Overbrook School for the Blind

The 2020-2021 school brought on unique challenges and demanded flexibility for educators and students alike. My participation in RPIA created a space for me to connect with other teachers monthly in a meaningful way. As I collaborated with other Philadelphia teachers, I knew that I was not in this alone. The RPIA group encouraged and challenged me as I developed new methods to support my students and I learned creative strategies from my teammates that I could try out in my own classroom. RPIA has pushed me to take a step back from the big picture and identify ways that I can grow as a teacher. I have seen an increase in participation, independence, and students building relationships with peers. My classroom culture shifted from a very individual focus to the students feeling like they are part of a team. They work together to build one another up both socially and academically. My students are more confident, and I see them taking initiative during class discussions and activities in a way that was hard to envision last September.