A day of firsts Two teachers begin their careers at Vance High
Students aren ’ t the only ones with first-day jitters . For more than 1,000 CMS teachers , Aug . 29 was the first day of teaching . Among them are Laura Burbach and Morgan Fleming , beginning their teaching careers at Vance High School . Both teachers are part of Teach for America , a non-profit organization which recruits college graduates from around the country to work in lowincome schools for at least two years .
Burbach , a native of Madison , Ga ., is teaching ninth-grade math . She graduated in May from Georgia Tech . While Burbach didn ’ t major in education , the desire to teach came to her as she completed some STEMfocused coursework .
“ I started to realize how many schools are in need of teachers and I decided to be part of the solution ,” she said .
She completed training at the Teach for America Institute over the summer .
“ It was a little overwhelming to learn about creating lessons and content and being aware of the whole student and their social and emotional needs ,” said Burbach .
To prepare for students , Burbach spent the weeks before school creating lesson plans for the next three weeks and getting her classroom ready .
“ There ’ s been a lot of crafting going on ,” she said .
On the first day of school , Burbach ’ s students took an assessment so she could see what areas they ’ ll need to focus on for the next several weeks . They also reviewed the rules and expectations for her classroom . She has also set specific goals for her students .
“ We want all students to be able to graduate with the options to do whatever you whatever you want ,” she said .
Fleming , a chemistry teacher , has a billboard in her classroom featuring a diverse array of scientists . It reads , “ Scientists of color : We could be them .” Growing up in Maryland , Fleming was frustrated with the lack of diversity in her science teachers .
“ I wanted a familiar face that looked like me and then I fell in love with chemistry ,” said Fleming . “ I think it ’ s important for students of color to know that they can do it too .”
Fleming graduated from Elon University and trained with Teach for America in Atlanta this summer . She taught middle-school earth science and learned a lot from the experience .
“ We had a lot of good days where they were really getting the material and some days when other things were going on outside of school and I had to reel them back in ,” said Fleming . “ I learned quickly if a lesson is flopping , I need to change it .”
On the first day , Fleming had her students draw photos of themselves so she could learn a little bit about them .
“ As you get to know me , you ’ ll understand I am not great at drawing ,” she said . “ We all have our strengths . When you find them , it ’ s important to invest in them and that ’ s what we ’ re going to do in this class .”
It was a great first day for both-and that ’ s good for everyone at Vance , said assistant principal Courtlyn Reeves .
“ We all thrive on the energy brought into our building by our new teachers ,” said Reeves . “ Our team continues to work incredibly hard to onboard our rookies and provide them with the support needed for a highly successful first day , week , and year . I know our staff , including Ms . Burbach and Ms . Fleming , will work to build strong relationships with students and flourish as classroom leaders .”
CMS Class of 2016 earns $ 127.6 million in scholarships Awards to graduates increase by 16 percent over last year
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools graduates of 2016 earned $ 127.6 million in scholarships , an increase of 16 percent over the $ 109.9 million earned by the class of 2015 . More than 2,900 scholarships were offered to the graduates , up from 2,791 a year earlier .
Providence High had the highest total of 26 high schools , earning $ 17.9 million . Two other schools earned more than $ 10 million : South Mecklenburg High with $ 14.4 million and Mallard Creek High with $ 12.9 million .
“ CMS continues to produce graduates who are actively recruited by colleges and universities ,” said Superintendent Ann Clark . “ We are very proud of the class of 2016 for setting a new record in scholarship money awarded to our graduates .”
Several schools saw significant increases in 2016 from a year ago . Mallard Creek High ’ s 2016 total of $ 12.9 million was more than double last year ’ s $ 5.4 million . West Charlotte High also had a notable increase , with graduates earning $ 4.5 million in 2016 , up from $ 1.8 million a year earlier .
Other schools with large increases included Phillip O . Berry Academy of Technology with $ 4.4 million in 2016 , up from $ 2.5 million in 2015 ; Cato Middle College High with $ 1.8 million , up from $ 496,098 a year ago ; Vance High with $ 5.8 million , up from $ 1.5 million in 2015 , and William A . Hough High , which had a total of $ 9.5 million , up from $ 6.1 million a year earlier .
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Parent Teacher News • September / October 2016 • 4