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Educators Are Talking

Educators from South Carolina and other states have come to visit the Center for Inquiry to observe this unique community of teachers and learners. Visitors are given the opportunity to observe classrooms, to talk with the teachers, and to discuss what they have seen and heard. During their visit, they are encouraged to answer questions about their observations of the children and teachers. Below are the observations of several of our recent visitors. Visitors are welcome on Tuesday mornings by appointment only. If you wish to visit CFI, contact the school office to set up an appointment time. Space is limited. Appointments for the 2008-2009 school year will be available starting in August.
Teachers facilitated learning by guiding discussions not by lecture. They asked questions to lead to the answers and topics they wished to discuss. All of the teachers were supportive. They were constantly taking anecdotal notes and records on students. -Savannah Grove	Children are engaged in learning activities. They are motivated. They [the teachers] know a lot about their students as individuals. -Britton's Neck Elementary	The children use vocabulary that is talked about daily and previously. The children actually want to learn and be here. The teachers are very proactive in the teaching of the whole child. They want the kids to become responsible adults. -CCU Intern/Britton's Neck
High expectations from each child for their own learning. They feel a sense of ownership and pride in THEIR school community. All children are respected as learners...give it a try...we're here to support you. Constant questions keep children thinking and exploring. A "quiet," patient teacher gets results. You show respect, you reap respect. -Seven Oaks Elementary	Everything was calm, but the children were engaged. Everything was student made and student centered. There was a lot of collaborative learning and independent work. Teachers were facilitators of learning and were not spoon feeding. Teachers used some vocabulary with students as if they were talking to an adult. -Seven Oaks Elementary School	Children are living literate lives as evidenced by their talk, writing, supporting each other as writers, and the knowledge of the world. Teachers support students in their quest for seeking answers. Comments are always framed positively. -North Vista Elementary
The teachers give an inch of information and the children take the inch and make a yard. The teachers all give very positive comments to the students. -Orangeburg Calhoun Tech	The children were true inquirers and risk takers. They were respectful of others in the classroom-part of a learning and caring community. -Jonesville Elementary	The students at CFI are very independent. Their prior knowledge brings so much to classroom discussions. Their [the teachers] passion is obvious. They have a strong personal connection with their students. Their flexibility with time and schedules is refreshing. -Oconee County Primary School
The teachers encouraged the students to think on higher levels. They asked them to research something they had questions about in their discussion. They value what each child has to say. There is no rushed feeling. Time was valued as a learning tool. -Saxe Gotha Elementary	The teacher said, "My challenge to you is..."--asking them to do research at home and bring in their resource. I loved how current events were discussed in each class. The world is our classroom. -Saxe Gotha Elementary	Teachers allow students to help guide the instruction. They encourage students to take risks and not to be preoccupied with making errors. Teachers are well versed to meet the needs of students who bring a wide variety of experiences to the classroom. -Harleyville Ridgeville Elementary
They [the teachers] showed that they too were learners. I heard one teacher say, "I don't know, but I will find out." It also showed the teacher as a person who didn't know all the answers. I also saw a teacher acting as an author. He was modeling the writing process. What was cool was that he also participated in the share session. -Pineview	They [the students] participated in author's circles editing each others papers. I noted the word friend and friendship in all the rooms. -Pineview	Students were proud of their school and the work they were doing. They were happy to share their thoughts with us [the visitors]. It is obvious that the students' work is valued. Every classroom was decorated with their creations. -Pineview
Anything is possible when children and teachers learn together based on their interests and through authentic experiences. Standards are uncovered above and beyond what's required for grade level. They are a community of learners!