AMERICAN PIONEER OF TEACHING AWARD

In April, the National Coalition for Public School Options (NCPSO) announced the American Pioneer of Teaching Award, which would recognize top performing elementary and secondary teachers who work in pioneering public schools, such as virtual, charter and magnet schools. 

Students, parents, fellow teachers, friends and family members nominated hundreds of excellent teachers that are making a difference in their students' education.

Once the finalists were selected and the votes were cast, the NCPSO was pleased to announce Jane Ferris of the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School as our American Pioneer Teacher of the Year.

Jane is known for reenactments of historical events, she is recognized by the student who nominated her for the ability to "make history come alive." In a recent unit on the Great Depression, she fed her students an authentic 1930s soup kitchen lunch, and during a study of WWI, she created a "war zone" in her classroom to show how dangerous trench warfare really was.

In addition to our American Pioneer Teacher of the Year, several State Pioneer Teachers of the Year were selected as well:

Thank you to everyone who took part in the nominating and voting process.  Please join us in congratulating these pioneering teachers!

NCPSO IN THE STATES

Florida

With virtual schools gaining much attention this year in Florida's legislature, and sure to garner far more next year, the state's leading advocate is someone who is difficult to ignore. 

 Remember Jessica Howard?  Jessica is seven years old and has been working hard to bring attention and support to Florida's virtual schools.  This spring, we told you about a petition Jessica was circulating to allow students like her that have not attended one full year in a public school to attend a virtual school in Florida.

 In the closing days of Florida's legislative session, Jessica delivered her petition to Tallahassee.  By that time she had hundreds of signatures from across the state. Jessica presented her petition to lawmakers from her local area as well as the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, and even collected the signature of Gov. Crist!

Pennsylvania

Earlier this month parents, teachers, and students rallied in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in support of public school options.  Organized by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools and Pennsylvania Families for Public Cyber Schools, over 2500 people gathered to show their support.

While several lawmakers were honored for their efforts to fight for public cyber schools in the legislature, Christine Beard from the National Coalition for Public School Options was on hand to recognize a special teacher at the rally.  Jane Ferris, winner of the American Pioneer of Teaching Award, was honored during the festivities for her innovative ways of connecting with her students at the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School.

News of the rally can be found here and a recap of the American Pioneer of Teaching Award can be found here.

Ohio

Also in May, 4,500 school choice supporters marched on the Ohio statehouse in Columbus.  Parents and students took part in many activities, from hand-making rally signs and coloring "apples" for legislators, to participating in learning sessions, a parade and hearing remarks from several supportive legislators and public figures.  Throughout the day, rally-goers sent one clear message to the decision-makers in Ohio..."We love our schools!"

Click here to see a video recap of the Ohio My School My Choice rally.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

In a recent speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President Obama talked about his support for public charter schools:

"...Now, that leads me to the fourth part of America's education strategy -- promoting innovation and excellence in America's schools. One of the places where much of that innovation occurs is in our most effective charter schools. And these are public schools founded by parents, teachers, and civic or community organizations with broad leeway to innovate -- schools I supported as a state legislator and a United States senator.

.....But right now, there are many caps on how many charter schools are allowed in some states, no matter how well they're preparing our students. That isn't good for our children, our economy, or our country. Of course, any expansion of charter schools must not result in the spread of mediocrity, but in the advancement of excellence. And that will require states adopting both a rigorous selection and review process to ensure that a charter school's autonomy is coupled with greater accountability -- as well as a strategy, like the one in Chicago, to close charter schools that are not working. Provided this greater accountability, I call on states to reform their charter rules, and lift caps on the number of allowable charter schools, wherever such caps are in place...."