School News & Information

From One to Another, a North Lawndale community newspaper, Vol. 2, Issue 10, May 1 – 15

Youth Perspective

TESTING TIME AGAIN!
By William Adams, 5th grade student – Frazier Preparatory Academy

It was testing time at our school last week! All of the students in grades 3-8 across Illinois had to take the ISAT (Illinois Student Achievement Test). At Frazier Prep, we had a good time taking the test! I am sure that every student will do well because that is what our school prepares us to do. I think that our school will do even better this year than we did last year because we worked hard and our teachers worked hard to prepare us. Some people think that testing is bad, but we think that it is a chance to show what we know!

FRAZIER PREP MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE
By Tyshena Jones – Frazier Preparatory Academy

I attend a school called Frazier Preparatory Academy. Frazier Prep is a high academics school, a stimulating school, and an exciting place to be! I have been to three different schools and never have been eager to start school; however, for some reason when I found out that Frazier Prep accepted me, I was so prepared and ready to go. I am in 6th grade and enjoy being at this school! I was messing up before I came to Frazier Prep, but I have changed a lot and I am still working to make myself better. My teachers and my principal work hard to make me a better student and a better person. There are some great teachers here! This is a very exciting school to be at! I am working hard and I believe in my heart that I can really accomplish my dreams!

Contact: Lakita Little, llittle@frazierprep.org
773-534-6776

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 1, 2009

Mosaica Teacher Selected to Attend 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

Kahlea Collins at Frazier Preparatory Academy in North Lawndale was selected from more than 1,600 teachers nationwide

North Lawndale, Chicago – Kahlea Collins, a local fifth/sixth grade teacher at Frazier Preparatory Academy has been selected to attend the 2009 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, N.J. Ms. Collins is one of 200 highly-qualified third- through fifth-grade teachers from around the country selected to attend the intensive one-week, all-expense paid professional development program this summer.

A panel of educators from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) selected Kahlea Collins to attend the Academy. The panel based their decision on her qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age, and her overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession.

Robert Steele, School Board President of Frazier Preparatory, a school in its second year as a contract school in Chicago under Renaissance 2010, expressed his pleasure and agreement with Ms.Collins’ selection. “She represents the high caliber of teachers we have at Frazier Preparatory Academy. Our students thrive because of teacher leaders like Ms. Collins.”

During the Academy, scheduled for July 19 – 24, teachers will discover new ways to excite students using experiments that demonstrate various math and science concepts including force, gravity and probability. The Academy curriculum works to deepen teachers’ understanding of these principles by conducting hands-on experiments that teachers can share with their students in the classroom.

Lakita Little, principal of Frazier Preparatory Academy is “elated that stellar teachers like Ms. Collins are being recognized for their hard work, innovation, and dedication. Ms. Collins is very passionate about teaching science and evoking an interest about science within our students. I know that our entire school community will benefit from her experience at the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. We are all proud of her.”

In April 2008, the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy launched www.sendmyteacher.com, an interactive Web site, to expand professional development opportunities to teachers nationwide. Since its launch, more than 1,600 teachers from all 50 states logged on to the site to apply for the opportunity. Students were also encouraged to nominate their teacher to apply for the opportunity by sending an e-card or printing a teacher appreciation certificate from the site.

ExxonMobil partnered with Phil and Amy Mickelson, the National Science Teachers Association and Math Solutions to found the Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy in 2005. The Academy is designed to engage students in math and science at an early age engage to retain their interest in these subjects through college and into their careers.

“Amy and I are proud to work with our partners, ExxonMobil, the NSTA and Math Solutions to create a hands-on curriculum for teachers looking to deepen their understanding of math and science,” said PGA golfer Phil Mickelson. “Based on the overwhelming response to Send My Teacher, the Academy will offer the program again later this spring, and we encourage all teachers to apply for this incredible opportunity.”

This year, more than 600 teachers will attend one of the three Academies scheduled in New Jersey, Louisiana and Texas. To date, more than 1,400 teachers have attended the Academy, impacting more than 30,000 students from across the country with the lessons and skills they learned.

Based on the positive response the Send My Teacher site received from teachers, the Academy will extend the opportunity to teachers again this year. To nominate local teachers for the 2010 Academy, please visit www.sendmyteacher.com.
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