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

How I Survived My First Year Teaching at YES Prep

June 14, 2011 by Laura Clare Somers

It was a sunny day in April when I got the call from Phil Wright, the fearless YES Prep Southeast Campus School Director, congratulating me on being chosen for a teaching position. I jumped for joy – well, as much as my tiny cubicle at my previous job would allow - because this was my dream job, at my dream school. I would finally have the chance to become a math teacher and serve motivated and inspiring students in a low-income area. Once over the initial excitement, the next question was: “Now what?”

It turns out, when you sign on as a first year teacher at YES Prep, there is a whole lot of “what.” I was soon contacted by leaders of Teaching Excellence, the wonderful alternative certification and teacher coaching team that supports all first year YES Prep teachers. I was to attend

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YES Prep Ranks in the Top Ten of Houston Chronicle’s Annual School Report Card

April 18, 2011 by Chris Barbic

Yesterday, the Houston Chronicle and Children at Risk released their annual School Report Card. We were thrilled to see that YES Prep Southeast was once again ranked a top ten high school in Houston, placing sixth on the list. YES Prep has been ranked on this list ever since Children At Risk and the Houston Chronicle first teamed up to create it. Starting last year, the rankings also began including the top middle schools in Houston. ALL of our eligible campuses ranked in the top 25—on a list that includes over 265 area schools. We were particularly excited to see our YES Prep Southwest campus ranked 5th on this list. As the national debate about public education and charter schools continues, we were also pleased to see that four of the top ten schools on the list were state and

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April Unbalance will Bring May Exemplary Ratings

April 04, 2011 by Jeremy Jones

Since April is a month at YES Prep that is inherently unbalanced and since as of last Friday we are, as hard as it is to believe, already in the month of April, this short essay on balance by Mark Buchanan seemed especially appropriate. Big Shout Out to Robert McBurnett, our CFO, for finding it and sending it our way!

I have long believed that “balance” is a mirage that we chase wanting to believe it will satisfy our longings, but it is illusory. Our age has its own cherished myths, and one of the most hypnotic is the myth of balance. I hear it everywhere, from old and young, city dwellers and country folk, carpenters and lawyers, students and homemakers. Everyone seeks balance. Everyone longs for that magical combining of rest and play and work that, once found, will make life

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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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Four Reasons you will love being a teacher at YES Prep

February 16, 2011 by Nella Garcia

February is the month of love, Valentine’s Day now come and gone and whether or not you buy into the holiday, I’ll use the Cupid theme as an opportunity to provide some ideas about why I love(d) being a teacher at YES Prep – maybe you might want to fall a little in love with teaching too!

Love Potion No. 1
Teaching is hilarious. When you are a teacher, there is a never ending array of student funnies that await you daily. Kids are people and people have idiosyncrasies that surprise, amaze and make you smile on the rainiest of days. I can still laugh with my colleagues about some of the antics of past students. If you are getting ready to be a teacher, get ready to hear, see and experience some of the funniest moments of your life. AND, you’ll always have someone to share the laughs

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