Outstanding TJ teachers are recognized for continual CSAP and TCAP growth of their students.
Outstanding Spartan Teachers (from left): Jeff Almond, Tim Owens, Michael Palmieri, and Aimee Witulski. Photo by Henna Danek
On the evening of Thursday, January 31st, a celebration was held by DPS Superintendent, Tom Boasberg, to acknowledge teachers who impacted significant, consecutive student growth on the former CSAP (now TCAP) standardized test scores, and four of TJ’s finest were recognized with select others across the district.
Jeff Almond, Tim Owens, Michael Palmieri, and Aimee Witulski were each awarded the tribute and shared in the special event. Due to the teachers’ provision in supplying high foundation student support, the results were clearly displayed in the notable and repeated (for three years) rise of higher CSAP and TCAP test level achievement, with growth scores above 50 percent. The latest results showed much needed escalation, in which the small group of teachers worked as leaders of the school staff to initiate said growth.
The night’s reception included an appreciation speech from Boasberg, refreshments, and live music. “They had wonderful hors’ d’oeuvre, a great band, and our names would occasionally roll through on the screen,” explained Literature and Drama Instructor, Palmieri.
Each educator gladly contributed an explanation of the pleasant aura of the night. “It was a true celebration for teacher accomplishments,” confirmed Owens, a zealous math teacher of Algebra and Pre Calculus.
District results showed only 300 teachers had qualified for the consecutive increase of test scores. The involved teachers equally enjoyed the occasion to relax for a few hours and enjoy the outcome of their hard work. “Reaching the growth standard isn’t something we generally share with each other as teachers, so it was exciting to be there and celebrate with my peers,” noted Witulski, a devoted Calculus and AVID teacher who sets the bar high for instructor attentiveness.
Almond continued in his appreciation for the evening, “The district formally recognizing things that we do is surprising because I didn’t know it had events like that,” agreed the eloquent and cultured World Lit teacher.
Constructive Palmieri went on, “It was kind of cool to see a group of teachers celebrating their success with students. Unlike a lot of the bad news we hear about out there today, it was a ‘good news night’ and was just fun,” he grinned.
The four teachers agreed it was a great time to bond, reminisce, and to simply take a well-deserved short reprieve to have a good time with the others attending throughout the district. “It really felt like we were celebrated,” noted Owens.
The TJ educators weren’t used to the attention received that evening for the high student achievement on standardized testing. “We all recognized the opportunity of reaching high test standards, like TCAP growth, as something we need to celebrate more often,” Witulski stated.
The social aspect of the experience was not overlooked, either. “I met some people from different schools, and it was nice to dress up a little bit and go out for awhile,” said Almond.
Palmieri’s favorite quote, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire,” (original source unknown) was a good insight on the night. “For me it was an affirmation that if you work and really search out to find what kids need to succeed while teaching creatively, they’ll not only learn a lot, but have fun in class and succeed on tests like the TCAP, as well,” he said.
