Amanda (McConville) Naeger '11 receives "Excellence in Education" Award

At the recent 25th annual Goldin Foundation Educators Forum hosted by Galena Park ISD, Amanda Naeger, Grade 7 Writing Teacher and Grade Level Chair at Brays Oaks campus in the YES Prep District, was recognized for “Excellence in Education.” Amanda joined the group of distinguished educators, who since 1991 have been recognized by the Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education, for making outstanding contributions in their classrooms, schools and communities. She shared her experiences, projects, and insights with other teachers, administrators, parents, and members of local communities at the regional forum.

Amanda Naeger, is a “can do’ educator, who has had a tremendous influence in shaping her campus culture and students’ development.

Her nominators note that Amanda is the “single most impactful teacher in terms of student achievement in its campus history. Achieving “jaw-dropping” results, her students had the highest scores in the system. In her 3rd year of teaching, 88% of her students passed the 7th grade STARR Writing exam, and 11.5% earned “advanced.

So how does Amanda and her students accomplish this?.....thoughtful planning, reflection of data, and high student engagement.

Some highlights of her success:
• Students write for 20-30 minutes of every single class period, enough time to develop a comfort level with writing. ….lots of purposeful practice.

• Amanda’s lessons are never repeated, and every period looks different. During one period she models basic skills with a small group; during another she coaches high achieving students in mimicking high school essays.

• Some students are given leadership opportunities and with guidance provide structured coaching and modeling to their peers, who have identified their own needs.

• Interventions occur outside the classroom. Amanda piloted the Expressive Writing curriculum for after school tutorials. And, emerging writers are given a weekly writing workshop.

• All these examples are done within a joyous environment. Amanda finds creative ways to reinforce concepts through songs, chants, and hand motions.

• As grade level leader, Amanda has mentored new teachers. She finds numerous ways to celebrate succeses of her students and teachers through school celebrations, academic achievement rallies, and family meetings. She developed the vision of a campus-wide community service program, and she coordinates this program that includes two all-school days of service.

• Finally, Amanda coordinates all activities for CAV Camp, a week long middle school orientation for new students at Brays Oaks. She trains “CAV Camp counselors, a program in which high school students facilitate team building activities and serve as mentors for middle school students.

Amanda lives her school’s motto. “Nothing but the best is good enough.”

The Goldin Foundation for Excellence in Education is a non-profit organization that for 25 years has recognized “unsung heroes” in education for their excellence, expertise, and demonstrable achievement in education. Initially, the foundation served 14 school systems represented by The Education Cooperative (TEC) in metro-west Boston. It has since expanded to include school systems served by the Education Collaborative of Greater Boston (EDCO) and other school districts in California and Texas. The foundation provides 6 annual awards of $500 to each group of school systems, to be used at the discretion of the individuals selected.

Excellence in Education awards are given to any persons working directly with students, teachers, or other support staff within the school or community. Individuals are nominated by their fellow teachers, administrators, parents and other members of the community. Awards are decided by an Advisory Board comprised of previous Goldin Foundation award winners. Central to the Goldin Foundation’s process are: the Educators Forum, a time when recipients, nominators, and community members gather together at one of the schools to present and reflect on their projects and experiences inside and outside of the classroom; internal recognition and support that occur within a given school and local community; professional development; and networking with current teachers, college students preparing to be teachers, and industry representatives.

Ultimately, students are the recipients of the instruction and personal connections by outstanding educators. According to Harriet Goldin, the president and founder of the organization, “It is the Goldin Foundation’s belief that educators play a vital role in society in supporting young people’s growth and preparing them to be a adaptable, flexible, creative, and responsive to future societal changes. Our goals are to foster the respect for appreciation of educators, seek the retention of outstanding educators, and attract dynamic, intelligent, and creative future educators.”

Information about the Goldin Foundation awards for 2016 will be sent to participating schools in October 2015; selection of award winners will be made in February 2016; and the annual Educators Forum will take place in May 2016. For additional information, refer to the website: www.goldinfoundation.org