Extraordinary Educators: Class of 2024
Extraordinary Educators
Join us in celebrating these Extraordinary Educators! Check out the information below to learn about these amazing educators and what they're doing to impact student learning.
What makes an Extraordinary Educator?
Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educators in the teacher program:
- Have taught for at least two years
- Have experience using i-Ready® and/or Ready® in their classrooms
- Illustrate growth and achievement via formal assessment(s)
- Demonstrate classroom innovation and engagement practices for students
- Are evangelists for high standards and student achievement
- Are champions of strong outcomes for all students
Curriculum Associates Extraordinary Educators in the Extraordinary Educators Leadership Collaborative:
- Are principals in their first through third years in the role
- Have experience using i-Ready and/or Ready
- Illustrate growth and achievement via formal assessment(s)
- Demonstrate schoolwide innovation and engagement practices for students
- Are evangelists for high standards and student achievement
- Are champions of strong outcomes for all students
Extraordinary Educator Teacher Class of 2024
Lindsey Greer, Teacher, Phenix City Intermediate School, AL
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Compassionate, Rigorous, Safe
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I thrive on data! I use the Diagnostic data to form my groups and see what I need to work with individual students on. I use the Typical and Stretch goals to set goals with individuals and with the entire class.
Sherri Jackson, Grade 1 Teacher, McRae Elementary, AR
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Engaging, Safe, Differentiated
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I believe all students can learn math, and data tells me where to start. This is evident in my classroom when I analyze my students' progress toward learning targets, skills, and standards, and use the information to determine what to do next.
Heidi McKnight, Reading Specialist, Kenilworth Elementary School, AZ
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inspiring, Inclusive, Innovative
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Implementing data-driven instruction is the means to fulfill my motto's promise: using the detailed data from i-Ready assessments, personal pathways, and Teacher-Assigned Lessons allows me to tailor instruction to meet students' individual needs and collaborate with my colleagues in fulfilling this mission.
Ana SanMarchi, Mathematics Intervention Specialist, Kenilworth Elementary, AZ
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Collaborative, Engaging, Growth Mindset
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
My motto is that data-driven instruction is a roadmap for effective teaching and learning. I utilize i-Ready to deliver high-quality lessons, provide Personalized Instruction, and use the Diagnostic data to empower, guide, and enhance each student's educational journey.
Terri Stillson, Grades K–6 Reading Intervention Teacher, Castaic Elementary School, CA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Positive, Engaging, Nurturing
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I use the i-Ready data to determine which students for each grade level come to me for intervention and also to create my small groups, and I use the Teacher Toolbox, next steps, and lesson paths while planning my lessons.
Da'Jhon Jett, Teacher, Augusta Lewis Troup School, CT
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inclusion, Growth, Trust
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Data-driven instruction provides the method to meet state expectations while effectively driving students' master learning, thus, allowing stakeholders with an objective point of reference for understanding the student's performance.
Kelly Rossetti, Grade 2 Teacher, Hazardville Memorial School, CT
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Flexible, Inclusive, Supportive
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I utilize i-Ready to identify areas of strength and set individualized goals for where to support each student. Data-driven instruction helps me target my teaching and move students forward, which helps them see and celebrate their growth in the next round.
Thamar Polynice, Grade 4 English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher, Walker Jones Education Campus, DC
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Warm, Student-Led/Driven, Innovative
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Using data from i-Ready, exit tickets, homework, etc. allows me to zoom in on the smaller individual needs of each student. I believe those small pushes are what makes a student truly thrive.
LaTanya Arias, Interventionist/ESOL Instructor/Title I Instructor, Kingsland Elementary School, GA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Loving, Welcoming, Equitable
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
My motto regarding data-driven instruction is that without it, I am striking at the wind and aimlessly teaching. Relying on i-Ready data and other data sources allows me to be successful, purposeful, and intentional in meeting the needs of my students.
Leigh Ann Norris, Grade 6 Mathematics Teacher, Hamilton County High School, FL
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Engaging, Energetic, Inclusive
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
My data-driven instruction is my SUPER POWER! Be an i-Ready HERO! (i.e., High Expectations, Real Outcomes)
Adriana Garcia, Grade 5 Teacher, Somerset Academy, St. Lucie, FL
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inclusive, Respectful, Collaborative
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
"Empower education with informed insights" by using i-Ready data, FAST assessment data, progress monitoring tests, and informal assessment of students to decide what I am doing in the classroom. Data guides what I do daily in my differentiated small groups.
Thomas J. Bussey, Grade 5 Teacher, Hapeville Elementary School, GA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Rigorous, Engaging, Fun
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
"Every data point tells a story." I leverage a combination of data, including insights from i-Ready, and my personal experiences in building relationships with each student to determine the most effective path for helping them master grade-level standards.
Christy Washington, Teacher, Hogansville Elementary School, GA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Purposeful, Challenging, Positive
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Data drives every instructional decision I make in my classroom. Prerequisites reports help me know where to begin instruction, and student performance on Teacher-Assigned Lessons and Comprehension Checks—combined with teacher observation—tell me how that instruction is going.
Lauren Howe, Teacher, Calhoun Middle School, LA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Positive, Engaged, Collaborative
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
If teachers want their students to make gains and progress, they must utilize data-driven instruction. i-Ready provides me with data that I use in my classroom to implement intervention and enrichment activities so learners continue to move forward in their learning process.
Nikki Torres, Grade 4 Mathematics Teacher, Valverda Elementary, LA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inclusivity, Collaboration, Respect
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I have my students participate in the beginning-of-the-year Diagnostic during the first week of school. I then use the data based on the Instructional Groupings to meet with students and provide interventions in a small group setting in specific domains.
Kyair Butts, Teacher, Elmer A. Henderson Hopkins Partnership School, MD
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Equitable, Mattering, Anti-racist
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Information is data, and my students are well informed. Data conferences and family follow-ups mean stakeholders have the information necessary to grow exponentially.
Rebecca Brenneman, Grade 7 Mathematics Teacher/Mathematics Department Chair, Northern Middle, MD
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Engaging, Rigorous, High-Achieving
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
The numbers don't lie . . . well, most of the time, their truths can guide instruction and increase achievement. Through the use of standardized test scores, i-Ready lessons, and frequent informal assessments, adjustments in placement and adaptation of instruction can occur.
Krileshia Boyd, Teacher, Northeast Elementary School, MS
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Growth Is Goals
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Data should inform instruction to provide students with additional support as needed, but all instruction should be based on the grade-level instructional standards established by the state. It is my responsibility to combine what students need with instruction using the data.
Andrea Schipke, Mathematics Teacher, Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, MS
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Fun, Purposeful, Energetic
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
If you know what the problem is, you can fix it. i-Ready Diagnostics help us identify problems. I use this data to accelerate some and remediate others. Other reports, like Standards Mastery, help guide my direction for scholars' needs.
Siobhan Cochran, Teacher, Trent Lott Academy, MS
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Accountability, Engagement, Comradery
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Using my baseline data from the i-Ready Diagnostic test, I create a smart goal, remediate, and use progress monitoring. Then, I target certain interventions using the Teacher Toolbox or activities from Magnetic Reading depending upon what my student needs.
Casey Watts, Grade 4 ELA Teacher, Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, MS
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Creative, Challenging, Collaborative
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Effective instruction is not about how well I taught, but how well students learned. I use Diagnostic and state assessment data and the data from students' i-Ready learning paths to inform how I proceed with instruction throughout the year.
Natalie "Nina" Henderson, Grade 3 Teacher, Lakeshore Elementary, NY
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Welcoming, Inclusive/Diverse, Safe
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
To address a wide range of skills and abilities in my classroom, I utilize prerequisite skills to determine student groupings. I also depend on the Teacher Toolbox for math instruction and to fill achievement gaps in Tier 2 and Tier 3 small groups.
Anna Balletta, Grade 2 Teacher, Beech Street School, NH
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Safe, Authentic, Joyful
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I use data daily to inform my instruction. Teaching requires reflection and planning. With daily exit tickets, I am able to gauge where each of my students is on their learning plan, and figure out what I can do to boost them.
Christina Griffoni, Middle School ELA Teacher, Dr. Henry H. Davis Family School, NJ
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Safe, Respectful, Firm/Fun/Fair (That counts as one word!)
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
My motto on data-driven instruction is: "It works if you work it!" Data from i-Ready is something that is ingrained in my daily teaching as well as my students' daily learning.
Eve Fiorica, Grade 1 Teacher, Seton Catholic School, NY
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Supportive, Engaging, Structured
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Data-driven instruction is very important, and it guides my instruction. I use i-Ready along with other researched-based assessments to prepare my lessons to meet the needs of my students.
Justin Teague, Grade 6 Mathematics Teacher, Liverpool Middle School, NY
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Energizing, Rigorous, Empowering
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
My daily instruction is data informed, driven by my district’s mission and vision. i-Ready provides me with robust tools to collect data and monitor student progress to maximize achievement for each individual student.
Matthew Weimann, Gifted Support Teacher, Willow Lane Elementary, PA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Challenging, Grit Producing, Thought Provoking
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Data is the GPS of teaching. Without it, one is lost, or instruction is a joyride. Domain 1 of Danielson's Framework for Teaching has Knowledge (data) of Students, after Knowledge of Content, as one of the very first things to consider.
Cinderella Shaw, Grade 5 Teacher, Lady's Island Elementary School, SC
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Collaborative, Inclusive, Dynamic
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
My motto is: "Inform, adapt, excel: guiding learning with data." Data-driven instruction allows us to use measurable student data to inform and adjust teaching strategies and target and adapt the learning environment to be conducive for the students to excel.
Clare Ashford, Grade K Teacher, Poplar Grove Elementary School, TN
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inclusive, Welcoming, Community
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I use data to drive instruction and give my students ownership and authority over their own learning. My students, even at 5 years old, have shown tremendous growth when given the opportunity to take an active role in their learning.
Uloma Achinanya, Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Margaret Long Wisdom High School, TX
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inviting, Fun, Engaging
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
From data to destiny: guiding learning adventures
Lisa Concepcion-Elm, Mathematics Specialist, West Hills STEM Academy, WA
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Inclusive, Positive, Fun
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
I use the i-Ready data and daily class work to drive my instruction. My students know what they can do and what they need more help with. Weekly data chats and immediate feedback allow my students to work hard toward their goals.
Emily Castelli, Grade 2 Teacher, Salem Elementary, WV
Describe your classroom culture in three words.
Welcoming, Inclusive, Participatory (everyone is always participating)!
Describe your motto on data-driven instruction. Consider how you use i‑Ready or other data.
Data-driven instruction is paramount to making good decisions in the classroom. I use i-Ready data to plan lessons to assist students with essential skills they need. Monthly growth monitoring allows me to see if I need to change my approach.
Leadership Collaborative Class of 2024
Stephen Thomas, St. Andrew's School of Math and Science, SC
Describe your school culture in three words.Diverse, Intentional, Real
Michael Perry, Greenville Middle, GA
Describe your school culture in three words.Collaborative, High Expectations, Supportive
Tim Baynes, Sunny Hills Elementary School, WA
Describe your school culture in three words.Belonging, Belief, Community
Johanna Hughey, Long Beach Middle School, MS
Describe your school culture in three words.Welcoming, Nurturing, Positive
Amy Smith, A.H. Watwood Elementary School, AL
Describe your school culture in three words.Student Centered, Positive, Engaging
Diane Kostovski, Garfield Elementary, IL
Describe your school culture in three words.Supportive, Community, Dedicated
Olia Hardy, William Paca Elementary School, MD
Describe your school culture in three words.Open-Minded, Flexible, Evolving
Corey Limburg, Ocoee Middle School, TN
Describe your school culture in three words.Safe, Energetic, Collaborative
Latara Robinson, Stuttgart Junior High, AR
Describe your school culture in three words.Commitment, Supportive, Intentional
Dawn Massey, Florosa Elementary, FL
Describe your school culture in three words.Growth Mindset, Perseverance, Collaborative
Keyara Bishop, Wilson Elementary School, IL
Describe your school culture in three words.Driven, Growth, Unified
Brandon Pinkney, Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School, MD
Describe your school culture in three words.Fair, Loving, Inclusive
Melissa Paparella, Mifflin Park Elementary, PA
Describe your school culture in three words.Collaborative, Family, Energized
Jennifer Jackson, Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate School, CA
Describe your school culture in three words.Unity, Excellence, Connectivity
Dr. Roxanne Allen, Chase STEMM Academy, OH
Describe your school culture in three words.Family, Celebratory, Focused
Meghan Shore, Alleghany Avenue Elementary, NY
Describe your school culture in three words.Inclusive, Positive, Supportive
Curriculum Associates Inspire Award
Tomeeko Hunt, Principal, Leonard V. Moore Middle School, NJ
Hunt was selected as an exemplar of the strong bonds with school-based visionaries who take i‑Ready to its highest heights in their work.