At VOICE Charter School, we empower our teachers to truly teach. At many schools, mandatory paced-by-the-hour lesson plans force teachers to abandon important topics, even if students never "got" what was being taught. At VOICE Charter School, a flexible workshop approach to curriculum allows our educators to spend more time in the places where students need attention and to move more quickly past what they easily understand.

TEACHER INTERVIEWS

An Interview with Mr. Larry Berman and Ms. Jennifer Murray VOICE Music 1st Grade Teachers

One thing that come us a lot here is this idea of a Professional Learning Community and working as a team. What does that mean?

Ms. Murray: Larry and I work very closely together. We're talking everyday. We're teaching the same lesson, so we talk about what we'll be teaching everyday. Afterwards, we talk about what worked and what didn't and what our kids did and didn't "get." If we had similar experiences, we can devise new, better ways to teach.

Mr. Berman: And the school is small enough that the feedback can be immediate. What I'm about to teach, Jennifer just taught or is just about to teach. Our doors are always open so we can give each other heads up and say, "try it this way. This works better." Or, "don't try it this way. It's too confusing."

Ms. Murray: Not only can we give heads up to each other, we can give it to other grade levels. First grade can help Kindergarten as well. If we have any resources we can share, we share them. Other than the topics themselves–the curriculums are the same, so Kindergarten might do a similar unit a week before us or after us.

VOICE is a new school and a charter school. Is it different working here compared other schools?

Ms. Murray: You feel a sense of autonomy in that you're building something new.

Mr. Berman: Since this is the first year this school is open, there's a lot of extra legwork, but the idea is we have a sense of ownership over what we are creating.

VOICE is also a school with a heavy focus on music and singing. How does what you do interact with that?

Mr. Berman: I have no musical background whatsoever, so I don't directly add to what Ms. Ley is doing. But, for instance, last week we did a unit on Mexico and at the same time the students were learning about the music of Mexico, so there was a crossing over. And I find myself always singing and humming now...

Ms. Murray: Me too, not that I'm very good...

Mr. Berman: And that's part of all of this. The kids see me learning as they're learning and they say, "hey, Mr. Berman is trying to learn this, too."

Ms. Murray: That really sends a positive message to the kids that we're all still trying and learning–everyday.

An Interview with Ms. Shelly Ley

VOICE Music Teacher

Why arts-infused (choral-infused) education?

Ms. Ley: Music allows us to celebrate life's greatest moments, as well helping us to cope with the most difficult. By studying music one can learn almost everything: history, literature, math science, respect for one's culture, as well as for others. Countless studies have been conducted, linking music education with higher test scores and better performing students. In addition to the extra-musical connections that are easy to make, actively making music uses the whole brain, engaging humans on every level from spacial relations to pure pleasure. The most important aspect of an arts-infused education, however, is the sense of meaning the arts provide. When music and art is involved, not only is learning more enjoyable, it is remembered for a lifetime.

What life lessons are taught in your classroom?

Ms. Ley: Singing in a group is a unique opportunity for children to learn that their voice matters, and that it takes each person's best effort to create something beautiful. Through music a real sense of community is created, especially though choral music, as the human voice is the most powerful instrument, and the one we ALL have!

How do children respond?

Ms. Ley: I truly believe that every human being is naturally musical; it has merely been beaten out of most of us! The children at VOICE Charter School LOVE music class, of course. It is fun, challenging, and engaging. When they finally master that difficult rhythm, dance, step, or song, the children feel a huge sense of satisfaction.

How is VOICE different than other schools?

Ms. Ley: VOICE understands that music is one the most powerful learning tools. All of life's most valuable lessons can be taught through music: How to Watch, Listen and create Balance. A real idea of Community, Respect and Team Work are truly understood by creating music together, and integrating these ideas across the curriculum. Each child learns that they have value, and something to contribute the school's community.