URBAN SPECIALISTS -- 2002

GIGI ADAMS
Inskip Elementary School

My goal while involved with the Urban Specialist program would be to develop my skills that will enhance the learning experience with students, parents, colleagues and our community.


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REBECCA BEAN

I am very excited about this program! I am completing my 2nd year of teaching in an urban school and I am willing to learn and experience all I can in order to enhance my abilities as an educator.

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For far too long we have tried to maintain the “melting pot” theory of diversity only to find when we blend into one, we lose what makes us unique. In this program, I hope to find ways to create a “salad bowl” where everyone has a different and appreciated gift to bring to the table!

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CHERYL GRAY 

As an Urban teacher I have many experiences that I need to share when I become an Urban Specialist. I need to share knowledge and techniques that have made me a successful teacher. New teachers need an understanding of the diverse population that are in urban schools.

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DONNA HARDY

We can become creatures of excellence and intelligence. We can learn to fly. Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Public educators must be grounded in knowledge, faith, courage, love, and tenacity. Mostly, they must be committed toward eradicating these enemies: ignorance, isolation, and inadequacy. After obtaining three college degrees, after twenty years of “flying” in diverse community/school setting, and after dealing strategically with the above foes, I believe I have experiences and ideas that will help the Urban Impact Program and public education to soar creatively toward a new kind of excellence for teachers, parents, and students.

Mission Statement: Composed after participating in a cohort and reading Stephen Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People:  With passion, prudence, patience, play, and professionalism, I will LISTEN to the dreams/goals of individuals and organizations, and contribute creatively my ideas and actions to their future growth.

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JAMIE HURST

As an urban specialist I will have the opportunity and expectation to teach others how to succeed in urban settings. This includes students, current and future educators, and community members. Urban students are so unique and have such an abundance of potential. They deserve the best in and out of the classroom and I want to help make this happen.

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SHANNON JACKSON
West High School PDS

To quote Jesse Stuart, we need to find the "thread that runs so true" not only within ourselves, but within each student as well.

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DEBRA MOYERS 

I see this as an opportunity to clarify my vision of an educational community where the teachers, as well as the students are encouraged, supported, and actually reach their full potential.

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MARY SUE PRUITT

In urban schools, the population includes young people with emotional difficulties and motivational and behavioral problems. These issues should be addressed so that students can concentrate on learning, and actually enjoy the process rather than be frustrated. I believe that even a small group of dedicated educators can make a big difference. Every student deserves to experience success!

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MARY-BARTLETT SMYTHE

Students in the urban setting have been/will continue to be faced with a life filled with challenges and adversities many never see in a lifetime. As urban educators, we must strive to help these students achieve academically by accommodating their needs and providing a strong base in self-respect, self-assurance, and self-worth. 

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TAWANDA TUCKER 

To influence and encourage students to excel academically.

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ZELLA VENABLE

As I look back over the years of being an urban teacher I thought to myself, how did I get here? Even though I didn’t have novice training sessions or handbooks to guide me, I did have a wonderful team teacher as they were called during my time. A guide teacher that exhibited all I needed. This special lady cared to take time to give me support, hands-on experience, time, leading me through paths, making me feel important, showing me every step of the way. The same experiences she gave me, I have always wanted to give back by being of service to other teachers. I would like to raise the bar and impact other urban teachers. Being an urban specialist will continue to open that door to help that unsure teacher into a world of security that she may go on to reach another.

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ALLISON WATKINSON

The quality of a child's education should never be determined by the circumstances of his or her birth. We have some excellent teachers in urban schools. We need to find ways to support and encourage these teachers to remain in the urban setting. We must find ways to celebrate and advertise our successes in the community so our parents and community leaders are aware of the positive things that are happening in our schools. As new teachers enter the profession in urban schools, we must provide them with a strong support system so they can be successul with the challenges they will meet daily. Teaching in an urban setting is not easy; those of us who choose to teach in urban schools need the support of our colleagues, our administration, our parents, and our community members. As I learn to become an urban specialist, I hope to become a positive member of the stong support system for mentoring new teachers at Austin-East High School.

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I feel that as a member of the Urban Specialist Program, we need to look at the many (and diverse) needs of the child and break away from the status quo. All children can learn. We should strive to equip them with the skills that they need to be "lifelong" learners.

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