Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/63126
Robbie Kreitz and Charmaine Banther are on an amazing race to raise finds for students' programs. The Amazing Race Forget about the not-so- amazing Race to the Top, where schools have to compete against one another for government money. Two CTA chapter presidents believe they have a better opportunity on "The Amazing Race," vowing to split the $1 million grand prize evenly between their two schools if they win the TV competition. New Haven Teachers Association President Charmaine Banther and Dublin Teachers Association Presi- dent Robbie Kreitz auditioned for the reality show's upcoming season, which will begin filming in May or June. They haven't heard yet whether they made it to the next round, but they are not discouraged. They plan to go to the next 10 auditions wher- ever they are held, and won't give up until they become contestants on the show, which pits two-person teams against other teams on a trek around the world. If selected, they will be the first teacher duo on the CBS reality show, and they won't keep a dime for themselves. "Both of us are CTA presidents who have survived pink slips and layoffs," says Kreitz. "After you've sur- vived a crowded classroom of middle schoolers the first day back from summer break, a scavenger hunt in Bangkok sounds like a piece of cake. Banther, a math teacher at James " Logan High School, met Kreitz, a special education teacher at Wells Middle School, in 2010 while attend- ing CTA's Presidents Conference at Asilomar. They got lost driving to their hotel in Monterey and decided they should audition for "The Amaz- ing Race." Last December, on the spur of the moment, they jetted to Munich for a few days, where they shot their audition video and proved to themselves they are ready for the real thing. Kreitz will navigate and eat all of the "funky food" such as insects, while Banther will do all the driving and take on anything that involves height challenges. The two have created a Facebook page ("Teacher Leaders Amazing Race Bid") and are encouraged by the support they have received from col- leagues, friends, and the families of their students. "We'll try anything, " says Banther. "It's all about raising revenue. It's all about the kids." Mock companies raise real money To help his special education students learn real-life skills, Jeff Waugh cre- ated mock companies for them to run at Milpitas High School. His students run a newspaper delivery service and operate companies selling pumpkins, wreaths and flowers to those at their school. While they are learning to count change and handle responsibil- ity, they are also bringing money into school coffers. "The revenue the companies bring in is a bonus," says Waugh, a Milpitas Teachers Association member. "I can pay for transportation to take them places such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, and special educa- tion dances at other high schools in Santa Clara County. We have also purchased materials for our classes." Waugh, a fifth-year teacher who is hearing impaired, estimates that his students' business ventures have raised close to $2,500 so far this year. "These businesses give students 18 California Educator / April 2012 Reality TV! $