We're turning 20 years old!

That's 20 years of changing the course of education and improving public schools for millions of students.

Help us celebrate
and continue the fight
by donating $20 today

That's 20 years of changing the course of education and improving public schools for millions of students.

Click to open Site Menu

Louisiana LA
Search

Blog Topics

A New Orleans teacher talks about educator effectiveness and making an impact

Teachers & Principals | 03/21/2012

Alex Deiro
Marketing and Communications Director

Alex is Stand for Children Louisiana's Marketing and Communications Director

Reading teacher Kaycee Eckhardt loves her job. She works with ninth-graders at New Orleans’ Sci Academy, which has received accolades from Senator Mary Landrieu, Oprah Winfrey, GOOD Magazine and others for providing an ambitious college prep curriculum in an underprivileged environment.

“Teachers are the #1 lever for kids and their education,” she says. She’s joined Stand for Children in supporting current legislation that will increase the number of effective teachers in Louisiana and give them recognition for their positive impact.  

For Kaycee, speaking out is important. She believes that policymakers should seek teachers’ opinions and teachers’ thoughts, since they are in their classrooms every day and can speak from experience.

"I believe really strongly in teacher evaluations."

She supports House Bill 974/Senate Bill 603 (read a summary), saying, “My teaching is all about growth... getting better every single day. Because when I get better, my kids get better.”

Watch Kaycee’s short video describing her vision of educator professionalism.

Take action – take a minute to tell your Louisiana legislators you also support quality teaching!

Watch now

Share This Page

Add a comment

Comments

  • Impressive! No cue cards or prompts. Great job Kaycee.You speak so well. Relaxed, and comfortable, straight to the point.
    kathy halsey

    April 4, 2012 7:25 PM

  • Kaycee Eckhardt touched upon many important points, particularly that being an effective teacher is hard work and time consuming. Teachers need support, which should include having information about their students, such as test scores, and time to evaluate that information. These activities that should occur before a school year begins, so teachers can plan their lessons to meet the needs of the students they are about to teach for that school year.
    Nicole LeBlanc-Smith

    July 24, 2012 9:09 AM