May 2010: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

This week, May 2 - 7, 2010, we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week and honor teachers like you for your hard work and dedication to the betterment of your students. As a former teacher, I understand the special qualities required to mentor and guide students in today’s classroom, and the countless hours and many sacrifices, both in the classroom and behind the scenes, that must be devoted to provide an exceptional education for your students. I speak for all of the dedicated staff here at CYLC when I sincerely thank you for your devotion to your students each and every day, as you provide them with the tools necessary to succeed in school and in life.

We want to show you our appreciation for continuing to inspire your students each and every day by giving you a copy of Erik Weihenmayer's book, Touch the Top of the World. In this book, Erik depicts his blind climb to the top of Mount Everest, a true story that I hope you will find to be as inspirational in your life as I have in mine. Please e-mail me your name and mailing address, and I will send the book directly to you.

Please see this month's lesson plan which focuses on ways to help your students show appreciation for others. Students often have difficulty finding the appropriate way to express their appreciation and gratitude. This is certainly an area that differs by age group, so like last month, your lesson plan is tailored to be used specifically with your students age group. Also, I encourage you to review our Today in Education section, as we continue to share captivating stories from other teachers classrooms around the country.

As you celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week, I certainly hope that your students (and their parents) realize the profound impact you have on their lives.

A Lesson on Appreciation

The word "appreciation" means to be thankful and express admiration, approval, or gratitude. It also means to grow or appreciate in value. As you appreciate life, you become more valuable — both to yourself and others. As students study the art of appreciation during this lesson, they will develop the skills to practice an attitude of appreciation in their lives, while also exploring ways to show appreciation for others, themselves and the world around them.

Click here to view this month's lesson - “A Lesson on Appreciation."

National Teacher of the Year 2010

The National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. Last week, President Barack Obama honored the 2010 National Teacher of the Year, Sarah Brown Wessling from Johnston, Iowa, with a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. He recognized her for creating individualized podcasts for each student with feedback on their papers, teaching basic writing to at-risk freshmen, developing 15 new courses this year, mentoring other teachers, organizing a statewide teaching symposium, helping design Iowa’s core curriculum and serving as president of the Iowa Council of Teachers of English. Click here for the full press release about her award.

In addition to the National Teacher award, many schools, districts and states also recognize their own teachers of the year. However, there will never be enough awards to recognize every teacher's commitment to their students education. We would like to recognize you!

Please share YOUR extraordinary achievements in the classroom this year in the comments below!

Digital Media Art Class

Paper, oil paints, crayons, water colors, glue, a camcorder, wood, charcoal, clay ... one of these things is not like other art supplies. Most teachers use "traditional" art media to teach art. Harold Olejarz, a middle school art teacher in Wyckoff, New Jersey, has developed his art class curriculum using camcorders, computers, and digital cameras.

Click here to read how Mr. Olejarz is combining art and technology in exciting ways to keep his students on the cutting edge.

Using Microphones in the Classroom

A recent article in the Des Moines Register refers to studies claiming that using microphones in the classroom can lead to fewer disciplinary problems, increased student achievement and higher attendance rates for teachers. Also, students learning English perform better in school. Some schools in the Des Moines area have begun using microphones in the classroom, and the feedback from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Read the full article here.

A Passion for Citizen Service

Passionate. Idealistic. Energetic. Enthusiastic. Committed. Democratic. American. These are the seven words that National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) alumnus Chris Golden recently chose to describe himself. Chris is currently on track to complete his undergraduate interdisciplinary studies degree (Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics & Government)in three years at American University in Washington, D.C. Since arriving in D.C., he has served in multiple campus leadership positions, interned with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) on Capitol Hill, and was chosen as one of only 100 Young Leaders to attend the 2008 ServiceNation Summit. Chris and his friend, Nick Troiano, left the Summit feeling inspired and employed their passions for service and new technology by co-founding the non-profit organization,myImpact.org.


The mission of myImpact.org is to use social media to advance the cause of citizen service by developing new tools for volunteers and service organizations that measure and demonstrate their impact. Recent recipients of a Pepsi Refresh Project grant, the creators of myImpact.org are currently developing the first in a series of social media applications to advance their mission and goals. By using myImpact.org to answer the simple question "What Is Your Impact?" volunteers will be able to share their experience, connect with others and inspire their peers to get involved.

Hoping to instill his passion for citizen service in other young people, Chris began presenting workshops on "Volunteering in the Age of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter" at the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in late 2009. Chris enjoys immensely the interaction he gets to have with NYLC scholars following each presentation, especially because he recognizes that he is just a few years removed from being in their same position. He is continually inspired by our scholars' examples of giving back to their communities.

To Chris, service is the power of the individual: one person making a difference, contributing in a small way to solving a large problem. Chris exemplifies this every day!

National Teacher Day

Tomorrow, May 4, 2010, thousands of communities across the country are taking time to honor the hard work and dedication of teachers by celebrating National Teacher Day. Our thanks go out to you, for the crucial role you play in making sure every student receives a quality education.

"Teachers teach because they care. Teaching young people is what they do best. It requires long hours, patience, and care." —Horace Mann

Children's Book Week: May 16-22, 2010

In 1919, Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, proposed the creation of Children's Book Week to promote higher standards in children's books. Since its inception, Children's Book Week has been celebrated in bookstores, libraries, schools, clubs and homes. The Children's Book Council has been responsible for Children's Book week since 1944, and developed the web site www.bookweekonline.com to provide reading resources and information for students, teachers and librarians.

Click here for Children's Book Week resources you can use to celebrate the week in your classroom.

Nominate Your High-Achieving Students!

JrNYLC and NYLC are now accepting nominations for our Fall programs. Click here to nominate your high-achieving students.