Advancing Educator Excellence
in Atlanta Public Schools

School: John Hope – Charles Walter Hill Elementary School
Project: Preparing Future Professionals Today
After realizing a large number of her students had limited college exposure, Dr. Miller-Ashley sprung into action planning a college tour for her fifth-grade students. Students visited Emory University, Clayton State University, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University. After compiling research, interviews and pictures, students documented and shared their experiences by creating Podcasts as a culminating project. Dr. Miller-Ashley believes that such college bound experiences support the need for children to see themselves as future professionals.

School: Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Project: Project Pen Pal
Ms. Morgan initiated a Pen Pal program that connects students from Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy with female students from two African countries (Ethiopia and South Africa). With a focus on history, current issues, customs and cultural practices, students create multi-media presentations using the latest technology (including podcasts, videoconferences, email and Facebook) to document their interactions and discussions. The project aims to provide students with a rich, relevant experience that will increase their literacy skills and deepen their understanding of African culture.

School: East Lake Elementary School, Spanish
Project: A Flare of Hispanic Culture
Mrs. Abboud improved the foreign language experience for all of the students at East Lake Elementary, from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. By coordinating in-school field trips, Mrs. Abboud created direct connections to the content standards by exposing students to cultural events that included folkloric dance and musical groups. Students also created maracas, piñatas and other artifacts that are representative of Hispanic countries. The project provided real-life, educational connections that enriched the curriculum and increased the students’ knowledge of various Spanish-speaking countries.

School: Morris Brandon Elementary School, Third Grade
Project: Traveling Book Club
For students at Morris Brandon Elementary who are in need of additional reading comprehension strategies, Mrs. Branton is starting an after-school traveling book club. Mrs. Branton will utilize literature circles to explore reading concepts through the use of comprehension activities, text analyses, questioning strategies and in-depth discussions. After reading award-winning literature, which supports state standards in various content areas, the traveling book club will participate in field trips that highlight each novel’s themes or events.

School:West Manor Elementary School, Third-Grade
Project: Outdoor Classroom
With help from community stakeholders, Ms. Carter is moving teaching and learning beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom with an Outdoor Classroom that includes an edible garden, butterfly garden, pond and study area for West Manor Elementary students. The goal of West Manor’s Outdoor Classroom is to establish a sustainable, student-centered learning venue that supports state standards and enhances the science curriculum. Furthermore, by providing a natural setting for interdisciplinary, inquiry-based instruction, the Outdoor Classroom promotes physical health, social growth and environmental stewardship.

School: Parkside Elementary, Third Grade, Instructional Coach
Project: The Savannah Exploration Tour
After considering the various learning styles of his students, Mr. Coleman decided to bring teaching alive with The Savannah Exploration Tour. The one-day trip turned into a “living laboratory,” where students could connect previously learned material with new concepts while simultaneously deepening their understanding of Georgia Performance Standards. Mr. Coleman’s students of two years became photojournalists and had the opportunity to photograph, explore and record their journey through the streets, squares, monuments and buildings of Savannah. Using experiential learning and discovery, the project aimed to increase knowledge in the areas of science, social studies, math and writing.

School: Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Life Science
Project: Going Green Task Force
Ms. Collins created a student-led Going Green Task Force (GGTF) at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Comprised of students from the three middle school grades, the GGTF encourages the practice of recycling and is responsible for the dissemination of educational facts about environmentally friendly initiatives. In addition, GGTF students maintain vegetable and flower gardens, dialogue about current events such as air pollution and publish bimonthly Podcasts linked to going green.

School: Whitefoord Elementary School, Third – Fifth Grades Science
Project: Whitefoord Science Scholars
In an effort to engage students in hands-on science activities while increasing their content knowledge at the same time, Ms. Denis organized a club called the Whitefoord Science Scholars. During club meetings, students work collaboratively on tasks designed to promote problem solving skills and enhance their interests, experiences and awareness of scientific processes. The team participated in the statewide Science Olympiad competition for the first time and successfully made connections between scientific concepts and their immediate world. Ms. Denis’s project has helped close the achievement gap, strengthen academic performance and increase student interest in the area of science.

School: Cascade Elementary School, Fourth Grade
Project: Growing and Planting Young Minds
Currently, students at Cascade Elementary work in conjunction with Seeds of Nutrition and Georgia Organics (Farm to School) to improve their eating habits. In an effort to provide all students with the opportunity to plant and harvest, Ms. Greer enhances the school’s gardening program through the use of indoor GrowLabs. GrowLabs not only enable teachers to plan creative lessons, they also allow students from each grade level to garden year-round. Specifically targeting and improving scientific knowledge, concepts and processes by providing hands-on experiences, the mobile GrowLabs also increase understanding of math, social studies and writing standards.

School: Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Health and PE
Project: Swim Team
Mr. Jackson implemented an aquatics program, which included the first Atlanta Public Schools’ middle school swim team meet at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. His project exposed students to the benefits of swimming beyond recreation, as they learned fundamental skills and safety techniques. The project was based on GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow, which is a program designed to prepare 11- to 14-year-olds for Red Cross Lifeguarding certification. With the rest of his project award, Mr. Jackson was also able to provide the school and students with swimsuits, swim caps, goggles and towels.

School: Henry W. Grady High School, Fashion Design
Project: The UrbanCouture Collection
Mr. Martinez directs Henry W. Grady High School’s UrbanCouture program, which transforms high school students into Atlanta’s hottest young fashion designers. Mr. Martinez increased the quality of his students’ garments by incorporating industrial sewing machines and a sewing serger into his classroom. This equipment allows students to construct garments made of heavier fabrics, like denim and leather. His students are honored and recognized for their creativity in annual fashion shows

School: Crawford Williamson Long Middle School, Science
Project: Choosing Health and Experiencing Wellness
Ms. Moore plans to take a bite out of childhood obesity by implementing Project C.H.E.W. Project C.H.E.W. gives students access to an aerobics program while introducing them to a 12-week garden-based nutrition program. The program has several components including nutrition education, nutrition marketing and physical fitness. By supporting student wellness through increased physical activity, gardening and convenient access to healthy foods, Ms. Moore believes that academic performance will improve and student behaviors surrounding nutrition will change significantly.

School: William J. Scott Elementary School, First Grade
Project: College Bound Academic Incentive & Recognition Program
With the desire to prepare Scott Elementary students for college, Mrs. Quackenbush will reward children from all grade levels who strive for academic excellence. To honor students for their positive actions and behavior (such as high attendance, hard work and homework completion), Mrs. Quackenbush will encourage their continued success with monthly and quarterly awards. Students will receive college paraphernalia and incentives for their achievements. Culminating with a college fair and field trip to a local university, students will be exposed to the idea and experiences of preparing for later educational opportunities.

School: Henry W. Grady High School, Orchestra
Project: Electronic Chamber Orchestra
To combat the notion that many students consider orchestra to be old-fashioned and boring, Mr. Rodriguez purchased electric instruments so that he could have a stronger appeal to his young audience. The first of its kind at Grady High School, the Electric Orchestra can perform in outdoor venues and record their own music. By attracting students who are looking for an innovative sound that corresponds with the technological world around them, Mr. Rodriguez brings a new twist to classical music.