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Golightly Students Prepare TROTEACHER IT for Summer Internships he branch of the Federal Reserve Bank Tof Chicago provided the backdrop for the 15th Pre- Internship Conference. NEWSMAKERS Students from Golightly Career and Technical Center’s three academies participated in this annual event designed to expose students to the differ - Detroit Social Workers Give ent aspects of successful employment. Golightly runs the Academy of Finance, Academy of Information Scholarships and Hope Technology, and the Academy of Travel and Tourism. remain positive and continue their edu - Students participated in a series of cation. Academy of Travel and Tourism workshops to emphasize key elements student April McCain said the work - of successful internship experiences. shops provided real world scenarios and Following the workshops, students a forum to ask questions and get feed - participated in interviews with the back from presenters. An integral part school's advisory board members and of the Academies' programs are summer business partners from the three acade - internships. Students typically earn mies. They critiqued the students' inter - from $8.50 to $13.50 an hour, working viewing skills and also gave excellent 40 hours a week in professional envi - input about what employers are looking ronments. Through these industry part - for from prospective candidates. nerships, many students are able to Keynote speaker Darryl E. Bingham, enhance their professional skills while a Life Underwriters Training Council making significant money during the Fellow and advisor, urged students to summer.

Building S trong Bodies and a S trong School

Retired school social worker Curtis Stout with 2011 Mildred Ellis scholars (from left) Maiya Dalton, ; J’Maris A. Smith, Denby High School; Destinee Almore, Detroit International Academy; Keyshawn McDaniel, ; Chelsea Wheeler, Detroit International Academy; Kenneth Williams, Northwestern High School; Lakeitha Green, Southeastern High School, and social worker Kathy Hemingway.

is headed to Langston University in Oklahoma. “He did it all hav - ing got shot at nine Sp ain teacher and losing a big s Arthur Dav is (from left chunk of his arm,” ) and Daryl R ogers with s explained Dr. Roger By Ch tudents. arlene Uresy Sp Manela, a social ain School Ph br ysical Educa worker at Finney ought togethe tion teacher G r the entire sc loria Celina a High School. Simultaneous hool for the A nd the PE sta ly) program. CES (All Ch ff McDaniel perse - to encoura ACES is a M ildren Exerci ge children t ichigan Fitne se vered with the help more t o become mo ss Foundatio han 1,000 sch re physically n campaign acti ools exercisi fit. This year of Detroit teachers ve ACES stat ng together, m ha e in the coun aking our sta d and social workers. This is grea try. te the most t news for a s Spain, un tate that has b “He had strong der the leade een hit with h dents, an rship of Rona ard times. support,” Manela d is committe ld Alexander, Obam d to endeavo offers PE to said. a's Let's Mov rs such as AC all of its stu- stro e campaign. W ES and First Chelsea Wheeler and Eula Rice ng, with the e want to m Lady Michell rest of the wo ake our stude e rld. nts physically 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 10

Page 10 The Detroit Teacher Summer 2011 Carstens Teacher Named Goodfellow Teacher of the Year

She cares. The Detroit Goodfellows Teacher of the Year “loves us like her own kids,” wrote Jene’a Stroughter, a third-grader at Carstens Elementary School on Detroit’s east side. “Sometimes I wish she was my mom.” The nine-year-old wrote the win - ning essay in the Detroit Good - fellows Teacher of the Year contest. The Detroit Goodfellows sur - prised Rhonda Raheem in her classroom June 13 with the news and presented her with a $200 gift card to buy classroom supplies. Her students won a pizza party. Raheem will be honored at a Detroit Goodfellows breakfast this fall. The winning teacher was select - ed from over 300 submissions answering “Why is your teacher so special?” Raheem received six nominations from her class of 23 Teacher of the Year Rhonda Raheem with Detroit Goodfellows president Michael Coakley students. The King High School graduate joined Carstens this year as a “I make it fun and exciting for Goodfellows president, visited “No Kiddie Without a Christmas” third-grade teacher. She has been a the kids,” she said. Raheem is pur - Raheem in her classroom. He holiday gift packages. teacher for 10 years, primarily in suing a doctorate in instruction, thanked her and all Detroit teach - “They’re on the front line,” charter schools. Raheem says she curriculum and leadership. ers who help the Goodfellows Coakley said. “We couldn’t do it likes to engage her students. Michael Coakley, Detroit identify families to deliver 35,000 without them.”

Special Education Teacher of the

Marcus Walton, a special education teacher at Jerry L. White Center, has been named 2011 Year Detroit Special Education Teacher of the Year. The 17-year teacher of the severely multiply impaired is a graduate of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University. Walton is chair of the DFT’s Special Education Chapter, a building representative at Jerry L. White Center, and a member of the Council for Exceptional Children. “Special education is all about collaboration,” Walton said, “So we always do things as a team to help students improve.” 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 11

Summer 2011 The Detroit Teacher Page 11 Barsamian Wins Law Day Contest Raising ada Handy saw a lot of symbol - Their social studies teacher, ism in entering the 24th Annual Katherine Temple, said the students JLaw Day contest to defend the felt great about the success. Boston Massacre soldiers. “The whole thing was like a Cinde - Cancer “When you come here everybody rella story,” Temple said. “We gives you a second chance,” says weren’t invited. Then one school Handy, 15, a Barsamian Preparatory dropped out. We then entered into the Center student. “The soldiers got a contest.” Awareness second chance. Therefore, we’ll get a The contest, held at Third Judicial second chance.” Circuit Court, Frank Murphy Hall of Barsamian, a school for expelled Justice on May 8, was an achieve - students, gave the students on her ment for the students who rarely get at Mann Law Day team a second chance, to these kind of accolades. They learned The sea of red and pink was evident at Mann Elementary School as brilliant results. not to repeat an argument and to use over 90 percent of the student body participated in its first annual their time before the judges judi - The four students acted as co- Breast Cancer Awareness Day May 20. The young women wore pink ciously. counsel and divided up the arguments and the men wore red. The proceeds from the Pink and Red Bake Sale of why the British redcoats acted in “You have to have a great closing were sent to the National Breast Cancer Association. An informational self defense on March 5, 1770 argument,” said Keith Lillard, 16. brochure about breast cancer was sent home with students. Pictured against the angry protesters. The inci - above is Mann teacher Sean Perin, chair of the student council, and student council president Tyler Welch, who organized the event. dent ended in five civilian deaths and Aaron Harris, 16, said the group sparked a rebellion that led to the studied daily before the contest. Revolutionary War. “When you’re an attorney you have The students studied and rehearsed to be able to defend both sides,” their arguments to near perfection. Harris said. “There’s always two Popular Writing Program They came home with the first place sides to a story and then there’s the award. actual story.” Debuts at Davison

By Joseph Hines "It's just something to reward kids Davison Elementary School became and encourage them to write and speak an expressive place for young creative publicly," Hayes said. writers this year. Literacy coach Calli The competition had nine winners. Hayes started a "drop everything and The first-place "Top Poppers" were write" program Khalid called P.O.P. Gooden, Time, which Susmita Dash stands for paper and Jailah on pencil time. Chames- Once a day, Mitchell. Hayes got on Second-place the public winners were announcement Sadia Rupa, system and Mecca Davis gave a writing and Dakeilah cue to students. Freeman. They wrote Third-place Keith Lillard, Aaron Harris, Katherine Temple, Jada Handy and Kortara extemporane - winners were Harris ously and creatively for 15 minutes. Abdul Mahbub, Mamotaz Musa and The quick-write concept culminated Brice Washington. in a P.O.P.TASTIC competition May 6 The competition was judged by Lola with 36 contestants in grades five Charles, an author; Maria Jones-Foster, through seven. a Davison teacher; William Stay in Touch this Students whose stories were submit - Washington, a former DPS principal; ted and showcased throughout the Donald Walker, production director at school year gave readings to a panel of WRCJ (90.9 FM) DPS Summer — Visit the distinguished judges. The morning- Communications; and Dr. Jelani long event brought life to their written Jabari, an educational consultant. words. The competition was sponsored by DFT Web site It is a “best practice” for developing community partner Huntington Bank creative writing skills among students and its representatives: Betsy Reich, in an urban district. Students were Susan Bussey, and Yolanda Small. www.DFT231.com judged on creative expression and Huntington Bank provided trophies, delivery of their written work. medals and gift bags. 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 12

Page 12 The Detroit Teacher Summer 2011 2011 Building Reps Dinner Tireless Building Reps Honored at Dinner DFT President Keith Johnson thanked the union’s building representatives for enduring one of the most difficult years yet. “We are being assaulted relentlessly and passionately, not only as union members but as professionals,” Johnson said at a June 10 dinner at the DFT. The dinner fell the day after the Michigan House passed bills attacking the rights of Michigan teachers. Legislators said 98 percent of teachers are doing a wonderful job but passed measures to make it easier to fire teachers. “Then why are they punishing 100 percent of us?” Johnson said. “Don’t punish a teacher who’s always looking for creative ways to get the message through to children that education is your ticket to success. Don’t punish people who give so much and ask for so little in return.” Daryl Newman, a member mobilizer for AFT Michigan, said the policies coming out of Lansing are misguided. “Good politics makes good policy and good policy makes good politics,” he said. “They’re trying to kill our morale, but we’re not going to let them,” Newman said. “Because at the end of the day, our very survival is at stake.” Thanks to the building rep, unions work and stay united, Johnson said. “This union cannot function without you,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough for all you do.”

DFT Executive Vice President Mark O’Keefe and Marshall Widick, Mershira Oliver, DFT labor relations administra - lead attorney with Sachs Waldman law firm. tor and host of the 2011 Building Rep Dinner.

John Elliott celebrates his 80th birthday at the 2011 Karin Whittler, DFT labor relations administrator, sings “Happy Building Rep Birthday” to DFT President Emeritus John Elliott, who turned 80. Dinner. 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 13

Summer 2011 The Detroit Teacher Page 13 2011 Building Reps Dinner

(Seated) Sidney Lee, Dorothy Burk, Tamyra Rhodes-O’Neill, (stand - (Seated) Sue Wallace, Chris Abood, (standing) Pat McPherson, ing) William Brown, Richele Oliver and Gerald Krause. Lorraine Sheffield, Tracy Arneau and Michelle Gibson.

(Seated) John Becker, Deborah Pruitt, Angela Ling, (standing) (Seated) Lisa Scott, Wendy Newberry, Vanessa Parnell, Vanessa Julie Jablonski and Kevin Smith. Rasheed, (standing) Mike Schenk, Jan Curry and Steve Portnoy.

Edna Reaves, Melvin Evans and James George Barnes of Heritage Optical Britton. 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 14

Page 14 The Detroit Teacher Summer 2011

2011 Building Reps Dinner

(Seated) Tranessa Waters, (standing) Melvin Evans of Birukan Prince and Co-Op Optical Kathy Gray.

(Seated) Vanessa Nash, Virginia Sellers, Patrick Falcusan, (stand - (Seated) Bridgette Brooks, Robin Partmon, June Price, (standing) ing) Cathy Schrock, Melaine Tillman, Joyce Burrell and Miranda Rosalind Fore, Xetavious Jones and LaWanda Smith. Washington.

George Barnes, Daryl Newman, Kurtis Brown and Mark O’Keefe. (Seated) Glenda Booker, Terrence Martin, (standing) Barry Cannon and Mershira Oliver. 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 15

Summer 2011 The Detroit Teacher Page 15

2011 Building Reps Dinner

(Seated) Glynn McCary, Luciana Simpkins, Christal Bonner, Estella Burnette, Judy Smith, Karin Whittler and Samarrah (standing) Maria Jones-Foster, Desiree Clinkscale and Barry Thomas. Cannon.

Ethelle King John Becker wins and Jeanette cash. King.

(Seated) Priscilla Robinson, Wanda Hogg, Marie Brown, (stand - Liz Duhn, DFT president emeritus John Elliott, and Jewel Gines. ing) Ngozi Chinedu, Marvin Bodley and Louvera Lawrence. 36452 Teachers pages:36452 Teachers pages 6/20/11 9:49 AM Page 16

Page 16 The Detroit Teacher Summer 2011 See a Bully, Stop a Bully

How to stop bullying in schools? Adults need to step in the way. Adults need to heed what they say, he said, if they act as caring but disci - joined together to involve the commu - teach acceptance of difference, and plined leaders. nity in targeting Detroit’s most press - know who kids are hanging with. “We have to stop settling for less,” ing educational and social issues. “I always ask the old Bernie Mac he said. “We’re not going to school to “I was incessantly emotionally bul - question: Who you with?” DPS be failures because we’re not having lied for being gay,” said Chase Stein, Police Officer Bernard Spragner told that. We’re not going to school to be of GLSEN of Southeast Michigan. “It an anti-bullying conference at the bullies because we’re not having happens when one person has a privi - DFT May 14. that.” lege.” Spragner said bullies come in all Spragner said there needs to be A panel of experts at the confer - you hear atheism is evil, how will you forms, both high-achieving students more “mom over shoulder” and par - ence agreed that school districts need treat someone? If you teach homosex - and failing students. All bullying is ents getting into kids’ business. anti-bullying policies. uals don’t have the same rights, about power, he said. The conference was sponsored by Rakiba Mitchell, a guidance coun - what’s the message you’re giving?” Young people are being bombarded the DFT, the Detroit Association of selor at King High School, said bully - DFT President Keith Johnson said with messages that it’s not cool to be Educational Office Employees, and ing is alive and well in DPS, some of adults must stop the denial. smart and that sexual prowess makes the Detroit Federation of it cyber bullying and some of it sexu - “The denial that my child can be a one cool. Adults can turn this around, Paraprofessionals. The unions have al bullying. bully,” he said. “The denial that my “Facebook was never intended for child could be bullied. The denial that middle school children to reconnect; my child may be homosexual.” they see each other every day,” Dossin Elementary School teacher International Day at Keidan Mitchell said. She said we need to Jaye Powell attended the conference. teach children to accept people who She said many adults dismiss bullying Not a white wall could be found at Keidan Special Education Center on May are different. “Our students have a even when it happens in front of the 27. Tapestries, maps, flags, photos and even vegetation lined the halls and ceil - hard time with different. Our jobs are them. ings of the school. The students took tours through Africa, the Far East, South to teach them that there are many dif - “Parents and teachers tend to say, America, and the Middle East, each representing a hall of the square school. ferent people on earth.” ‘Oh well, this child is young.’” Organized by teachers Susan Gregory, Josephine Mejia, Anne Berris, and Steven Portnoy, a school psycholo - But bullying is not new and should - Courtney Harris, the staff dressed in ethnic costume and borrowed artifacts gist at Finney High School, said par - n’t be tolerated. from the Children’s Museum for the International Day. They visited the ents should take a look at their own “Remember J. Edgar Hoover and Wailing Wall in Israel and the Pyramids in Egypt. They walked underneath the prejudices. the Communists?” Powell said. “That Amazonian rainforest and through the hot Serengeti. On the tour they learned “It’s tolerance you’re really talking was bullying. Remember the Japanese about faraway places, including native cuisine, wedding rituals, the Igbo lan - about,” Portnoy said. “If you teach and the U.S. concentration camps? guage of Nigeria, and currency. Christian values in your home and That was bullying.”

Have a Safe and Happy Summer

Keidan teachers Gayle Lynne Hollis, Dona Brooks, Tanya McClue and LaShaunedra Steed.