June 2010: Message from the Director

Congratulations on the completion of another school year!

As the school year officially comes to an end, many of you are closing down classrooms and reflecting on the successes and challenges of a year gone by. Soon, you will begin preparing and planning for what is sure to be a new school year filled with even greater success.

Although it may sometimes seem that no one notices, your students and their parents do realize the profound impact you have had on their lives. For some students, you see these changes immediately over the course of the year. For others, your lessons may not hit home until years later, at which point they will look back and remember where the initial seed was planted… right there in your classroom. For many teachers, that is the most rewarding part of the job, knowing that those transformational moments will occur in their students’ lives, even if they are never around to see it. In this way, you are truly a hero for your students, providing them with the tools that they will need now and later in life. Heroes come in many forms, and while most of us have heroes in our own lives, it can be hard to think of ourselves as a hero for another.

Be sure to review this month’s lesson plan which helps you and your students share your thoughts about what makes someone a hero and, subsequently, to develop a plan to become a hero for someone else. This is one lesson that you and your students will have a lot of fun with. Also, be sure to review our Today in Education section, where we highlight interesting articles about other teachers all over the country, including an article this month on a school principal from New York who challenged his staff to teach poetry using texting.

I wish you the best during the summer and hope that you find some well-deserved time to relax and recharge. Be on the lookout for Leadership Link to return the first week of September.

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.

April 2010: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

This April 22nd is Earth Day 2010, which marks the 40th anniversary of the planet-friendly holiday. This month’s issue of Leadership Link revolves around Earth Day and the positive contributions that you and your students can make to our home, Planet Earth.

I have received some tremendous feedback over the past year in regard to the scope of this e-newsletter. Your suggestions have not gone unnoticed and I am proud to unveil a new change to Leadership Link. We will now offer monthly lesson plans specifically geared toward your students’ age level: elementary, middle and high school. Be sure to find the appropriate level lesson plan for your students this month and then discuss ways in which each individual can contribute to Earth Day.

I wish you and your students continued success in and out of the classroom. As always, send me your comments, questions and suggestions, and look for the next issue to arrive in early May.

March 2010: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

Today is Read Across America Day and I would like to take this occasion to focus this issue on reading - one of the most fundamental and important skills for young students.

As the parent of young children myself, I incorporate as much reading as possible into the time I spend and activities I take part in with my kids, and I am continually amazed at how reading unlocks their curiosity and imagination. While most parents and educators fully understand that the development of proper reading skills is absolutely essential to the success of our kids as they grow older, we don’t always place a consistent focus on reading, especially as the interests of our kids expand, the amount of activities they participate in increases and homework becomes more difficult.

This month's lesson plan will detail a great way to connect literature to your students' lives, and I encourage you to utilize it to begin a discussion about reading in your own classroom. Even in an age of computers, television and video games, I think you will find that most students speak emphatically about their favorite books. It may even be fun to develop a class reading list that each student can refer to when choosing his or her next book. Don’t forget to review the “Today in Education” section as we have again highlighted some unique methods teachers are using in classrooms throughout the country.

Enjoy the rest of March and celebrate the gift of literature with your students! Continue to send your comments, questions and suggestions my way, and look for our next issue to arrive in early April.

February 2010: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

The theme for this issue of Leadership Link is Appreciating Diversity.   With students coming from such unique and diverse backgrounds,it can be a meaningful and fun exercise celebrating that which makes them different. One way to do that is having each of your students share an interesting piece of their personal history with the rest of the class. Refer to this month’s lesson plan centered on Black History Month for a helpful way to start this conversation. Also, take a look at some of the interesting methods teachers are using in classrooms nationwide in the “Today in Education” section.

I really appreciate receiving all of your questions, comments and suggestions, and I encourage you to continue sending them my way. Look for the next edition of Leadership Link to arrive in early March!

January 2010: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

The theme for this issue of Leadership Link is Goal Setting. As we enter the New Year, many of us will set new goals that we will strive to accomplish throughout the year. I encourage you to discuss with your students the importance of setting goals that are both challenging and achievable. Included in this issue you will find a lesson plan for you to share with your students that will help them to set and accomplish an achievable goal by the end of the school year. Also, be sure to review the “Today in Education” section for some innovative ideas that teachers are bringing to their classrooms.

I hope you were able to enjoy your year-end break. As your partners in education, all of us here at CYLC wish you a safe and happy New Year, and we join you in your excitement for the exciting challenges to come in 2010 as we guide and mentor our nation’s future leaders.

As always, please continue to e-mail me at anita@cylc.org with your questions, comments and suggestions.

Best Wishes,

Anita Barrett, M. Ed.
Managing Director of Academic Affairs
Congressional Youth Leadership Council

December 2009: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

The holiday season is upon us now, and I am sure you are looking forward to spending quality time with your family and friends. For educators, this time of year also means a well-deserved and much-needed break. Be sure to take some time to relax and prepare to come back to your students refreshed and ready for the New Year.

The holiday season is also a time during which we focus on giving of ourselves to others. Therefore, the theme of this month’s edition of Leadership Link is “Kindness and Altruism.”

Contained in this issue, you will find a section on “Kindness and Altruism” with a lesson plan for you to share with your students, that highlights the idea of making kindness a yearlong theme. Also take a look at the “Today in Education” section for some unique and unusual teaching aids that some teachers are bringing to their classrooms.

As always, please continue to e-mail me at anita@cylc.org with your questions, comments and suggestions. I look forward to continuing to improve the newsletter based on your feedback. Have a safe, happy and wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Best Wishes,

Anita Barrett, M. Ed.
Managing Director of Academic Affairs
Congressional Youth Leadership Council

November 2009: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

This is my favorite time of year! In Washington, D.C. right now the leaves are changing and the air is crisp and clean. I find myself looking forward to several months of holidays filled with tradition. From Halloween and Thanksgiving, to your school’s own traditions like back-to-school night and homecoming, these traditions help us remember the past and provide us with keepsakes to pass down to future generations.

In this edition of the newsletter there is a section on “Celebrating Tradition in the Classroom.” I have provided you with a lesson plan which will help you facilitate a discussion on tradition with your students.

Please continue to e-mail me at anita@cylc.org with your questions, comments and suggestions. I enjoy receiving your feedback and I am always looking for ways to make this newsletter an even better resource for you.

Best Wishes,

Anita Barrett, M. Ed.
Managing Director of Academic Affairs
Congressional Youth Leadership Council

October 2009: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

It is hard to believe that autumn is upon us and that the school year has already begun to hit its stride. As one of our respected educators, we certainly value the time and effort you put in each day to give your students the best learning experience possible. Your constant efforts are truly a service to your community. The theme of Leadership Link this month focuses on the importance of service in the community. Be sure to share today’s lesson plan with your students, which demonstrates how service can be a catalyst for change. Help your students to understand that service is not merely helping an individual or single cause; even small steps in the right direction can lead to big results.

Also be on the lookout for the article on our partnership with By Kids For Kids, which includes a great opportunity for your students to compete in the Invention Dimension national competition. Some of your more inventive minds may jump at the opportunity to showcase their skills for the chance to win some great prizes. Certainly don’t forget to take a look at the “Bring Public Service to the Classroom!” article that describes the unique opportunity some of our students had to participate in a nationwide webcast with the United States Association of Former Members of Congress.

As you can see, exciting times are upon us here at CYLC. As always, please e-mail me at anita@cylc.org with any questions, comments or suggestions you may have. Be on the lookout for next month's issue to arrive on November 3rd. Until then, I wish you continued success in the classroom from one educator to another!

Best Wishes,

Anita Barrett, M. Ed.
Managing Director of Academic Affairs
Congressional Youth Leadership Council

Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

Welcome back to school and to another edition of Leadership Link, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council's (CYLC) E-Newsletter!

The new school year brings with it new opportunities and challenges along with a renewal of school community. This month's issue focuses on the theme of community and ways in which you and your students can reach out to connect your local area and school community in a meaningful way. Also, be sure to take a look at this month's lesson, as we focus on ways to help your students to recognize their school and classrooms as communities as well.

In addition, CYLC has partnered with By Kids for Kids (BKFK) to help foster a community of bright and motivated students from across the country. Be sure to read more below about how some of your inventive-minded students can take part in an innovative challenge!

Be on the lookout for next month's issue to arrive on October 6th. Until then, I wish you a successful, happy and healthy school year!

Please comment below or e-mail me at anita@cylc.org.

Best Wishes,

Anita Barrett, M. Ed.
Managing Director of Academic Affairs
Congressional Youth Leadership Council