Daniel Ford Faris oral history interview, 2005 June 22

Digital Record

Identifier: OH-FA0351

Staff Only

Digital Object (sound_recording_nonmusical)

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Dates

Creation: 2005-06-22

Biographical Note

Daniel Ford Faris was a 61-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1944. He was educated at Clemson University, and was employed as a teacher.

Extent

101 Minutes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

General Note

Teacher Daniel Ford Faris describes the open education learning environment at Piedmont Open Middle School between 1977 and 1997. He discusses his methods of teaching students and compares his teaching methods during his time at Spaugh Middle School, a traditional school, and at Piedmont. Mr. Faris describes the school's unique culture, including team teaching, methods of conducting evaluations and parent-teacher conferences, emphasis on collaboration, and administrators' solicitation of teacher input. Throughout the interview, Mr. Faris describes how he believes open education improved student behavior and learning outcomes during his time as an educator. He concludes by sharing his views about the future of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system and of open education.