Fwd: Maurice's Memo
Bob Payne
From: Thomas, Maurice <Maurice...@teachforamerica.org>
Date: Tue, Jun 21, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Subject: Maurice's Memo
To: Alice Chen <alice.kat...@gmail.com>, "aal...@gmail.com" <aal...@gmail.com>, "ado...@gmail.com" <ado...@gmail.com>, "adrum...@gmail.com" <adrum...@gmail.com>, "agui...@mail.chapman.edu" <agui...@mail.chapman.edu>, "ajaco...@cmc.edu" <ajaco...@cmc.edu>, "alia....@gmail.com" <alia....@gmail.com>, "Aly.S...@gmail.com" <Aly.S...@gmail.com>, "amanda.nic...@gmail.com" <amanda.nic...@gmail.com>, "bil...@yahoo.com" <bil...@yahoo.com>, "btrapa...@gmail.com" <btrapa...@gmail.com>, "claire....@gmail.com" <claire....@gmail.com>, "craigd...@gmail.com" <craigd...@gmail.com>, "diana....@gmail.com" <diana....@gmail.com>, "dsbr...@yahoo.com" <dsbr...@yahoo.com>, "DS...@truman.edu" <DS...@truman.edu>, "elora....@gmail.com" <elora....@gmail.com>, "f.bo...@corps2011.tfanet.org" <f.bo...@corps2011.tfanet.org>, "fa9...@hws.edu" <fa9...@hws.edu>, "Flope...@gmail.com" <Flope...@gmail.com>, "harriscr...@gmail.com" <harriscr...@gmail.com>, "hsou...@vt.edu" <hsou...@vt.edu>, "Isabel.sa...@gmail.com" <Isabel.sa...@gmail.com>, "jacob.g...@gmail.com" <jacob.g...@gmail.com>, "Jamar...@gmail.com" <Jamar...@gmail.com>, "john.n...@gmail.com" <john.n...@gmail.com>, "kaitly...@gmail.com" <kaitly...@gmail.com>, "kates...@gmail.com" <kates...@gmail.com>, "katherine...@gmail.com" <katherine...@gmail.com>, "khalif...@gmail.com" <khalif...@gmail.com>, "kol...@uic.edu" <kol...@uic.edu>, "laura.p....@gmail.com" <laura.p....@gmail.com>, "Laurenfra...@gmail.com" <Laurenfra...@gmail.com>, "Mary...@gmail.com" <Mary...@gmail.com>, "mc1...@student.american.edu" <mc1...@student.american.edu>, "molly.s...@gmail.com" <molly.s...@gmail.com>, "ms_reyn...@hotmail.com" <ms_reyn...@hotmail.com>, "nicole...@gmail.com" <nicole...@gmail.com>, "nwar...@gmail.com" <nwar...@gmail.com>, "pal...@ufl.edu" <pal...@ufl.edu>, "Quin...@gmail.com" <Quin...@gmail.com>, "rachae...@gmail.com" <rachae...@gmail.com>, "rachl...@hotmail.com" <rachl...@hotmail.com>, "reann...@yahoo.com" <reann...@yahoo.com>, "RKi...@gmail.com" <RKi...@gmail.com>, "Ross....@gmail.com" <Ross....@gmail.com>, "ruput...@gmail.com" <ruput...@gmail.com>, "sarasut...@gmail.com" <sarasut...@gmail.com>, "stephanie....@gmail.com" <stephanie....@gmail.com>, "tshepp...@gmail.com" <tshepp...@gmail.com>, "umapa...@gmail.com" <umapa...@gmail.com>, "Victori...@gmail.com" <Victori...@gmail.com>, "william....@gmail.com" <william....@gmail.com>, Geraldine Damey <ygd...@gmail.com>
Cc: Amanda Harless <amandak...@gmail.com>, Becca Thomas <rebecc...@gmail.com>, Bob Payne <mrpayne....@gmail.com>, "Frum, Emily" <emily...@teachforamerica.org>, Samuel Elliott MacAvoy <sema...@syr.edu>, Warren Buck <warre...@yahoo.com>, Chrissy and Diana <chrissy...@teachforamerica.org>
Shout-outs
Billy and Laura have students pick up the Do Now from a folder that is placed just inside the door. It is evident that their students are interested and hardworking and know that school time means GO TIME!
Lauren had an awesome bathroom/line procedure last week. She’s definitely trying to out do my boy Felix.
Khaliff for being so compelling with the young men in his classroom. His impact will last far beyond the five weeks of summer school. He's constantly holding them to high standards. Showing them how to be respectful boys.
Alia for really getting consistent on BMC and seeing a change in the classroom. Your students learned so much because you did not allow them to jeopardize their education by narrating behavior and giving consequences. Thank you!
Rachael G.S. for completely owning AIH. I've never seen a math class that urgent. Students were very interested and working hard! The work was not easy but they met the challenge.
Can I get a handclap for Harris Brown? Stepping up for his injured collaborative member to ensure his students are still getting the most out of their time at Cook this summer. He also said he would take a bullet for CMA Bob if need be…that’s dedication.
Francesca and Kaitlyn for having an awesome AIH yesterday. Students were engaged, they were singing, they were learning, and they were trying really hard. Culture of Achievement is alive in Cook!
How about everyone stand up for 3rd GRADE READING TEACHERS! You all navigated some interesting scheduling challenges and difficult relationships so far this summer. Through it all, your students are learning and you are becoming very good teachers.
And the Academy Award goes to…
So last week I walked around school and got my Spike Lee swag on filming all of the great things you all are doing. Please do not share these videos of our students. They are for our learning only.
Rachael K – Awesome Do Now. Rachael had students correct their assessment from the previous class and addressed misconceptions. Very purposeful Do Now! Not just something to get students quiet. Watch and learn. RockStar Alert!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUPyK5VdciA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJr0Bi_AyG0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10IsXhn-by0
Felix – Super Engagement! Felix has the attention of all of his students as he teaches greater than and less than. Using chants, tracking, and a winning demeanor he is able to engage his students.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0h19zazugs
Craig – Craig hit is kids over the head with Key Points. I do not believe in violence but I’m ok with this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKaMSgdUPqs
Observation Stations
Please keep your observation station neat and orderly. We will have visitors in our school throughout institute. Whether you like it or not or agree or disagree the organization of your room is a direct reflection of you and your collaborative. I’m just saying. Keeping it real.
Professionalism Concerns
Being on time to sessions is a priority. CMAs, Alice, and Regina work very hard to make these sessions meaningful and they need your full attention and time. Most of you have been great about this but I just want to reiterate how important it is to be on time.
Investment 2: CS Session
You all were so engaged in the investment session yesterday. There was one point in time when Alice asked about gaps in investment and every hand went up. You all are so reflective. I am totally impressed. It is your investment in our students that makes this school better than the rest. According to the survey data we’re kind of the best school ever. And Alice is the best CS. I’m just sayin’…
Cook Social
It is evident everyday that we work hard…and I guess on Saturday we found out that we play hard too. With that said, the next school social will be at Rocky Mountain Pizza on Friday at 6pm until we decide to go somewhere else. Grab some dinner at Woodruff then head over. There will be a prize given to the first collaborative I see with all members present.
My Thought’s / Some Personal News
I’m just so proud of all the work we are doing. You are the best corps members I could ever ask for. It’s no wonder our survey data is so high. You all fundamental believe that the culture of our school is focused on student achievement. You show me that by all the great questions you ask me. Natasha asked me if she could change the schedule for AIH because her students need a little more math time. And of course the answer was yes. We will always make decisions that help kids first. Our partnership is so evident. The people from Teach For All commented on how FAs were meeting with CMs before and after observations and conversations they saw between CMAs and CMs. Cook Elementary School is not playing this summer! Thank you so much for your hard work! Your students will never forget this summer.
As some of you may already know, at the end of the summer I will be leaving my role as a Program Director here in Atlanta to be the Executive Director of Teach For America in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This was the hardest and scariest decision I’ve ever made but one of the most exciting too. I know that I can lead a region because of the work and partnership that I have developed with all of you. I can only hope my corps members in Milwaukee will live up to the high standards that I will have because of your work this summer. Please know that no matter where I am or what I am doing I will always make time for all of you. I love yall! Go Cook!
Program Director
Teach For America - Atlanta
10 Peachtree Pl NE - 7th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30309
Cell: 414.403.5892
Email: maurice...@teachforamerica.org
One day, all children in this nation will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education. www.teachforamerica.org
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