Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/274063
Katzburg, who nominated Gilles for the honor, said, "Walking into Kimberley's classroom is an entryway into the world of a masterful educator. Her strategies include front-loading the curriculum with a carousel of new ideas for the students to ponder, and waiting for answers, allowing students to go deeper into their thinking." The gala featured performances by nearly 80 stu- dents from Maryland public schools, who took the audience on a journey around the globe with cultural performances including salsa dancing, madrigal singing and African drumming. In their finale performance, the students were joined by Phylicia Rashad, a Tony Award-winning actress, singer, stage director and educa- tor, who also hosted the gala. For more on this honor, including links to a video of Gilles receiving the award and a tribute video produced by her students, go to cta.org/gilles. YO U M AY R E M E M B E R K I M B E R L E Y G I L L E S . She was featured in the cover story "5 reasons to bring back the arts" in our inaugural redesign issue last September. We weren't the only ones impressed with her skills. Gilles, an English teacher at Monte Vista High School in Danville in the Bay Area, received one of public education's top honors in February: the NEA Mem- ber Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, which comes with $25,000. She was recognized at what's become known as the Academy Awards of public education, the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala. This is an annual celebration of the men and women who do exceptional work in America's public schools. This year, the NEA Foundation presented nearly 40 awards to educators and dedicated supporters of public education across the country. Gilles, a veteran teacher and member of the San Ramon Valley Education Association (SRVEA), was one of five national finalists for the top award. Each of the five finalists received special recognition at the gala, the Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence, and $10,000. CTA President Dean E. Vogel was in Washington, D.C., to be with Gilles at the awards ceremony, along with CTA Vice President Eric Heins, Secretary-Treasurer Mikki Cichocki-Semo, and SRVEA Presi- dent Ann Katzburg. Vogel praised her emphasis on social jus- tice issues and diversity. "Part of Kimberley's great ability in teaching is her attention to diversity. Diversity is integrated into the textbooks she chooses, the music she selects, the model essays she presents, and even the decor of her classroom." Gilles received a 2012 CTA Human Rights Award for her classroom curriculum focusing on bigotry and social justice issues. "It is my honor to accept this award in the name of the American pub- lic school teacher," Gilles said in her acceptance speech. "It is my honor to say to you: Well done! You labor in the vineyards, and you bring home a good harvest." CTA & You CTA member honored nationally for teaching excellence The arts level the playing field and Create harmony Classes in the arts are losing many students. Students who are 'below basic' lose their electives and get put in intervention classes. But if you take away art, music and drama, what incentive do kids have to succeed in school? The arts provide a reason for kids to stay out of trouble. The arts level the playing field. In arts classes, you'll find high-achieving kids and so-called troublemakers working together and getting along. They have to, just like in the real world. My son was never the best student in the world, but his saving grace was music. I credit his band director with helping him to graduate from high school. TONY REYNA, band director at Sussman Middle School Downey Education Association During that time people walked differently. They listened to waltz music. There was lots of bowing. When Romeo and Juliet met at the dance, they were spellbound, but also formal, stiff and reserved. I learned all that from dancing. Monte Vista High School student Stephanie Walker It feels like I went back in time. People were more proper and formal. Dancing helped me to understand what it meant to be Romeo or Juliet. Monte Vista High School student Becky Paholski Playing the flute teaches me a lot about my personality. I have learned to trust myself. I have confidence in myself. When I play, I feel like I'm in a different world. Sussman Middle School student Fany Lima FEATURE E X T E N S I V E R E S E A R C H S H O W S arts education engages students in learning, improves achievement, and reduces truancy and dropout rates. It also helps prepare students for the 21st century workforce, increasing the ability to innovate, communicate and collaborate. A recent Harris poll shows 93 percent of Americans consider the arts vital to providing a well-rounded education and a critical link to learning and success. Johns Hopkins researchers reported that arts education can help "rewire" the brain in pos itive ways. The scientists found that practicing a specific art form increased the efficiency of students' attention network as a whole — even when work ing in other areas of study. The arts the educational experience I want students to understand the characters, social hierarchy, and how to navigate the intricacies of Shakespearean syntax. So they perform a dance where Romeo meets Juliet. They see how Elizabethans moved, what they listened to and what they were like. They were proud, dignified and very much aware of being upper-class. Students remember that. They get Shakespeare. During the rest of the play, I ask them to remember how the dancing and music made them feel. Integrating the arts with core curriculum can be summed up in one word. That word is joy. KIMBERLEY GILES English teacher at Monte Vista High School San Ramon Valley Education Association E X T E N S I V E R E S E A R C H S H O W S improves achievement, and reduces truancy and dropout rates. It also helps 1 2 3 The arts Make you smarter The arts level they were spellbound, but also formal, stiff and reserved. I learned all that from dancing. Monte Vista High School student Monte Vista High School student Stephanie Walker Stephanie Walker 3 Integrating the arts with you smarter you smarter you smarter 10 11 S E P T E M B E R 2 013 www.cta.org S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 3 CTA officers E r i c H e i n s, M i k k i C i c h oc k i - S e m o and D ea n Vog e l congratulate K i m be r l ey G i l l e s. Righ t: Gille s w as featured in the September E d u c ato r. Teaching excellence 52 M A R C H 2 0 1 4 Educator 03 Mar 2014 v2.0 int.indd 52 3/6/14 10:53 AM