Teacher Beth Sapp School Diggs-Latham Arts and Global Studies Magnet School

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Documentation to be completed by the nominee. (Do not exceed two pages.) The Teacher of PROMISE Award will be presented to an outstanding first year teacher who shows great potential at the elementary, middle or high school level. The selection committee will look for evidence of PROMISE (Potential, Responsibility, Optimism, Motivation, Ingenuity, Sensitivity, and Excellence) in your responses to the following questions. Your PROMISE traits will be evaluated using the Teacher of PROMISE Award Rubric included in this packet.
1) Describe how you demonstrate the traits of PROMISE (Potential, Responsibility, Optimism, Motivation, Ingenuity, Sensitivity, Excellence) in interactions with students, staff, parents, and the community.

I once heard it said that teaching is about breaking down obstacles, breaking down walls and being innovative. Working with my students, teaching from the heart and relying on my instincts is my greatest strength. I believe that a teacher’s key to success, or potential for success, lies in his/her ability to utilize available resources such as staff, parents, and the community. This ability, coupled with a heavy dose of tenacity, can carry a teacher very far.

Every day that I walk into my classroom, every time I approach a student and every lesson I write-I am confronted with obstacles. My job is to break them down. Sometimes I may be faced with a difficult math standard I can’t get a grasp on, and I must conference with my team, math coach, or walk down the hall to another grade level to confess I need help. Sometimes the challenge is engaging a student whose mind is elsewhere and all avenues to reach him have been exhausted so I must dig to discover creative ways to reach him. Sometimes I must f...

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...udents to express how they might overcome their own challenges. We celebrate achievements together. Next, by letting students know that all strengths, disabilities and cultures are accepted in our classroom we establish an atmosphere of acceptance, discovery and an air of excitement that all individual are to be celebrated for their similarities and differences. Last, to establish a sense of partnership students are routinely asked to check on, encourage and lend a hand to partner groups and elbow partners. Students receive much praise helping others, teamwork and random acts of kindness. By teaching students diversity in culture and abilities is to be celebrated and welcomed my class has a strong cohesive bond.
I am deeply honored to be nominated for the Forsyth Education Partnership Teacher of PROMISE Award. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

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