Student Achievement Grants: Winter 2008
Student Achievement Grants: Winter 2008 Recipients
Nancy Johnson, Huntsville
2nd to 5th Grade Teacher,
Huntsville City Schools
Partner: Lee Simmons
The grantees will use the interactive Sensational, Surefire Orchestrated Activity for Reading (SOAR) program as an intervention to reinforce gaps in the student performance as reported by state learning standards assessments.
Darcy Tweedy, Phoenix
1st Grade Teacher
Desert Winds Elementary School
Partner: Linda Slavick
Through the creation of three unique habitats (Fluency in the Forest, Comprehension under the Sea and Decoding at the Desert) students will interact and research relevant plants and animals to improve acquisition of state learning standards for reading literacy and science.
Samantha K. Wilkening, Burlington
Kindergarten to 4th Grade Special Education Teacher
Burlington Elementary School
Partner: Brenda Wedel
The grantees will use standard scores from the Math RIT (Rasch Units Standardized Scale), on the Northwestern Evaluation Association Measurement of Academic Program (MAPS) to create an activity-based instructional program to improve student performance.
Marcos Martinez, Westminister
Principal
Ricardo Flores Magon Academy (RFMA)
Partner: Antonio R. Vigil
Through the use of technology for a kindergarten and first grade class, this project will assist students in developing critical thinking skills, process driven inquiry and the ability to summarize and analyze large amounts of information to find content specific information to solve problems related to standards based subject matter.
Higher academic achievement and decreasing the "digital divide" is the primary purpose for implementing this project. Students will actively participate in word processing lessons, information gathering sessions, and scientific inquiry.
Alice J. McVay, Labelle
Kindergarten Teacher
Country Oaks Elementary School
Partner: Catherine Charneski
Through the use of technology for a kindergarten and first grade class, this project will assist students in developing critical thinking skills, process driven inquiry and the ability to summarize and analyze large amounts of information to find content specific information to solve problems related to standards based subject matter.
Higher academic achievement and decreasing the "digital divide" is the primary purpose for implementing this project. Students will actively participate in word processing lessons, information gathering sessions, and scientific inquiry.
Brenda Dianne Cinkovich, Bloomington
6th- to 8th-Grade Art Department Chair
Bloomington Junior High School
Partner: William Wetzel
Using a “triptych” and interdisciplinary collaboration, grantees will increase student performance in social studies and technology by implementing an interactive multimedia program based on culture and research.
Nicolette M. Darjean, Arnaudville
9th- to 12th-Grade Science Teacher
Beau Chene High School
Partner: Eddie Roberts
The partners will use instructional technology in science labs that allow students to conduct virtual experiments using real-life problems and create presentations based on the results of those experiments. The experiments will integrate both math and science content, based on state standards.
Erin Van Dusen, Frederick
9th- to 12th-Grade Teacher
Linganore High School
Partner: Stephany Faulkner
The grantees will implement an interactive, hands-on mathematics program linking real-life learning scenarios based on district learning standards. The project will include students’ writing essays that explain the link between mathematical concepts and real-life uses of mathematics.
Chakita R. Jackson, Florissant
9th- to 12th-Grade Teacher
Hazelwood Central High School
Partner: Anna Koester
Formatted in the framework of a “Literacy Academy,” the partners will create an intervention literacy program targeted to students assessed under state criteria for reading and writing and performing below their designated grade level. This program will use interactive technology, books, and magazines and peer modeling.
Donald E. LaClair, Claremount
9th- to 12th-Grade Certified Special Educator
Stevens High School
Partner: Gary Perron
In support of state learning standards for science, the grantees will implement a hands-on learning project using computer-based weather technologies to teach the science and environmental effects of weather.
Zack Boatman, Santa Fe
9th- to 12th-Grade Teacher
Santa Fe High School
Partner: Matt Buckley
Using acquisition measures acquired through the implementation of the MAPPS test (English and Mathematics standards with particular interest given to measures of acquired or refined critical thinking skills), the partners will implement an activity-based program of instruction utilizing board games as a conveyor of instruction to improve student performance and increase critical thinking and problem-solving skills through games designed to be interdisciplinary and reinforce concepts emphasized in state standards.
North Carolina
Geneva Neeriemer, Asheville
Migrant Education Director
Buncombe County Schools
Partner: Maureen L. Anderson
Using the digital version of the “Playaway Instructional Learning Program,” ESOL students will improve their reading and English language proficiency toward the goal of meeting grade-level district standards for learning.
Justine Beshara, Campbell
4th Grade Educator
Campbell Elementary School
Partner: Linda Vratkovich
Partners will create and implement a reading intervention program that offers culturally inclusive reading materials and activities that model habits/characteristics missing from targeted participant’s everyday learning modality. The goal is to supporting the district’s effort to improve the academic performance of these students on learning standards.
Robert Elmer Parsons, Tulsa
10th to 12th Grade Teacher/Coach
Daniel Webster High School
Partner: Clifford Criddle
To encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills and using a kinesthetic learning approach, students will construct anatomically correct systems of the human body in support of acquiring knowledge based on state learning standards for anatomy and physiology.
Christine Boen, La Pine
9th to 12th Grade Media Specialist
La Pine High School
Partner: Donna Seaton
Students will strengthen their critical thinking skills through conducting research on current social issues that will allow them to distinguish between fact, opinion, bias and stereotypes. The students will also learn key presentation skills, including debate, persuasive writing and informational speech.
Kimberly Garlock, Salem
6th to 8th Grade Technical Arts Teacher
Adam Stephens Middle School
Partner: Monica Fiedler
Students will acquire graphic design skills, utilizing advanced technology software. Results of the students’ projects will be shared school-wide in a ‘Design Exposition”, with awards given for innovation, creativity, and functionality.
Michelle F. Allen, Furlong
5th Grade Teacher
Bridge Valley Elementary School
Partner: Sinead Layton
Using “Computers Aren’t Just Fun and Games,” students will perform activities in Pod casting, webpage design, smart technologies, and digital imagery related to the science curricula. The project will also allow students to communicate with students in other regions and countries about the environment.
Tina Shank, Lancaster
8th Grade Family and Consumer Science Teacher
Manor Middle School
Partner: Amelia Herr
The grantees will implement “Sew to Serve: Project Linus”, a technology program that will assist students in making patchwork blankets and distributing them to needy children and families in their local community.
Jeffry Hagen, Corpus Christi
10th Grade English Teacher
Carroll High School
Partner: Suzanne Ransleben
Using the National History Day project model, students will research and then create an interactive display to illustrate specified learning standards for social studies. The project includes student presentations in front of experts in the field.
Tony Desjardins, Harlingen
Teacher Assistant Program Chair
Texas State Technical College - Harlingen
Partner: Irma Larios
The partners will develop and implement the integration of a “Reading Laboratory” for teaching assistants to collaboratively plan, develop, and deliver instruction.
Elizabeth Law, Houston
10th to 12th Grade Teacher
Eisenhower High School
Partner: Michaelann Kelley
Utilizing the International Baccalaureate (IB), Visual Arts Program, students will create a “personal visual art statement” reflecting their voice and vision which incorporates a portfolio, exhibition and research workbook.
James Main, Pacific
1st to 5th Grade Health and Fitness Teacher
Alpac Elementary School
Partner: Melanie Jennings
The project features a health and wellness program integrating technology monitoring corollary exercise and fitness. Students will learn how to understand and monitor data and use the data to design a fiscal fitness plan.