2007-08 Citi Success Fund Award Booklet - The Education Fund

Citi Team Mentor Grantsciti team mentorciti team mentorFit for LifeThis science-based physicaleducation collaboration invitesstudents to examine the connectionbetween their bodies and thelifestyle practices of exercise andnutrition. Students will monitor theirbody functions, such as heart andlung performance with vital statisticsand measurements, maintaininggraphs and charts that will hopefullyrecord their improvement as theyimplement individual fitnessprograms and a healthy diet.Suzanne Wojcik & Gwen FooteNautilus Middle SchoolThe Green Apple ClubTwo administrators, a classroomteacher and the school’s activitiesdirector collaborate to create aveteran mentor team, to whombeginning teachers may go to in apinch. The goal is to facilitate newand seasoned educators to create aprofessional learning community andcordial environment that is oftenneglected during the rush of the workweek. Bimonthly meetings with aguest speaker and an open forumaddress classroom issues andpersonal experiences to ease thetransition to the front of the class.Diana Van Wyk-Lamb,Josephine Otero, Ana Suarez& Nestor DiazCoral Gables High SchoolPartners in the Harvest:“No Teacher Left Behind”Implementation of this teachermentoring program begins with theobjective to create a professionallearning environment for newteachers guided by norms ofcollaboration, high expectations,equity, ongoing inquiry andreflection. Two veteran teachermentors compiled a TeacherInduction Module curriculum totrain the mentors to advise thenovice on tricky issues, suchas classroom management,technology integration,lesson planning and parentcommunication. Through weeklymeetings and correspondence,beginning teachers will receive20-30 hours of mentoring.Wajahat Quadri &Kim MartinettiNorland Middle SchoolSaving Our SonsInspired by a media report thatofficials use fourth-grade readingscores to determine projectedprison space, this program workswith at-risk male third graderswith histories of behavioralproblems. Led by a personallyselected first-year teacher,honored by the state as anoutstanding role model andbrought up through the sameschool, the class will introducestructure and guidance, requiringdress attire with neckties, andoffering curriculum andactivities tailored to the uniquelearning styles and attentionsof young men. While theultimate goal is represented inthe title, the first objective ofthe program is to change themindset of students to believethat being smart is “cool.”Karen Weaver Gant &Deneric M. ForbesCarol City ElementarySeeds, Seedlings andSprouts: Sharing OurBotanical AdventuresThis project teams high schoolteachers specializing in scienceand photography with elementaryschool teachers and students tobuild learning communities aroundthe “outdoor classroom.” Drawingfrom the science curriculum,students will grow flowers andvegetables from seedlings anddissect and observe the matureplants. Meanwhile after lessonsin photography, the students willtake photos, image their shots inPhotoshop and create a gardenportfolio. The initiative will stressthe interconnectedness betweengarden and food while creatingecological and environmentalawareness.Eloisa Mena &Juan E. CabreraDesign & ArchitectureHigh SchoolLet The G.A.M.E.S. BeginResearch has shown that youngerchildren are especially receptiveto peer-to-peer learning, as theirsocial and cognitive developmentcoincides. This project createsclassroom learning centersstocked with books, games andactivities, where second graderswill tutor Kindergarteners inlanguage arts, reading and math.The tutors will nurtureresponsibility for the youngerstudents, who will receivepersonal attention and build theirconfidence to one day being atutor themselves.Mayra Perez & Ivette GarciaCoral Reef Elementary10 Citi Team Mentor: A program of The Education Fund