The 13th annual Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Bus Trip Across Georgia has been completed. Fourteen schools in the southwestern and northwestern parts of the state were visited Sept. 12 - 14 and Nov. 16 - 18 respectively. 

The south trip was an unqualified success.   Schools on the southwestern trip included Upson-Lee Middle School, Thomaston; Columbus High School, Columbus; Lillie Cooper Elementary School, Dawson; Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School, Albany; Matt Wilson Elementary School, Tifton; Ben Hill Primary School, Fitzgerald; and Blackshear Trail Elementary School, Cordele. 

Schools visited on the north route included: KIPP WAYS Academy and Capitol View Elementary School (Atlanta); Coosa High School (Rome - see Thursday and Friday stories); Calhoun Primary and Elementary Schools;  Friendship House Early Learning Center (Dalton) and Catoosa Performance Learning Center (Ft. Oglethorpe).  

Bus Trip XIII was one of the best ever.  To get an inside look at the entire trip, take a look at the slide show (runs approximately 19 minutes).  Sit back, relax and click here.

Here are some comments from evaluations turned in by riders and other participants.  What experience from Bus Trip XIII made the biggest impact on you?

South Trip:- It is one thing to read about best practices, it is another thing to see them implemented in a classroom, but it is an altogether different experience to see them wholeheartedly and effectively embraced by entire schools.

- Seeing the innovative things happening in Georgia's schools.

- I saw the need to help all children get funding for more.

- Despite financial shortfalls, achievement happens.  Administrators excite teachers - teachers excite students - students get involved in their learning = achievement.

- Visiting in classrooms and watching the learning!

- Experiencing excellent schools that succeed because of dedicated administrators and teachers with strong community support.

- Seeing the levels of technology in the different schools as well as the different levels of funding.

- Resource disparity.

- Great things going on, networking.

- The quality of schools and diverse levels and populations.

- The visit to Lillie Cooper - to see the scarce resources but to know their involvement and care of those children.

- Being in a classroom culture.

- There's a lot of wonderful efforts being made across Georgia to close the education gap.

- You get to see both ends of the educational spectrum with different demographics, instructional approaches, etc.

-  First, just being in the midst of so many business professionals who are truly concerned with our children's education.  Then just being able to visit schools who are excelling, getting such positive influences from them and so many ideas that I can implement in my own classroom!

- Columbus High School - I loved it!  Spending time learning from my fellow riders.

- Lillie Cooper was inspiring.  Blackshear Trail was wonderful!

- Lillie Cooper - stretching their resources to invest in their kids/students - refusing excuses and delivering excellence - inspiring!

North trip:- The kids at every stop were great!

- Visiting the classrooms at KIPP and Calhoun.

- Seeing a diversity of programs from early childhood, charter to PLC.

- This was a very informative trip for me since I am planning to make the transition from the corporate arena to education.

- I really enjoyed being in the classrooms and seeing the innovative ways those teachers are educating their students.  The welcome at Calhoun with the children was one of the highlights of the trip.

- KIPP and Calhoun - distinctly different but both inspiring.

- Friendship House - I would love to replicate it all over Georgia.

-  Every stop gave me something to "take home."  It was incredible.

- The Friendship House, we could sure use a few more models like this throughout the state.

- "Wish it, dream it, do it!"  It is possible to provide quality programs and we have to work together and believe in it!

- Incredible things being done in schools inspired me and helped me realize the potential a community has to efffect change with the right group of individuals.

-  The energy and excitement at the KIPP Academy.  The math teacher was dynamic!

-  Seeing the difference teachers and administrators can make on a student when they believe they can succeed.

-  Partnerships between schools and communities to make sure that all of our children succeed!

-  Community involvement to improve education especially for at-risk children.

-  (As a future teacher) I saw how I don't want to be when I begin teaching.  There is more to life than the SAT.

-  The importance of being proactive with PK - 3.

-  The dedication to educating children, the outside the box approaches to getting the education appropriate to the student.

Future teachers invited for first time
College students from around the state who will soon become Georgia's newest teachers were invited to participate.  Representatives from Albany State, Augusta State, Clayton State, Columbus State, Dalton State, Kennesaw State and the University of Georgia were afforded a unique look at the future system they are preparing to serve.  What did they learn?  How did they like it?   Would they recommend it for other students?  Here are some of their responses:

-  (I learned) that there are actual practices being used that we are learning about in classes.  They aren't just useless ideas.  Yes!  I recommend it.  It was so neat getting out and seeing so many different/wonderful schools out there that I would have never known about.  I felt very special to be on the trip and I was in very good company.

-  I was able to take ideas of what I saw and apply them to classes that I will teach.  I encountered several individuals who had a true passion for education and leadership.  From this I was able to network with them and get advice that will be very beneficial in the long run.  I would recommend this to every student.  It has enlightened me in several ways, opening my eyes to the vast array of opportunities that I have as an educator.

-  The one thing I have heard so much before is to make use of everything you have.  On this trip I have seen that put into use at every stop.  Some schools had more technology, upgraded technology or not much, but all of the schools were on the same level and rearing excellent students.  I would definitely recommend this trip for any student able to go.  They will see what they learn put into practice in an area other than their norm.  It is also a wonderful networking tool.

-  I learned there are different methods of teaching out there.  I have also learned more about what I will and won't do in my class.  I also saw how other districts are run and noticed the good and bad points.  Yes!  This trip exposes you to so many different schools and types of students and teachers.

-  It was so encouraging to see the amazing efforts and ideas being put into our Georgia public school systems despite what news and data states about them.  (In our program) we learn about an ideal school system filled with interaction, care, technology, etc.; yet we have never seen these ideals put into practice.  It was very beneficial to see these "excellent schools" that practice and master what we have studied.  Definitely!  It was an amazing experience.  I think it will be one of my most beneficial learning experiences throughout my Early Childhood Education program.

-  I was able to observe the techniques that I'm being taught actually at work.  We do not see the dynamic teaching that we have had the opportunity to see on this trip.  It is encouraging to get to observe the great aspects of the teaching profession.  Yes, this has been an enlightening experience to see such a variety of schools and techniques used in teaching.

-  I saw a plethora of examples where economic and cultural diversity was overcome to produce innovative educational programs that put all students on an even playing field.  Additionally, I met numerous educators who share the same enthusiasm and vision for educating all citizens that I do.  I learned about more ways to make a difference in education through the various educational representatives on the tour.  I had no idea how many paths in education existed.  Yes!  Experiencing first hand the inspiration that educational communities breathe into their environment is something a student teacher does not get anywhere else.  It is extremely invigorating to witness as we leave our comfort zones at universities to enter our own classrooms.

Questions about the annual event may be directed to the Partnership at 404-223-2280 or via E-mail.

Potential stops for the 2006 tour are always being examined.  Do you know a school that is innovative and is enoying a strong record of student achievement? Drop us a note at the above E-mail address and we'll consider them.