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

Teaching Excellence: Why Years in a Classroom Don’t Always Define Great Teachers

December 08, 2011 by Nella Garcia

As the fall school semester comes to a close, teachers from all over Houston are reflecting on their work so far this year.  This is especially true at public charter schools like YES Prep, where our intensive Teaching Excellence program ensures that our novice teachers—up to a third of our overall teaching program—receive the support and development they need to perform well in the classroom.

A recent article in the Huffington Post points to an often heard criticism of charter schools, Teach For America, and of the education reform movement as a whole.  The looming questions proposed in the aforementioned article include:

-    How can inexperienced teachers effectively teach high-risk students, a group that has traditionally needed the most attention and assistance?

-    If

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“Human Talent is Both the Constant and the Differentiator”

August 29, 2011 by Brittany Baize

1,000 educators from YES Prep Public Schools, KIPP: Houston, and Teach For America gathered on Saturday, August 27^thto celebrate their collective impact in Houston public schools.  The celebration honored fifteen Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award winners – who took home a total of $225,000 in cash awards thanks to the generous philanthropy of Nancy and Richard Kinder. 

Among the special guests and speakers was Jeff Cohen, Editor of the Houston Chronicle, as well as families traveling in to surprise the award winners.  The theme of the evening was summed up when Cohen toasted attendees saying, “When it comes to facing challenges, team beats individual. ”  The three organizations collectively educate about 27,000 students in Houston and have redefined the look, feel, and achievement

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yBlazer Studios Releases New Short: Building Classroom Culture with Jamie Elfenbein of YES Prep

March 31, 2011 by Jeremy Jones

YES Prep West 6th grade ELA teacher and all-around amazing person, Jamie Elfenbein was recently featured in a YES Prep yBlazer Studios video produced by teacher Craig Brandenburg.  One theme we wanted to highlight with Jamie was her ability to build spirit and family in her classroom which I think this video does a good job showing.  However, if you ever get the chance to visit her classroom, you should see it

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Teacher Feature: YES Prep Teacher and Teach For America Alum Brian Lawton

February 10, 2011 by Jeremy Jones

Brian Lawton teaches 6th grade science at YES Prep Southeast and is a Teach For America Alum.  His father was in the Air Force so he grew up in a few different places but I spent most of his late childhood and teenage years in Apopka, FL (just outside of Orlando).  He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Biology.  We recently had the chance to sit down with Brian to talk a little about him and teaching!

In your class, what do you get most excited about teaching?
I love almost every topic in Science so it’s pretty easy for me to get excited about any of it. I have to say that Earth and Space science topics excite me the most, though because the knowledge is much more fresh. I didn’t study Geology or Astronomy in high school or college so I’ve had to learn it along

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YPNC Teacher Says: This Place wouldn’t be the same without the great teachers here

February 03, 2011 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.

Annalane Brigdon is a first year Teach For America Corps Member.  She is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and graduated from Louisiana State University in the spring of 2010 with a degree in Biological Engineering.  She teachers algebra and

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