2018 Blackboard Award Honoree: Hope Friend

Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2018 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!

Hope Friend
Grade 6, Language Arts
Isaac Newton Middle School for
Math and Science

Tell us about some of the special joys and challenges you’ve experienced as
a teacher.

It brings me great joy to share my passion for literature with my students. It is often a challenge to instill a love of reading in students who may not have previously experienced the pleasure of embarking on a literary journey or who lack the skills to read fluently and enjoy a book on their own. It is
delightful to see students beg for a chance to portray a literary character and spill into the hall talking about the literature we are exploring in class.

Please share a special project or achievement that you are particularly proud of from this year.

In the fall, my grade 6 ELA students read a novel featuring a main character with a physical disability. Students laughed (and wept openly) at the triumphs and frustrations facing the protagonist of this honest book. As a culminating activity for this unit, we invited Sarah Kim, a Barnard College student with Cerebral Palsy, to come and meet the students. Eighty-five sixth-graders listened with rapt attention as our guest shared the details and struggles of her personal and academic life.

Hope Friend with president of Family Media Jonathan Moore. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein.

What keeps you motivated and committed to being a dedicated and hard-working educator?

After more than 30 years as a middle school teacher, I am still excited to return to school each September. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to open one surprise package after another, because each new student is a gift. It is these same unique characteristics that motivate me to clarify a complex topic, to try new methods and materials, and to motivate students to understand curriculum and help apply it to real life.

What do you love about your school?

It is a privilege for me to be part of the Isaac Newton Middle School community! I love the fact that the classroom experience at INMS feeds and fosters the imagination, intellect, and creativity of all students to strengthen their readiness for the demands of the 21st Century. Of course, great schools cannot exist without great groups of kids, and the students at INMS are truly here to discover, grow, and experience life.

Sylvan Learning Center

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The Co-op School

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #fefefe; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Founded in 2003, the Co-op School is a student-centered and parent-aided cooperative school serving preschool through 8th grade at their new building located in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The Co-op School provides a safe and stimulating micro-environment in which students experiment and learn. Their approach to teaching kindergarten through eighth grade is firmly rooted in our philosophy that students learn best when they are invested in finding answers to their own questions. Their teachers use the Responsive Classroom approach to facilitate this process and provide meaningful learning experiences for each student, preparing them for the grades ahead. As students learn to work together, preparing for a global environment, families also work in committees and on the board to support the school and its core values: compassion, uniqueness, innovation, community action, and joy. Families interested in joining our community are welcome to reach out for a one-on-one meeting by emailing <span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1a73e8; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="color: #1155cc;" href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a> to learn more about their approach to learning; their newly built facility, which is optimized for airflow and safety; and their cooperative commitment.

Amazing Explorers Academy Williamsburg

Welcome to Amazing Explorers Academy, a premier STEAM-based preschool dedicated to fostering a love of learning and exploration in children aged 0 to 5. Our innovative and dynamic programs provide a nurturing environment where young minds can thrive and develop essential skills that will shape their future. At Amazing Explorers Academy, we embrace the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) approach, integrating these disciplines into our comprehensive curriculum. Through hands-on experiences and age-appropriate activities, children are encouraged to inquire, investigate, and discover, igniting their natural curiosity. We have many Enrichment programs included in our curriculum like Tiny Chefs, where your child is introduced to the joys of cooking and nutrition. Under the guidance of our incredible team, they learn to create delicious and healthy treats, fostering independence and creativity in the kitchen. Music and Movement is another integral part of our curriculum, enhancing children's motor skills, coordination, and self-expression. Beyond being a creative outlet, music&rsquo;s rhythmic and melodic patterns stimulate the brain, exercising it and aiding memory development. We also place a strong emphasis on Nature Exploration, recognizing the importance of connecting with the natural world. Nature as a classroom allows children to engage all their senses, appreciate nature, and form stronger connections to their environment and community. Central to our philosophy is the belief in the power of play-based learning. We understand that children learn best through play, and our skilled educators design play-based activities that promote cognitive, social, and emotional development. Play-based learning nurtures creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills, all essential for success in the 21st century. Our highly trained and caring teachers are committed to creating a safe and nurturing atmosphere, where every child feels valued and supported. At Amazing Explorers Academy, we strive to inspire a lifelong love of learning, providing a solid foundation for future academic and personal achievements. Join us on this exciting journey of exploration and discovery, where every day is an opportunity to learn, play, and grow together!