KAREN NORTH

Recommendation for the DISNEY AMERICAN TEACHER AWARD

They are looking for:

  1. Creativity in teaching
  2. Those who inspire a joy of learning in their students
  3. Lessons which maximize all students’ intellectual potential
  4. Teachers who actively engage students in learning
  5. Construction of a learning environment where students and teachers

Explore

Imagine

Engage

In a variety of stimulating ideas and experiences

  1. Teachers who serve as role models for the community
  2. Your assessment of my skill and ability as a teacher in the classroom

You must answer these questions:

  1. How does this teacher’s classroomdiffer from other teachers?
  2. How does this teacher’s lessons differ from other teachers?
  3. How I construct learning environments that maximize every student’s ability to learn effectively.
  4. How I demonstrate high expectations for all students.
  5. How students in my classroom perform in comparison to other students at same grade level.

Data to help answer questions:

  1. I have researched, attended training (on my own time) and implemented accelerated learning methods in my classroom for the last 5 years. See Fact Sheet attached.
  2. I have collected statistics on my research and have determined that the use of music helps right/left brain linkage. It also creates an emotional bond with the lesson to be mastered. Students walking by my room often stop in to see what is going on. This increases an interest in all students to take the college level class of computer science.
  3. Students know that I care about them. One student in his senior will said that I never gave up on him and continually pushed him to work and excel. My goal is for all students to make ‘A’s. Therefore my failure rate over the 10 years I have been at Elsik has been one of the lowest in the school in comparison to other teachers. This includes when I taught pre-algebra, geometry and consumer math.
  4. My AP Computer Science test results are still the highest in comparison to all other teachers teaching computer science, including Hastings. In fact that year Hastings was higher in ALL AP areas except computer science. I was the only teacher who “beat” Hastings.
  5. The TAAS passing rate for my students is very high. I teach concepts, not the test. Students learn to think in my class. I give them a design recipe with detailed steps on how to solve a problem that can be applied to any curriculum area. I teach concepts by continual practice. The students implement the work, I do not do much lecture. The students learn by doing.
  6. Students tell me that have fun in my class. They enjoy coming here and when the bell rings I often hear, oh no. I often have to ask students to leave.
  7. I motivate students to do extra and work on multimedia presentations and web pages for other teachers and the community.
  8. I have open computer lab for any student and voluntarily put in an extra 3 hours a week to facilitate technology learning for ALL students at Elsik. I believe all students need access to computers, especially low-income students to have equal access. Students from other classes come by to print research papers, get their disk fixed or just ask a question on how to do something in Office 97. I believe my job as a teacher is to answer any question any student asks and help all students achieve excellence. Every student in this school is my student and I always help. I do not just talk, I actually take the time to implement my ideas.
  9. I sponsor 3 clubs in this school in order to give a sense of ownership to learning. Two are service clubs: Leo Lions and Alief Youth Corp. I believe that when students work for others, they also learn to work for themselves. It builds what I call ethical learners. The computer club helps all students learn to use technology to enhance the basics of reading, writing and algebra.
  10. I know most teachers do not do this. But, I allow any students to retake a quiz no matter the grade. I use the average of the two. So students who make an 80 can try for a 100. It motivates all students to work for excellence. My class is a mastery-based class, and my level of mastery is a 90. I consider anything lower then 90 “failure.” I explain the problem with a 70 is that 30% not mastered will be needed in the next lesson. I offer tutoring before and after school and review quizzes and tests individually with students. I create individual assessment and learning tools to help mastery.
  11. I also create sections in my classroom to meet individual needs. This term they created an independent studies technology class for a Special Needs student who had his class cancelled. He liked my class so much that he wanted to spend 2 periods here. He is also a special needs student with a discipline problem. But using positive management techniques, he works for me and has never been a behavior problem. They also created a section of AP CSI for a student from another school. So, I run 3 classes in one. I also created section of AP CSI for a student last year who had a baby and wanted to graduate with honors. These students had scheduling problems, and instead of saying “too bad” like they were told by the counselors, I went out of my way to meet their individual needs. I have been doing this for 10 years. Yes, it is extra work for others, but “too bad.”
  12. I believe that students are our customers and we need to meet their needs.
  1. The motto I have posted in my classroom summarizes what I do:

Things sometimes go wrong

So that we will be able to tell the difference

When things go right.

14. My classroom Rule summarizes what I expect students to do:

All Knowledge is answers to questions.

The more questions, the more knowledge.

If is OK to question rules, but always follow them.

Survival requires order.

Success requires questions.

I expect both in my classroom.

WORK INTEGRITY is the key to learning.

Chris,

Thanks for doing this. The hard part is getting all the answers to their questions into one page. I know you will do a great job!! Hey, we could win $25,000 for this. I do keep trying. Call me at home if you need anything else – 281-498-8974

PS -Other things are enclosed to help you get a better feel for what I have tried to do for all students to help increase academic achievement.