Thursday 9th September

“Choose Your Seat, Get Involved”- PIMA slogan

MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGAIN RANK NUMBER ONE

"For the second straight year, Maryland’s public education system received number one rankings in 2010 from Education Week; the College Board for Advanced Placement performance; and, once again, Newsweek for the highest percentage of rigorous high schools in America. We should all be truly proud for these consistent and remarkable accomplishments".

--Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools

I had the privilege of visiting the Maryland State Department of Education and learning first-hand about one of their initiatives: the Comcast Parental Involvement Achievement Award (PIMA), an exciting award program that is the first of its kind in the US. It recognises the achievements of parents and legal guardians whose efforts have had a positive impact on public schools. The PIMA award is also considered important in encouraging parents to get involved with schools in whatever capacity they can.

I was truly inspired by the passionate support for the programme. The history, highlights and achievements were shared with me in a meeting convened by Maureen Moran, Director, Division of Academic Policy and included members of her team and representatives from Comcast, their PIMA partner organisation led by Lori Riordan, Regional Vice President, Governmental Affairs Comcast.

Hearing about the diverse ways in which parents are making a difference in working in partnership with schools in Maryland, as Heather Bradbury, Education Program Specialist, led the tour of the gallery of photos of the 24 PIMA semi-finanlists was a truly awe-inspiring experience.

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.

Monday 6th September

Labour Day holiday in the US is most closely akin to May Day holiday in the UK. However the holiday is now largely seen as a celebration of the end of summer and for most students it marks the return to school. Americans celebrate in a variety of ways including parades, picnics, Days Out and BBQs.

I spent the day in Annapolis, the capital of the state of Maryland. This beauty city is steeped in British colonial history and was, I learnt, the capital of the US for a short period from 1783-1784.
On our walk around the city, we visited the Maryland State House, the Thurgood Marshall Memorial, The Kunte Kinte Memorial (of Roots fame) and, last but not least, the US Naval Academy, based in Annapolis since 1845.

The tradition in these parts is to feast on steamed crab, crab cakes or seafood of some kind. I am saving that pleasure until Wednesday evening when I will have the pleasure of steamed crabs!

Departure from LHR on Saturday 4th September

BA0229 took off nearly an hour late from LHR. After all the planning I was finally on my way to Baltimore in the US, on the first leg of my Travelling Fellowship. The flight was very pleasant. The 8 hour flight soon passed as I chatted to my neighbour and then spent time reading the in-flight magazine, newspapers, the latest WCMT newsletter and planning notes.

I landed at Baltimore’s Thurgood Marshall International Airport around 2015. After the full 10 digit finger-printing and photograph, my passage through immigration was made very easy after the officer was shown my letter of introduction from the WCMT.

I emerged from the baggage area to warm greetings and a bouquet of flowers from two young ladies whom I have mentored over the years. My heart was truly warmed to see how they had both blossomed. My visit to ‘charm city’ had started. I plan to spend the next couple of days gaining my orientation and preparing for my meeting with Professor Epstein on 7th September. .

Reflection

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

This is one of my favourite Churchillian quotes. I have been reflecting on this as I prepare for my journey.

Less than 2 weeks to go!

With less than two weeks to go, the trip is now a reality and I am filled with excitement tinged with a little anxiety as I contemplate the number of things I still have to do at home, work and putting the finishing touches to my travel plans.
It's been really helpful reading the blogs of other travelling Fellows, as well as the blogs of friends. I have particularly enjoyed Terry's witty blog charting his and Lorain's cycle ride from Land's End enroute to John O'Groats.