The Edutopia Poll

by Sara Ring

It's widely believed that college is not only a place to continue one's education, it's also the key to a successful career. Indeed, the median income for non-college graduates with families is close to the poverty line. But for students who barely graduate from high school, a college diploma may be an unrealistic goal. Would those students who are unlikely to succeed in college be better served by a trade or technical school, or by starting to work? Is college the best path for all students? Tell us what you think!

Should all students go to college?

Why I'm Jealous of Teach for America Teachers

By Heather Wolpert-Gawron

10/29/09

I don't mean to whine, but I'm feeling neglected. For all my questions about the eventual impact on education with Teach for America, I find myself a little pouty that TFA teachers get all this professional development, and I don't.

This School Cultivates Great Educators

At YES Prep, grabbing top-notch talent isn't always an option. Out of necessity they are developing their own.

by Grace Rubenstein

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Teachers: Growing Great Educators".

CARE Program Teaches Educators to Manage Their Emotions

Teachers learn how to cope with stress through mindfulness and meditation.

by Jill Lindenbaum

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Open Mind".

How to Fit Meditation into Your School Day

Set aside 15 minutes before or after school or at lunch to meditate.

by Grace Rubenstein

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Breathing Lessons".

Feedback: A New Orleans School Inspires Hope

Readers respond to a charismatic principal's reforms and professional-development initiatives.

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Feedback".

Rate This Video

Mark DiBella on How to Lead a Change

YES Prep's school director discusses how to create a positive environment for everyone in the school community.

View Full Interview
11:04 min Education as a Civil Rights Issue
01:17 min Beyond Basic College Prep
00:35 sec Recruiting Great Teachers
00:46 sec Challenges of Leadership
01:19 min Extended School Day
01:11 min School-Sponsored Cell Phones
00:52 sec Giving 100% Every Day
01:07 min Dealing with Burnout
00:52 sec High Expectations for Behavior
01:14 min The Possibility of Replication
01:21 min

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Release Date: 10/28/2009
Running Time: 11:04

Video Credits

Directed by

Ken Ellis

Editor

Karen Sutherland

Coordinating Producer

Amy Erin Borovoy

Production Assistant

Doug Keely

Camera Crew

Thomas Waldron
Mark Angelo

© 2009
The George Lucas Educational Foundation
All rights reserved.

Support for Edutopia's Schools That Work series is provided, in part, by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

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Hiring and Supporting Great Teachers

In a school where students and staff alike give 100 percent every day, teacher support and a strong community are key. More to this story.

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08:02 min Hiring Great Teachers
02:16 min Teacher Support
03:23 min Team Spirit
01:57 min

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Release Date: 10/28/2009
Running Time: 08:02 min

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

Ken Ellis

Editor

Karen Sutherland

Coordinating Producer

Amy Erin Borovoy

Production Assistant

Doug Keely

Camera Crew

Thomas Waldron
Mark Angelo

Narrator

Kris Welch

Original Music

Ed Bogas

© 2009
The George Lucas Educational Foundation
All rights reserved.

Support for Edutopia's Schools That Work series is provided, in part, by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Close window

This video is available as a free download from iTunes U. Download video

If you do not have iTunes on your computer, download iTunes here.

Downloaded videos are designed to play on computers and PDAs and are most appropriate for personal or small group viewing.

Close window

Click on any of the titles below to download a PDF of one of YES Prep's many resources.

Teacher Development

Teacher Traits 75K
Seven traits of the most effective YES Prep teachers, determined by an independent study of YES teachers and used in recruitment and hiring

Teacher Summative Evaluation Rubric - blank 620K
Summative evaluation form for teachers, completed at year's end (blank)

Teacher Summative Eval Rubric - Example 656K
Summative evaluation form for teachers, completed at year's end (complete example)

Walkthrough Observation Form 1.4MB
Classroom walk-through observation form

Full Observation Evaluation Form 664K
Full-length classroom observation form

Focused Observation - Example 1.3MB
Focused observation/evaluation form for a particular area for teacher improvement

Post-Observation Conference Plan 93K
Post-observation conversation guide

Professional Development Calendar 1.4MB
Professional development calendar: YES Prep North Central, 2008-09

Rounds Program Overview 113K
Overview of YES Prep North Central's medical-school-style rounds program

More at How YOU Can Do It: YES Prep Resources and Downloads

Take the YES Prep Quiz: Top Teacher Traits to see if you match the YES Prep profile.

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Successful Team Teaching

In middle school, teachers pair up in the classroom to integrate their subjects.

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Release Date: 10/28/09
Running Time: 04:34 min

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

Ken Ellis

Editor

Karen Sutherland

Coordinating Producer

Amy Erin Borovoy

Production Assistant

Doug Keely

Camera Crew

Thomas Waldron
Mark Angelo

Narrator

Kris Welch

Original Music

Ed Bogas

© 2009
The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Support for Edutopia's Schools That Work series is provided, in part, by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Close window

This video is available as a free download from iTunes U. Download video

If you do not have iTunes on your computer, download iTunes here.

Downloaded videos are designed to play on computers and PDAs and are most appropriate for personal or small group viewing.

Close window

Click on any of the titles below to download a PDF of one of YES Prep's many resources.

Team Teaching

Expectations for Team Teaching 145K
Five expectations for team teaching

Team Teacher Meeting Guide 107K
Team teacher meeting guide

More at How YOU Can Do It: YES Prep Resources and Downloads

Since we produced this video, Philip Wright has accepted a position as codirector of the YES Prep Southeast campus, and teacher Bryan Reed has taken his place as principal of YES Prep North Central's high school.

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Making Learning Relevant

Ninth-grade English teacher Rachael Arthur makes Shakespeare come to life for her students.

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Release Date: 10/28/09
Running Time: 03:04 min

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

Ken Ellis

Editor

Karen Sutherland

Coordinating Producer

Amy Erin Borovoy

Production Assistant

Doug Keely

Camera Crew

Thomas Waldron
Mark Angelo

Narrator

Kris Welch

Original Music

Ed Bogas

© 2009
The George Lucas Educational Foundation

Support for Edutopia's Schools That Work series is provided, in part, by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Close window

This video is available as a free download from iTunes U. Download video

If you do not have iTunes on your computer, download iTunes here.

Downloaded videos are designed to play on computers and PDAs and are most appropriate for personal or small group viewing.

Close window

Click on any of the titles below to download a PDF of one of YES Prep's many resources.

Curriculum and Assessment

Arthur 9th Grade Romeo & Juliet Project 930K
Assignment: Romeo and Juliet literary analysis, grade 9 English

Literary Analysis Rubric 160K
Rubric: Literary analysis

Presentation Rubric 65K
Rubric: Oral presentation

More at How YOU Can Do It: YES Prep Resources and Downloads

Related Links

The Edutopia Poll

Should all students go to college?

Why I'm Jealous of Teach for America Teachers

By Heather Wolpert-Gawron

This School Cultivates Great Educators

At YES Prep, grabbing top-notch talent isn't always an option. Out of necessity they are developing their own.

by Grace Rubenstein

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Teachers: Growing Great Educators".

CARE Program Teaches Educators to Manage Their Emotions

Teachers learn how to cope with stress through mindfulness and meditation.

by Jill Lindenbaum

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Open Mind".

How to Fit Meditation into Your School Day

Set aside 15 minutes before or after school or at lunch to meditate.

by Grace Rubenstein

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Breathing Lessons".

Feedback: A New Orleans School Inspires Hope

Readers respond to a charismatic principal's reforms and professional-development initiatives.

This article was also published in the December 2009 issue of Edutopia magazine as "Feedback".

Rate This Video

Mark DiBella on How to Lead a Change

YES Prep's school director discusses how to create a positive environment for everyone in the school community.

Instructions:

Close window

Release Date: 10/28/2009 Running Time: 11:04

Video Credits

Directed by

Editor

Coordinating Producer

Production Assistant

Camera Crew

Close window

Close window

Rate This Video

Hiring and Supporting Great Teachers

In a school where students and staff alike give 100 percent every day, teacher support and a strong community are key. More to this story.

Instructions:

Close window

Release Date: 10/28/2009 Running Time: 08:02 min

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

Editor

Coordinating Producer

Production Assistant

Camera Crew

Narrator

Original Music

Close window

Close window

Teacher Development

Rate This Video

Successful Team Teaching

In middle school, teachers pair up in the classroom to integrate their subjects.

Instructions:

Close window

Release Date: 10/28/09Running Time: 04:34 min

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

Editor

Coordinating Producer

Production Assistant

Camera Crew

Narrator

Original Music

Close window

Close window

Team Teaching

Rate This Video

Making Learning Relevant

Ninth-grade English teacher Rachael Arthur makes Shakespeare come to life for her students.

Instructions:

Close window

Release Date: 10/28/09Running Time: 03:04 min

Video Credits

Produced, Written, and Directed by

Editor

Coordinating Producer

Production Assistant

Camera Crew

Release Date: 10/28/2009
Running Time: 11:04

Release Date: 10/28/2009
Running Time: 08:02 min

Release Date: 10/28/09
Running Time: 04:34 min

Release Date: 10/28/09
Running Time: 03:04 min