by Julie Rochelle, retired teacher

Julie Rochelle

Teachers never know what influence they have on children.  I taught the first, second, and third grades over a thirty year tenure.  Several times I have stepped in to help children years after I had them in school for one or two years.  Last week, I received a call from a mother of a young man I had had in the second grade.  He had just turned 19 and was in his senior year.  He had become weary and frustrated with school and had simply quit going to class a month ago.  His mother wanted me to call her son and have a talk with him to get him to try to return to school and complete his remaining Gateway exam in order to graduate with his class on May 14, 2010. 

 I discovered that the senior only needed to pass the Gateway test and he would be able to “walk across the stage” with his class.  I called the mother back and explained the situation to her.  I encouraged her to let the student know that this would be a wonderful asset to his future if he received his high school diploma. 

 On a Friday at 12:00 p.m., he showed up and the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) coordinator read him the test per his IEP.  Tonight is graduation for the Senior Class.  He will be walking with his class!  How proud I am that I had a little something to do with helping a child succeed!

The educational partners in Innovation Valley are hosting the second annual Educators in the Workplace — Lunch & Learn series and invite area educators to participate, but you must register, and seating is limited. This is an opportunity for educators to learn more about how local businesses operate and what they are looking for in future employees. Educators will be provided lunch along with a presentation about the company and a tour of the facility. While this is more geared to middle and high school teachers and counselors, other educators are welcome also. Please note that one program was added after the registration form was created. The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority will host a Lunch & Learn from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. July 14. If you would like to attend this one, please indicate it in the email when you submit your registration form.

The series starts June 9 and ends July 14. Registration deadline is May 21. For more information and the registration form, click here: 2010 Flier Lunch and Learn Registration. Here’s an at-a-glance calendar of the programs: 2010 Lunch and Learn Calendar. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity.

WBIR anchor John Becker interviews Executive Director Bonny Millard during a segment of Newsmakers about BEI’s recent high school Senior Survey. The survey shows that our students are listening and are preparing for their future. Watch the interview with Becker.

 Here is the release, and here are the survey results.

Our high school seniors once again show that they understand the value of education through Blount Education Initiative’s Senior Survey of graduating seniors from all four high schools. For the results of the 2010 Senior Survey, please click here BEI 2010 Senior Survey results. To read our news release about the survey, please click here 2010– Senior Survey Release.

To review survey results from 2009, please click here:2009_Senior Survey Results