Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/776907
"All men dream : but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity : but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." — T.E. Lawrence T he quote by Lawrence of Arabia, while dated, describes the edu- cators showcased in our 2017 Innovation Issue (page 20), all of whom have acted on their dreams, and in so doing have made a difference in the lives of students and colleagues. Al Rabanera, who graces our cover and finds the quote particularly moving, has strengthened the profession by establishing teacher mento- ring and training programs. Kory Bootsma has turned school libraries into thriving Makerspaces. Kevin Jennings guides Afri- can American boys to manhood. B on ni e Ma g i l l i n sti l l s i n h er y o u n g c h a r g e s t h e j o y s o f a g r i c u l t u re . D a n Reynolds tirelessly advocates for human rights. eresa Bradley and Crystal Stand- ley teach critical life skills to students with special needs. And Rosa RiVera Furumoto's multigenerational lessons blend Native American folklore and Latino heritage with STEAM education. Innovative educators are everywhere, of course, not just in our special section. Fifth-grade teacher Tammy Dunbar cham- pions the tenets of Genius Hour (page 13), because students who find and pursue their passions — their genius — learn to love learning. Nutrition professor Dawn Clifford ("Healthy Eating," page 16) has been recognized for her novel approach to teaching, which involves hands-on simula- tions complete with mannequins. Tough times often result in innovation. A s our feature " Hun ger on Campu s" (page 32) describes, schools, educators and communities are coming together in inventive ways to address increasing num- bers of food insecure students and families. On- campus food pantries, snack stations and free farmers' markets tackle the imme- diate problem ; longer-term approaches include on-campus gardens, nutrition and cooking classes, and perhaps most impor- tantly, inspiring educators and students to become advocates and activists to eradi- cate hunger. Other examples of innovative solutions to difficult issues are present in "Fighting Back Against Hate" (page 44). Educators are rallying to teach tolerance and inclu- siven ess in th e face of hateful graf fiti , assaults and bullying, which have been on the rise at schools throughout the state. eir actions and strategies aim to improve school climate and ensure the safety of all students, especially the most vulnerable populations. Educators know that when students' basic needs — the need to be safe, to be nourished physically and mentally — are met, they will f lourish and grow. It 's a hopeful dream that becomes reality when we keep our eyes open, and act. Katharine Fong E D I T O R I N C H I E F editor@cta.org Eyes Wide Open Innovation Everywhere Speaking of innovation, CTA's New Educator Weekend is a must for those with five years or less in the profession. This new conference, March 10-12, offers a fun and energizing format, and will give you the tools, resources and network you need for both your career and your personal life. See story on page 10. #ctanew We're always on the lookout for creative educators who are implementing unique ideas in service of students and the profession. Do you know an innova- tor? Let us know at editor@cta.org. 7 January / February 2017 Kevin Jennings teaches a Manhood Development class in Oakland.