Glendale, Az (February 2019)
As part of the Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow initiative, each quarter Ombudsman recognizes educators who take learning to the next level by engaging their students in a 21st century hands on or collaborative manner. These are educators who strive to make learning meaningful by pushing students to be inquisitive and work beyond the basic curriculum.
First Place Winner – Alex Allegretto, Charter East II (Glendale, Az)
Our first-place winner for this quarter is Mr. Alex Allegretto of Charter Metro. We applaud his creative approach – that innovation doesn’t always require a brand new product; it can also be achieved through a new approach or modification to an existing one.
Mr. Allegretto, in collaboration with Andrea Rodriguez (another charter math teacher and fellow Innovative Educator Award winner), modified a standard Geometry project by identifying sample geometric transformations and figures found in real life.
To complete this “Geometry project with a twist,” students worked in small groups to collaborate on a music video, or on a shared Microsoft 365 document, before presenting their samples in front of the class. As noted by Charter Metro Principal Lupita Ingram, a heightened sense of peer accountability and student collaboration as seen in both student products as well as overheard conversations, all throughout this project.
Runner Up – Rachel Armock, Charter East (Phoenix, Az)
Mrs. Rachel Armock of Charter East is this quarter’s runner up. Mrs. “Am” is no stranger to innovation. She carries high expectations not only of her students but also of herself, to stay current on tech trends in education. She frequently models creative and collaborative instruction with her students, using the latest trends. As part of an English unit on The Metamorphosis, students were asked to create an obituary, letter, eulogy, or poem memorializing the life of the story’s character Gregor Samsa, using Microsoft 365 tools. Student then shared their creations during an in-class memorial. Ms. Armock will also be showcasing her innovative integrations to other Arizona Charter teachers in late February.
Thank you, Mrs. Armock and Mr. Allegretto, for your dedicated commitment to Arizona’s students!
Next quarter’s winner will be announced at the conclusion of the third quarter in April 2019. For more information about Ombudsman’s Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow initiative, please contact Associate Superintendent Michael Goto at mgoto@ombudsman.com.
