The VIVA Project of Chicago

The VIVA (Voices, Ideas, Vision, Action) Project of Chicago was an innovative social media project designed to identify and assemble teacher voices throughout Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This investment led to an unprecedented level of citywide teacher engagement and collaboration around identifying new ideas with potential to improve student learning. As a result of the report published, CPS ultimately adopted many of the recommendations, including: integrating recess into the Full School Day and preparing a recess guide for principals; unblocking YouTube in schools; and moving vacation breaks to the end of academic quarters to minimize interruptions in year-round schools.

Impact

• Nearly 600 Chicago teachers contributed to a report suggesting new ways to use the full school day to better serve students and teachers.
• In December 2011, members of The VIVA Chicago Teachers’ Idea Exchange Writing Collaborative presented Time, Teachers and Tomorrow’s Schools, to then CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis.