Teacher of the Week: Mr. Michael Schroeder

This week's Teacher of the Week is Mr. Michael Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder, a Social Studies teacher who has been with the Oracle staff for two years, brings quality instruction, engaging projects, a love of history, and a deep dedication to his students and colleagues to his classroom every day. Currently, Mr. Schroeder teaches Global History and Geography II and AP American History and Government.

Mr. Schroeder challenges his students not just to learn history but to make it come alive through project-based learning opportunities and critical discussion. In his Global II classes, students are beginning an underground French Revolutionary newspaper project. In AP American History and Government, students are functioning as Supreme Court Justices in a mock trial simulation that explores the topic of civil liberties versus casino advertising.

Asked what he most enjoys about teaching at Oracle Charter School, Mr. Schroeder responded, "The people. I love the kids and their enthusiasm. I really enjoy the look on their faces when they understand a concept, do well on a test, or really excel on a project. My fellow teachers are just terrific as well. Being in a charter school and seeing the dedication of my colleagues makes me want to work harder." It is this kind of teacher who helps charter schools achieve success with all students!

Ironically, Mr. Schroeder didn't start out wanting to teach. Despite his initial resistance, however, his career choices kept bringing him back to working with children (he has worked as a YMCA recreation director, coach, and program coordinator for an intermediate care facility for children), and he eventually took the next step and combined his love of history with his dedication to working with children and students.

We are proud to have Mr. Michael Schroeder as a dedicated member of our Oracle Charter School teaching staff!

Favorite topics to teach:

• Absolute Monarchs (notice the seal of Elizabeth I at the left...this is a stained glass window here at Oracle Charter School);
  
• the World Wars;
• the Russian Revolution;
• the workings of the Supreme Court;
• the relationship between the branches of the U.S. government.

Special knowledge: Mr. Schroeder is extremely knowledgeable about autism and the epidemic of autism spectrum disorders currently being diagnosed in this country. As many of you know, Mr. Schroeder's son is diagnosed with this developmental disability, and he cares deeply about promoting awareness, funding and research to combat this increasingly prevalent diagnosis.

Oracle Teacher Honored as Educator of the Year by the Western Region PTA!

At the beginning of this school year, I told our Oracle students that I knew we would have a great year...because we had hired the very best teachers for them. It's pretty rare, however, that any school leader is able to make such a claim and have it backed up!

On Thursday, October 16th, Mrs. Stephanie Owen, Oracle Charter School's Math Department Chair, was honored at an awards dinner as the Western Region PTA Jane Skrzypek Educator of the Year for 2008! Congratulations, Mrs. Owen!

I am honored to have Stephanie Owen as a member of such a talented and dedicated team of teachers. Mrs. Owen is a truly committed teacher who has been with Oracle Charter School since we opened in 2005. In that time, Mrs. Owen has been responsible for consistently outstanding student test scores and has established the kind of classroom that makes students feel challenged, supported, and valued.

As a charter school teacher, Mrs. Owen is called upon to go above and beyond the call of duty that many public school teachers answer. She is called upon routinely to extend her time and focus beyond the classroom. In addition to being a results-oriented teacher, Mrs. Owen coordinates Oracle's student council, leads our school's Spirit Day activities, and administers our school store.

Mrs. Owen dedicates herself to each student's success and opportunity and drives herself to deliver outstanding results. Within a difficult discipline, mathematics, Mrs. Owen engages students to learn, to apply the skills she has taught them, and to trust both her processes and her dedication to their learning. Oracle students are deeply committed to Mrs. Owen as well, proving once again that students feel valued when they are held to high standards and supported to achieve those standards.

Mrs. Owen makes math achievement possible for her students and for our school.

Congratulations! And Thank you, Mrs. Owen!

Currently Teaching	Algebra, Math B, Pre-Calculus
Favorite Topic to Teach	Trigonometry