Educators

You play a critical role in ensuring your students’ Exchange City experience is successful and memorable. As a facilitator of the program, you help contribute to the Exchange City experience by adopting our experiential learning philosophy and hands-on classroom curriculum to and effectively teach and prepare students for their unique on-site experience.

Our program provides you with:

• A classroom curriculum that strengthens background knowledge while building new skills through a creative format of open-ended questioning and problem solving;
• High quality lessons using research-based instructional strategies, activities and assessments that enhance student performance in the areas of math, social studies, and communication arts;
• Content alignment with your state and national standards;
• An opportunity to involve parents in a meaningful academic experience with their children
• Annual curriculum upgrades and enhancements

We encourage you to enroll your class in Exchange City as early as possible. Dates are assigned on a first come, first served basis, and they fill up very quickly. Also, be sure to look into a 5% EarthWorks discount and special off-season rates.

**Please see the bottom of the page for inclement weather procedures.**

• What is Teacher Training?
  All new Exchange City teachers need to contact Patty (pneth@tlekc.org) for a training session that includes an introduction to the Exchange City classroom curriculum, preparation details for your school’s visit and introduction of experiential learning methods. Teachers who have taught the program previously are welcome to request additional training.
  
  
• Who needs to attend? All teachers new to the program are required to attend a Teacher Training session in order to explore the site, review elements of the curriculum and become familiar with experiential learning. However, all teachers are welcome to attend training as an update opportunity.
  
  
• Does it matter when I go? Teachers must attend their Training or receive their materials at least one month prior to their school's event date.
  
  
• How do I get the password to download the curriculum? Teachers are given their passwords in their confirmation/welcome email.
  
  
• When can I pick up my student materials? Please contact Patty Neth at 816-659-8543 or email Patty (pneth@tlekc.org) to schedule material pick up.
  
  

Volunteer Information --- PLEASE USE UPDATED TEACHER FORMS

• What is the volunteer's role? Without the support of volunteers, Exchange City would not be able to provide this great experience to children. Volunteers play an important role in ensuring their child's Exchange City experience is all that it can be: educational, fun and memorable. Please use the Volunteer Assignment Sheet (see current Teacher Forms) to submit your volunteer information.
  
  
• Who needs to attend? Teachers should select volunteers that can can commit to the five hour Exchange City visit. It is the teacher’s responsibility to inform volunteers of their responsibilities and date of visit.
  
  
• How many volunteers are needed? It is recommended that one volunteer assist in each business. The Corner Café and Arvest Bank generally need two volunteers each. This number generally varies between 14-20 volunteers. Please place volunteers in different businesses than their child. Important note: If sharing the day with another school, the number of volunteers should be divided amongst the schools.
  
  
• When do I need to complete this? The Volunteer Assignment Sheet must be submitted online at least one week prior to the visit date. Please include all volunteers on one form.
  
  
• What if we are sharing the day with another school? Consult with the other school(s) to determine how the 14-20 volunteer jobs are divided between the schools.
  
  
  

Parent Permission/Photo Release Form

• Can the parents complete this form online? No, parents cannot complete this form online. You, the teacher, can print this form from the PDF file and make copies for the parents. Exchange City will need an original copy of this form with the parent's signature. The Exchange City permission forms MUST be sent before day of site visit or accompany students on day of site visit.

Exchange City Attendance Sheets (formerly Student Job List/Account Numbers)

• What is it? This is an online student job list form. It includes the name and account number of every student who will be participating in the actual event day listed by business and job.
• When does this need to be submitted to Exchange City? Submit this list at least one week before your Exchange City visit.

Final Checklist

Before you board the school bus, double-check for the following:

1. Does each student have his/her packed sack lunch (no beverage required)?
2. Are all of the Parent Permission/Photo Release Forms signed, completed and on-hand?
3. Are you bringing payment or has it already been sent?
4. Do you have all of your On-Site Forms envelopes complete with all of the required business forms?
5. Do you have 1 checkbook for each child?
6. Have you confirmed with the bus company your departure time from Exchange City?