My name is David and I am a special education teacher at Boyne City Middle School. I have been using WBT since last march and my kids really enjoy it (so do I). I have found it works with classes of 5 kids in a resource room to 28 kids in a gen ed co-taught room. I introduced WBT to my teaching colleague last year in her 8th grade ELA class we co-taught together. This year, I have introduced it to my 7th grade ELA co-teaching partner with great success. When I approached her about utilizing WBT in her classroom and told her she could look at numerous videos on-line, she said go ahead and just do it, I'll watch, I don't have time to read articles or look at videos (she's a visual type). When I introduced it to the class, she really enjoyed it and has slowly been learning it, as the month has progressed (she really likes the class-yes, 1-second celebration, and mighty groan). Long story short, I am converting people in my building one at a time and they really enjoy using it. Some are further along than others, but Rome was not built in a day. To all of you folks wanting to try WBT but are hesitant, begin with class-yes and move on as your confidence increases. Pretty soon you will be be incorporating the Big Seven and you will be on your way. WBT works for kids.

Nice to meet you, David! I am an elementary special Ed teacher. This is my second complete year using WBT. You are so lucky to get other teachers on board with you. I have my own classroom so I am lucky enough to teach how I want to teach, but if I had to team teach, most of the teachers in my school would frown upon what I thought worked. It is so hard to get people to change. Either that, or they don't want to take the time to learn. Congratulations on your success!

David,

It is so nice to hear your story. It is very much like mine. I found out about WBT about 4 years ago. No one in my area was using it or had even heard of it. I started sharing information about it at presentations I was doing in our region. The word spread both in my district and in surrounding districts. Now there are several teachers in my district using it and more joining in all the time. You are right, it all starts with one voice/example and builds from there. Keep sharing the successes!

Susan floyd
WBT Intern
2011-12

I'm lucky because our school had an in-service this summer on WBT. So, almost everyone on our staff is incorporating WBT. It's working out great for me!

That is wonderful. I see more and more teachers in my district using it. The more that are on board with it the better it works because the kids get to use it everwhere they go. That has been such a big deal for one of the elementary buildings I work in. Every child in the building responds to Class/Yes wherever they hear it; in class, in the hall, in gym, at assemblies, anywhere.
You are fortunate to have that in place for you at the beginning.

Susan floyd
WBT Intern
2011-12

Let me add my 2 cents from CA, I have two colleges who have started W BT and tell me how happy they are. I know 2 in a large school does not sound like much but this is a "if ain't broke keep do it the same old way group". So we will convert as many as we can as we go.
Power to us all-

Our elementary spanish teacher approached me the other day asking me to explain to her the basics of WBT. Seems her principal encouraged his staff to go to the WBT site last Friday as part of their Professional Development day and research WBT. She knew I had been using it in my classroom for some time now. I also received a request from an elementary teacher asking if she could observe me using it in my resource room (middle school). I was elated and excited to hear people are finding out about WBT and want to incorporate it in their classroom. One by one, district by district, state by state, WBT nation is growing. A big whoo hoo to everyone!

And the word continues to spread!!!

Susan Floyd
WBT Intern
2011-12