In a district where many of her students live in poverty or high-crime neighborhoods, Donna’s dedication to her students reaches beyond the school day. In Donna’s classroom, her goal isn’t just about raising reading achievement and test scores; it’s about improving her students’ lives as a whole. Donna sets aside time to work one-on-one with students to set goals for the school year. It’s important to Donna that her students see their own potential to succeed, which is why she provides them with exposure to the endless possibilities for their future. By expanding on the careers introduced by the rBook, Donna has created a chart which shows the Lexile level necessary for different careers; this chart pushes students to work toward their goals while teaching them that they have control of their future and can achieve their “dream job.”

As a READ 180 teacher, she has watched her students’ confidence grow throughout the school year. According to Donna, “It is gratifying to see quiet students ‘find their voices,’ formerly ambivalent readers sitting enrapt in their latest read, and once-reluctant students crowding around the door to come in early for class.”

Donna is an inspiration to both her students and fellow teachers. Congratulations, Donna!

• What has been the most rewarding aspect of teaching READ 180?
• What was your most memorable READ 180 moment?
• What’s your secret to success with READ 180? 
• Tell us about a time your READ 180 students surprised you. 

What has been the most rewarding aspect of teaching READ 180?
The most rewarding aspect of teaching READ 180 has been watching students begin to see themselves differently.  It never fails to amaze me as I observe them redefining themselves as they gain more confidence in their abilities and their increased potential for the future. ^ Back to Top

What was your most memorable READ 180 moment?
I had a young student who was having an incredibly rough year.  He had gone through some major changes at home and was bringing his frustrations and anger into the classroom with him every day.  It was affecting not only him, but the other students as well.  One day, I pulled him aside after class and we sat and talked.  I told him that I knew he was carrying a heavy load, but that he would have to leave that load outside the door of the classroom because we simply didn’t have room for anything that big in our classroom.  I asked him to find a spot outside the door where he thought he could mentally stow it before coming in…I assured him that it would be there waiting for him when the class was over.  The next day, he walked into the room, looked up at me and paused.  “I’ll be right back,” he blurted out.  He then proceeded out the door, took his two hands and physically went through the motions of hanging up “his burden” outside the door.  When he walked back in, he was a different student…it was a revelation to him that he could do such a thing (and I honestly think he forgot to pick it back up when he left!). ^ Back to Top

What’s your secret to success with READ 180? 
I see my students as “A” students and expect them to discover the “A” student within themselves.  They have ideas of what it is that defines a successful student, and each student writes a composition for me outlining the behaviors they will adopt in order to become the “A” student they want to be. ^ Back to Top

Tell us about a time your READ 180 students surprised you. 
The kids had heard that I was celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary, and they were completely intrigued by the whole idea.  One of the students made a card and managed to circulate it around to the whole class without me catching on.  It was such a sweet surprise! ^ Back to Top