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Zac Posen and Jane Avrich

“Clarity, risk, and brevity” are
what Zac Posen learned from
Jane Avrich, the English
teacher whose class on
the literature of seduction
influenced his aesthetic.

“Once he turned the
classroom into an Eden-like
paradise,” recalls Ms. Avrich.
“Silvery music played in the
background, iridescent fabric
swirled, paper flowers
bloomed, and glitter rained
down around us.”

Behind every famous person is a fabulous teacher.

Contests

TeachersCount contests are our way of saying thank you to the education community. Read below to learn about new contests and past contest winners.

Win a DVD and curriculum guide from Journeys in Film.  Journeys in Film, a non-profit organization that creates standards-based curriculum guides for quality foreign-language films, is offering an exclusive contest just for TeachersCount newsletter recipients and website visitors. The organization is giving away three copies of the film The Cup, each of which comes with a curriculum guide. The Cup is the story of a group of young Tibetan boys who live as monks at the foot of the Himalayas in Northern India. Lesson topics include "Introduction to Buddhism," "A World of Refugees," "The Politics of Production," and others.

For a chance to win, answer this question: if you could pick any film, what film would you show your students to inspire them to build bridges between the world's cultures? In 200 words or less, explain how you would best utilize this film and why. Please send your entries to lauren@teacherscount.org. The contest deadline has been extended to May 15th, 2008.

The mission of Journeys in Film is to foster global understanding and leverage the power of film while expanding basic skills in reading, writing, math, science, social sciences and art. Currently, Journeys in Film is offering a free curriculum guide for Beat the Drum, a contemporary South African film about the devastation of HIV/AIDS. To download the guide or find more information, please visit www.journeysinfilm.org.

Recent Winner

Tote for Teachers – March 2008


Winner Details
Winner Name: Jessica Kawski
School:Concord, NC
Contest Question
"How did you help a student blossom?"
Contest Answer
“Drew is a student that most teachers dismiss because she is extremely defiant and unmotivated. She tends to frustrate teachers, myself included. I was really starting to feel like I was failing her. For Lent this year, I promised to purposely make two positive and comments to her each day. This may seem easy, but for this child it was not. In the beginning I strived to look for something positive I could "catch her doing" to compliment her on. This was much harder than it should have been.

After a week of this, something interesting started happening: Compliments were becoming easier to give her. The more positive reinforcement she received, the better she behaved and the better she behaved, she more positive reinforcement she received! She has been working much harder and behaving much better! I definitely plan to continue this for the rest of the school year.

I have always tried to point out positives I see in students, but I had never done it so systematically. Consciously making two compliments daily really made a difference. It seems like both Drew and I benefited from my Lenten promise! She’s a better student and I'm a better teacher!”

Jessica Kawski

Past Contests

Zac Posen Tote Contest
Super Hero Teacher of the Year Contest - 2006