Published: June 29, 2009 12:14 pm      

Homestead Elementary faculty earn national recognition

Educators at Homestead Elementary School have received national recognition for outstanding performance in education, Renaissance Learning announced recently.

Teachers at Homestead Elementary School have been awarded Model/Master certification by the Wisconsin Rapids, WI, based company. Recertification indicates that HES teachers' efforts to adopt Renaissance best classroom practices to a high degree have resulted in measurable improvements in student performance.

“Teachers' continuing commitment translates into success for every child,” said Judi Paul, chairman of the board at Renaissance Learning.

To receive Renaissance recertification, teachers must document that their techniques encourage students to maintain high-quality practice. In addition, the must be actively working to promote Renaissance-recommended standards and be helping students work at the level that promotes the most growth.

In addition to national recognition, teachers will receive a certificate in recognition of this achievement, more opportunities for professional development, and other benefits to share with the school.

Renaissance Learning is the world’s leading provider of computer based assessment technology for K-12 schools. Adopted by more than 75, 000 North American schools, Renaissance Learning’s tools provide daily formative assessment and periodic progress- monitoring technology to enhance core curriculum, support differentiated instruction, and personalize practice in reading, writing, and math. Their products help educators make the practice component of their existing curriculum more effective by providing tools to personalize practice and easily manage the daily activities for students of all ability levels. Teachers using Renaissance Learning products accelerate learning, help students achieve higher test scores on state and national tests, and get more satisfaction from teaching. Homestead Elementary joins five other school in the state who have earned this distinguished honor.

To certify for Model Classroom, you must maintain the following criteria in at least one classroom for any 12 week period.

• Implement Accelerated Reader best classroom practices

• Maintain no more that 10 percent of students “at risk”

• 80 percent of points earned from independent reading practice — rather than “read to” or “read with” practice

To certify for Master Classroom, you must maintain the following criteria in one classroom for any 18 week period.

• Obtain Model Classroom status

• Implement Accelerated Reader best practices

• Maintain no more that 10 percent of students “at risk”

• 80 percent of points earned from independent reading practice — rather than “read to “ or “read with “practice

• Established readers as a group show improvement in their Percentile Rank and Normal Curve Equivalent between pre-and post-tests of STAR Reading of other standardized test taken at least 18 weeks apart

Teachers earning Model/Master Classroom status at HES include:

Kindergarten — Gretchen Thurman, Susan Robinson and Todd Kuffel, Master Classroom.

First grade — Brenda King, Model; Bonnie Ashburn and Margie Bristow, Master.

Second grade — Nancy McClanahan, Model; Lee Houston and Judy Nagdeman; Master.

Third grade — Barbie Cokkinias, Jackie Hancock and Cindy Helton, Master.

Fourth grade — Amanda Baldwin, Jamie Hill, Ashlee Ritzko and Cynthia Webb, Master.

Fifth grade — Mary Derossett, Christine Loveday, Melody Walker, Master.

Sixth grade — Tracy Bryant and Patty Cooper, Master.

Seventh grade — Kelli Locklear, all classes Model or Master.

Eighth grade — Brenda Lyon, first block, Master.