
A Sneak Peak Behind the Scenes of CHS Faculty Oaker Hour BY AMANDA MCKECHNIE
Ever wonder what the teachers really do behind the scenes? How do they think of ideas that will benefit the school? There is a system teachers use called “Oaker Hour.” Oaker Hour was set up by Mr. Chace with the help of Mrs. Macomber. It was established this year for teachers. Oaker Hour is the time teachers use during professional development time, such as on early release days, to pursue “passion projects.”
There are two early release days a month. The first of the early release days on the calendar is used as a day when department members work together on curriculum matters such as how they will teach it, asses it, etc. and the focus is planning engaging instruction for students.
“We want teachers to work on what they love,” said Assistant Principal Mr. Chace.
The other day of early release is used for teachers to learn themselves. On this development day, the teachers can learn and acquire new skills to improve at being a teacher. It can help the teachers learn new skills of how to catch students’ attention and how to keep the energy in the classroom.
Oaker Hour’s purpose was derived from a certain quote by Dave Burgess. Paraphrased it is “If teachers didn’t have to be there, would you be professionally developing an empty room?” In other words, if students didn’t have to go to school would they still come and enjoy it. The same goes for teachers during the Oaker Hour. The administration worked hard to create this Oaker Hour mainly to keep the interest in the teachers too.

Mrs. Violette, Mrs. Haynes, Mrs. Tundis, and Mrs. Boyle are working on a display that will ultimately be a celebration of a love of reading at CHS. Stay tuned!
Oaker Hour gives teachers the opportunity to follow what they are passionate about to help the school, classes, and community. They can work together and communicate their ideas with each other. All teachers take part in this and can work with who they choose. Many of the ideas have already been set in motion.
One of the biggest projects to come out of Oaker Hour thus far is the Unified Oakers by Mrs. Hoskins. Its purpose is to include everyone and to show the importance of caring. The Unified Basketball Game and the Polar plunge were two of the biggest successes that came from the Unified group.
Some other ideas have been the sensory room in the library for kids to unwind there. There is the kindness campaign by Mrs. Sweeney which consists of doing acts of kindness for the community like paying it forward. Another idea was a math club which is a huge success. The energy of the students in the club is outstanding so much that next year they are planning on attending competitions.
Mr. Feinberg is also putting in motion a Project Based Learning technique. It is when students can choose what they want their project to be on for a certain subject. If students are learning about a certain topic and all are interested in different aspects of the main topic then they can base their project on what interests them most on the overall topic. It encourages students to learn about what they are passionate about and will help keep the students interested.
Some ideas coming from Oaker Hour are still in the planning process but here are some previews of what might soon come to Coventry High School. The Seven Challenges is a clinic that will hopefully be established in the school. The clinic will provide support and counseling for students. If students don’t have access to reach a clinic outside of school they can now attend the one in school for help.
A Writing Lab is also being planned. The overall concept of it is that it will give students a place to come to the library and ask for help with writing. It will offer assistance to students that struggle in that area.
Another idea is PBIS, Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions. The idea is that since kids are punished for doing bad and now the school will reward the kids for doing good to encourage them to continue the deeds.
Lastly, there is a new class possibly for next year called Financial Algebra. It will teach students how to apply what they are learning in their current math classes to real-life situations. It will help students gain knowledge of applying their knowledge for the real world when they are older and on their own.
Oaker Hour has been a great success for the teachers and the school. It has benefitted the school in great ways but it still has the opportunity for growth and improvement. The teachers have more freedom to think outside the box and share their ideas.
As Mr. Chace said, “It’s a better opportunity for teachers and gives them the freedom to explore what they like.”
Oaker Hour will be a continuous project and will have improvements added to it along the way. The administration is taking the chance at the end of the year to review what they have done this year. They will see what it has done for the school and make any changes that might be necessary.
All in all the Oaker Hour been seen as a great success and a great step forward for Coventry High School.
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