A Tribute to Teachers 2010
Everybody remembers a favorite teacher. Whether it was someone who pushed you harder, who became your friend or who simply made you think about the world in a different way, educators stay with us long after the last day of school.
For individuals who can have such an impact on our lives, teachers rarely get the recognition they deserve. That’s why Manhattan Media started the Blackboard Awards for Teachers. The idea is to salute those classroom leaders who not only nail the basics but who go above and beyond to help their students succeed. Read more
Vision for a Classroom
In DeSimone’s novel curriculum, students learn through city’s history
In her seventh year as a teacher, Danielle DeSimone took a job doing what most educators only dream about: creating an entire curriculum from scratch. The experience, she said, was an opportunity for both her and the students to “create, not just regurgitate.” Read more
Active Classroom, Engaged Minds
Goldberg’s lessons draw on everything from gardening to pop music
By Shannon Geis
It was Sarah Goldberg’s 9th-grade history class that confirmed what she already knew: teaching was the career for her.
“She just brought history to life,” Goldberg said of her high school teacher. “She was very hands-on and you could tell that she loved what she was teaching.” Read more
The Language of Learning
Drawing on theatrical background, Petersen dazzles new English speakers
Years ago, Erika Petersen dreamed of becoming an actress. She enrolled in the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, but dropped out to pursue acting full time. After her daughter was born, she decided that the out-of-town trips were too taxing and enrolled in Hunter College, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in history and secondary education, and a master’s degree in theater history. Read more
Teacher’s Push to Succeed
With Owen at the helm, students strive to excel and explore
With a cheerful “Good morning!” Will Owen greets each student in his 4th-grade class as they sit down. As soon as they are settled, he does something he calls “stretching,” which entails lessons like pre-reading and observation, to ready their minds for learning. Then they are off, delving into worlds of history, science and—Owen’s personal favorite—math. Read more
A Song in the Classroom
For Evans, music livens lessons and keeps students focused
By Shannon Geis
In a funny way, it was a stint on cruise ship that allowed Florence Evans to fully understand her love of teaching.
The Long Island native had studied vocal performance at the Manhattan School of Music and taught music education at P.S. 166. But she had a dream of performing, and took a job on a cruise ship when the opportunity arose. Once there, however, Evans realized that she would rather be back in the classroom. Read more
An Artistic Approach to Learning
Kilbane infuses lessons with drama, dance and outdoor excursions
Every weekday, Karen Kilbane rides her bike from Tribeca to the Upper East Side to teach kindergarten at Hunter College Elementary School.
“She lives for her kindergarten,” said Principal Randy Collins. “Her class is a great way for kids to start school.” Read more
Talented in Any Language
Toll’s skills create community in her Spanish-English classroom
When students’ eyes light up and get that “aha!” expression, that’s when Randi Toll realizes how much she loves her job.
“These are the moments I enjoy the most,” she said.
Luckily for Toll, who teaches 1st grade at P.S. 163, “it happens a fair amount.” Read more
The Force Is With Her
Davis’ skills with young children have impacted generations
Kindergarten teacher Brenda Davis is known, respectfully, as the “Jedi Master of early childhood teachers” by the parents who revere her—a few of whom were in her classroom when they were 5 and 6 years old. Davis learned her craft through years of practice, training and dedication. She is described as “artful,” “wise,” “focused” and “patient.” Read more
Big Ideas for Little Minds
Hovde opens kindergartners’ eyes to everything from fine art to conservation
Five-year-olds at P.S. 187 in Washington Heights are learning how to recycle and bake croissants—in addition, of course, to the basics of reading and writing.
Their teacher, Jill Hovde, developed a passion for teaching back in college, when she taught children about nocturnal animals and how to care for injured hawks at the Delaware Nature Society. Read more
