsArizona, Charlene Mendoza, Newtown, school shooting, Student Voice, Teacher voice, Tucson

A teacher on Newtown shooting: Ensuring all voices are heard

Charlene Mendoza, AP English Language and Literature, Tucson, AZ

Sep 21, 2012Rachel JonesIdea Exchanges, Teacher Blog PostsArizona, Character, Charlene Mendoza, Charter Schools, Charters, New Jersey, Teacher voice, teachers

My “It” Moment at VIVA Teachers

By Charlene Mendoza VIVA Arizona Teachers Idea Exchange As teachers, we know that moment when “it” happens. That moment when we know the bait was taken, the interest engaged, the inquiry begun or the spark ignited. That moment when the energy begins to flow and the classroom transforms into an active, engaging learning environment. For

Sep 12, 2012Elizabeth Evans1 CommentDoable, Not PerfectArizona, Arne Duncan, candidates, Chicago, CTUstrike, elecitons, Idea Exchange, Mark Dayton, Massachusetts, Minnesot, negotiations, New York, presidential, Rahm Emanuel, school districts, Trust, unions

Where Will We Find the Trust Our Students Deserve?

Today’s blog topic: Trust. It’s a tall order in short supply, particularly at this point in our political calendar. The presidential candidates spend far too much of their time attempting to undermine our trust in their opponent and not nearly enough time shoring up our trust in them. Likewise, when teachers’ unions and school districts

Jun 25, 2012Rachel JonesMedia Coverage, VIVA NewsArizona, Arizona Daily Sun, Charters, Common Core, Jaime Molera, John Huppenthal, Kaytie Thies

VIVA Arizona Teacher leaders in the News

From Arizona Sun’s Classroom Daily Briefs Heritage Elementary School’s Williams campus principal Kaytie Thies was among a select group of charter school teachers chosen to present an action plan for implementing new Common Core Standards for education to Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal and Arizona State Board of Education President Jaime Molera. The

Jun 13, 2012Rachel Jones1 CommentIdea Exchange UpdatesArizona, Charter Schools, Common Core, Jaime Molera, John Huppenthal, report, teachers, Voice

How to Successfully Implement Common Core

In a meeting with Arizona Superintendent John Huppenthal and State Board President Jaime Molera, VIVA Teacher Leaders offered their advice for smoothing the transition to Common Core State Standards for all schools in Arizona. Two hundred VIVA Teachers who teach in Arizona’s charter schools, where they already are implementing the new, higher Common Core State

Jun 13, 2012Rachel Jones2 CommentsFull Idea Exchange Reports, Idea Exchange Updates, Student Learning and GrowthArizona, Charters, Common Core, Executive Summary, Jaime Molera, John Huppenthal, Recommendations

VIVA Arizona Project – Arizona Charter Teachers’ Guide to Common Core Implementation: Advice From the Classroom

On Wednesday, June 13, members of the VIVA Arizona Charter Teachers Idea Exchange Writing Collaborative delivered their report, Arizona Charter Teachers Guide to Common Core Implementation: Advice from the Classroom, to Arizona Superintendent John Huppenthal and State Board President Jaime Molera. Teachers are significant stakeholders in the implementation of Common Core Standards and should be

Jun 13, 2012Rachel JonesIdea Exchange UpdatesArizona, Charters, Common Core, Jaime Molera, John Huppenthal, Press Releases

VIVA Arizona Press Release

Contact: Megan Gilbertson O: 602.944.0644 ext. 312 C: 602.688.9435 E: megan@azcharters.org Charter Teachers Share Thoughts on Implementing New Standards Arizona teachers need more training, parents need a heads up Phoenix, Ariz. (June 8, 2012) – In order to ensure a successful transition to new, more rigorous K-12 curriculum standards, Arizona must provide additional training