August to June Coming to UAH
The education documentary August to June is the product of Tom and Amy Valens, a husband and wife team (the husband is the filmmaker, his wife is the teacher). The film captures the final year of Amy’s 35-year teaching career and follows her last class from beginning to end. What makes this film different from other educational documentaries is the school Amy teaches at, The Open Classroom of the Lagunitas School District.
The film’s website makes the following statement:
The intention here has been to make a film that can be watched for the sheer pleasure of the experience, but that also will raise awareness of what a public school can accomplish when the goal is not just discreet skills. Viewed from this intimate angle, one is really rooting for these kids: experiencing the range of abilities and backgrounds that is found in schools everywhere, and seeing up close how this particular classroom becomes a supportive community.
At a time when our local community, as well as our entire nation, is debating how to best serve our children’s educational needs, parents have an obligation to educate themselves not just on what options are currently available but also what is possible. Therefore, I’d encourage anyone with an interest in changing education in Huntsville for the better to attend this screening on Thursday, February 16 at UAH’s Chan Auditorium from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion focused on how we go about achieving what we really value for our children and society.
This community event is free and open to the public so invite your friends! The screening is sponsored by The Country Day School, The Foundation for Educational Progress, and UAH Department of Education.
Rocket City Mom is a website about raising children in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Started in late 2010 by a local mom and newcomer to Huntsville, Rocket City Mom has grown into a thriving community of local parents and now boasts a staff of four, thirteen regular contributors, and tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley readers making it the #1 Parenting Resource in North Alabama.