Wiley Teacher Headed to NASA Institute This Summer

Betty Jo Moore, who teaches science at Wiley Magnet Middle School, has been chosen to participate in the LiftOff Summer Institute to be held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas this summer. This program sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium selects teachers from across the U.S. who will increase their knowledge of space education through the LiftOff Professional Development Summer Institute.

Selected educators selected will come together from June 26 to July 1 in Houston, Texas to conduct experiments, tour facilities, and network with other educators while sharing innovative lesson plans and ideas. They will return to their respective districts, train other educators, and use new materials in the classroom.

Moore is no space camp novice. Last summer, she participated in Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

LiftOff is a collaborative effort of Texas Space Grant Consortium members and affiliates, NASA, and industry. Teachers apply for LiftOff and are selected competitively. The workshops are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. The theme for LiftOff 2016 is Exploration: Past, Present and Future. The program combines the strengths of collaborators to enrich teaching and learning of science, mathematics, technology and engineering.

Betty Jo Moore at Sapce Camp last summer

The competitive weeklong institute features a series of workshops, hands-on activities, field investigations, and presentations by NASA scientists and engineers working on various missions. The International Space Station is a laboratory, observatory, and factory in space. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live and work in space? What are the biological factors, psychological trials, and physical challenges?

The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. It is the largest and longest inhabited object ever to orbit the Earth. There has been a permanent human presence on the space station since 2000. The ISS allows humans to explore, live in, and perform science in space. Onboard the ISS, crew members live and work in a reduced gravity environment. This environment allows crew members to conduct experiments in biology, human biology, physics, astronomy and meteorology that could not be done on Earth. It also offers a rare opportunity for the testing of the spacecraft systems that will be required for missions to Mars and the Moon.

The LiftOff workshops prove that the excitement teachers, and more importantly, their students, feel about space science and how exploration can be tapped to enrich science, math, engineering, and technology.

This nationally competitive, educational training for teachers is sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium. Teachers interested in applying for LiftOff 2016 may will find more information at LiftOff

Learning More about Possible Careers at Meadowlark Elementary

Brian McCarthy with daughter Natalie McCarthy

By Suzanne Sarfert, fifth grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary School

“Career Quest” gives fifth-grade AIG students at Meadowlark Elementary School an opportunity to learn about various career options and to give back to the community. During this weekly guest speaker series, students are introduced to many job opportunities. What began in 2014 as a way to involve parents in the classrooms, has evolved into students learning ways one can earn a living and contribute to the community.

Fifth grade is a year many parents feel classroom volunteer opportunities are sparse. In an attempt to involve parents, Mrs. (Cynthia) Mills and Mrs. (Suzanne) Sarfert decided to invite parents into the classroom to share their career choice and career journey. It was also an opportunity to show students the connection between fifth-grade curriculum goals/objectives and real-world application. Parents participating in the Career Quest were asked to: give an explanation of their career; share required schooling/certifications required for the career; speak about interests and extracurricular activities as a child that may have influenced a career choice; and finally make a connection between fifth-grade academic subject areas and responsibilities in the career.

To kick off Career Quest, Dr. Mary Hil Edens, a dentist and Mount Tabor High School graduate, was invited to share her career. Dr. Edens spoke to the students about the dental field, her schooling, her love for all things Tar Heel and threw in some advice about dental health. Students were very interested in what Dr. Edens had to share. Excellent questions were raised and students were completely engaged. Students went home sharing the Career Quest experience with enthusiasm. At first, parents were hesitant about speaking in front of 42 fifth-grade students. The students’ positive reaction encouraged parents to participate. Soon every Friday was booked with a Career Quest participant. Students look forward to Career Quest day and parents enjoy sharing their experiences.

Over the past two years, students have been exposed to careers in the areas of: education, communications, marketing, ministry, police enforcement, banking, human resources, risk management, medicine, manufacturing, information technology, athletic training, psychology, and much more. When parents are not available, Mrs. Sarfert reaches out to friends to fill in vacant slots.

Tim Blankenbaker with son Jack Blankenbaker

An added bonus is when the Career Quest guest is a graduate of the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools. Rob Lemons, a Reynolds High School graduate and Director of Volunteer Services at the Ronald McDonald House of Winston Salem, shared his experiences in elementary school through college. Emily Browder, a Mount Tabor High School graduate and Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, Global Innovative Pharma Communications at Pfizer, shared her experiences in high school and how her extracurricular activities helped to shaped her career choice. Some speakers, such as Ms. Browder, Jeff Tomaszewski, General Manager at Sonoco and Tim Blankenbaker, Director of Marketing, Hanes Brands, Inc., bring in swag to share with the students such as specially designed corrugated cardboard pencil containers, pencils, lip balm and gum.

Career Quest also gives students an opportunity to make a difference in the community.  When Katie Paterson, a Mount Tabor High School graduate and Lieutenant in the Operations Support Division of the Winston-Salem Police Department shared her career with students, she was surprised to receive “snack bags” to share with her fellow officers as a “thank you” for their hard work and dedication.  After The Rev. Tim Rice of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church shared his career, students put together “lunch bags” for the women who stay at the Winston Salem Overflow Shelters through City with Dwellings at St. Timothy’s Church.  Following Mr. Lemons Career Quest presentation, students presented him toys to be used in the Santa Shop of the Ronald McDonald House for guests of the house to use during the holiday season.

Laniel Crawford

An added bonus of Career Quest is hearing common themes from speakers.  Things such as: do something you enjoy; learning never stops; it is important to collaborate with teammates; communication is of upmost importance; deadlines are finite; reading for meaning is important; and being involved in the community resonate with the  fifth graders.   Being able to give meaning to why it is important to turn in school work in a timely fashion, to later in life it will affect your job and income has an impact on students.  Career Quest has given students an authentic reasoning behind teamwork, reading comprehension, learning fractions, and much more.

For students who have never thought about a career, or the many choices available, Career Quest is an opportunity for them to learn about differing careers. Participants encourage students to follow their passions and interests. They also encourage students to try all sorts of activities. Speakers talk about their career path journey. Some share they knew exactly what they wanted to do when they were in middle school. Other speakers share how it took them a while to discover exactly what they wanted to do or be. Hearing adults’ struggle with career choices makes students feel less anxious about not knowing what they want to do as an adult.

Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Sarfert hope Career Quest peaks someone’s interest in a possible career choice.  They also hope Career Quest gives authentic reasoning for working and learning diligently in the fifth grade, as well as helping students realize the importance of making a difference in the community through volunteer actions.

  

Student Art in May 2016 Issue of "Forsyth Family"

In the May 2016 issue of “Forsyth Family” magazine, you will find art by four Winston-Salem/Forsyth County students.

Patience Mabe, second grade, Hall-Woodward Elementary. Art teacher, Joanna Portis.

Alexis Wrenn, sixth grade, Southeast Middle. Art teacher, Leslie Ring.

Aiyuan Xu, senior, Walkertown High, Art teacher, Nina Oldham.

Isabel Snipes, sophomore, Glenn High. Art teacher, Erin Jones. 

By Patience Mabe

By Alexis Wrenn

By Aiyuan Xu

By Isabel Snipes

Diggs-Latham Art Teacher Named A+ Educator of the Year

Amanda Gordon, who teaches art of Diggs-Latham Elementary school, has been named the Gerry D. Howell A+ Educator of the Year. 

 "I was very surprised to be chosen as the Educator of the Year for the NC A+ Schools Program, Gordon said. “All teachers, especially the A+, Arts Teachers at my school work many hours and complete tasks behind the scenes, so it is always a joy when this work is noticed and awarded. 

“I am truly honored to receive the award, and while I am the individual named as the Gerri D. Howell Educator of the Year, the award reflects the integrity, strength, and dedication of the A+ Magnet Program at my school as a whole."

As the A+ Educator of the Year, Gordon will serve for one school year as an ambassador of the A+ Schools Program, speak at next year's spring leadership meeting and attend the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching’s Teacher Leadership Institute in Ocracoke with other N.C. Teachers of the Year. 

STAR3 is a Federal Teacher Incentive Fund grant awarded to the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District some years back, and, this year, Gordon’s Star3 leadership role was to serve as the A+ Arts Coordinator. One responsibility of that role was to serve as the N.C. A+ Program School Co-ordinator, and she attended meetings and training with other North Carolina A+ Schools. 

The award states that the great A+ educator:

Challenges, motivates and inspires students by supporting a learning environment that is art-filled, creative, relevant, engaging and reflective.

Is respected by peers, parents and students.

Is caring and creative, seeking to enrich the lives of all students.

Demonstrates a commitment to the arts, a collaborative spirit, leadership and flexibility.

Is dedicated to life-long learning.

This is the fifth year that the award, named to honor her legacy and philosophy of Howell, a long-time A+ Schools program executive director, has been given.

To be considered for the award, Gordon had to submit a resume, a letter of recommendation and a description of several successful and integrating projects along with photos and a first-person statement that explains my philosophy on A+ Essentials and what makes an outstanding A+ educator. Along with a plaque, Gordon received more than $250 worth of Crayola products.

You can read more about Gordon and the award at A+ Schools

Odyssey of the Mind

Later this month Odyssey of the Mind teams from Brunson Elementary and Hanes Magnet are going to the World Finals in Iowa.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Here are some more pictures:

Traveling the World at Northwest Middle

On Friday, Northwest Middle School held its annual Multicultural Fair.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Here are more pictures:

Third-Graders at Jefferson Elementary Sing "Edelweiss" for Man Living in Austria

Third-graders in Sonja D’Souza’s class at Jefferson Elementary wrote letters to a man living in a retirement home in Austria and created a video for him of them singing “Edelweiss,” a song from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music.

The man’s name is Oskar Schaeffler.

“Staying closely connected to family and friends in Austria led me to hear about Oskar's story,” said D’Souza. “However knowing his daughter Carmen made it more personal. Mr. Schaeffler, 83 years old, has been in a nursing home for several years but has been bed-ridden only for the last few months.

“He led a very active life (as our children learned over the course of writing to him and his responses back to them). His interaction with people became very limited, which left him wishing for more contact with the ‘outside’ world other than his family, who do visit daily. His two daughters decided to place a classified ad in the local paper reaching out to the community asking anyone interested to visit with their father at the nursing home. 

“The response from the public was overwhelming. I asked Carmen how she felt if our students would write to her father as well and she right away sent me pictures and a little more background information on her father. I created a Haiku and invited all third grade students to meet Oskar. Ms. (Mary) Hopp's AIG students and my students paired up to write letters to Oskar. Each letter was accompanied by a student-drawn picture. They addressed the letters and took them to the office, added a stamp and saw the letters being sent off. 

“You can't imagine the excitement once we received the first responses back from Oskar. Ms. Hopp's students joined my class as I read the letters back to them. In order to make it as authentic as possible I read the letters first in German before translating them into English.

“The letters from Oskar keep coming and we certainly continue in writing back to him. His daughter mentioned that he had some health issues lately but that the letters helped distract him and focus his attention to responding to our students which he apparently enjoys a great deal. She sent me a lovely picture of Oskar holding all the letters and another one showing the students' drawings decorating the walls in his nursing home. 

During the same time, Ms. (Rene) Williams, our music teacher, worked with all third grade classes – Mrs. (Beth) Ausley's class, Ms. (Stephanie Ann) Valenti's class, Mrs. Hopp's class, and my class) to learn the song "Edelweiss.”

I have to say that we teachers were all overwhelmed with emotions while listening to the beautiful delivery of our students singing "Edelweiss." 

Principal Debbie McIntyre said, "This is a wonderful story of reaching across the world to have a positive impact on the life of another person."

Kim Marion Goes to Washington

Last week, Kim Marion, the school system’s program manager for magnet schools & STEM programs, headed to Washington to speak to U.S. senators and representatives as a member of panel organized by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

The panel discussion was called Investing in Solutions: The Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program. It was held in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, and everyone in Congress was invited.

“Many times, in the K-12 and higher education sectors, we don’t realize the vast amount of time that goes into advocating for federal funds to support programs that benefit our students,” Marion said.

“It was insightful to see this work firsthand, sharing our achievements and challenges with both sides of the aisle, petitioning to protect funds for this grant in particular – the Teacher Quality Partnership – which supports new and master teachers in the profession. 

“We know that teacher quality has the most impact on student learning, and with the federal government’s new requirement of providing evidence of promise in grant applications, it helps to build upon existing successful programs, like the one we currently have with our higher education partner, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

“It was an honor to represent our area and the work we are doing to encourage teachers new into the profession, as well as advance the need for more quality programs like this across the country.”

Joining Marion on the panel were educators from Virginia and New Jersey.

 

The Best Pizza in the World

From time to time, Cielo Kramer, the food service manager at Cash Elementary School, shares her thoughts. Note: Pamela Nichols teaches third grade at Cash.

By Cielo Kramer

Food Service Manager at Cash Elementary School

“May I have the best pizza in the world, please?” uttered the first student we served in the lunch line today. “And the best corn and one best banana in the world, please.”

Our line server and I were a bit taken aback of what we heard and we gave him a big thank you and smile. To our amazement the second, third, fourth up to the last student of Ms. Nichols' class ordered their food with the phrase, “best……in the world”. It was like a swift moment of pure happiness was exchanged between us and the students.

My Italian friends will surely revolt if I tell them that our cafeteria’s pizza is the best in the world. (LOL) Our beef-a-roni, great as it is, may appeal to the eyes but a touch of salt may line it up to the best in Kernersville!  Now, I can boast for our sweet potatoes. It’s the sweetest kind in the whole of United States!! 

Were they all just flattering us? Or they just wanted to make us smile? I asked some of them, “Do you really find our food tasty and good?” I told them I want an honest answer. They said they do!! And they all planned the moment to appreciate our food and our service.

They surely made us happy today. But, at the same time, I was confronted with my lack of enthusiasm for what we serve. Maybe my mind had been slowly molded with the stereotypical description that cafeteria’s food is not good at all.

How do I appropriate the word “good” to describe the food that we serve?  When we say good, is it pleasing to the eye? Is it nutritious? Is it the right portion? Is it affordable ? Is the facility clean and do our workers uphold the highest standard when it comes to preparation and hygiene?  Is our service great?

Hey, my answer to all these questions is “YES!” It might not be the best-tasting food but served with love and care, the absence of salt and fat is forgotten and replaced with appreciation and healthier option.  I can say, “Our food  is good indeed!!! And for these students from Ms. Nichols class, it is the best in the world!!

Maybe it’s  high time for us to recondition our minds.

In connection to this week’s Teacher’s Appreciation Week, a massive hooray to  teachers like Ms. Nichols who ingrains  in their students the value of gratefulness  and making a difference in the lives of people.

Come to think of it, just by the gestures they made today at the lunch line, they boosted the morale of our cafeteria workers, made us happy and caused us to reflect and be more appreciative of the food we serve!

Oh the little wonders we encounter every day!

Hanes Girls of Distinction Hold Health Fair for Community

On Saturday, the Girls of Distinction at Hanes Magnet School held a health fair for the community.

To read the story, go to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Here are more pictures: