Parent Requests 'Power Teaching' Information Session

Saucon Valley parent Elsa Brown told the school board Tuesday night she's frustrated more hasn't been done to educate district parents and "stakeholders" about a new instructional initiative known as "power teaching."

Assistant school district superintendent Carl Atkinson explained that power teaching consists of instructional practices that are used in the district's math classes.

It can also be used in the instruction of other subjects.

"It's organized in a way that allows students to talk to their peers...although that's not the only aspect to it," Atkinson said. 

"I think there are some misconceptions about what this is," he added. "We've been trying to address those misconceptions individually as parents reach out to us."

Brown told the board she first requested that an information be scheduled after her children repeatedly told her "something was different with math this year," but was told by Atkinson there was a lack of interest on the part of parents.

She said a similar request made to superintendent Dr. Sandra Fellin, who was not at Tuesday's meeting, was also denied.

"I respectfully disagree with the administration," she told the board. "I am seeking your help in this matter, after seeking other avenues to obtain information about power teaching."

She added that other parents have told her they also want to know more, and two subsequently stood up and told the board that themselves.

School board member Sandra Miller confirmed that she has spoken to parents confused about power teaching, and said that while she wouldn't normally try to give the administration a directive to schedule an information session, "this is an extraordinary circumstance."

Board member Ralph Puerta, however, said he would rather not order the administration to schedule a session.

"I think enough has been said here tonight that this meeting will take place. I'm confident in it," he said.

Atkinson signaled that the parents' request will be accommodated, stating in response to Puerta's statement, "we will work it out."

Brown said she thinks an evening meeting should be held "in a very timely manner," and preferably in October, however a date for the information session wasn't immediately set.

The discussion that took place at Tuesday's school board meeting can be viewed online in a YouTube video of the meeting.

All Saucon Valley School Board meetings are also live-streamed.

A meeting can be watched live or later by clicking on the "Watch" button on the school board's Agenda page on the Saucon Valley School District website.

The next school board meeting will be held Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. in the high school's Audion room.

Photo: Patch file photo