Red Apple Teaching

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:52 am

Yesterday I received the Red Apple Teacher Award from the Foundation for Educational Excellence. This is the third time I've won it. It is given to the top 5% of the teachers in New Mexico. This is an unedited excerpt from the nomination letter.

My story began the Summer of 2005 when I learned that my 8th grade son would have to attend the summer program at Rocinante to help students attain the state levels. (Note from Jives: He was retained in the 8th grade, the Intensive Summer Session is designed to give them a second chance to pass the test.) Needless to say, my son was not excited about having to attend this program.

My concern was more about my son's desire to want to achieve this state goal. To change one's desire or awaken such a desire is one of life's bigest challenges. I wondered is there such a person that is able to do that.

That man was Mr. Ives. I only met him once with my son...and for the next three weeks (Note from Jives: it was actually a six week course) he would have my son for 6 hours a day. My fourteen-year-old son actions would tell me all I needed to know.

By the first weeks end My son was going on, nonstop how he finally felt motivated about school - about education and excited about life...He would be out the door in the mornings. No fight, No fuss no dragging his feet no moping. Running with excitement. Excited about learning. More confident, he didn't want the program to end. And honestly neither I. Loved seeing My Son looking forward to something that interrupted his summer rather than a negitive attidtude.

...I only met Mr. Ives once with my son XXXXX and I must say in twenty minutes he had me wanting to go to school! And the best part...He helped my sons outlook on his education. Rocinante will and is blessed to have such a a gifted man inspiring their children.

I do hope the Foundation will recognize that Mr. Ives is Educational excellence in human form.

Sincerely XXXX

I've taken a few hits here for being too outgoing, arrogant, and aggressive. Please realize that however I am on my own time, with adults, speaking about volatile topics that I am passionate about, I am very very different when I am doing my job.

With children I am always patient, kind, and respectful. I am positive, upbeat, and never negative. I have a sense of humor and compassion for all of them. There has never been a fight at my school, nor has my room ever been vandalized in five years, despite the fact that I work with the bottom achieving 25% of all the middle schools.

That should speak to the kind of rappor and relationship I have with my kids.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:59 am

Huge Congrats, and keep up the good work, despite how others see you, this speaks volumes.

Job Well Done!!!

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:03 am

You sound like the kind of teacher every child should have at least once in his life. Good for you.:yh_clap :yh_star :yh_hugs :yh_worshp

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:25 am

Pinky wrote: Well done Jives, it sounds like you deserve the recognition for the work you do.

As such a good teacher, you might want to check your spelling and use of punctuation before you post though mate!:D

He is quoting another person perhaps those are their errors.

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:37 am

Well Done Jives! That's really great news!

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:44 am

We all know you deserve it, Jives!:)

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:07 am

minks wrote: He is quoting another person perhaps those are their errors.

Yeah, I wanted to write it exactly the way she did, it just seems more meaningful that way.

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:14 am

Pinky wrote: Yeah probably. I thought it was unlike Jives to make errors like that!

Sorry, my mistake.
aw no worries you thought right hehehehehe

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Fri May 26, 2006 10:39 am

Congrats! Jives.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:22 pm

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showp ... ostcount=1

Just curious... in the above post you said you'd won this award

5 times?

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:38 pm

It is a local award for the school district in which Jives teaches.

http://www.fms.k12.nm.us/foundation/overview.html

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:12 am

chonsigirl wrote: It is a local award for the school district in which Jives teaches.

http://www.fms.k12.nm.us/foundation/overview.html

Do they have a list of winners for the public to view .

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:46 am

Well done Jives.

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:22 pm

Like Satchmo once said, "You can't beat blowing your own trumpet"

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 12:29 pm

Uncle Kram wrote: Like Satchmo once said, "You can't beat blowing your own trumpet"....

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:19 pm

SnoozeControl wrote: Feh! Three times, five times... what's the difference?

Yeh,,, whats a few porkies between friends :yh_bigsmi

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:18 pm

Well Jives, your a spectacular addition to the fabric of mankind. I just wanted to thank you for reminding us of that.

Again.

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:49 pm

Well thank you Snooze, that was very kind of you.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 11:23 am

Jives, I wish I was inspired by a teacher like you when I was younger.

A Job Well Done!:)