Constance B. Corbett

Position: First Grade Teacher Subject(s): All School: Y. E. Smith Elementary District: Durham Public Schools E-mail address: cb_corbett@yahoo.com OS: (Mac or Win) Mac

 

What are some of the ways you are currently using technology in your role as an educator? Accelerated Reader Computer Center in Classroom Educational Games Internet for Research

 

• How to create a web page for my classroom
• How to use the computer in a computer center with children needing little or no assistance
• How to use the computer for science and math activities

List the technology that is available for use by your students.

• Alpha Smarts
• Computer
• Printer
• Camera
• Scanner

What are two of your goals for yourself as an educator in the future?

• To be published in educational journals
• To be the best teacher I can be

Describe something you have done for students during the past year which had an outcome that you were particularly pleased with.

I am always advocating for my students. This past year I was a fifth grade remediation teacher as well as a Reading Recovery Teacher. The first day of school I noticed a former student, who came in very depressed, as she was in the fourth grade AGAIN for the third time. I went to the principal and asked that the student be placed in the fifth grade, since I believed she could do the work, and if she hadn't gotten the fourth grade mastered in two years, why did someone think the third year would be any different? The principal agreed to let her try and we were both delighted at the end of the year when the young lady passed both of her EOG's on the first try. She really blossomed this year and received two awards at "graduation" (also known as fifth grade celebration - end of year)! Like I said, I am always advocating for my students and succeed one student at a time, but I usually succeed.

What are some of your hobbies?

Writing is a hobby, but I would love for it to be a career. I also love mysteries, movies, chess, and my pets.

What is one of your favorite places to travel to and why?

I love to go to the beach. I love the air and the sun and the wind. It's a great "escape".

Will you return to this workshop tomorrow, even though you have experienced some frustration today?

Yes. I expect my students to try, try again until they succeed, and I expect no less of myself.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your life?

Raising my three sons to be the fine young men they are is my best success. My oldest is still "searching" for where he belongs, but it's because he's having trouble focusing on one thing; he is very good with many things. My middle son just graduated from high school and will be going to college in the fall. My youngest has ONE MORE YEAR in middle school and then he'll be in the"home stretch". They keep me busy and up-to-date on what young people are interested in today - which helps me relate to my school students.