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Preserve America
History Teacher of the Year
2009 Awards Ceremony
On Wednesday, December 16, 2009 through School Without Walls' partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Intitute of American History, the School played host to the Preserve America: History Teacher of the Year ceremony. The award, co-sponsored by Preserve America White House Initiative, the History Channel, and the Gilder Lehrman Institute, honored Timothy Bailey of Utah. Mr. Bailey is a fifth grade teacher from Escalante Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Bailey was joined on stage by two of his former students. The President of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History James Basker, the Senior Vice President of Corporate Outreach and Chief Historian of History Channel Libby O’Connell, and the United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan all spoke at the event reflecting on the desire to make history relevant to students and, praising School Without Walls as an example, the need for successful schools.
This was the Secretary of Education’s first visit to our school. School Without Walls’ students impressed the audience through their participation in the program. Molly Sloss, a senior, led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance while Indira Shingler, a junior sang the National Anthem. In addition, students from our senior class posed questions to the Secretary Duncan. A reception followed the event.
For additional information on the program or our partnership with Gilder Lehrman, please contact:
Sylvia Isaac, Vice Principal and Co-coordinator of the Gilder Lehrman Program at School Without Walls
Jenine Pokorak, Co-coordinator of the Gilder Lehrman Program at School Without Walls
School Without Walls defines its goal as preparing students for an ever-changing global society, in which they must be able to think clearly and apply their knowledge in solving problems. Our students are all college-bound; indeed, taking at least one college-level course, either Advanced Placement or on campus in the city, is a graduation requirement.
The faculty is highly qualified, as defined by standards set by the No Child Left Behind law and by other professional measures, particularly National Board Certification and qualification to teach Advanced Placement courses. Staff development focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperative teaching and learning. We are committed to encouraging teachers to be decision makers and change agents as required and appropriate.
Communication with parents goes beyond mailing of grades and progress reports; weekly bulletins are posted electronically, with details about school activities and school-related events in the city. There is also an automated phone messaging system for reminders and for notices in emergencies, such as severe weather. Every effort is made to foster a community through the Home and School Association, meetings and workshops for parents, and extracurricular sports, performances, and social events. Communication from parents is invited constantly: principal, counselors, and other staff members respond to phone calls and e-mails without delay, and teachers are equally responsive. Parent input and participation are important in preparing our students for their futures.
2009-11-04
