Red and Blue – Is It In You?  Educational Bridge

Equipping teachers with the skills and supplies that they need to foster student success, Educational Bridge partners with elementary, intermediate, and high schools across the country to create more effective learning environments.  The company trains teachers to develop and implement successful lessons and also provides the manpower and materials needed for workroom/classroom makeovers. A partner with Duncanville ISD for many years, Educational Bridge’s goal of inspiring a life-long love of learning closely mirrors our own. Because of their dedication to our teachers and students, we recognize Educational Bridge as the “Red and Blue – Is It In You?” honoree for the month of January 2012.

It's a relationship that began with an invitation from the district's Chief Academic Officer Liz Birdwell. She invited Educational Bridge staff to speak during a district professional development session. According to the company's website, founder Pamela Robberson has a proven record of raising the reading ability and performance of struggling readers. Once an educator in the classroom, Robberson now educates teachers on how to see those same results. “We model mini-lessons, small groups, shared reading, guided reading, and interactive read alouds,” she explained. “We also work with the staff to set up classroom libraries and assess reading comprehension goals for their students.” 

Now involving several district schools, Educational Bridge's relationship consists of participation not only in professional development sessions but also summer institutes, after-school training, and principal meetings. “Educational Bridge is a true partner in education - they individualize their support for individual campuses and teachers,” commented Principal Julie Hargrove. “There hasn’t been anything that I have needed that Educational Bridge has not been able to address,” added Principal Crystal Cross.

Educational Bridge's assistance goes beyond just training - they're making over classrooms throughout Duncanville ISD. These new "model classrooms" make sure that teachers have the right environment and equipment to encourage profound learning. Hastings Elementary is the most recent campus to receive a model classroom.  "Staff from Educational Bridge noticed that although we have lots of instructional materials, we were lacking the funds to create great physical environments and arrangements that support good reading instruction," explained Hargrove. 

Consultants Robberson and Judy Morehead worked with teacher Mary Michal Moore to design a plan for her space. "I was new to the room and am not a designer, so I needed the help and welcomed it," said Moore. "They interviewed me asking my favorite colors, what books I like, if I was open to taking things out of the room, etc. It's really neat how they took my input and preferences and incorporated them into the new design." Adding furniture, rugs, lamps, student supplies, and organizational tools, Educational Bridge consultants worked after hours for three days in December to makeover the classroom. They also created a library within the room and stocked it with new books, many of which were donated by Highland Park ISD students. "The classroom looks bigger and has a more calming atmosphere," commented Moore. "It's made me more organized and a better teacher, and I've also seen a change in my students' behaviors. Rearranging their desks has helped them to focus. They're also inspired to read more because of the new library and book boxes that were provided." 

Moore isn't the only one appreciating the makeover. "I like the new room because it's more creative. The mirrors, patterns, and posters give me inspiration to become a designer," said student Raven Patterson. While all Hastings teachers can't work with Educational Bridge consultants, they can all visit Moore's classroom to observe how to use their space to implement the company's teaching philosophies. And Moore insists that Robberson and Morehead will do everything they can to meet her peers’ needs. "They told me that teachers just need to ask, and they'll find a way to provide." With a relationship that truly benefits Duncanville ISD students, both parties hope that it continues well into the future. "We hope to extend our partnership with Duncanville schools to include more teachers and educators who desire to hone their craft," commented Robberson. "An exemplary district such as Duncanville deserves the opportunity for teachers to continue to outgrow themselves."

Thank You, Duncanville ISD School Board!

January 2012 is School Board Recognition Month, and Duncanville ISD has much to be thankful for. Under the Board of Trustees' direction, the district has chartered a path to 21st Century Learning Environments, which includes engaging lessons and innovative technology. Their good judgment has provided exceptional staff members, including regional teachers of the year, national principals of the year, and national coaches of the year. The planning and leadership of Duncanville ISD's Board has also placed the district in a favorable position to withstand major budget cuts mandated by state funding shortfalls.

But the work of a Board of Trustees often goes unnoticed. It is their job to establish a vision for educational programs, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure accountability to the community, and strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning. That job entails a huge commitment and time away from families - the time spent at Board Meetings is just a fraction of the time trustees spend leading the district. It is also a performed on a voluntary basis, with no monetary compensation. 

On January 12, hundreds of Duncanville ISD students, staff, and parents attended the Board of Trustees regular meeting to show its members that their efforts are highly appreciated. Schools prepared videos, songs, dances, and speeches to represent this year's School Board Recognition Month theme of "Helping our Kids Shine." They also presented the Board with gifts. Duncanville ISD's Trustees include Tom Kennedy, President; Marlies Peregory, Vice-President; Marshal Wesley, Secretary; and Dr. Deborah Harris, Louis V. McElroy, Phil McNeely, and Dorothy Wolverton.

Hardin Students Are Writing Superstars

Four Hardin Intermediate sixth graders are achieving what most will never accomplish in their lifetime - they'll soon be published writers! Poems by Sirenia Salazar, Margarita Martinez, Adelina Ortiz, and Victoria Rodriguez will appear in Award-Winning Young Writers of America - 2012. Their work was selected out of thousands of entries in the Young Writers of America Student Poetry Contest. "I didn't hear my name over morning announcements, but everyone in my class started yelling," explained Ortiz. "I was shocked." "It made me feel like my work was good for my level," added Martinez. "My dad bought a cake and we celebrated," commented Salazar.

Young Writers of America is an educator-run organization that holds bi-annual contests to generate creativity through the promotion of poetry and short-story writing. Hardin teacher Jimmie Mathis admits that she received information about past competitions, but never considered entering before this year. "My class was working on a poetry unit that included a journal entry about dreams. I was so impressed with the talent that I saw. When I found out the topics for the Young Writers of America contest were 'The world as I see it' and 'What my family means to me', I thought that it was meant to be." Mathis sent in 60 entries from her class, and fellow teacher Virginia Smiley sent in an additional two. According to the contest website, less than 20% of entries are selected for publication.

Hardin's winning poems covered both topics. Martinez wrote about a dream in which she saw the world as she wanted it to be. Rodriguez was inspired by family albums, writing about the true identity of her closest relations. Salazar crafted a poem about ruling the world and how there would be no danger and everyone would be free. Ortiz compared poems to real life, showing how mistakes are inevitable but can fixed with second chances.

With a major lifetime accomplishment already under their belts, the famed four don't plan on capping their creativity anytime soon. Salazar says she aspires to write a series of children's books similar to Harry Potter. "When I was little, everyone told me that I should become a writer because there is a deep feeling in my work that people can connect to," added Ortiz. "I like writing because I feel free," said Martinez.

Teachers Mathis and Smiley say they plan to enter their students in more writing competitions. Their classes are already preparing for a haiku contest this February. "I'm giving students a venue for them to see that they're good when they come to me," commented Mathis. "I don't give them that talent."

DHS Students Become Storybook Writers

Writing books before the age of 18, Duncanville High School students are starting careers as children's writers in English classes with instructors Shelly Handcock, Ashley Mark, and Stephanie Talbot. Students  were assigned a prose project during lessons on Theme. "Since students in the past were having a more difficult time identifying and analyzing theme, it was imperative to find a way to go beyond the rote memory of the definition and into their own creation of stories," explained Handcock. "We wanted to have the students create a product in which they were the identifiers of the theme so that they could build their own stories upon it." 

After finishing the novel My Sister's Keeper, students were required to identify one theme and create a children's book around it. Other guidelines included a minimum of 20 pages, illustrations, and both front and back covers. "Nearly all the students found their 'happy place' somewhere in this project," commented Handcock, "whether it was the creation of the story line, the illustration of their pictures, or the presentation of the book. Many of them were so proud of themselves.  That's a valuable moment for any teacher to experience." Once all of the books were completed, Handcock narrowed her class’s selections to ten and sent them to Smith Elementary. Kindergarten teachers at Smith voted that Crystal Perales had the best story, Michelle Barron and Colton Ferguson had the best covers, and Dinora Rubio had the best book overall. Congratulations, students, and keep up the good work!