How to be a successful teacher

Guests: Jayda Pugliese, Kimberly Clarke

Many teachers enter the profession full of optimism, energy and excitement to impart their love of learning to classrooms full of children. But tight budgets, a lack of supplies and large student to teacher ratios can wear down even the most determined educator. In this hour we’ll be joined by a group of teachers who are succeeding in the classroom. Mary will talk with JAYDA PUGLIESE, a fifth-grade science and math teacher at Andrew Jackson School in South Philadelphia. More than 80% of Pugliese’s students showed at least one year’s growth in math skills during the teacher’s first year at Andrew Jackson, and many of her students work above grade level. She recently won the prestigious Milken Educator Award, which comes with a $25,000 cash prize. She is the first recipient in Philadelphia since 2007. We’ll also talk with KIMBERLY CLARKE, an ESL Kindergarten Teacher at 10^th & Green Elementary School in Reading, PA. She was honored earlier this year with an Award of Excellence from the Reading Education Association.