2018 Blackboard Award Honoree: Raina Gilchrist

Editor’s note: To read profiles of all 2018 Blackboard Awards honorees, click HERE!

Raina Gilchrist
Grade 5, Spanish & English Head Classroom
Avenues: The World School

Tell us about some of the special joys and challenges you’ve experienced as
a teacher.

My second year as a teaching assistant, I was with a head teacher who was quite rigid and closed-minded, only allowing me to teach the grammar curriculum of grade 4. I incorporated music, movement, and art into my lessons and shared my passion for linguistics. It was even sweeter when I became a head teacher for the first time the next year. I distinctly remember the warm feeling that filled my heart and the tears that began to fill my eyes that day.

Please share a special project or achievement that you are particularly proud of from this year.

I moved to grade 5 so that I could write the Spanish curriculum. I was excited and overwhelmed about developing a Spanish curriculum alongside an English curriculum that was completely unfamiliar to me. We decided that our first unit would be biographies. As we began the unit, the students and I were getting a little bored. I realized that the students should become their characters. Not only would this solve our No. 1 goal for immersion, but it would be a great motivator for the students!

Raina Gilchrist with President of Family Media Jonathan Moore. Photo by Daniel S. Burnstein.

What keeps you motivated and committed to being a dedicated and hard-working educator?

I’m a teacher because I love working, playing, thinking, sharing, and being with my students. There is no greater feeling than witnessing that “ah-ha” moment with a student. Being part of something as profound as educating young minds is such an inspiring task. I know that my drive comes partially from my competitive nature, but I also know that my dedication comes from knowing that no matter how great I make something, my kids will make it even greater.

What do you love about your school?

Every morning, I’m greeted by our incredible custodians, security guards, and chefs who take phenomenal care of our building and have been part of our classroom community. My colleagues are inspiring on many levels. While it’s exhausting work, teaching students in Spanish and seeing their progress is
truly remarkable. Avenues has made a strong commitment to this part of their mission and I’m honored to be a part of their school.

Mott Hall Charter School

Located in the Morrisania neighborhood of the South Bronx, the Mott Hall Charter School is a middle school for grades 6, 7 and 8. In its 12 th year, Mott Hall continues to live by its motto &ldquo;RISE to the Challenge&rdquo;; and through these RISE core values - Responsibility, Integrity, Scholarship, and Excellence - scholars are taught the character skills to overcome obstacles and are introduced to these attributes from the moment they walk through the door and reinforced throughout their time at Mott Hall. The Mott Hall Charter School teaches for the 21st Century through its unique approach to learning, providing a holistic educational experience grounded in evidence-based research on how students learn best. Mott Hall accomplishes this through a whole child approach, not merely addressing content but focusing on the key elements of mind, body, character, and social emotional health. Its distinctive mission prepares scholars to succeed in top high schools, colleges, and careers, becoming inquisitive, open-minded, and compassionate citizens of the world. Mott Hall Charter School offers a rigorous academic program grounded in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. Scholars are required to take three years of foreign language, coursework in the arts, and have the opportunity for Regents level classes in mathematics and science in 8th grade. All classes integrate technology and utilize elements of the AVID College and Career Readiness program to provide scholars with the organizational, time management, and study skills they need to succeed. Mott Hall Charter School&rsquo;s programs include access to community-based organizations focused on mentoring, adult civics classes, adult ESL classes, computer science classes, engaging online platforms to increase student learning, after school and Saturday tutoring, art, music, softball, basketball, and much more! Mott Hall is now offering a 6/7 Bridge 12:1:1 self-contained classroom: 1 classroom, 12 scholars, 1 educational teacher, and 1 full-time Special Education teacher.

Buckley Country Day School

Founded in 1923, Buckley Country Day School is a co-educational independent day school serving 350 children in grades Toddler through Eight. We focus on developing a rigorous curriculum and teaching evolving skills required for the students&rsquo; future, while remaining committed to a liberal arts, classical education dedicated to nurturing the &ldquo;whole child.&rdquo;

Montessori Day School of Brooklyn

<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Montessori Day School of Brooklyn is a<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> warm and welcoming community serving children ages two to five. At MDS, they encourage every child&rsquo;s natural curiosity and readiness to learn and create a nurturing and fun atmosphere that promotes independence and self-esteem, and creates life-long learners. They work to ensure that our school community is as richly diverse as the city we live in. Their tuition assistance program provides access to an MDS education for all children. Applications open up each year on September 1st. The deadline to apply for the next school year is December 31st. Please reach out with any questions about admissions for the coming school year. &nbsp;