The Answer - A blog about Education, Preparation, and Commitment.

YES Prep South Welcomes the Class of 2017

August 30, 2010 by Sarah Straub

“17… 16… 15… 14…”  began the countdown – an odd number choice to start with, yes… but representative of the guests of honor: YES Prep South’s class of 2017.   On Tuesday, 24 August 2010, over three hundred students, parents, siblings, and teachers gathered at the India House on West Bellfort St. to celebrate a YES Prep tradition – when new sixth grade students have earned their uniform shirts and can now represent their school. 

“… 13… 12… 11… 10…” Parents of students brought in delicious appetizers, entrees, snacks, and deserts which made apparent one of YES Preps Thinks and Acts: “We are a family-oriented school.”  Seventh graders volunteered their time to make sure the ambience was just right, hanging crimson colored streamers, setting up a crimson inspired buffet line and

Continue reading YES Prep South Welcomes the Class of 2017...

--
2 Comments

Teacher Feature: Agnes Adeyemi of YES Prep East End

August 29, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

For the past ten years, 100% of YES Prep's graduating seniors have been accepted to top colleges and universities across the country.  The success of our students is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers, a group of individuals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds united by a sense of frustration at the status quo.  We believe that teachers are the single greatest factor determining student achievement.  In our weekly series, the Teacher Feature, we hope to show off our greatest resource: our teachers.

Agnes Adeyemi

• Agnes grew up in Houston
• Graduated from Texas A&M in 2009 with a degree in political science
• 2009 TeachForAmerica Corps Member
• Teaches middle school social studies at YES Prep East End

Who was your favorite teacher?

Continue reading Teacher Feature: Agnes Adeyemi of YES Prep East End...

--
0 Comments

23 Things to Know about Teach For America Aluma and YES Prep Southwest teacher Reem Semaan

August 27, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

1. Name: Reem Semaan

2. Position: Bio Instructor/9th GLC

3. Years of Experience: 3rd year

4. Family: Mom, Dad, 1 older brother

5. Hometown: Greensboro, NC

6. Birthday: March 1, 1986

7. College: UNC-Chapel Hill

8. Major/Minor: BIOLOGY!!/Chemistry

9. Favorite (it was movie but I changed it) Show: How I met your Mother

10. Favorite Food: Shawerma (Mary’z on Richmond has the best)

11. Hobby: Dancing, reading, movies, grading…(hah)

12. Pets: None, but I used to have 2 fish

13. Growing up, I wanted to be: A Doctor! (Teaching is actually making me reconsider)

14. The one thing I can’t live without: FAMILY!

15. The world would be a better place if: Everyone had respect for others

16. If I could go back and do one thing differently: I would have

Continue reading 23 Things to Know about Teach For America Aluma and YES Prep Southwest teacher Reem Semaan...

--
0 Comments

Do my students qualify for special ed?

August 26, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

Dear Learning Lab,

There is a new student in my class who is taking longer to get adjusted than their classmates. They are having trouble staying organized, following directions, and completing classwork and homework. I’ve been working closely with them, but progress is very slow. Could they qualify for Special Ed?

Overwhelmed Olivia

Dear Overwhelmed,

All students go through an adjustment period at YES Prep. It is difficult to manage all of our systems and expectations right off the bat! But if you have noticed that this student is continuing to struggle after other students seem well-adapted, here are some suggestions for you:

 Pair the student with a responsible buddy to help with note-taking and filling in their agenda.

 Have an organizational check-in

Continue reading Do my students qualify for special ed?...

--
0 Comments

Senior Feature: YES Prep Southwest’s Raven Rathers

August 25, 2010 by Jeremy Jones

This year, YES Prep Southwest will graduate its first class of seniors and 100% of them will be accepted into a four-year college or university.  We are excited to celebrate the success of this inagural class of seniors by featuring them each week on our blog.  The success of our students is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our teachers who do whatever it takes to ensure more students like Raven have a chance at a great education. 

Hi! My name is Raven Rathers. I am a 12th grader and I have been at YES Prep Southwest since my 7th grade year. I have struggled throughout my time at YES Prep but I refuse to give up. I am hardworking and very focused. Last year, I was having a hard time deciding whether or not I would stay at YES Prep for my senior year and when all of my

Continue reading Senior Feature: YES Prep Southwest’s Raven Rathers...

--
4 Comments