12 Responses to “Northview Honors Teacher, Volunteers Of The Year”

1. La'Derious on November 21st, 2009 11:57 pm

   CONGRATULATIONS Mrs. Blackburn! You have done an awesome job in teaching and educating many of the students at Northview. Keep up the good work!

2. Another NHS Educator on June 11th, 2009 5:58 pm

   As another teacher at Northview, I would just like to say, “how sad!” Mrs. Blackburn can not even enjoy the honor of being chosen Teacher of the Year. She earned it. Her peers voted for her and they feel confident in their choice. She has worked very hard for this honor and I congratulate her wholeheartedly.

3. Yet Another Teacher on June 9th, 2009 10:31 pm

   Wow, I detect a note of bitterness, Another Educator! As a member of the NHS faculty, I, too, voted for Mrs. Blackburn for teacher of the year. If you knew her better, you would know that she does not just “keep students busy” with projects — rather, these projects are a creative way to reinforce what students are learning through the study of literature, grammar, etc. Have you ever attended a workshop on differentiated instruction? If so, you should know that children learn in a variety of ways, so a “once size fits all” approach to teaching does not best serve the majority of students. Also, I know for a fact that Mrs. Blackburn spends long hours creating her lessons and grading essays, classwork, projects, etc — rather than just checking to see if a student put down any sort of answer to the questions at the end of the chapter without any concern for whether or not the student is actually learning anything!

   Oh, and for those of you who are complaining about the cost of these projects, you should know that teachers who assign them offer students multiple project choices to accomodate different financial situations. We also make it well known to students in advance that they may see us in private if they need any help in obtaining supplies; unfortunately, it’s difficult to help those who wait until the night before the project is due to begin working on it!

4. concerned2 on June 9th, 2009 12:25 pm

   Maybe she won teacher of the year because she is so innovative in the classroom. I know her kids learn a lot, and have fun doing it. I mean it is 9th grade English after all.

5. Teacher on June 9th, 2009 12:24 pm

   This is wonderful to hear, all teachers are not the same. If every teacher did the same thing students would not get an education? Education is not all about books and what is in them, imagine that. When we recognize this students will be better off. As long as the SSS’s are met, does it matter how? Another educator, are you a sore loser? How many staff members did you talk with,you didn’t ask me. And answer this,how many is many? Also this was voted on by her peers. When you don’t like someone it really shows.

6. parent on June 9th, 2009 10:13 am

   Food for Thought:
   To “Educator” I also do agree that I have never been asked to recite anything from Shakespeare. Neither have I been asked about sheild making, game board making, or my latest recipe for a renaissance recipe, etc. I do think there should be a balance between just reading and understanding literature and perhaps doing a few projects about what you are studying. To consume most of the year with these “busy” projects is not something that parents like or wish for their students. It creates more of a hassle to shop for supplies, come up with tools to make things, transport large items to the school, etc. The 9th grade teachers need to realize and remember that the 9th grade students do not have drivers license and so yes, it really does fall on the parents shoulders. It should never become the parents project…. but it does in a way if you count the miles and time they put into the projects for their student.

7. another educator (NHS) on June 9th, 2009 8:14 am

   Educator, as a fellow educator (NHS) I have spoke with staff at NHS about the projects, and I followed the guidance from Mrs. Weaver. you may recall a memo about financial hardships and assigning projects, it seems that most of the staff followed this to some degree. Others did little more than read it and move on. project based learning is ok some of the time, not all of the time. I do not like this approach to learning, nor do the sunshine state standards direct this to be the only method used. there are many teachers at NHS that do this. It is not a public slander to voice ones thoughts on this web site or any other forum. It seems you might need a refresher on what slander is. also I would add that there were several other teachers more deserving of this honor at NHS for teacher of the year. A final note, students are not lucky to be in her class, they (like all of the others) are entitled to be there. do some of them deserve to be, that will remain unanswered.

8. Parent of Upcoming Senior on June 9th, 2009 7:41 am

   My daugther had Ms. Blackburn in her freshman year. She feels that Ms. Blackburn was one of the finest teachers she has had and she learned much from her honors class.

   Congratulations to Ms. Blackburn and all who received honors this year!

9. Educator on June 8th, 2009 10:08 pm

   First of all- CONGRATULATIONS to Northview’s Finest

   To opinion -Obviously you are living in the past. How many times have you stood up at work and recited a stanza from Shakespeare? (Probably never!!) What your child was involved in was project based learning. Project based learning teaches students to investigate and be active learners. Numerous sunshine state standards are taught through project based learning and research has shown it to be highly engaging. This type of learning prepares them for college and job choices they may endeavor later. Knowing Mrs. Blackburn, I am sure much investigation went into each project. As a parent you have the right to ask questions and be active in your child‘s education. Teachers need supportive parents. At the same time, parents need to educate themselves and investigate the changing methods in education. Yes, you are correct- It is not like the old days and the old days are not like the present. Please know, I feel it is very distasteful to publicly ask or slander someone‘s teaching style. Yes, many people have encountered hardships during the economy’s downfall. Most teachers make provisions for students that are experiencing hardships. Mrs. Blackburn is active in current approaches in education and directs her classroom in an innovated manor. Students are lucky to be in her class.

10. #16 on June 8th, 2009 8:04 pm

    Good job Micah!
    That was a good picture of you!

11. just my opinion on June 8th, 2009 6:35 pm

    How can someone who just assigns projects become teacher of the year???? I know that there are teachers at that school who actually teach what they are suppose to instead of just assigning projects all year to keep the students busy! I mean, we are talking English….and that’s what the students should be learning, not how to design and paint a shield, make a renaissance costume, design a menu, make a board game, along with alot of other busy work. Not only was this very time-consumming and expensive, but absolutely ridiculous in the number of projects that were assigned. Considering the economy and hardships on families this year, you would think that teachers would try and lesson expenses for their students instead of just piling more on thier shoulders to worry about. Learning sure was different in my day…..we actually learned what we were suppose to in the classroom, not what the teacher thought might be fun!!! For you incomming freshmen…..be prepared!!!

12. bryan on June 8th, 2009 2:42 pm

    the service was good, but the food was lousy…