You’re invited: Hear local educators share their stories of when lessons don’t go to plan

A man wearing a light grey shirt speaks into a microphone while a person stands in the background.
Ronak Shah shares a story during a November 2023 story slam presented by Teachers Lounge Indy in collaboration with Chalkbeat Indiana and Indy Kids Winning. Chalkbeat Indiana and Indy Kids Winning are hosting an upcoming story slam on March 1, 2024. (Elaine Cromie/Chalkbeat)

Sign up for Chalkbeat Indiana’s free daily newsletter to keep up with Indianapolis Public Schools, Marion County’s township districts, and statewide education news.

Things don’t always go as planned - even when there’s a lesson plan. And now, you can hear directly from educators about the times they adjusted those plans, whether it was in the moment or after another experience changed their perspective.

Join us for the “From Lesson Plan to New Plan” teacher story slam from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 1, at Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center, 2990 W. 71st St., Indianapolis.

The event is hosted by Indy Kids Winning and Chalkbeat Indiana, and supported by Teach Indy.

This story slam is a continuation of story slams hosted by Teachers Lounge Indy that were a place for teachers to share their stories, spend time together, and learn from each other. This time, it’s also the night before the Teach Indy Educators Conference.

Come to hear the stories, meet other educators, and try handcrafted vegan wines from Sip & Share Wines.

To attend, register here for a free ticket on Eventbrite: https://ckbe.at/indystoryslam

Also, if you’re an educator and want to tell your story, please let us know here.

An illustration with half blue background with white text and the other half a photo of a woman wearing a blue sweater standing in a restaurant.
(Illustration Caroline Bauman / Chalkbeat | Photo Elaine Cromie / Chalkbeat)

MJ Slaby oversees Chalkbeat Indiana’s coverage as bureau chief. She also covers access to higher education and Warren Township Schools. Contact MJ at mslaby@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest

North Star’s Washington Park High School teacher Scott Kern reflected on how artificial intelligence is influencing what happens inside his Newark classroom.

Credit-recovery programs give students the chance to earn credits they need for the next grade or graduation. But do these second chances to pass give the system permission to fail?

Roughly 90% of high schoolers who weren’t on track to graduate by the end of 9th grade stayed off track in 10th grade, according to a November district analysis.

A survey of 1,361 Chicago adults, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found lower awareness of the elected school board among younger people and those who identify as Black and Latino.

Dozens of school districts filed a lawsuit against the state challenging conditions placed on receiving school safety and mental health funding.

Mayor Cherelle Parker has publicly said she wants to use vacant buildings for housing. The school board approved a resolution saying it will look into it.