A pair of Walled Lake teachers take home prestigeous teaching honors including a Mike and Kelly ABC award

From Mike Turk of the Oakland Press- In what must be great news for these two teachers, Walled Lake Schools must be truly proud the light has shined on them this year.

Channel 7 Video Story on
http://www.wxyz.com/news/walled-lake-teacher-earns-michigan-teacher-of-the-year
Nebojsa Stojkovic, a Walled Lake Central High School math teacher and track coach, among five Top Teacher Search finalists selected through syndicated morning show, “Live Kelly & Michael” with hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.

Walled Lake elementary educator named Michigan Teacher of the Year

Keith Elementary teacher Melody Arabo stands among her students after being named Michigan's Teacher of the Year. (John Turk - THe Oakland Press)

By John Turk, The Oakland Press

Master Educator

“Melody is a dynamic example of our Michigan educators. Her child-centered approach to learning ensures she is meeting the needs of all her students. We look forward to her continued contributions to teaching and learning.”
— Mike Flanagan, State Schools Superintendent
• Arabo shares best Common Core-aligned lessons and practices — along with only 96 teachers across the country — to other teachers through the National Education Association’s Master Teacher Project. Her ideas get shared on www.betterlesson.com.

It took a few seconds for Walled Lake Schools’ Melody Arabo to stand Thursday after being named Michigan Teacher of the Year.
She knew she was nominated, but had no idea the assembly — called at Keith Elementary, where she’s a third grade teacher — was all for her. School administrators held the assembly under the guise of celebrating the school’s history, as the event also marked Keith Elementary’s 50th year.
Her husband knew.
“I’ve had to keep this secret almost two weeks,” said Elliott Arabo, beaming after his wife was honored by State Schools Superintendent Mike Flanagan. “Do you remember those teachers that still stick out to you that made an impact on your life? (Melody is) that teacher.”
The Michigan Department of Education uses the Teacher of the Year award annually to honor exemplary educators. This year, the competition was out of 1,000 teachers statewide.
With her new designation, Arabo will provide input on Michigan’s education system at the State Board of Education’s monthly meetings, she’ll meet Gov. Rick Snyder, and later this year, she’ll meet President Barack Obama, said Flanagan.
A $1,000 check for Keith Elementary on the 12-year teaching veteran’s behalf, along with a car — both provided by MEEMIC Insurance Company — are part of the deal, too.
Melody, an active member of the community — she lives within walking distance and her three children attend the school — was shocked and humbled.
“Really, all I can say is thank you,” she said between breaths in Keith Elementary’s gymnasium. “And I hope that I can live up to the expectations that you have, because I feel like being a voice for teachers is the most important thing I can do, other than working with kids each day.”
Edie Schwartz, a Keith parent who said Arabo motivated her son to read, nominated Arabo.
“When he came to Keith, my son was really struggling with reading. Mrs. Arabo not only helped him build confidence in reading but he is now able to read. He loves Keith and he feels that way because he’s in Mrs. Arabo’s classroom. She has a way of making learning fun for the kids,” Schwartz said in her nomination letter.
“Their faces seem to light up when she is in the room.”
Arabo, 35, a graduate of Michigan State University, is the second educator in recent weeks to be honored.
Nebojsa Stojkovic, a Walled Lake Central High School math teacher and track coach, among five Top Teacher Search finalists selected through syndicated morning show, “Live Kelly & Michael” with hosts Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan.
Kenneth Gutman, Walled Lake Schools Superintendent, said along with Arabo, Walled Lake Schools is “very lucky to have such a great support staff.
“Keith really is about every child, every day ... (and) Melody couldn’t deserve this honor more.”

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20140516/walled-lake-elementary-educator-named-michigan-teacher-of-the-year

One Master Teacher's take on students who come to class without a pencil- He gives it up every time.

If you have been in front of students for even five minutes, you have had the "I forgot my pencil" request.  Most teachers try the life lesson or the humiliation tactic and inevitably had no success changing the students behavior. A current practicing teacher and Associate Professor at the University of Washington has a surprise response and the psychology behind his answer made me rethink the age old answer.

 

Give the Kid a Pencil

Submitted by Chad Donohue on May 12, 2014

I recently taught a university course in Seattle for graduate students seeking master’s degrees in teaching. In one lesson, our focus was on creating a psychologically safe learning environment for students. It was an issue of managing students and supplies. I posed a question:
If a student shows up to class without a pencil, how should the teacher respond?
Small groups collaborated for a few minutes. Ultimately, they came up with plans involving taking something (a shoe?) from the student as collateral to remind the student about the importance of having supplies, notifying parents and even assigning classroom cleanup duty or lunch detention. 
“What about you, Prof?” they asked.
“I would give the kid a pencil,” I said.
“You mean the first time?” someone asked.
“Every time,” I said.
This evidently had not occurred to them. There must be some punishment, subtle humiliation or a response that makes the kid pay for the error, right? They were concerned that my action would reinforce and reward poor behavior, possibly even help develop bad habits.
What they failed to see is that the teacher is not the cause of the problem. Likely, the student has been doing this for years. The teacher can respond by criticizing the child in front of the class, reminding him that pencils are required at school, making her give up something as collateral or inflicting some punishment as a power move.
Or the instructor can simply provide the pencil and say, “There will always be a pencil here for you. Don’t ever worry about asking me for a pencil. I have hundreds of them.”
By eliminating the anxiety that comes when students worry about being called out or humiliated in front of their peers, teachers reduce the chance that students will skip class, give up, become defiant or develop mysterious “illnesses” that cause them to stay home. Obviously, these students struggle with remembering supplies. This is likely the result of many factors in their lives, none of which has anything to do with the teacher. Perhaps it is ADHD or a medication side effect, stress or simple forgetfulness or immaturity. (They are, after all, just kids, right?) What good does it do to rub it in their faces every day? And years later, what are they likely to remember about the class or the teacher?
“But what about the student who takes advantage of you?” one of the graduate students asked. “How do you know they aren’t doing it on purpose?”
Of course there is the chance I will be taken advantage of. I welcome this chance. I resolve to remain a patient advocate for the child even if he is testing me. When I hand him the 50th pencil and remind him there is always one here, what will be his likely impression? Has humiliation worked so far in his educational experience? Has the status quo resolved the issue? Imagine the impact of endless advocacy. We should all be extended such grace.
Also, students who are constantly badgered for forgetting pencils start stealing pencils to avoid being singled out and embarrassed. One could argue that shaming leads to the stealing. A child will go to great lengths to avoid humiliation.
“How do you get all those pencils?” my students asked.
I am a college graduate and a professional. I have no trouble accessing the power structure of our community. How can I complain about finding pencils? In light of what so many others struggle with daily, this problem is minor. Find a way. Pay for them, borrow them, ask companies to donate them, hit up family members for pencils as holiday gifts. Have a pencil drive. Do a car wash for pencils. I don’t know, but figure it out. Life is a cycle of problem solving. You can find the pencils. 
Students learn best in a psychologically safe, mistake-friendly environment. We all make mistakes. How teachers respond has everything to do with whether or not their students feel valued as human beings. We are responsible for creating a psychologically safe classroom. In all possible situations, we should seek to uphold the dignity of the student. Even when disciplinary action is necessary, it should be handled in a dignified way.
“Mr. D, can I have a pencil?"
“Of course, anytime.
Donohue is a middle school English and social studies teacher in Monroe, Washington. He also teaches college courses in English, public speaking and education.

For Mother's Day- Men give birth through a simulator- Pretty hilarious

You will be laughing through your ears when watching this one from Kensington Community Church

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7MRN1BeA6w

Paparazzi style Brandon High School photos are available at the Oakland Press (details inside)

Brandon High School Celebrated their prom at the Boulder Pointe CC located in Oxford. Paparazzi style photos of students is available at the link below and they are dandies. I understand they are available for purchase as well.To see the photo gallery, click the link below. VVV
http://dfm-ssp.medianewsgroup.com/theoaklandpress/?p=11216&preview=true

Waterford Kettering Paparazzi Photos from Petruzzello's

   

Waterford Kettering celebrates their prom at Petruzzello's. Paparazzi photos from the entrance and red carpet. See the complete photo album on the Oakland Press online. I understand the photos are available for purchase as well.

http://media.theoaklandpress.com/2014/05/10/waterford-kettering-prom-2014/#15

From Channel One: A Report on Bullying and the number weapons being brought into some schools is scary

Some of the new reports are pretty scary as more students are carrying weapons into schools to protect themselves against bullies. The statistics which are outlined in the Channel One News video and transcript below say the trend is growing and schools must prepare for it.

The video is here and the transcripts are below >   http://www.channelone.com/a-report-on-bullying/
Maggie: We all know that bullying is a widespread problem in our schools. But even with increased awareness and programs to fight it, the number of victims continues to grow. And now a new report shows that the way some victims are handling it is as worrisome as the problem itself. Shelby Holliday has the story.
Student: All of this name calling and pushing made me feel horrible.
Shelby: Bullying impacts schools and students across the country.
Student: I’ve been called so many different names, it’s unbelievable. I’ve been called fat, ugly, stupid…
Shelby: And despite school programs and outreach events, studies suggest that bullying in American schools is on the rise.
Andre Kar: I think people don’t really realize how real it is until you actually see it for yourself.
Shelby: One new report out analyzes a detailed survey of more than 15,000 high school students who were asked questions about bullying. The survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, found that 20% of those high school students reported being victims of bullying within the last 12 months. But what is more troubling to researchers is that some bullied students are bringing dangerous weapons to class.
Sixteen-year-old Lisa Lovolos brought a paring knife to her school in Philadelphia after months of being bullied.
Lisa Lovolos: I knew I was wrong to have it but, I mean, I felt like I needed something to protect myself.
Shelby: Lisa was arrested and suspended for five days. But she is not the only one violating school rules.
Dr. Andrew Adesman: They’re telling us that there’s practically one child in every classroom that is carrying a weapon.
Shelby: After taking a closer look at the survey, researchers estimate that about 200,000 bullied high school students are bringing weapons like knives, guns and clubs to school. And they say that being bullied increases a kid’s chances of carrying weapons.
Of the 20% of high school students who said they have been bullied, 8.6% say they have carried a weapon to school compared to 4.7% of students who said they haven’t been bullied.
Researchers also found four risk factors related to bullying that boost that number even higher. If a student skips school because of immediate concerns about their safety, have had their property stolen or damaged, have been threatened with or injured with a weapon in school, and has been in a physical fight, they are 31 times more likely to bring a weapon to school.
Dr. Adesman: This is a group that’s not only traumatized psychologically and they worry for themselves physically, but they also pose a threat to the rest of the student body.
Shelby: Researchers say that they hope the new report will help teachers, principals and parents do a better job of dealing with school bullies and their victims to make sure the bullying doesn’t lead to more violence.


http://www.channelone.com/a-report-on-bullying/

Earning college credit in high school has students hitting the working world early

Shelby: Summer is right around the corner, and that means high school seniors across the country are celebrating the end of high school and the beginning of a new chapter in life. Scott Evans has the story of one girl in the class of 2014 who is well on her way. Check it out.
Scott: Like many seniors, Grace Bush will be getting her high school diploma on Friday.
But unlike most seniors, this 16-year-old from Florida already has a college degree.
Grace Bush: It’s kind of weird that I graduated college before high school.
Scott: Yep, Grace earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice last week from Florida Atlantic University. She did it with a 3.8 GPA and completed the four-year degree in just three years, taking high school and college classes at the same time.
Grace: I started when I was 13 at Broward College and I also took my classes throughout the summer, so I was able to finish it before four years.
Scott: Grace’s parents wanted their nine children to earn college credit in high school because they can’t afford to send all their kids to college. Grace is the third oldest in the Bush family
http://www.channelone.com/college-credit-in-high-school