GCS Insider - Making a Difference

 

Travis Turley:  Making a Difference at Eastern Middle

 

Travis Turley is living his dream. Every day he gets to teach and coach young minds. “I always knew that my past, present and future would revolve around sports,” said Turley, a P.E. teacher and coach at Eastern Middle. “In high school, I realized that the best way for me to be surrounded by sports would be through teaching.”

Turley credits his high school teacher and coach, Duncan Moore, with playing a large part in his career choice. The decision was solidified in college by another teacher, Kevin Carter. After high school, Turley attended his hometown’s community college in Elizabeth City to get a small taste of university life before making the ultimate commitment. He later graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he made lifelong friendships, figured out the fundamentals of teaching P. E. and met the woman of his dreams.

After graduation he heard about a P.E. position at Eastern Middle. He applied and got the jobs as head football coach and boys track coach. Turley is passionate about P.E. and the reasons that it appeals to him. “I always enjoyed the wide openness of the gym, the ability to let out all of your built up anxiety and emotions, the competitiveness and of course, the basketball games - it’s a North Carolina thing,” smiles Turley. “Now I have a chance to try and instill these same passions into my students and along the way develop them into positive, healthy living, physically active, productive, responsible and polite citizens in today’s society.  I am using P.E. to help these kids grow up.”

Turley’s teaching strategies center on the individual student’s ability to work well with others. He also creates strategies for new challenges. One strategy involves taking the basic skills necessary for a particular sport and using them in other closely related activities or totally opposite ones. “The teacher’s enthusiasm has so much to do with the excitement level of each student,” explained Turley.

One of his techniques includes using hip-hop music with educational lyrics to motivate students to study for End-of-Grade testing. “I would love to motivate them to understand how important the tests really are,” said Turley. “If I can demonstrate the fun side of every sport or activity, then my students will be led to success that ultimately opens the door for application of learned skills.” He plans to produce hip-hop songs for sports teams at EMS and for his wife’s jump rope team at Brightwood Elementary.

Turley believes in using progression in his education. “Progression is the greatest tool in teaching, and sports are no different,” said Turley. According to Turley, the key is to introduce the basics at a young age and continue each year to add different strategies to build on what students have learned.

Lastly, he teaches that the emphasis on sports should not be on winning, but rather the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of a sport and develop the intensity that is necessary to be successful in middle school.

Coworker Stephanie Leddon admires Turley’s teaching methods. “Travis is one of the most exciting people I have ever worked beside,” said Leddon. “He is an extremely motivational coach and dedicated to his students. Travis has well-planned lessons using tons of creativity.”

Turley’s challenges are the same as other teachers: being able to relate to students, concern for student safety and well-being, being a role model, as well as making education interesting and fun. He keeps his skills fresh by sharing ideas with colleagues and his wife, who is also a GCS P.E. teacher and by attending professional development classes. If all else fails, he improves on old methodologies by applying his own innovative teaching methods, also known as the “Turley Twist.”

“My goals for the future are to continue teaching and coaching, obtaining my national board certification and getting a master’s degree,” said Turley. “I want to be a better teacher for my students and a good provider for my children.”  

He sums it up with a smile. “I am in my fifth year teaching at EMS, and it has been wonderful.  My first years were very tough, but they taught me that experience is the best teacher, and the deeper I get into this profession the easier it gets, and the closer I get to reaching the goals that young boy made so many years ago.”

Do you know GCS employees that should be spotlighted for their efforts on and off the job? Contact Lynne Brandon at 370-8353 or brandol@gcsnc.com to share their stories.

 

 

GCS Insider - Employee of the Month

 

You might call Cathy Bakoulas an Andrews High expert. For more than 20 years, the office support professional has quietly and calmly kept things moving smoothly. But Andrews High is more than just where she works; it’s where she graduated from high school in 1975. It’s also where her children went to school. With so many personal ties to the school, Bakoulas makes it her priority to do whatever it takes to get the job done and done well.

Many nominations were submitted on Bakoulas’ behalf, but they all used the same words to describe her: calm, kind, knowledgeable, unflappable, friendly and positive. No matter what is going on at the time, Bakoulas gives each caller and visitor her kind attention. According to Andrews High Principal Monique Wallace, Bakoulas never meets a stranger.

The faculty and staff at Andrews High recognize the important role that Bakoulas plays in daily operations. “Mrs. Bakoulas exemplifies and exceeds the true meaning of what Guilford County School employees represent,” Wallace said. In recognition of Bakoulas’ exceptional work and dedication, she was selected as the November GCS Employee of the Month.

As Employee of the Month, Bakoulas received a $50 gift card from Sam’s Club, which has partnered with GCS to support the employee recognition program.

 

During the month of November, her photo will hang at all GCS main offices as well as the Wendover Avenue Sam’s Club. In addition, the Guilford County Board of Education will recognize her at its November 8 meeting.

 

Do you know an employee who goes above and beyond the call of duty in his/her job? Let us know! Click on the following link to submit your nomination form online: http://www.gcsnc.com/emp_month/emp_month.htm

 

 

 

 

GCS Insider - Technology Update

 

Recently, we reported that GCS is adding wireless capability to its schools, and many facilities are already working efficiently with the wireless technology provided. Those schools that are not yet wireless are scheduled to make the transition within the next school year. As we continue to offer our students the best education, it is imperative to provide this tech-savvy generation with the tools they need to perform at maximum capacity and efficiency.  

 

To better inform you of such advances, The Insider will begin a regular series on technology. Look for more information in the coming months.

 

Here are some of the most frequent questions asked about technology in GCS:

 

When did GCS start using wireless technology?

 

The GCS Math Project was the first major initiative that took advantage of wireless access. Math teachers in Mission Possible schools attended the UNCG Summer Math Institute in 2007 and were given wireless laptops. We expanded coverage to include high school math classrooms in July 2007. Currently, 75 teachers are using laptops in their classes.

 

Additionally, a collaborative effort between the Cisco Learning Institute and GCS got off the ground in October.  The initiative provided 20 GCS math teachers with a laptop, Webcam and data projector to use in the classroom. The Institute works with those teachers on technology integration within their math curriculum.  As a follow-up, each of the 20 original teachers will train seven additional teachers next school year. Cisco has also agreed to provide 140 additional laptops for the project to be implemented in several middle and elementary schools.

 

What is the status of wireless access installation in middle and high schools?

 

 GCS installed wireless “hot spots” in all high schools prior to the beginning of the 2006-07 school year. The “hot spots” provided wireless access to the Internet in the common areas of the schools such as the media centers, office areas, cafeterias and student areas. Access is available to valid network users and to visitors needing temporary access.  Each school received five wireless laptops for “student checkout” during the school day.

 

Prior to the beginning of the 2007-08 school year, campus-wide wireless access was installed in all middle schools. This access includes classrooms. Each middle school will also have five wireless laptops for its use by end of the year.

 

What is the plan to provide campus-wide wireless access in all high schools?

 

Wireless technology has been a huge success. Although there is demand for more coverage, GCS has more than 80 wireless users on the wireless network at any given time. One of the major projects for 2007-08 is to include all classrooms and provide campus-wide wireless access in all high schools.

 

Will elementary schools be considered for wireless technology in future years?

 

Yes. The plans call for including elementary schools in 2008-09.

 

Does funding for the wireless project come from the district’s budget or other sources?

 

Local technology funding pays for the wireless access program. In new or renovated schools, wireless access is included in the bond construction monies for technology.

 

What are some of the primary benefits for students and teachers of campus-wide wireless access?

• Extend the same functions of the wired network to a wireless one.

• Visitors to the schools making presentations are able to access their Web sites.

• Central office employees can work remotely while at school sites and have access to their office computers. 

• Teachers can have the mobility of laptop computers.

 

How many computers does GCS replace per year?  What is the replacement cycle?

 

GCS owns more than 23,500 computers. Computers are replaced on a five-year plan, typically on a school-by-school basis, which totals more than 4,700 computers annually. The total cost of the replacement plan for computers and printers is approximately $5.6 million annually. Technology funding for bond schools greatly contributes to the ability to meet the replacement plan.

 

How much money does GCS spend annually on computers?

Although the largest expense is the purchase of computers, GCS spends $10 million annually on technology including ongoing costs needed to support the overall program. Internet access cost has greatly increased and continues to contribute to the trend of ongoing costs as well as virus protection, spam control, filtering software, etc.

 

What is the computer-to-student ratio?

 

Guilford County’s instructional ratio is one computer for every 3.35 students. The state average is one computer to 3.48 students.

 

What are the major areas of funding sources for GCS technology?

 

GCS technology is funded by a combination of local, bond, state, federal and grant monies.

 

How many schools have Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)? How many are expected to receive this technology?

 

Currently, 17 schools have VoIP installed. There is funding for eight additional schools to be implemented this school year. VoIP has similar features to traditional phone systems. Like traditional phone systems, telephones are installed in all classrooms and all teachers have voicemail accounts. With VoIP, voicemail messages are also available through email.

 

What new technology/software is GCS installing in schools?

• Wireless installation in schools is ongoing until completion in 2009.
• For current bond schools, audio enhancement systems are provided for all classrooms.  The teacher wears a small microphone and speaks at their normal voice level. The sound uses a “spread” technology that distributes the sound evenly to all students.
• Classrooms are being equipped with interactive solutions to teaching. In most situations, an AV cart is provided that includes a projector, a document camera and an Interwrite SchoolPad. The SchoolPad is a handheld device that works like a SmartBoard. It is cheaper and gives the teacher freedom to move around the room. Students can also use the device.
• Many schools are using laptop carts with wireless access to software and the Internet. The carts provide a portable lab situation that can be moved to the classroom without the expense of extra wiring and electricity.
• New schools are receiving VoIP systems.
• Installation of standalone projectors.
• Video Over IP is a new option that is being studied for its feasibility for the district.
• Northern High teachers will receive laptops in the place of desktops for a more mobile computing solution.
• Microsoft Office 2007 is being rolled out to schools and central offices as computers are replaced.
• United Streaming software has been purchased for the entire district. United Streaming provides searchable access to thousands of full videos and clips on hundreds of subjects.

What is our bandwidth? 
GCS  implemented a MetroE (Ethernet) solution which is a very dependable fiber-based wide area network.  All high schools and middle schools have 50 megabytes per second (Mbps) access, and all elementary schools have 10 Mbps access.

How many schools have Internet access?

In our latest Annual Media and Technology Report, GCS reported that all schools have Internet access, and 99.77% of all classrooms are networked.

 

GCS Tech Facts:

• GCS Help Desk tickets closed for 2006-07 was 16,170.

• GCS has 23,500 desktops.

• GCS received 200 million inbound e-mails from the Internet in the past two years.

• 139 million e-mails were identified as SPAM and blocked over the same period.
  
  
• GCS handles 250,000 internal e-mails on average per day.
  
  
• A weekly average Internet page count for the district usage would be around 3.5 million pages served.

  

 

GCS Insider - Quick Notes

 

November 2007

Americare Indian Heritage Month
Arab Heritage Month

• 11        Veterans Day
• 11-17   Youth Appreciation Week
• 12-16   American Education Week
• 12-16   National Children’s Book Week
• 13        National Community Education Day
• To draw attention to the importance of community education programs
• 14        Education Support Professionals Day
• To keep public aware of what schools are doing, co-sponsored by National Education Alliance, National PTA
• 15        National Parental Involvement Day
• 18-24   National Family Week

 

Holidays in November:

 GCS offices are closed on November 12 in observance of Veterans Day. In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, GCS offices are closed on November 22 and 23.

 

American Education Week:
American Education Week is November 12-16, and this year’s theme is “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility.” A variety of events are planned throughout the week, including recognition of Education Support Professionals Day. For more information, please contact Mark Jewell, Guilford County Association of Educators president, at 299-9601, or go to the National Education Association Web site.

 

GCS Celebrates 88th Annual Children’s Book Week
November 12-18, 2007 marks the 88th annual celebration of Children’s Book Week.  This year’s theme is “Rise up Reading!”  School libraries throughout GCS will be celebrating reading in a variety of ways including book fairs, bookmark contests, dramatic readings, author visits, guest readers, family nights, book character parades and other literacy activities. The Children’s Book Council, the national sponsor of Children’s Book Week, encourages all parents and caregivers to spend time with their children during this week exploring the exciting world of children’s books available in GCS school libraries.  More information on Children’s Book Week can be found at www.cbcbooks.org.

Mission Possible Update
After only one year of program implementation, more than a quarter of a million dollars was awarded to almost 25% of the Mission Possible faculty. The initiative was started to recruit and retain the very best teachers.  To read the November newsletter click here. For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Holcombe, director Mission Possible, at 370-8091.

 

GCS Insider - Cornerstone

Granparents Raising Grandchildren

By John Holt, Cornerstone Psychological Services

  

The 2000 U.S. Census reports that there were close to 2.5 million households with grandparents raising their grandchildren, and it is likely that the number has increased substantially in the past seven years. Grandparents raising grandchildren are a diverse group ranging in ages from the 30’s to the 70’s with 57% still in the work force and 17% living in poverty.

Children usually move in with grandparents as infants or preschoolers and typically remain with them for five or more years at a time when the grandparents are usually ready to simplify their lives and slow down. Taking on a parenting role at this time in their lives can lead to feelings of grief, anger, loss, resentment and possibly guilt, and the financial burdens can be substantial. Not to mention the culture shock at having to deal with children and adolescents of a different generation.

Children removed from their parental homes are at increased risk for emotional trauma, and many children living with grandparents arrive with preexisting problems or risk factors including abuse, neglect, prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol and loss of parents (e.g., death, abandonment and incarceration). Even babies and toddlers can suffer with mental health difficulties, so it is important that caregivers be alert to the behaviors that may signal a serious problem and contact a pediatrician or mental health professional for help.

 

If you are caring for your grandchild, you must do your best to meet their needs, but you must also take care of yourself or you won’t be in a position to take care of the children at all. So put your own physical and emotional health first. Selfish? Not if you want to be the best grandparent for your grandchild. Proper exercise, relaxation, healthy diet, limited alcohol, enjoyable activities and humor are all important components of a healthy lifestyle. And ask for help – you cannot do everything yourself.

 

Support groups (local and Internet), church family, good friends who understand and a variety of agencies (Social Services, schools, health department, community health centers and mental health centers) are at your disposal if you seek them out.

As you work to create a healthy and safe environment, both physically and emotionally, for your grandchild, don’t forget to have fun with them. Positive interactions, being “firm yet kind" (with an emphasis on kind), playing and laughing on their level (relearn this if you must) can help you remember what is really important because some things matter and some things just don't. And if you look back when raising your own children and wish you’d done some things differently, well now’s your chance. Grandparents bring the benefit of experience and perspective and can provide important stability, predictability and be a healthy role model for their grandchildren.

While stressful and often overwhelming, caring for your grandchild can be very positive and rewarding. Communicate well, maintain appropriate rules and boundaries, be flexible and keep that ever important sense of humor. After all, you are doing the most meaningful and important job in the world – growing a kid.

 John Holt, Cornerstone Psychological Services (CPS). CPS is the district’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers five free counseling sessions per year to eligible employees and/or immediate family members. Call CPS at 540-9400 for information.