K-12 Education
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations influencing the debate on education policy.
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Greg Asciutto: 'It Takes All of Us'
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 19 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
When he was a journalist in southern California, Greg Asciutto was grimly familiar with the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness.
"I saw the disparity of extreme wealth and extreme poverty," he said. "I traveled quite a bit to study homelessness and social issues. I got tired of telling the story. All of these issues stem from a lack of equal access to a quality education. I decided to become a teacher to help."
Asciutto, originally from Stanly County, moved to California to attend the University
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 19 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
When he was a journalist in southern California, Greg Asciutto was grimly familiar with the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness.
"I saw the disparity of extreme wealth and extreme poverty," he said. "I traveled quite a bit to study homelessness and social issues. I got tired of telling the story. All of these issues stem from a lack of equal access to a quality education. I decided to become a teacher to help."
Asciutto, originally from Stanly County, moved to California to attend the Universityof Southern California and worked as a journalist for several years before returning to the area to teach.
"I grew up ice skating at Eastland Mall," he said. "I knew that east Charlotte, and Garinger High School, is where I wanted to be. Garinger has a unique history and student population. I wanted to be a part of it."
He started teaching language arts four years ago and was recently named the Beacon Learning Community Teacher of the Year. Kondra Rattley, learning community superintendent, surprised Asciutto during his third period class.
"I had a good idea of what was happening, but my kids were shell-shocked," he said. "It was great that they were here to see it. If it weren't for the kids I teach or the colleagues I have, I wouldn't be in this situation. It's great to be a Wildcat."
As a white teacher in a predominantly black and Hispanic school, Asciutto had to earn his students' trust before the real teaching could begin. "I come in here with an extreme privilege and I am well aware of that," he said. "My goal is to use that privilege to advocate and help."
Asciutto's co-teacher, Tanya Filmore, said it took some time for Asciutto to earn his student's trust.
"The kids had their guard up," she said. "He doesn't look like them or talk like them. Some of these students bragged about running off teachers when they were in middle school. I thought, well, he may or may not come back after Christmas Day. But he kept showing up. And he earned their trust. And their respect. He broke down walls. It's been amazing to watch."
Addressing homelessness is a big concern for Asciutto, who volunteers at the Charlotte Men's Shelter. Every year, he chooses one student whose family is in transitional housing and helps them find a permanent home.
"I help them access resources to get the help they need," he said. "It's hard to do well in school and focus when your home situation is unstable."
A space in the back of his classroom is the "Resources Wall," where students can find everything from food bank information to bus maps. He even provides alternative school solutions for students who might not be ready for school. He recently helped a student enroll for the high school program at Central Piedmont Community College.
"He needs to work and high school isn't a viable option for him right now," he said. "It's all about finding what works best for the student. Every child has a unique need. It's not just academics. It's everything. Once you get that figured out, all the pieces come together."
Asciutto sees his role as more than an educator.
"I am a teacher, but I am a member of this community," he said. "It takes all of us to make this work."
April Johnson: 'Art Saved Me'
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 19 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
April Johnson, Tuckaseegee Elementary art teacher, says sometimes stereotypes about creative personalities are true.
"I am not blessed with the gift of timeliness," she said.
So when Principal Rhonda Gomez told Johnson to come in early for a staff meeting, she was running a little late.
"I was blazing up 485, pulling into the parking lot on two wheels," said Johnson. "When I saw Dr. Gomez at the door, I thought, 'Oh no. My goose is cooked!'"
Instead, Gomez ushered Johnson into the media center
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 19 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
April Johnson, Tuckaseegee Elementary art teacher, says sometimes stereotypes about creative personalities are true.
"I am not blessed with the gift of timeliness," she said.
So when Principal Rhonda Gomez told Johnson to come in early for a staff meeting, she was running a little late.
"I was blazing up 485, pulling into the parking lot on two wheels," said Johnson. "When I saw Dr. Gomez at the door, I thought, 'Oh no. My goose is cooked!'"
Instead, Gomez ushered Johnson into the media centerwhere Dr. Curtis Carroll, learning community superintendent, was waiting to tell her she was the West Learning Community Teacher of the Year.
"There were balloons and cameras and it was such a shock," she said. "It was amazing just to be school teacher of the year. To be chosen for the learning community is unbelievable."
It was a full-circle moment for Johnson, who attended Tuckaseegee in fourth and fifth grades. In middle school, Johnson struggled with academics and behavior. She was assigned to the district's alternative school for her ninth-grade year. There wasn't a designated art class, but there was an art room where Johnson started spending more and more time.
"Art saved me," she said. "I started splashing the paint around and it just felt right. Something clicked. Art is what turned me around. I needed some time to figure out who I was."
Johnson's mother, a CMS employee, fought for her daughter to attend a different school. She was accepted into the Northwest School of the Arts, which was a transformative experience.
"One of my most vivid memories is when the North Carolina symphony came to my algebra class," she said. "They taught us how to plot lines. Arts were infused into everything and I thrived."
Johnson went on to attend Winston-Salem State University where she earned a degree in arts education. She worked for the Winston-Salem-Forsyth County school district and a charter school before joining CMS in 2016.
Now she works for her students to create the same experiences she had. Artists are invited to her classroom. Students in need of art supplies stop by her classroom to get what they need.
Dr. Gomez said Johnson is an exemplary teacher.
"She connects to all students and builds relationships focused on the strengths of each individual student," she said. "She knows every child in the building and uses her expertise as a way for students to express their thoughts and feelings through the arts."
Johnson thinks of art as a great equalizer.
"Everyone can do something," she said. "If you can't paint, I will give you some clay. Art is the opportunity to remake yourself. Kids get labeled. Art allows them to reinvent themselves and do things they don't even realize they are capable of doing."
Washington-Lee Senior Earns Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 18 -- The Arlington Public Schools issued the following news release:
Washington-Lee High School senior Jack Horton is the recipient of a Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.
Horton will receive a scholarship from FTS International, LLC, a small government contracting company with headquarters in Northern Virginia, who provide independent and unbiased
... Show Full Article
ARLINGTON, Virginia, April 18 -- The Arlington Public Schools issued the following news release:
Washington-Lee High School senior Jack Horton is the recipient of a Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship. Most of these awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.
Horton will receive a scholarship from FTS International, LLC, a small government contracting company with headquarters in Northern Virginia, who provide independent and unbiasedmission support worldwide to the Intelligence Community.
Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the Finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and met criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for Finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.
Funding for these National Merit Scholarships is provided by corporate organizations that represent nearly all sectors of American industry. Sponsors from the business community have underwritten awards offered in all 63 competitions, expending or committing more than $789million to support the intellectual development of the nation's scholastically talented youth.
Over 1.6 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program when they took the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT(R)), which served as an initial screen of program entrants.
To be considered for a National Merit Scholarship, Semifinalists had to fulfill requirements o advance to Finalist standing. Each Semifinalist was asked to complete a detailed scholarship application, which included writing an essay and providing information about extracurricular activities, awards, and leadership positions. Semifinalists also had to have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and earn SAT(R) scores that confirmed their qualifying test performance.
Twenty-Three Teachers to Receive Certificates of Study From Kennedy Center's 2018 CETA Program
FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, April 18 -- Fairfax County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Twenty-three teachers from four Fairfax County public schools will receive a Certificate of Study for their participation in the Kennedy Center's 2018 Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) program on Friday, April 20.
The teachers studied with their colleagues in courses and workshops led by expert teaching artists and arts educators to learn ways to integrate the arts in their teaching through a range of programs.
Recipients of the 2018 Certificate of Study award from FCPS are:
* Bailey's
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FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, April 18 -- Fairfax County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Twenty-three teachers from four Fairfax County public schools will receive a Certificate of Study for their participation in the Kennedy Center's 2018 Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) program on Friday, April 20.
The teachers studied with their colleagues in courses and workshops led by expert teaching artists and arts educators to learn ways to integrate the arts in their teaching through a range of programs.
Recipients of the 2018 Certificate of Study award from FCPS are:
* Bailey'sElementary School for the Arts and Sciences: Elizabeth Armitage, Laura Bailey, Stephanie Gardner, Jolene Lentowski, Rahah Mahmood, Maggie Marach, Indiana Obando, Sarah Packett, Andrea Pfiester, Arianna Pieragostini, Marilyn Rossen, Jessica Vargas, Denise Vieira, Shannon Wang, Joanne Warner, and Caitlyn Yost-Blakely.
* Canterbury Woods Elementary School: Michelle Wesolowski.
* Island Creek Elementary School: Ashley Cuthbertson.
* Woodburn Elementary School for the Fine and Communicative Arts: Fllory Correa-Dock, Heather Crilley, Fran Nadel, Morgan Vaught, and Susan Vinisky.
New Garden Sprouts at Tuckaseegee Elementary
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 18 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
Five years ago, Tuckaseegee Elementary teacher Joyce Newman approached Principal Rhonda Gomez about getting a flower bed for the school. Gomez agreed.
"The next year she asked for another one and, of course, I said yes," said Gomez. "The third year, she said, 'Have you heard of this thing called the Big Dig?'"
The Big Dig is a partnership with Real School Gardens, an organization that seeks to bring immersive learning to schools throughout the country. Tuckaseegee partnered with the organization
... Show Full Article
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 18 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
Five years ago, Tuckaseegee Elementary teacher Joyce Newman approached Principal Rhonda Gomez about getting a flower bed for the school. Gomez agreed.
"The next year she asked for another one and, of course, I said yes," said Gomez. "The third year, she said, 'Have you heard of this thing called the Big Dig?'"
The Big Dig is a partnership with Real School Gardens, an organization that seeks to bring immersive learning to schools throughout the country. Tuckaseegee partnered with the organizationto build a new school garden and an outdoor classroom.
On April 10, more than 90 volunteers from AT&T, Sprouts and Real School Gardens arrived to build the new space in one day. Fairwood Construction also donated time to help build the new space.
"We are here to ensure that kids are getting excited and engaged about learning outdoors," said Daniel Morgan of Real School Gardens.
Newman said she grew up on a farm in Charlotte and her childhood inspired her to create more outdoor space for students at Tuckaseegee.
"As a kid, we were left to roam and explore outside. Some of our students don't have that opportunity," she said. "For us to be able to bring teaching outside, get kids engaged and help them learn about the world around us only enhances our teaching. We are really excited about making this a reality."
Real School Gardens provides lessons that teachers can use in the new outdoor classroom.
"It's one thing to learn about plants, but it's another to go outside and look at them and actually see and touch them," said Newman. "We are hoping to make lifelong learners here."
Student Dax Woody submitted some design ideas for the garden that were incorporated into the final design. He spoke briefly at a ceremony to begin the day of construction.
"I am so excited to have an outdoor classroom," he said. "I can't wait to see the herbs and bird baths."
As the volunteers worked hard, Gomez said many people worked hard to bring the garden together.
"All students can create and learn in an outdoor learning environment," she said. "Thanks to the resilience and dedicated work so many put forward to enriching the lives of our students, this is now a reality at Tuckaseegee."
Forest Knolls Elementary School Educator Named MCPS Teacher of the Year
ROCKVILLE, Maryland, April 18 -- Montgomery County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Forest Knolls Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kristen Kane was named the 2018-2019 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year during the 16th annual Champions for Children Awards Celebration, an event honoring excellence in education.
Kane has been a kindergarten and first grade teacher at Forest Knolls since 2011. She is also the kindergarten team leader and PTA staff liaison.
"I am proud to have Kristen Kane as our MCPS Teacher of the Year," said Board of Education President
... Show Full Article
ROCKVILLE, Maryland, April 18 -- Montgomery County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Forest Knolls Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kristen Kane was named the 2018-2019 Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Teacher of the Year during the 16th annual Champions for Children Awards Celebration, an event honoring excellence in education.
Kane has been a kindergarten and first grade teacher at Forest Knolls since 2011. She is also the kindergarten team leader and PTA staff liaison.
"I am proud to have Kristen Kane as our MCPS Teacher of the Year," said Board of Education PresidentMichael Durso. "Her creativity in the classroom and dedication to our students is inspiring."
Kane, who will now go on to compete for Maryland Teacher of the Year, is a collaborative, patient and reflective teacher. She creates a positive classroom climate and develops engaging lessons while building strong relationships with her students. Her classroom is fun, lively and interactive. She differentiates and designs instruction to promote student choice and delivers lessons that meet her diverse learners' needs. She is skilled at working with students who have special needs, including learning disabilities, speech and language developmental delays and ESOL students.
Kane was one of three finalists for Teacher of the Year, along with Edwina Kollo, math content specialist at Shady Grove Middle School; and Janet Gallagher, resource teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. The Marian Greenblatt Education Fund named the finalists.
Several other MCPS staff members and community members were recognized for their excellence and commitment at the Champions for Children event, held at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. They are:
* Erin Crowley, kindergarten teacher at Somerset Elementary School, Greenblatt Rising Star Teacher of the Year;
* Helene McLaughlin, physics teacher at Northwood High School, Greenblatt Rising Star Teacher of the Year;
* Myriam Yarbrough, principal at Paint Branch High School, Dr. Edward Shirley Award for Excellence in Education;
* Stephen Ricketts, building service manager at Hallie Wells Middle School, Supporting Services Employee of the Year;
* Wells Fargo, Business Champion for Children; and
* Gillian Huebner, Chairperson of the School Climate and Safety Subcommittee, Montgomery County Council of PTAs, Volunteer Champion for Children
"All of tonight's honorees embody the mission and core values of the school district, and represent what all MCPS employees aspire to," said Superintendent Jack Smith. "I thank them for their commitment and dedication to our students."
The event was made possible through generous donations from sponsors, including Fitzgerald Auto Mall, the sponsor of the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year Award. All of the Teacher of the Year finalists receive $2,000 from the Greenblatt Educational Fund. As the MCPS Teacher of the Year, Kane will also receive a one-year auto lease from Fitzgerald.
Dubuque Community School District Recognized as One of the Best in the Nation for Music Education
DUBUQUE, Iowa, April 18 -- Dubuque Community Schools issued the following news release:
The Dubuque Community School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the district answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class
... Show Full Article
DUBUQUE, Iowa, April 18 -- Dubuque Community Schools issued the following news release:
The Dubuque Community School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the district answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music classparticipation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
"Music education has long been valued in the Dubuque Community School District and we are pleased to be honored with the designation," said Superintendent of Schools Stan Rheingans. "We continue to place emphasis on the important role music and other extracurricular activities play in student success and the development of important real-world skills."
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD (https://www.nammfoundation.org/articles/2018-04-17/583-districts-and-135-schools-recognized-best-communities-music-education-namm)
