Miami Teacher Among Winners of the Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing
Apr. 2012
Shawn DeNight, who teaches journalism and reading in Miami, is among six teachers who were each awarded one of the seventh annual College Board Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing, which recognize exceptional teachers for using innovative methods to inspire their students to write. The award was created to support teachers and to thank Bob Costas, the Emmy Award–winning broadcaster and author, for his generous public service work on behalf of the National Commission on Writing. Each winner receives a grant of $3,000 to support her or his innovative work.
“All of us remember a teacher who changed our lives at one point or another, and it is a pleasure to recognize these six outstanding individuals for the positive impact they’ve had on so many students. It is especially gratifying to honor those teachers who have dedicated their careers to the art of writing. The ability to write clearly and effectively will be a hallmark of success in the 21st century, and we must do everything we can to ensure that our students are masters of the craft. These six teachers are leading the charge, and today we all thank them,” said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board.
One teacher or teaching team was selected from each of the College Board’s six regions to receive a grant. DeNight, a journalism and reading teacher at Miami High School, engages ninth-graders in his intensive reading classes by having them complete research papers on controversial issues. DeNight has his students choose their topics and guides them through the research process, enhancing their reading as they become authorities on their subjects. In his class, students learn to write in academic style, with appropriate quotations, paraphrases and citations. Students must research both sides of an issue before writing their persuasive sections.
Through their research and writing, students gain valuable academic skills; they also learn to be appreciative and tolerant of opposing views — a valuable skill for life. The grant will help DeNight’s class by funding better technology for research and writing, as well as for printing students’ final work.
Teachers from any discipline, in both public and nonpublic schools, are eligible for the Bob Costas Grants, as are writing programs that take place within schools or the community. For more details about the annual awards program, visit www.collegeboard.com/costasgrants.
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