Wednesday 8th September

“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see”

Another great day in the company of a team passionate about education and student success through partnership of school, family and community. At the helm, the well-respected and oft-quoted, Professor Joyce Epstein. Kevin Ryan, of Boston University, said of her, "Epstein has her hand on one of the most crucial levers for improving our educational system". My conversations with her and the members of her team will be the subject of my WCMT report. I gained further insights into the work the team has been pioneering from Darcy Hutchins, Steven Sheldon and Brenda Thomas.

In addition, thanks to Brenda for making time to taking us to Lenny's to get the best corned beef sandwich in the city and showing us the school where series 4 of 'The Wire' was filmed. Above us she had us in stitches; she is so funny.

Ended the day on a real high: feasting on local crabs (this is the thing to do in these parts) and drinking beer with friends, Mundia and with Larry and Beth who drove over from Wilmington to see me. Thk so much for a great experience.

Tuesday 7th September

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"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give"

Visited a Partnership school (part of the National Network of Partnership schools) that has adopted the pioneering research-based work of Professor Joyce Epstein and her team. This school's culture reflects the  'best practice' drawn from Professor Epstein's 'Framework of Six Types of Involvement'. I saw first-hand the brilliant work being done at district level by Jean West Lewis, at the Faulkner Ridge Center, in Columbia in Howard County and at school level by Maureen Gomez, a former teacher and now a Parent Laison Officer and by the Principal, Troy Todd, at Running Brook Elementary school in Howard County.

The quote above embodies for me the great work they are all doing to help students succeed through effective partnership of school, family and community.