ODYSSEY A PUBLICATION OF FUND FOR TEACHERS VOLUME 2 FALL 2006

Fellowships Impacting Teachers, Classrooms and Communities Students tackle Erie Canal rewatering project as part of school curriculum

A teacher dreams. That dream comes which have rivers or canals in the heart of those four communities,” said Hillman. into fruition with a Fund for Teachers fel- the city. Those that have been revitalized “Each group gained different valuable lowship. The fellowship inspires teachers, have become a hub for recreational activi- information such as taxes, the historical students and schools. The school takes the ties, tourism and economic growth. significance and the far-reaching impact on reins in leading a community-wide effort. The students met with mayors, devel- the community.” That’s exactly what has transpired at opers, marketing personnel and other After returning home, they analyzed Genesee Community Charter School in dignitaries who helped them encompass data collected, built spreadsheets with Rochester, New York. the project’s magnitude. valuable statistics and prepared a written Shannon Hillman, a sixth grade teacher, “The students were very well received in See CANALS, Page 4 applied for a FFT grant to research the re- lationship between select European canals and their surrounding communities. Students met with She visited Ireland, England, Scotland Mayor David N. Cicilline and . in Providence, Rhode “I was able to bring back numerous Island last year to learn more about that cityʼs resources for the school staff and students rewatering efforts. to use regarding information on the canals, Below, they are working simple machines and community benefits on canal revitalization due to revitalization,” explained Hillman. reports with Principal Her fellowship was inspired by a larger Lisa Wing, seated, and endeavor undertaken by her students. Lisa OʼMalley, curriculum A year ago, sixth graders began studying coordinator. canals because of the rich heritage of the Erie Canal, once running through the heart of downtown Rochester. They discovered that in 1900, it was rerouted around town, and eventually the abandoned canal was used as part of a mass transit system. Today, it is an unused tunnel running through the city, with a roadway atop. Inspired by research from Tom Grasso, a director at the World Wildlife Fund, Hillman’s class began looking at potential for rewatering the historic canal. The students did their research. Broken into four groups chaperoned by teachers or administrators and parents, the children set off to visit San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Providence and Ottawa, Canada. All are superb examples of communities from the executive director... FUND FOR TEACHERS 2000 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77056 Fellows head back to school 713-296-6127 or 800-681-2667 FAX 713-296-6134 with a renewed focus, energy www.fundforteachers.org Back to school means something different this year to 599 teachers from across the BOARD OF DIRECTORS country. Each used their grant funds to reflect on their own teaching practice and design a personal, stimulating and challenging project to pursue during their fellowship. FREDERICK M. BOHEN, Chairman Former COO For some, this meant cultural experiences Rockefeller University that challenged basic life assumptions. Others, like Shannon Hillman from Roches- RAYMOND PLANK, Founder ter, New York, seized the chance to augment Founder, Chairman an ongoing school and community project. Apache Corporation All have benefited from experiential JOHN GULLA learning opportunities that sent them back Head of School to their classrooms equipped with new and The Blake School powerful metaphors to guide student learn- PATRICIA A. GRAHAM ing. Former Dean Around the world there is a strong sense Harvard School of Education of the need to build community. G. STEVEN FARRIS Fund for Teachers is a vehicle for making President, CEO, COO the link between American teachers and the Apache Corporation shared values that advance and maintain the growth of that community. ROBERT L. HUGHES President We expand our efforts through affiliations. New Visions for Public Schools Our annual Partners’ Retreat enriches the collaboration. WALTER SMITH Wyoming provided the time away and Managing Partner space to share wisdom, communal expertise Baker Botts, LLP and plan the 2007 outreach. ROSANN WARD Corporate and civic leaders like our Board President of Directors, Jones Apparel Group, John Public Education & Business Coalition Gibson and many others ensure that our KAREN KOVACH WEBB work continues to be essential, engaging John Gibson, Houston’s 2007 Fund Executive Director and offers educators the edge they need for for Teachers campaign chairman is Fund for Teachers optimal performance. greeted by Karen Kovach Webb. All of the lessons learned, roads traveled LOCAL and dreams realized were made possible by you, our friends and supporters. Your efforts and support help sustain the op- PARTNERS portunities for learning that make a Fund for Teacher’s fellowship unique. Achieve! Minneapolis I hope that you read this newsletter with pride, satisfaction and the knowledge that you make this possible. Your input is always welcome. Boston Plan for Excellence Chicago Foundation for Education All my best, Expeditionary Learning Schools Great Schools Atlanta Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute New Visions for Public Schools OUR MISSION Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Public Education & Business Coalition Fund for Teachers enriches the professional growth of teachers by recognizing The Blake School and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the globe The Saint Paul Foundation that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the academic lives of their The Maynard Education Foundation students and on their school communities. Tulsa Community Foundation Wilmington Education Foundation www.fundforteachers.org — 2 — THE EGYPTIAN CONNECTION Teachers foster community of understanding Two Fund for Teachers fellows strayed relationship between her off the beaten path of pyramids, camels and Boston students and those Nile River cruises while visiting Eygpt this at Abu Sir. summer. In their pursuit to build a global With the recent creation classroom, Linda Comminos of Chicago of an Arabic program at and Lama Jarudi of Boston made a special her school, Jarudi’s chal- trip to the Abu Sir Girls’ School. lenge is the identification The one-room school, located 10 miles of new methods of teach- south of Cairo, was completed a year ago, ing Arabic and classroom and provides educational opportunities for materials that support the 35 girls. pilot program. Abu Sir Girls’ School was constructed as “I proposed a pen pal a part of an initiative begun by Raymond program to one of the Plank, founder of Fund for Teachers. His teachers,” explained Jarudi. far-reaching goal is to build 200 Egyptian “This will be especially girls’ schools by the end of 2006. To learn effective since her girls are Linda Comminos presents a handmade quilt as a gift from more about Abu Sir and other girls’ schools, learning basic English and her Chicago students to the Abu Sir Girls’ School. visit www.springboarded.org. my students are learning “The school felt like a bright haven in basic Arabic. a feeling of friendship,” said Comminos. Abu Sir,” said Jarudi. “It was a colorful and “I hope to use this connection between “The world becomes smaller every day vibrant place. The walls were filled with the two schools to increase my students’ un- and, through education, our students can bright hand-made posters in reds, yellows derstanding of modern day Egypt and build foster a community of understanding.” and blues. “It was also remark- ably quiet and secluded.” The American teachers were greeted in a welcom- ing ceremony by students singing an Egyptian song. Comminos presented the school with a quilt made by her Chicago art students. “I wanted to bring them something that my students were a part of,” said Comminos, “to build a con- nection between the two classrooms.” Jarudi chose letter writing to create a

Linda Comminos, right, is shown reviewing work com- pleted in the Abu Sir Girlsʼ School on her visit.

Photos courtesy of Thomas Hartwell

— 3 — Teacher Shannon Hillman visited European sites to learn more about the canals that have shaped history Canals and how they are currently being used. The top right photo shows the famous Canals, used for Continued from Page 1 transportation. Below that, Hillman meets with Duncan Ferguson of British Waterways at the Five Rise Locks and oral presentation on their findings for on Leeds in Canal. On the top left, she is Rochester’s mayor late last spring. shown with Lin Ingley, also of British Waterways, in “He loves the idea, and is still talking Birmingham, England. Below that is an area of about it,” said Hillman. known as Little Venice. Hillman is pictured with Jon The students also received a supportive Guest, also of British Waterways. role from local media. As a continuation of the two-year canal project, students will make comparisons with the downtown Rochester plan to the European sites. The students will also interview people who work and live in the downtown area, as well as suburban areas, to get a feel for interests and issues that might impact the rewatering project. The entire class recently returned from the World Canal Conference in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. “It was the first time children had at- tended this conference, which is held in lo- Sixth graders met with Oklahoma Cityʼs cations throughout the world on an annual Mayor Mick Cornett last spring. They basis,” explained Lisa O’Malley, curriculum are shown on the right with an historian specialist. at the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. She points out that the students, along with learning their history, math, reading and writing, also learn about the social skills necessary for meeting with dignitaries and making professional presentations in a timely manner. “It has been an overwhelming experience for our teachers and students,” she said. Genesee Community Charter School is one of more than 140 Expeditionary Learn- ing Schools. These schools take a unique approach to education. Its curriculum is developed around a single subject that encompasses every aspect of the learning process. “Our school is filled with passion for learning,” said Principal Lisa Wing, “and we get the students involved, using the commu- nity as a resource.” “This is not a typical faculty,” explained Wing. “The teachers pursue their own pro- fessional development and challenge other teachers to build a stronger culture. We journey into the unknown and take risks.” Rochester is now in the process of pre- paring a feasibility study on the project. No matter what the outcome, this is one example of a community that has shared in making a dream become a reality through the efforts of a teacher, classroom and com- Hillmanʼs sixth graders visit the historic aqueduct remaining in Rochesterʼs Erie Canal. munity proclaiming a united interest. Now in disrepair, the goal is to fully investigate the potential of rewatering the area. — 4 — COMMUNITY OF LIFELONG LEARNING...

With 17 classroom teachers at Genesee Community Charter School, seven have applied for and been awarded Fund for Teachers grants. Their eagerness to be exposed to new interest areas and develop incredible curriculum for their students is undeniable. Learn more about their special projects that are impacting students, each other, the school and community.

MELISSA CONKLIN cally,” she explained. This enthusiastic third grade teacher traveled to With this year’s canal project, she is taking a more Australia to study radio and optical astronomy. indirect route. Even with tremendous preparation, she admits she “Students are taking a musical tour of European sometimes felt out of place. However, she used this as history beginning with medieval music,” she explains. a personal challenge and recognizes more about what “That gives them more contexts to apply what they her students sometimes feel in the classroom. are learning in terms of geography, social studies and “Learning is fun,” she said. “There are no limits to history.” what you can challenge yourself with.” KERI GONZALEZ One of the most promising results of her trip came when she returned home. After sending postcards to Following a fossil digging field trip with kin- her students through the summer, she encountered a dergartners, this teacher decided to enlarge her student who disliked reading non-fiction materials. knowledge of prehistory by attending a hands-on He told her he had gone to the library to get a book excavation of dinosaur bones in Bynum, Montana. about what she was learning because of her postcard. During the six-day seminar, she worked side by side with paleontologists, which she considers an invalu- CHRIS DOLGOS able source of insight and content for teaching her students and on future personal expeditions. As a second and third She recalls a night when parents visited the school grade teacher, Dolgos elected and one student was talking about the fact that the to research and study raptor area had once been covered by a warm sea. migration, why birds of prey “The parent was commenting that they had no migrate and where they go. idea and exclaimed ‘I can’t believe it.’ The child re- He attended a workshop at lied, ‘You should, we found the fossils to prove it.’ ” Hawk Mountain, Pennsylva- nia and plans to continue in his learning efforts by study- JEAN HURST ing migration at Cape May, Alaska and a study of salmon beckoned to this New Jersey this fall. Since Rochester is located on a teacher. As a second grade teacher, she incorporated major migration route, he will now be able to better the salmon hatchery experience in her classroom last assist his students in identifying birds of prey as well year. Students raised the salmon during their studies as how to collect data and identify migration pat- and then during a year-end celebration, released the terns. They will also address how local raptors have fish into local streams. adapted to the urban environment. “We had to learn about raising the salmon, how restocking of streams is conducted and how to apply CARRIE HAYMOND-HESKETH for restocking permits to release our own fish,” she noted. “And of course, we learned about Seth Green, “I had the biggest ‘aha’ experience of my career a local man who was the founder of artificial propa- as a result of my fellowship,” said Carrie Haymond- gation of fish.” Hesketh, a music teacher. “I discovered my own cre- Hurst explains that places have stories, and the ative style, and in turn, am now able to help students impact FFT fellowships have on a school allows them evolve their creative abilities.” to step back and see the larger picture. She traveled to Austria to attend the International Music Education Seminar at the Orff Institute. A major product emerging from her fellowship is PETE HILLING a recorded CD of students’ original compositions. Like Hurst, he studied salmon hatcheries in Alaska, Incorporating the other expeditions, students pre- and this year completed a modified version of her pared works based on the salmon life cycles and bird experiences in his fourth grade classroom. migration. “Thanks for the FFT opportunity,” said Pete Hill- “With my expertise in creating music and the other ing, who applied when he taught at Genesee Commu- teachers’ abilities to teach important content, stu- nity Charter School. He has since moved to World of dents have a rich background knowledge when Inquiry School in Rochester, which proves that con- expressing their ideas about these subjects artisti- tinuing education and knowledge keeps expanding. — 5 — 2 teachers + 1 passion = connection

It’s a small w or ld after all. “She men ti oned tha t there w as an other American teacher doing Last win ter, Chicag o ’s Gl oria Mo y er an d Boston ’s P a ula Bress the same thing. I decided to be a detecti v e an d w en t to the Fun d un wi ttingl y submi tted in di vid ual a pp lica ti ons to p ursue the for Teacher’s Web si te,” she con tin ued. “There, I fo un d same summer fell o wshi p . Both hav e ta ugh t more than Gl oria.” 25 y ears, an d share a dedica ti on for ed uca ting The d u o met in Lon don, where they fo un d i t visuall y im paired studen ts. more pr od ucti v e to visi t Braille li teracy si tes “I hav e alw a ys w an ted to visi t Englan d’s together. They con d ucted com para ti v e sch oo ls to see the difference in h o w stu- studies o f the Lon don rea ding pr ograms den ts are ta ugh t in Braille,” said Mo y er. an d their o wn teaching practices. “To be a ble t o dev el op something tha t “It w as grea t to visi t the heart o f w as en tirel y m y o wn idea w as an in- Braille li teracy wi th someone wh o credi ble fan tasy come true.” co uld rela te to the ex ci temen t o f the Li ttle did she kn o w Bress w as ta pping momen t,” said Mo y er. in to her o wn passi on for Braille li teracy “We w o uld share a bo ut o ur stu- wi th a similar pr oposal. den ts an d Braille pr ogress. P a ula an d I “I w as pretty amazed to disco v er there became q uick frien ds.” w as someone wi th the same type o f fell o w - This fall, the co lla bora ti on betw een shi p,” said Bress. the teachers con tin ues. “The w a y w e fo un d each other w as amaz - They comm unica te a bo ut im p lemen - ing,” she exp lained. ta ti on o f new informa ti on an d skills they “We both con tacted Claire Wilson a t the R o y al acq uired, an d h o w i t transla tes in to their Na ti onal Insti tute o f the Blin d in Lon don. respecti v e classr ooms. Gloria Moyer, left, and Paula Bress meet in London.

Get connected coast to coast. Share in knowledge exchanges. The FELLOWS FORUM, a Fund for Teachers discussion board, is the perfect way to share grant experiences and teaching practices. Join the Fellows Forum at www.fundforteachers.org and click on Fellows.

J NY B a ck t o S c h o o l , B a ck t o S tyle G i bso n n ame d t o c h a i r FUND RUN FOR TEACHERS LOGO / 2007 / make ove rs be g i n with M i n ne a po l is H oust o n 2 007 cam p a i g n

Fund for Teachers participated in the 2nd Annual Back to John Gibson, president School, Back to Style contest. Winning teachers from Philadel- and CEO of Paradigm, has phia, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Chicago, New York and Oakland been named chairman of received wardrobe makeovers from Jones New York and the 2007 Houston Leader- school makeovers from Jones New York, The Home Depot and ship Committee. Hands On Network. Gibson’s exuberant and philanthropic spirit are a great asset to the Houston program, as he garners support for the fund-rais- ing campaign. As a part of this cam- paign, Fund for Teachers is hosting its 2nd Annual Fund Run on Feb. 10. For additional informa- tion about the 5K and Kids K Run/Walk, visit www.fundforteachers.

org/fundrun. PMS185 / PMS704 / PMS362 / PMS364 / PROCESS BLA CK

— 6 — LOCAL TOUCH • GLOBAL REACH The Power of Partnership

Partner representatives gathered in Ucross, Wyoming in August for the fourth Fund for Teachers Partner Retreat. The group capitalized on its collective knowledge of education issues and the Fund for Teachers’ granting process for the systemic identification and replication of best practices. This annual distillation serves to enhance the effective outreach to teachers in the local education foundations’ respective markets. “Although we come from different organizations and diverse backgrounds, we are all bound by a common vision of excellent education and a commitment to supporting the teachers who work to meet the hard challenges of education,” said Dottie Engler, direc- tor of Special Projects at the Boston Plan for Excellence. “This meeting reaffirms our individual and collective contribu- tions as part of the FFT organization to make our work a positive force in improving education.” Partners shared their experiences from years of commitment to education reform, and many left with new contacts and fresh ideas for their respective organizations. Fund for Partners meeting in Ucross were Mindy Armbruster, Public Teachers Education & Business Coalition; Lili Brown, New Visions for partners from Public Schools; Ron Berger, Expeditionary Learning Schools; around the Dottie Engler, Boston Plan for Excellence; Janet George, Achieve! country gath- Minneapolis; Safi Jiroh, Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute; ered in Ucross, Kris Reichmann, Chicago Foundation for Education; Sarah Rossi, Wyoming to Chicago Foundation for Education; Dayna Rowe, Oklahoma Foun- collectively set dation for Excellence; Carrie Jo Short, The Saint Paul Foundation; goals for the Emily Stratton, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and Monica upcoming year. Sudduth, Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute. NEWS ITEMS OF NOTE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR JNY GOLF TOURNAMENT SHOP FOR EDUCATION Oct. 14 - 21 Congratulations to fellows Maureen Fund for Teachers was one of the four Ten percent of the sales price from the Costa, Maureen Gannon, Angela Hedley, nonprofits benefitting from the Jones following Jones New York lines and Maria Leite, who were honored as Apparel Group Charity Golf Classic held — Collection, Signature, Boston’s Teachers of the Year. at the Trump National Golf Club in New Sport, Dress, Suit and Jersey Aug. 14. Outerwear — are being ROCKEFELLER AWARD donated to Jones New Frederick Bohen, Fund for Teachers York In The Classroom. chairman and former COO of Rock- Shop at Macy’s, Boston efeller University, received the Store and Carson Pirie Scott. 2006 Rockefeller Award for Extraordinary Service June HATS OFF TO BCG, MAGI 15. The award recognizes Thanks to the Boston Consulting Group individuals whose service ex- and MAGI Educational Services for the emplifies David Rockefeller’s donation of its services to Fund for commitment to the institu- Shown left to right are Robert Poole, Teachers. Both are conducting research tion. Diana Burroughs, Wesley R. Card, , Kar- and analysis for the foundation’s expan- en Kovach Webb and Jamie Rosenberg. sion and sustainability. Photo courtesy of Rockefeller University.

— 7 —

DONORS GROW TALENT Your donations made it possible for 599 teachers from across the country to continue their quests for learning.

‘Antigua holds a special place in my memories. Not only was I a Peace Corps volunteer there 23 years ago, but it is also the place that helped me realize I was a teacher. This summer’s language classes will help me greatly when I return to the classroom where 12 out of my 28 students ‘Our trip to Zimbabwe was a life- speak Spanish.’ changing event that will impact the Heather Knopp — Colorado lives of many students here and abroad. The value of the trip is im- measurable as we continue to learn ‘My time in New Zealand turned out to be from the experience and strengthen the most empowering experience I can ever relationships made during our visit.’ remember. This trip changed my life. It taught Cindy Scarberry — Oklahoma me to work hard for something I really want. I will carry that burning desire to work for an outcome back to my classroom. My students ‘I’ve been secretly are getting a more inspired, harder working, proud that I’m creative teacher.’ pretty much self- Lucy Klocksin — Chicago taught at guitar and completely self-taught at ‘I’ve become friends with teachers from all over ukulele. But, the USA, Australia and Iceland. After 21 years, I studying instru- was starting to get a little burned out with inner ment fabrica- city teaching. However, after my trip to Iceland tion and music theory has given me to study volcanology and global warming, I confidence in what I know, and the can’t wait to get back to school to share what understanding that there is much to I’ve learned with my students! Experiences like learn. I can’t wait to practice and this rejuvenate me as a teacher.’ apply what I’ve learned.’ Sandy Jernberg — Minneapolis P.J. Murray — New York City

Teachers around the country are thinking, creating, connecting and sharing. You can, too! Apply now at www.fundforteachers.org

Fund for Teachers 2000 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77056-4400