Red Apple Teaching
Posted: 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.
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.
