Silver Apple Award

A perk of working for Sylvan is that I have the privilege of being on the Silver Apple judging committee. As a judge, I get to read all of the nomination essays from students as to why their teacher is deserving of this prestigious award. Early this fall, a nomination came in that the judges unanimously felt was deserving of the award. Sadly, however, the teacher passed away days before we were able to present the award to her in person.

On Friday, I also had the honor to attend a pep assembly at which we presented the award posthumously to her husband and daughter. It was unbelievably touching to see the kids give this teacher a standing ovation and hear from her husband how much her fellow teachers and nominating student meant to her.

All I can say is WOW! What dedication! Here is the nomination:
"In the last quarter of school in the year 07-08 Mrs. Matthews was suffering from cancer. Thought it must have been painful, she stayed strong and kept teaching. She is a great teacher. Her lessons were phenomenal. Mrs. Rebecca Matthews is a great, inspirational person. Even when she was in pain she kept smiling, telling us she was okay."
Being able to be there when the award was presented was inspirational to me. I was able to see how many lives this woman touched doing something she loved!

I will post the air date of the Silver Apple when I know it! Stay tuned...

Progress!

I love it when parents continue to keep me updated on their child even after they have completed their program at Sylvan. I always feel so part of their lives while they are here, then they "leave the nest" and I feel a little sad that I don't hear how the rest of their schooling goes. Today, I received an e-mail from a parent letting me know her son is doing great and how pleased they are with the progress he made here and continues to make at school. I love that this high school student is successful, and I love that I could be a part of that change! What an honor!

Math Anxiety Bill of Rights

I came across this today and thought it was really great! We deal with so many kids (and parents!) who say, "I'll never be good at math." (Which is entirely untrue!) I thought this will also go on my wall at the center!

Math Anxiety Bill of Rights
by Sandra L. Davis

I have the right to learn at my own pace and not feel put down or stupid if I'm slower than someone else.
I have the right to ask whatever questions I have.
I have the right to need extra help.
I have the right to ask a teacher for help.
I have the right not to understand.
I have the right to feel good about myself regardless of my abilities in math.
I have the right not to base my self-worth on my math skills.
I have the right to view myself as capable of learning math.
I have the right to evaluate my math instructors and how they teach.
I have the right to relax.
I have the right to define success in my own terms.

Overheard

I was at the center lobby tonight and heard two teenage boys talking. One had received a "successful completion" certificate this evening and was (apparently) feeling pretty good about himself.

The other was looking at the certificate and said to him, "You know, I think this place is really designed to make you feel good about yourself."

The recent Sylvan "graduate" responded, "Oh, I know that's what they do here."

What a great thing to overhear!