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Vol. 2, No. 1 Fall 2009 Informacion en espanol en atlantapublicschools.us Simply the B.E.S.T. BY DAVID LEE SIMMONS year to reach out to men,” Saylors said. “But PTA Under the direction The June election of Charles J. Saylors as the will never have enough men involved unless the of Principal LaPaul APS grooms Shelton, all-male first male president of the national Parent Teacher members who are already here are willing to help B.E.S.T.Academy is Association signals that men are taking a greater me ask them to join and get involved.” one example of how next generation role in shaping the lives of young men. He set the Within the halls of Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta Public Schools tone for that culture shift by committing to recruit educators also are focused on shaping young men shapes young men of male leaders more fathers into the organization. into future leaders. into future leaders. “We launched the PTA MORE Alliance this past See YOUNG MEN Page 19 Right at home GOING GREEN Kennedy teacher invests in her Vine City community Page 17 BY PAUL HALLORAN inner city and to advocate,” said At first glance, you might think Easterling, who once did a teaching Beverly Easterling is somewhat out of internship in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth place at John F. Kennedy Middle Ward, pre-Hurricane Katrina. School and in the Vine City Easterling teaches math to special- neighborhood. Boy, would you be education students with varying wrong. disabilities. This is her third year at Spend some time with Easterling — Kennedy, after teaching for nearly three listen to her talk about her school and years in DeKalb County. her neighborhood — and you will get “I knew APS had the type of students the distinct impression there’s nowhere I was looking to teach,” said Easterling. Beverly Easterling is all smiles when she is around her else she would rather be. “I think we have an opportunity to Kennedy Middle School students, including Ja'Nishaw White, “I always had a desire to work in the Demetrius Williams and Shalon Hugley. See EASTERLING Page 18 2 —The Atlanta Educator Fall 2009 APS is dedicated to student achievement Welcome to the first commitment to quality teachers underscores of comprehensive school reform designs that list of National Blue Ribbon Schools selected issue of The Atlanta the belief that each of our 49,000 students has have been adopted by our schools to meet the by the U.S. Department of Education. Our Educator for the 2009- a right to a high-quality education. individual learning styles of our students. Board of Education received national 10 school year. Atlanta APS students are making strides. Our APS business operations continue to earn recognition with the 2009 Urban School Public Schools students continue to meet and exceed Georgia national acclaim. Our finance department Board Excellence Award from the National launched this standards. Just nine years ago, only 40 percent has received the Meritorious Budget Award School Boards Association’s Council of Urban publication last year to of the district’s sixth-graders met or exceeded from the Association of School Business School Boards of Education. Also, board share news about the state standards on the English/Language Arts Officials International and the Certificate of member Emmett Johnson won the Richard R. district’s remarkable portion of the Criterion-Referenced Achievement for Excellence in Financial Green Award, the nation’s highest honor for turnaround. Competency Tests. This year, 89 percent Reporting by the Government Finance urban education leadership, from the Council However, this earned that distinction. In addition to Officers Association of the United States and of the Great City Schools, representing 66 of Dr. Beverly L. Hall publication has come to participating on state tests, APS voluntarily Canada. the largest urban school districts in the nation, represent so much participates in the National Assessment of ‘Making a Difference’ is more than a educating 7.1 million students. Lastly, I was more. The Atlanta Educator allows us to Educational Progress (NAEP) and has its catch phrase. Educating children is a honored and humbled when I was named 2009 highlight students, educators, volunteers and system results individually reported. NAEP tremendous responsibility. Parents, taxpayers Georgia Superintendent of the Year and 2009 business leaders who are making a difference provides what many believe is the most and civic leaders trust us with a very precious National Superintendent of the Year. in our classrooms every day. They are the rigorous assessment of student achievement in resource, and we take our work very seriously. I encourage you to take the time to browse reason that more school districts are looking America. From 2002-07, APS performance I can assure you that the faculty and staff of through the pages of The Atlanta Educator. to APS as a model. If you are new to the grew at a faster rate in grades four and eight APS work diligently to ensure that every You will see examples of our dedication to publication or to the district, allow me to share than all other participating large central cities, student receives the best foundation possible student achievement. We ask that you help us a few principles that guide our journey to the state of Georgia and the nation. to compete on a global playing field. spread the good news about APS in the weeks excellence: One size does not fit every student. Our success is real. Regardless of the and months to come. Every child can succeed. We have made International Baccalaureate, Project GRAD, measuring stick, APS has earned significant considerable strides developing our Effective Success for All, Direct Instruction and Making academic gains as well as national accolades. Dr. Beverly L. Hall is superintendent of Teacher in Every Classroom strategy. Our Middle Grades Work are just a few examples Carter G. Woodson Elementary joined a short Atlanta Public Schools. CHIEF STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Atlanta Board of Education LaChandra D. Butler Burks, Chair DR. ALEXIS KIRIJAN Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, Vice Chair Each quarter, The Atlanta Educator will introduce you to faculty, Khaatim S. El staff, and administrators at Atlanta Public Schools. Emmett D. Johnson Yolanda K.Johnson Brenda J. Muhammad As the chief strategy and Since Strategy and Development is Kathleen B. Pattillo Q development officer, what’s your A responsible for reporting the district’s Mark B. Riley primary objective? performance, my biggest challenge is Eric W. Wilson ensuring the quality of the data reported. My primary objective is to not only Published by: ensure that the district continues to stay What’s the most fun part of your Atlanta Public Schools A on track by aligning strategy to the Q job? Beverly L. Hall, Ed.D. vision, mission and goals, but also to make sure Superintendent of Schools we are using data to drive strategy. In addition, Honestly, I enjoy every aspect of my Suzanne Yeager it is important that the key success indicators A job. I am guessing you would think, as Chief Communications Officer target exactly what is essential for the district to the chief strategy officer, I would say reach its goals. I also would like to keep that strategizing is the most fun part of my job. Submit story ideas to: everyone’s attention focused on achieving the But the most fun aspect is having the Morieka V. Johnson, Editor success measures that will take us over the top opportunity to work cross-divisionally with Director of Communications in student achievement. In essence, this is individuals from every part of the organization Atlanta Public Schools turning our strategy into reality. – from the schools to the central office staff and 130 Trinity Ave., SW our community and business partners. Atlanta, GA 30303 Tel:404-802-2893 How do you handle the inevitable What has been your biggest [email protected] challenges that occur when dealing Q accomplishment in the year that you Dr.Alexis Kirijan www.atlantapublicschools.us Q with such a large organization? have been with Atlanta Public Schools? table. They also make a commitment to fully Sign up for our mailing list at It is simple: I believe in open and participate on the team while continuing their www.atlantapublicschools.us/AEsubscribe honest communication, treating The biggest accomplishment has been regular work. The concept brings employees A everyone with dignity and respect, and refining the cross-functional action- together and fosters a sense of community. Produced by: A GRANT COMMUNICATIONS making data-driven decisions based on what is team process. The teams work toward Together we can and do make a difference for CONSULTING GROUP best for APS students. I also believe in being providing recommendations for improving the students at APS. Boston X New York transparent with all stakeholders. district processes — from planning to 781-598-8200 execution. The individuals who participate on For more information about the Office of [email protected] What’s the most challenging part of these teams represent the entire district and Strategy and Development, visit www.grantgroup.com Q your job? bring an incredible amount of expertise to the www.atlantapublicschools.us/strategy APS POINT OF PRIDE: Atlanta Public Schools is on a consistent nine-year trend of progress. The Atlanta Educator Fall 2009 —3 APS BOARD MEMBER PROFILE: KATHLEEN B. PATTILLO Board member sees shared vision Kathleen B. Pattillo serves as the Atlanta Board of Education we make has ramifications that last a very long time. You have to think for representative for District 4. This is the fourth in a series of the good of the system – not just for the students of today but also the board member profiles in The Atlanta Educator.