Visit to Tombstone High School April 29, 2011

As an advocate for the school, it is important for me to know the routine of the school.  I took the day off work to visit Tombstone HS.   It was a pleasure to meet with teachers and some students as Mr. Thursby gave me the grand tour.  I was stopped in the hallway by a substitute who found out I was a Board Member.  He expressed to me his preference to work for the Tombstone HS as a substitute, because of the respect he receives from the students.  As a former teacher, I know how important it is to enter a work place where the students are respectful. 

I was able to witness the student’s of Mrs. Bristow’s class present their report of what life would be like for them in the future.   Mrs. Bristow explained how students researched a career of their choice earlier in the year.  They were assigned the number of children and the career of their spouse.  The students researched career information to determine the education needed, the salary and benefits they will likely earn while employed in that career. The students also researched homes for sale where they plan to live, and the cost of expenses involved in the support of their family.  A power point was presented to the class to share their estimated budget for expenses and savings.

During a short visit to Mrs. Greene’s class we were invited back for their World Exploration visit.  The students researched a Country for which they were to bring in a poster displaying what they learned and cultural dish of the country. 

One student researching England talked about how he stayed up late to watch the Royal Wedding.  I am not sure how many of you stayed up to watch the Royal Wedding, but I know I didn’t.  It was refreshing to know only hear the young man talk about the event, but he was excited.  The pride he had for his new found knowledge about another Country, but more importantly his self-motivation to learn was evident.

Many students were able to recite the facts about the Country of their report, but we all know the facts are the lowest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy.  I assessed them with oral questions about the Country and took them beyond the facts they found with questions about the value of money compared to the US and why does the dish they chose to make represent the Country.  Many students expressed their understanding of the Countries cultural difference to their native country.

I admit, I am highlighting the extraordinary events of the day. I was very impressed with the positive attitude of the teachers. Principal Devere sat with me at the end of the tour to give me an update on his plans for the some of the events ending the school year.