Great American Award Requirements

School is a place where individuals grow, develop, and explore their future interests. This necessitates that the classroom is an environment where students feel supported, respected, and competent. I

The attitude and characteristics of a middle school teacher greatly influence student learning, behaviour, confidence and sense of community. Middle school teachers should be aware of the physical, social, emotional and cognitive developments of middle year students. It is very important middle school teachers come prepared and design effective engaging lessons to impart knowledge to students. Teachers must develop vividness and interest of students using creative and innovative ways of learning strategies. They should also develop the capacity and flexibility to negotiate and plan the curriculum around students’ needs, interests, and learning styles. Effective teachers motivate students with a positive attitude

My first semester at CGCC, I accepted the challenge of being a recipient of such an award. I focused on my academics to ensure that I had reached the minimum GPA requirements. My focal point was so strong that I chose surrender my vacation during Spring break. Instead, I worked on perfecting my scholastic craft. Thankfully, I received the award every semester thereafter: Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017 and ongoing.

Dr. Alicia Noyola, Chief Academic Officer presented the topic “College and Career Readiness – The Middle School Journey”. This topic is aligned with the Strategic Plan, specifically goals one and four. She stated that a Middle School Transformation Design Team was created last fall to address college and career readiness at the middle school level. Dr. Noyola reviewed the journey that the District has taken regarding early literacy and high school redesign. Since middle schools are the bridge between elementary and high school, the Design Team looked at some of the unique challenges middle schools face in order to transform the middle school experience.

When I made the transition from fifth to sixth grade, I was coming to terms with who I wanted to be as a student. All throughout elementary school, I had performed well, but I had never truly applied myself or cared about my work. Mrs. Medsker changed that.

Many factors will be considered in qualifying for the National Honors Society. Being accepted into the National Honor Society is an honor that is not bestowed upon everyone. Only the students who are most fit will be approved. Having this opportunity to get the chance to prove myself and hopefully be accepted is already rewarding. Some characteristics that can possibly heighten one’s likelihood of being accepted include being responsible, social, and intelligent. Though there are many more traits, these are only a few qualities that should be present in a candidate for the National Honors Society.

I am truly honored to be one of the candidates for National Honors Society this year. I’ve seen what a difference this society makes in our school, and I believe that my leadership skills would make a valuable contribution to this organization. This last year I was made the president of our school's Thespian Society and have been a strong leader for our troupe. It is my job to make sure meetings run smoothly and oversee that the agenda is getting done efficiently and effectively. In addition to theater, last year I was the witch in our marching band’s show, “Emerald City.” Basically, my role was to direct the band for part of the show and help lead the members to their proper positions and placements. Making sure all of the props for the show were placed and stored correctly was a priority as well. This was a lot to take on as a sophomore and required extra time outside of practice to make sure that it got done.

Looming in front of me was something new, a fresh start. Despite being this, it seemed cold and trying, something that sent shivers down my spine. Mixed emotions of uncertainty and optimism had filled my first day of middle school; and as my final year is drawing to a close, I realize that this place-this transitional time in my life- is something that I never want to leave. I created a home away from home, and a family, over the short three years spent learning here. Each school year, from first to concluding, brought new experiences in which have altered my life. These are the things that I am hoping to carry over into high school-my next chapter. Every experience in which middle school has brought leaves me changed indefinitely, shaped for the future ahead.

From what I see, the easiest way to do this is have money, connections, a growth mindset, mindfulness, or have a love and desire to do something. Programs such as the American Honors Program is nothing more than a building block for success-- molding and shaping the current me to having a better future.

“…apart from the prime and given responsibility of teaching selected content and skills, middle school teachers must be about the business of helping students believe in themselves, form their character, discover their interests, nurture their potential, gain a sound perspective on their physical development and related health issues, and develop those universally and critically important humanitarian and social skills—all while daring them to be their best selves, to breath deeply, and to live well at the moment.”

I am deeply honored to be among students who are being considered for National Honor Society. I had no idea this program existed until I was informed last year. Finding out about NHS lit a fire under my butt to do much better in school. Freshman and Sophomore year I did not do to swell in my academics. I had to get my life together and focus on my future. My change of heart in school has really helped me to become a better person and achieve great things.

On September 1, 2012, I walked into my fifth grade teacher’s classroom for the first time in my life. Mrs.Cullen was standing in the front of the door with open arms ready to welcome her new fifth grade students. As I made my way to my desk and sat down next to Charlie Schutt and Quin Timmerman, I got the feeling that middle school would be a time of talking to some of my best friends and cruising through classes. As the school year progressed, and classroom seats changed, my thought of how Middle school would be changed as well. On the first day Mrs.Cullen explained our schedule, Homework detentions, and demerits. After about fifty questions, she sent us off to our first class, and the first step of our Middle School journey. The fifth grade

Whenever I first began middle school, I was well aware of the new and divergent obstacles I would come across. The classes would become more advanced, teachers more strict, and lunches more disgusting. During my 6th-grade year, this change became clear. As my homework was piling up, so was my stress. Balancing school, sports, and family time had never been an unchallenging task, but I never have and never will let that be the reason for my grades to drop. The immense amount of effort I put into school is one consistent quality I possess that will never disintegrate, as opposed to what one teacher said.

Many students worry about how their middle school years will go. Middle school is a very important part of a student’s education. Middle school is their initiation into high school and could really impact their future. Many elementary school students think that they are prepared and can do well in middle school, but many are not ready. Also, students who do not do well in middle school tend to not do well in high school. One lesson I would like to teach elementary school students is how to survive middle school, which is important because it will lead them to a better future by being prepared, managing time, and knowing how to problem solve.

Fifth grade started a whole new chapter in life. It started with a new school with both familiar and unfamiliar faces and with that, new challenges that included trying to fit in with your peers. Not until I started getting questions like, “You get free lunch? How?” or being stared at while standing in the ‘free lunch line’ as it was called in school, did I realize that I was different