Congratulations To Our Four Winners!
Northpoint Horizons received over 1400 entrees from all 50 states as well as Canada, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Ireland and China!
Also participating were educators from every curriculum area including Math, Science, Language Arts and Reading, Social Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, as well as a variety of special education teachers—all wrote compelling essays. Their testimonials made clear their level of dedication and focus to the unique needs of every child, whatever the challenge or circumstance.
Survey Results
Over 97% of the teachers surveyed felt that inclusive small groups were the most important means of meeting the educational needs of their struggling students, versus "Pull-Out" programs and "Before and After School" Programs. In addition, 99% of teachers surveyed believed that differentiated instruction — a theory based on the premise that instructional approaches should vary and be adapted to students' individual and diverse needs — was key to their students' growth.
"Our survey clearly highlighted the kinds of approaches and instructional strategies teachers prefer to meet the diverse needs of their students, including federal and state mandates, and greater local accountability," says NPH Director of Marketing Linda Schilling. "However, many of those teachers lack the resources needed to consistently meet those challenges, including updating curricula and raising test scores."
Over 90% of teachers surveyed said that their school relies solely upon the classroom teacher to meet the needs of English language learners (ELL) and struggling students. "Our school does not have a set ELL program in place. I am pulling resources from everywhere, most of which I have paid for out of my own pocket," said Tracie Lynn Skok, a teacher at Vulture Peak Middle School, Wickenburg, Va. "I would like to purchase more manipulative-based instructional items."
Hands-on instruction (using manipulatives) scored at the top of the teachers' list as a teaching method they support and readily incorporate to help struggling students achieve success (82%). Conversely, very few teachers said No Child Left Behind legislation had positive impact on the students at their schools (15%).
Bonus Question: Whom would teachers most like to see as their "Principal for a Day?"
President Barack Obama heads up a list of current and historic people whom teachers named to inspire and champion their efforts Along with the new president, Abraham Lincoln, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby headed up the list of prominent people that K–8 teachers would most like to be their principal for the day. Votes also included George Bush, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton, Benjamin Franklin, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Gandhi, Marva Collins, Maya Angelou, as well as personal individuals such as a father, mother or local educator.