Coalwood to the Cape
C 2C
Coalwood to the Cape is a two-part professional development opportunity that allows teachers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to discover and/or rekindle the joy of teaching and learning. Homer Hickam’s Rocket Boys is a beautiful story of a group of very exceptional boys who grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia in the 1950’s. While embraced and loved by the coal-mining community of Coalwood, these boys also felt the need to fly, to explore, and to dream beyond the darkness of the coal mines they had known all of their lives. In October of 1957, their souls turned toward the sky as Sputnik orbited the earth. Their story is told in a beautiful memoir by Homer Hickam - Rocket Boys. To many their story is heartwarming and enlightening as it recounts their journey in and out of experiments, defeats, humiliation, and yes, success and self-satisfaction, as they learned to accept each other’s weaknesses while recognizing strengths and newly-found knowledge so that they could send rockets high into the air. For those of us who are teachers, however, it is much more. It is the story of how a teacher looked into the hearts and souls of her students to help them find their gifts and create a learning environment filled with simulation, exploration, and discovery. It is our hope that Coalwood to the Cape will allow teachers the same opportunity. While exploring geology, geography, the coal mining industry, the culture of the Appalachian Mountains, the science and magic of flight, and the strength and soul of the people of Coalwood, we want each teacher to find the learner in himself or herself while creating joy in learning for students.
The journey will begin in Coalwood celebrating the October Sky Festival with Homer and the people of Coalwood. Teachers will not only explore the geography and geology of the region but will also discover the heart and soul of a people whose commitment to family and community have remained through prosperity and hardship. Embedded in this theme, is the story of a teacher Miss. Freida Joy Riley, who saw something in a very special group of boys, the Rocket Boys, that they had never even seen in themselves. We will also examine the literary elements in Homer’s writing that allow us to embrace this story at such a personal and professional level. The second component of this experience will occur at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Teachers will explore the past, present, and future of space travel while participating in a simulated space shuttle mission. They will tour Kennedy Space Center, have access to the exceptional materials in the Educator Resource Center, and participate in a simulated shuttle mission. (We will even have dinner with Telley at Yen Yen’s and listen as he shares his stories of the early astronauts in all of their glory and success.) Teachers will also receive training in a school and/or classroom project called Shuttle to the Station - the design and construction of a 1/4 scale model of the space shuttle and ISS module along with opportunities for simulated shuttle missions. It is our belief that this professional development experience for teachers will provide the backdrop for systemic change in schools. We believe that allowing teachers to become active learners prepares them to identify with their students at a level that creates an environment for life-long learning. Homer Hickam said this of his teacher, Miss. Riley: I believe there are many Freida Joy Rileys out there who are doing the same, under appreciated job …doing it just as well. I believe our nation’s children are heading for the stars. I believe they will do so with their teachers’ names on their lips. From Coalwood to the Cape will provide teachers the inspiration and knowledge they need to aim our students for the stars.
Coalwood to the Cape
2004-2005
C 2C