Local Teachers Recognized for Outstanding Performance in Reading Education

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 5, 2004

Press Release

Twenty-two St. John the Baptist Parish classroom teachers and one librarian have been cited for outstanding performance in reading education, a nationally acclaimed school improvement program announced.

Each of the teachers has been awarded Reading Renaissance Model Classroom Level Certification by Renaissance Learning, while some also advanced to Master Classroom Certification Level. Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet’s librarian also received certification for managing a Model Library.

Fifth Ward Elementary leads the school district’s efforts with 12 teachers receiving Model Classroom Certification and three receiving Master Classroom Certification. Their combined efforts have earned the school the elite designation of being a Renaissance Learning Model School.

“These designations are clear indicators that our investment in a proven learning enhancement program like Renaissance Learning can take hold and make a difference in our classrooms. We’re just in the beginning year of our process, and already, we’re seeing tremendous gains,” said St. John the Baptist Parish School Superintendent Michael Coburn.

Renaissance Learning is a leading provider of school improvement programs that utilize research-based software products, teacher training and consulting to improve student achievement. The programs give students and teachers continuous constructive feedback that helps motivate students, dramatically accelerate learning, improve test scores and help students master all standards.

St. John the Baptist Parish Schools implemented the program in all its K-8 schools this school year, and teachers have undergone training and in-class consultation to learn and effectively implement the program and its strategies in their classrooms.

“We are so pleased with the progress of so many. Many of these same teachers were the biggest skeptics when we first introduced Renaissance to the district last year. Now, they’re our biggest advocates. They’ve come on board, and they’re making a difference in their classrooms, in their schools and in this system,” said Renaissance Learning Consultant Patti Petrie.

Coburn praised the individual teachers and collective efforts of those at Fifth Ward Elementary for working to “set themselves apart” as outstanding professional educators.

“These teachers and their students have been diligently working to meet the goals set before them. We can be confident that our school system will continue to make progress as long as efforts like this are leading the way,” said Coburn.

To qualify for certification with Renaissance Learning, a teacher must demonstrate that his or her students receive a minimum of 60 minutes of reading practice time daily. In addition, a teacher must be actively working with individual students to meet Renaissance-recommended standards for reading achievement. A Model Classroom designation indicates that a teacher’s efforts to adopt Reading Renaissance methods have resulted in measurable increases in student reading performance. A Master Classroom designation indicates that a teacher’s efforts have surpassed first-year Renaissance-recommended goals. A Model Library designation requires that the school library meet Renaissance-recommended guidelines for improving reading skills.

A Model School designation denotes that a certain percentage of the school’s classrooms have successfully implemented Renaissance Learning strategies in their day-to-day efforts.

Coburn noted that implementation reports are compiled each marking period and distributed to district and school administrators. The reports reflect data that validate the use of Renaissance’s programs within schools and individual classrooms.

“There is no guessing game here,” Coburn said. “We have utilized this information to make data-driven decisions to improve student utilization of Renaissance products, specifically targeting Reading Renaissance this year.”

The following teachers have received Model Classroom Certification:

East St. John Elementary – Kim Smith,

(See Local Teachers, Page 6B)

(From Page 5B)

kindergarten/inclusion; Eve Loftman Cusack, kindergarten/inclusion; Martha Farley, first grade/inclusion; Melissa Whiteside, first grade/inclusion; and Kathleen Averett, first grade.

Fifth Ward Elementary – Joan Harris, kindergarten/inclusion; Kendria Spears, kindergarten/inclusion; Bonnie Dinvaut-Irving, kindergarten; Wynona Roy, kindergarten; Pamlyn McKnight, first grade; Elizabeth Chacon, third grade/inclusion; Lucie Shipp, third grade/inclusion; Danielle Freeman, fourth grade; Melissa St. Germaine, fourth grade; Sharon Joseph, fifth grade; Clara Radcliff, sixth grade; and Chris Oubre, eighth grade.

Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet – Yvonne Vicknair, second grade; Jenny Torres, third grade/inclusion; and Michel Delatte, third grade/inclusion. Librarian Jan Stein has received Model Library Certification.

John L. Ory Magnet – Karen Brooks, fourth grade.

LaPlace Elementary – Anita Rodriguez, first grade.

The following teachers also received Master Classroom Certification for advancing their classroom efforts to the next level: East St. John Elementary’s Farley, Whiteside and Averett; Fifth Ward Elementary’s Harris, Chacon and Shipp; and Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet’s Torres and Delatte.