DONNA LUNA WINS DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARD
| Donna Luna, a graduate of Maryville College and a former active student member of the AAUW Maryville Branch has been awarded the Charleston County Distinguished Reading Teacher by the Charleston Reading Council. Charlotte Crawford, Communications Vice President contacted Donna to get more information about her award. Below is her reply: |
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| Dear Charlotte, Thank you for contacting me about this. I miss Tennessee, but Charleston teachers are definitely spoiled more than those in Tennessee! I applied to compete with my peers for this award through the Charleston Reading Initiative, which is a group of reading and ELA teachers in the Charleston District. The Reading specialist, Denise Miles, at Lincoln High School (where I work) agreed with the English department chair that I should represent Lincoln in the competition. Denise and I had recently completed the first part of a master's course in Reading Apprenticeship through West Ed, a division of Cal State East Bay. There were many entrants, but I finished first in the high school division when I presented my reading strategy (RA). RA focuses on the social, relationship, cognitive and knowledge-building aspects of reading, but it is strengthened by the metacognitive process. I will present this method at the state conference in February in Myrtle Beach. I will be honored at a breakfast and a dinner along with other winners from different districts throughout the state. I was given a T-shirt, a cup koozie, free entrance to the conference and $200 to spend on books for my classroom. I also received a certificate and a plaque. If you wish, I will have a photo taken and e-mail it to you. Tell all of my fellow AAUW sisters I said hello and I do miss you all. --Donna Luna Congratulations to Donna! We wish her continued success and a wonderful experience at the state conference in Myrtle Beach. |