As part of Ombudsman’s Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow initiative, each quarter we recognize educators who take learning to the next level by engaging their students in a 21st century hands-on or collaborative manner. These educators strive to make learning the most meaningful by inspiring and guiding students to be inquisitive, and to work beyond the basic curriculum.
First Place Winner – Rachel Armock, East Charter (Phoenix)
With a passion for innovation, Rachel Armock is always seeking new ways to engage her students in learning. Her English students studying the Scarlet Letter gave the novel a modern twist by creating mock social media profiles for the main characters like those you’d see today on platforms such as Twitter, SnapChat, and Facebook. Students presented their creations to the class on the Promethean Board.
Runner Up – Laura Shorb, Northwest Charter (Peoria, Ariz.)
Laura Shorb, a member of the Ombudsman family for more than five years, adds to her responsibility for a variety of lab courses to host science “pull outs” twice a week. During the pull outs, students switch from their daily learning platforms to develop hypotheses and conduct experiments. Students describe Mrs. Shorb as an encouraging and helpful teacher they can seek out if they have a problem.
Thank you, Mrs. Armock and Mrs. Shorb for your commitment to Arizona’s students!
For more information about Ombudsman’s Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow initiative, contact Associate Superintendent Michael Goto at mgoto@ombudsman.com .
