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YES Prep teachers “shout” at each other

December 18, 2009 by Jeremy Jones

Taking time to thank a co-worker has become an integral part of many of the YES Prep campuses. It is nice to feel appreciated for going that extra mile. Many campuses are using “Two Claps for …” I thought it might be interesting for others to hear the history of how the “Two Claps for…” came to be.

(Cut to scene of me, sitting by fireplace, surrounded by Houston’s best and brightest educators. We are all drinking hot chocolate and wearing our leopard-print Snuggies)

Back in 2005, I was a corps member advisor at Teach For America’s Houston Institute. The Curriculum Specialist of my school was a guy by the name of Matt Radigan. Matt taught kindergarten in his placement school and started doing shout outs with his students. After giving a shout-out to a student the rest of the class would applaud, but they had a difficult time figuring out when to stop clapping. So he decided that to be fair to each student, they would get only TWO CLAPS. Thus, a tradition was born!

I brought it to North Central and thanks to people like Nella Garcia, the Two Claps have spread like a bee carrying pollen to flowers so that they can be fertilized and reproduce into more flowers. A lot of people like flowers.

(Cut to close-up of teacher with hand raised in the air…it is you and you look amazing)

YOU: What does a typical “Shout-Out Session” look like?

Great question, you! At North Central, we meet every Friday for 15 minutes. The time is broken down like such.

- 10 Minutes = Extended Shout-Outs

o During this time, you can shout-out anyone for anything. You are able to tell a BRIEF story if that helps explains why this person deserves Two Claps.

- 1 Minute = Self-Shout-Outs –

o I basically started this one for me. People are always forgetting all the great things many of us do. This is a time to shout yourself out for something someone probably just forgot that you did. This is all done in good fun. People have also used this time to shout others out for great fashion choices!

- 2 Minutes = Rapid Fire Shout-Outs –

o You have 4 seconds to give a shout-out to someone. Usually you have time to say the person’s name and two words about why they are awesome. Very funny! It goes fast so be ready!

(Cut to close-up teacher with hand raised in the air…AGAIN…it’s you)

YOU: Do you JUST do “Two Claps for…” or are there other types of Shout-Outs?

Another great question, you! The Two Claps have evolved into a number of “special” shout-outs. Below, I have listed a few of our favorites.

1.) BASIC SHOUT-OUT

a. “Two claps for Bill, One…Two”

i. CLAP, CLAP

2.) THREE IN A ROW

a. If you get three shout-outs in a row, you receive the Train or a high five

b. “Two Claps and a train for Bill, One…Two…”

i. CLAP, CLAP, WOO, WOO, Come on ride it!!!

3.) FOUR IN A ROW

a. If you get four shout-outs in a row, you receive a High Five.

b. “Two Claps and a high five for Bill, One…Two…”

i. CLAP, CLAP and then high five someone next to you (best to plan ahead)

4.) FIVE IN A ROW

a. If you get five consecutive Shout-outs, everyone bows down to you.

b. “Two Claps and a bow for Bill, One…Two…”

i. CLAP, CLAP (and then turn and silently bow towards the person)

5.) MOST SHOUT-OUTS OF THE SESSION

a. If you are the person who receives the most Shout-Outs in a session, you receive a pile-on at the end of the session. Yes, the entire staff piles on you. This happens at the end of the Shout-Out session. You can pass if you’d like…or try not to be so awesome next week!

6.) EMOTIONAL SHOUT-OUT

a. If someone gives a Shout-Out and it makes people go “Awww” they get this version

b. “Two Claps and a tear for Bill, One…Two…”

i. CLAP, CLAP and then with a finger, trace a tear from your eye down your check and say “Awww!”

So, friends, that concludes our History of the YES Prep Shout-Outs. I hope you learned something new! Have a great rest of the school year! Two claps for YOU!

Brandenburg on Edutopia This post was authored by YES Prep North Central yBlazer teacher Craig Brandenburg who also sits on the George Lucas Educational Foundation Advisory Board. Craig is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio and a TeachForAmerica Alum.