4 minute read
Curt’s Corner
• Wills & Trusts • Probate • Bankruptcy • Family Law • Business • Litigation
Sam Crump, Esq. Nichole Oblinger, Esq.
HEATING • COOLING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
John & Robin McCombs Veteran Owned & Operated
10% Discount On Any Repair
(Not valid with other o ers or promotions, one coupon per person.)
602-789-3000 info@azperfectcomfort.com • www.azperfectcomfort.com
▶ REBATES up to $1,000 or Special 0% nancing on qualifying systems with approved credit. ▶ FREE Estimates on New Systems
Additional $100 OFF a new system with this ad ▶ Perfect Comfort Club Maintenance
Plan: Starting at $14/month
Online Learning
Relationships matter the most in K-12 education By Dr. Curtis Finch, Deer Valley Unified School District Superintendent
Deer Valley Unified School District will finish the 2019-20 school year online. In this adventure, we have discovered a key ingredient to successful K-12 schooling—relationships.
Some learning environments make more sense for an online world—universities and colleges, for example. Quality discussion is lost with a computer screen, but this scenario works well for busy adults, especially those who may be working while advancing their education.
A portion of my Ph.D. was online and was very valuable for my working schedule. Because it was a hybrid program, in person and virtual, it was probably more expensive overall, but the benefits out-weighed the struggles, as I was working full time and raising a family. K-12 education, on the other hand, must be done in person; the face-to-face education focuses on more than just teaching content and information.
So, why do brick-and-mortar public K-12 schools even exist? One must look to the past for answers. K-12 education in the United States started in the private world in the late 1700s and continued into the mid-1800s in small groups where only 30% of the population had any formal instruction. It increased to 70% by the late 1800s. Pennsylvania, Ohio and Massachusetts were the first to have compulsory K-12 education, until all states joined in the 1930s. Mann, Montessori, Dewey and Comenius were among the first designers to promote universal education for developing: 1) universal knowledge; 2) human compassion; 3) citizenship; and 4) the ideals of a budding democracy. The American system has some other unique attributes, such as calendars built around harvest, welcomed parental engagement, locally elected school board members, individual student rights and responsibilities, and specialized programs for specific groups of students.
The American K-12 public education has expanded on the foundational concepts formed more than 100 years ago. We welcome all students, teach foundation principles of individual and group values, promote the core concepts found in our democracy, and guide all students to reach their full potential. Many of the European, Asian and Middle Eastern “sorting systems” remove students based on test performance. The beauty of the American system is the ability to be a “late bloomer” and still have access to public education.
Although online learning is becoming popular for post-secondary education degrees, one should not see an immediate significant change for K-12. The greatest single need for children and young-adult formation is the bond between school personnel and students. A computer screen cannot relay connection and purpose as an in-person relationship can. While DVUSD forges ahead finishing the school year online, everyone is looking forward to returning to our 39 schools. The teachers, support staff, lunch servers, bus drivers, crossing guards, secretaries, custodians, counselors, coaches and administrators are missing the students just as much as the kids are missing their friends and school personnel. Relationships matter the most in K-12 education.
Dr. Curtis Finch is the superintendent at Deer Valley Unified School District and can be reached at superintendent@dvusd.org.
- ANTHEM LISTINGS - Presented by the Tetsell Team
3818 W. Rushmore | O ered at $ 389,900 Wonderful move-in ready home in Anthem Parkside! Featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, formal living/ dining, beautiful upgraded kitchen with bay window overlooking the lush backyard.
1651 W. Morse Drive | O ered at $ 279,000 Cute and charming Espino oor plan in Anthem Country Club o ers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths on a wash lot. Great home with an open oor plan! Enjoy year round or as a secondary home!
2555 W. Princeville | O ered at $ 779,900 Fabulous Rochester oor plan with casita located in Anthem Country Club! is home has it all including pool and spa, built-in barbecue, replace and views from an elevated lot! Gorgeous interior, too!
41709 N. Signal Hill | O ered at $ 914,900 Breathtaking views of mountain vistas, city lights, and the #1 hole on the Ironwood Golf Course in Anthem Country Club! is Rochester model has been pampered by original owners and it shows.
For a private viewing of these or other homes, contact Dick or Jill!
Dick and Jill Tetsell
e Tetsell Team
REALTORS® Jill: 480-203-9066 Cell Dick: 480-227-6578 Cell