Supporting a School that Supports Its Teachers

It seems hard to believe that I've been at Prairie Creek for fifteen years – and harder to believe that, in many ways, not much has changed in that time. Why do so many teachers stay (and stay and stay?) Simply put, we are so supported by our leadership, our board, and our families. When I was at the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies conference on Monday, I got a chance to meet a lot of other teachers and was, once again, reminded of how Prairie Creek is different.

So many of the teachers I met lamented that they didn't have time to teach the way they wanted to. Some were chained to textbooks they were expected to "deliver" over the course of the year. Others were told that, because social studies wasn't tested, it was secondary (or tertiary) to math, reading and the sciences. Many folks didn't have the resources they needed.

At Prairie Creek, teachers are deeply respected as professionals. We are entrusted with curriculum choices and design. We are given control over our schedule and our materials. We work together to create the professional development that would benefit our practice most.

As I've designed curriculum over the years, I've never been told "no." I've never had to justify a purchase with a lengthy explanation of how it would raise test scores. I've had the luxury of shared planning time to collaborate and reflect with my colleagues instead of operating in the lonely isolation most teachers experience.

That's very special. It's very rare. And it only happens in a school where everyone is working together to do everything they can to support a shared mission. Thank you for supporting Prairie Creek with countless volunteer hours. Thank you for supporting Prairie Creek by sharing in your child's learning and celebrating their work.

I hope that you'll be able to join us at the auction this Friday. I hope that you'll share the bidding link with friends and relatives farther afield who might be willing to support the school. Your financial support is one crucial way that that Prairie Creek can be the school it endeavors to be.