2006 cohort of grantees
Betsy bockman
Principal, Samuel M. Inman Middle School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Interactive Whiteboards
Dr. Bockman believed her project ‘Interactive Whiteboards’ (also known as smart boards) would be a natural fit for all learning styles at Samuel M. Inman Middle School. Research indicates that student engagement, learner motivation and knowledge retention are benefits of interactive whiteboards.
stephanie blake
2nd Grade, C.W. Hill Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Literature Circles for the Classroom
Ms. Blake believed that her project would push students from the “meets” category to the “exceeds” category on the Reading and Language Arts sections of the Criterion Reference Competency Tests.
Beth crenshaw
K-5 ESOL Teacher, Peyton Forest Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Lending Library for Parents
Ms. Crenshaw believed her project would increase test scores for English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students by providing English language practice at home. By allowing students to take tapes and tape players home, she improved their English-speaking skills and vocabulary, increased reading comprehension and improved their listening skills.
Kathy Edwards
5th Grade, F.L. Stanton Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Mini Science Labs / Partnership in Classrooms
Ms. Edwards believed her project would rekindle the natural curiosity in her students and support hands-on science teaching. By providing a new and improved approach to scientific investigation, she anticipated that her project would improve CRCT scores.
jacqueline giles
10th & 11th Grade Geometry, The Carver School of Entrepreneurship
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Tessellations
Ms. Giles believed her project, 'Tessellations' would significantly impact student achievement because it would bridge all of the domains that students must master on the End of Course Test in geometry. Additionally, her project would raise student self-esteem through students’ mastering of the complex mathematic concepts tested by the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test.
Cynthia kuhlman
Principal, Centennial Place Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Science and the New Georgia Acquarium
Ms. Kuhlman believed her project would assist students in exceeding standards in all areas. Centennial Place Elementary School’s mission focuses on a science, mathematics and technology learning culture that delivers positive, personal educational experiences for each child, while closing the achievement gap.
mariel lawrence
2nd Grade, Benteen Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Boys 2 Men Mentoring Program
Ms. Lawrence believed her project would significantly impact the student achievement and self-esteem of African-American males who trailed all major demographic groups on standardized tests. The combinations of tutoring and mentoring relationships would pair third-, fourth- and fifth-grade males with Amorphous College students and focus on preparations for the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT).
cynthia may
Principal, West Manor Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Instructional Day Extension
Ms. May believed her project would help low-performing third-and fifth-grade students meet or exceed reading and math standards on the Criterion Reference Competency Test (CRCT) and Iowa Test of Basic Skills. She wanted to extend the school day by two hours, twice per week for 10 weeks.
eunice robinson
Principal, M.A. Jones Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Family Literacy Nights
Ms. Robinson believed her project would train and provide parents with needed resources to affect student achievement in innovative and motivational ways. Providing parents fun activities to promote student achievement would improve student test scores and attitudes toward education.
Julie Rogers-martin
2nd Grade, East Lake Elementary School
Atlanta Public Schools
Project: Zoo Creation
Ms. Rogers-Martin believed her project would impact student achievement by integrating disciplines from core subject areas with problem-solving skills, providing direct-instruction and hands-on learning experiences that facilitated critical thinking and higher learning. Students shared their projects during the Zoo Grand Opening and participated in the Zoo Night Crawlers Program.