Dear Prospective Reach for Excellence Teacher

Dear Prospective Reach for Excellence Teacher,

Thank you for applying to become a summer educator with Reach for Excellence and joining us in our mission: Empowering determined leaders and expanding their possibilities in the classroom, in the community and in life.

Reach for Excellence is a non-profit, classroom-based academic and leadership enrichment program for talented middle school students who have limited opportunities and resources. Through three six-week summer sessions and two years of Saturday sessions, the organization seeks to provide the academic and social skills each student needs to succeed in college preparatory programs and high schools.

Currently, Reach for Excellence is looking for skilled, innovative teachers to join its summer faculty. As a component of the application process, prospective teachers are asked to submit course proposals that demonstrate high academic standards, creativity, and interactive learning. Applicants should keep in mind that Reach students are rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders from throughout the metro Atlanta area who have demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a strong desire to succeed in life.

Specifics of the seasonal Reach for Excellence Summer 2017 teaching commitment: . The summer program runs from June 8 - July 26, 2017. . All educators are scheduled from 8 am to 4pm. . The stipend for educators is $5,100.

We look forward to receiving your application. For more information about Reach for Excellence refer to our website: www.reachforexcellence.org. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the application process.

Best regards,

Karen A. Dessables Executive Director [email protected] 770-936-6481 Application for Prospective Reach for Excellence Teachers

Please submit a resume along with this application

Mr. Mrs. Ms.______ F  M Full name Gender

______Home street address Apt # City, State, Zip code

______E-mail address

______Home phone number Cell phone number Work phone number Social security number

If currently teaching, please list school, grade(s) and subject(s) taught.

______School County Grade(s) Subject(s)

If not teaching, please describe your current work.

______

What do you see as the benefits and challenges of working with middle school students?

______

References Name Relationship to you Daytime phone number

1.______

2.______

What do you know about Reach for Excellence? ______

Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected] ______

For applicants currently teaching in schools, one of the components of the application process is to observe a short segment of your classroom day. These observations are preceded or followed by an interview. Please list the days and times that would be best for you to interview and be observed.

______

I hereby certify that the information supplied in this application and in related materials is my own work and is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that misrepresenting myself by either withholding or falsifying documents is grounds for denial or revocation of application. I understand that any materials submitted to Reach for Excellence become the sole property of Reach for Excellence and will not be returned, duplicated, or transferred.

______Signature Date

Each Reach for Excellence educator must make the following commitment to the program. Please initial by each statement, indicating that these are commitments you are able to make.

______Program dates for Reach Summer 2017 are June 8 – July 26, 2017 (Reach will be off the week of July 3 through July 7, 2017)

______Professional development meetings are Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, July 27, 2017

______Summer 2017 Reach for Excellence hours are 8 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday

______The Stepping Up Graduation Ceremony is on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 10:30 AM

Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected] Part of the uniqueness of the Reach program is that educators help build the curriculum. Given that each teacher leads at least two courses, we ask that you submit two proposals for major subjects and one proposal for an elective of your choice. Keep in mind that course proposals should demonstrate creative and interactive learning.

Proposal #1

Subject Area: __ Math __ Lang. Arts __Science __Soc. Studies/Issues __Computer Applications

Course Name: ______

Course Outline: (Please attach separate sheets if necessary.) ______

______

Anticipated Supplies and Materials:

______

______Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected] ______

Proposal #2

Subject Area: __ Math __ Lang. Arts __Science __Soc. Studies/Issues __Computer Applications

Course Name: ______

Course Outline: (Please attach separate sheets if necessary.)

______

Proposal #3 Elective/ Recreation Subject Area: __ Math __ Lang. Arts __Science __Soc. Studies/Issues __Computer Applications

Course Name: ______

Course Outline: (Please attach separate sheets if necessary.) ______

______

______Language Arts: Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade

Language Arts courses will be designed to encourage interactive learning, critical analysis, articulation of ideas, and creativity. Courses will emphasize literary exposure, reading comprehension, vocabulary development, written and oral expression, and note-taking skills.

Topics to be covered include:

Reading Strategies 1. Predicting 2. Close reading and analyzing 3. Responding orally and in writing 4. Reviewing

Literature Skills 1. Recognizing elements (plot, characterization, theme, setting) 2. Recognizing genres (novel, story, poem, essay) 3. Identifying figurative language (similes, metaphors, hyperboles)

Vocabulary Development and Spelling 1. Context clues 2. Correct usage

Composition 1. Techniques of writing various types of essays (personal, expository, descriptive, argumentative) 2. Grammar and mechanics

Genres of Writing 1. Essays 2. Short stories 3. Literary analyses

Oral Speaking Skills 1. Voice projection and enunciation 2. Eye contact 3. Proper posture 4. Fielding questions from the audience

Study Skills 1. Organization of ideas

Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected] 2. Taking notes 3. Summarization of content 4. Making and supporting a claim with evidence Mathematics: Sixth Grade

Sixth Grade Mathematics courses are designed to reinforce basic mathematics concepts to prepare students for the introduction to Algebra I. Courses emphasize collaboration, confidence, and proficiency in basic Math skills.

Basic Concepts 1. Whole numbers computations 2. Fractions and decimals 3. Common factors and multiples 4. Distributive property

Ratios 1. Solve ratio and rate quantity problems 2. Real-world problems

Introduction to Algebra 1. Algebraic expressions 2. Working with exponential notation

Algebra 1. Solving one-step equations and inequalities 2. Number lines 3. Variables

Area and Volume 1. Fractional lengths 2. Surface area and volume of three-dimensional figures

Introduction to Statistics 1. Collecting and working with data 2. Interpreting data 3. Problem solving

Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected] Mathematics: Seventh Grade

Seventh Grade Mathematics courses are designed to illustrate basic algebraic methods and techniques to prepare students for Algebra I. Courses emphasize collaboration, confidence, and proficiency in basic Math skills.

Basic Concepts 1. Numbers operations 2. Variables in algebra 3. Order of operations 4. Equations and inequalities

Real Numbers 1. Absolute value 2. Reciprocals 3. Distributive property 4. Matrices

Linear Equations 1. Solving linear equations 2. Graphing lines

Slope of a Line 1. Properties of slope 2. Y – intercept 3. Slope – intercept form 4. Graphing using slope – intercept form

Equations of Lines 5. Writing linear equations 6. Point – slope form 7. Problem solving

Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected] Mathematics: Eighth Grade

Eighth Grade Mathematics courses are designed to strengthen and build upon basic algebraic concepts. Courses emphasize collaboration, confidence, and proficiency in basic Math skills.

Equations of Lines 1. Writing linear equations 2. Point-slope form 3. Problem solving

Solving Linear Inequalities 1. Problem solving 2. Graphing linear equations

Powers and Exponents 1. Properties of exponents 2. Products of powers and quotients of powers 3. Scientific notation 4. Problem solving

Polynomials 1. Adding, subtracting, multiplying 2. Factoring 3. Problem solving

Quadratic Equations 1. Pythagorean theorem 2. Solving quadratic equations

Reach for Excellence  3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30319 770-936-6481  770-457-8402 (fax)  www.reachforexcellence.org  [email protected]