"I think after age 50, everybody ought to go back to elementary school," said Becky Switzer, a participant in Tuesday's Principal for a Day. After observing first-graders learning Chinese, young musicians playing in orchestra and teachers working on SMART boards, Switzer, from Switzer Talent Agency, decided everyone could learn from local schools.
Switzer accompanied Adam Cohen, from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and Jennifer Griswold, from The Oklahoman, in shadowing Terry Hopper, principal of McKinley Elementary School.
These participants joined about 40 other community members and foundation board members who toured schools, made announcements and visited classrooms in order to get a glimpse of today's educational programs.
Most participants seemed to be surprised and intrigued by the same things at each site: student engagement and technological advances.
"It's a very authentic type of environment, very hands-on," said Suzanne McAuley, from First American Bank and a Norman Public School Foundation board member.
While at Lincoln Elementary, McAuley saw students engage in guided reading lessons, a SMART board math lesson and even a phonics dance.
"The children were dancing a 'w,' talking about an 'x.' They were one with the alphabet," McAuley said.
"It's different than when we were kids," Cohen said. He said he was intrigued by how teaching was integrated into the classroom.
The integrated learning environment even took former high school teacher and current first lady Kim Henry was surprise. In particular, she was pleased with the set up of many classrooms: row-by-row seating had been abolished and students' desks were placed in groups around the room. The extracurriculars also interested Henry.
"I was most impressed with the curriculum and vast elective opportunities students have now," said Henry, commenting on the media class offered at Norman High School, the site where she shadowed. Although she has visited many schools over the past several years, this is the first school district in which Henry has participated in as a principal for the day.
"I thought it would be fun," she said.
This is the second time for the Norman Public School Foundation to host the event. Karrie Thompson, foundation board member, said she thinks it's important for community to see what is going on in the education world, especially those who are partners in education. With so many other community events, making it a yearly program may not be possible. However, she hopes community members continue to be engaged in Norman's public schools.
Although Cohen, who is also a board member, had an educational day of observance, his favorite part was the reaction of his own children, who attend the site where he shadowed.
"They now think I'm a celebrity," he said.
Local news
Technology and student engagement impress principal shadows
- Local news
-
-
Veterans, community remember the fallen
Wesley Carroll lives on, but countless numbers of his friends and family have been laid to rest after their service in conflicts dating as far back as the 18th century....
-
Deputies arrest 10
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests in a Saturday night and early Sunday morning saturation patrol....
-
Troopers release name in Thunderbird drowning
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have released the deceased’s name in a weekend drowning at Lake Thunderbird....
-
Holiday fun
Sunday wasn’t just another church night at Harvest Church. The church’s pre-Memorial Day fellowship event featured a monster truck show, bike stunts and fireworks, among other things....
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
