Page 6 - Storyboard March 2017

By Matt Reed
Across BPS, 323 teachers have been recognized as “high-impact teachers” by
the Florida Department of Education. The recognition means they were among the top 30 percent of teachers in Florida as measured by the state’s Value Added Model, which compares students’ actual learning gains to their predicted learning gains based on each student’s past performance. The analysis spanned three years of data.
“Whether in a classroom where students arrived already high-achieving or a classroom in which students were underperforming, your efforts provide inspiration and opportunities to young people that may have been otherwise inaccessible,” says a letter from Commissioner of Education, Pam Stewart to the recipients
.How do those teachers do it?
Storyboard asked a variety of the top performers from across Brevard to share their secrets for strengthening student learning.
Jason DiPeppe, Satellite High, 10th-grade English and 12th-grade AP literature.
I think relevance and buy-in on the part of students is very important in motivating them. I do not follow a set routine for all four quarters, so I never let the kids get too comfortable (or bored) with my approach. Most importantly, I develop my own curriculum and have since I started teaching in 1997, using novels and not textbooks.
If I could give a new teacher one piece of advice, it would be: to get to know your kids and be as relevant as you can in their lives.
Andrew Disney, Merritt Island High,
English I and English I honors
The most important approach that has
made a difference in my student’s learning
is studying students as individuals. I strive to know what is most important to each student. I build individual profiles about a student’s home life, past academic experiences and results, current activities, future goals and personal preferences. I cannot motivate my students to succeed; however, I can develop an environment where students’ find value in the content and assignments, and motivation becomes self-driven. My goal is to add value to each student’s life and provide an opportunity to grow.
Ronald Lelau, Bayside High, ninth-
and 10th-grade algebra
I make the students take ownership of their education and keep the parents involved through emails and phone calls. I alert all the parents through email every time homework is assigned and for upcoming tests/quizzes.
Debbie Mahl, Sherwood Elementary, fifth grade
Constant review of any skills you teach your students, done in many different ways. Getting students involved in the learning, sharing with each other and sharing with the class.
BPS STORYBOARD - March, 2017 - VOL V, ISSUE 6 - PAGE 6
FL DOE Recognizes 323 High Impact Teachers