Area Educators Attend FISH For Schools Workshop
(Press Release 07-17-08)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Imagine a place where the scent of sharpened pencils is more stimulating than coffee. A place where excited answers follow eagerly raised hands and “caring” is defined by behaviors as well as the dictionary. A place where the school bells ring true to your original school–day dreams.

Forty–five local educators representing 13 area schools and Eastern Oklahoma State College recently journeyed to that place as they attended a two–day FISH! for Schools LIVE Workshop at Fin and Feather Resort in Gore, Oklahoma. The workshop was facilitated by Steve Mintz, Curriculum Specialist and Gina Geary, Event Coordinator for Charthouse Learning.

The trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant. The workshop was designed to create a richer, more effective learning environment by focusing on improving internal motivation and classroom management, learning how to use the FISH! for Schools curriculum to help build quality relationships, co–creating a safe and playful learning community for everyone, and creatively applying the four practices of the FISH! philosophy.

Attendees participated in numerous activities, networked with area educators, and received a FISH! For Schools Expedition Pack containing curriculum and staff development materials. Participants were greeted with a “WELCOME BACK TO THE REASON YOU BECAME AN EDUCATOR!”

FISH! for Schools is a powerful curriculum, designed by educators for educators. FISH! for Schools LIVE is a starting point to help educators achieve the success they want—to create great places to learn, where schools are productive, safe, kind, respectful and fun for both students and educators.

Attending were: Maria Martinez, Buffalo Valley; Priscella Fairchild, Lori Palmer, Tina Pack & Kelli Hopper, Canadian; Jaclyn Ward, Julia Cummings, Patti Brannon, Crowder; Selina Riley, Haileyville; Ron Sullivan, Delores Blessing-Hawkins, Marsha Brady, Aliana Patrick, Indianola; Scotty Lloyd, Wes Williams, Cory Wood, LeFlore; Charles Geis, Erika Giles, Kimberly Gillispie, Paula McGee, Doug Phelps, Sonny Richards, Mia Smith, McAlester, Key Academy; Jean Henderson, Melanie McClary, Abigail Taylor, Sandra Oliver, McCurtain; Janice Montgomery, Marcia Armstrong, Lawanda Vaughan, Donna Dudley, Moyers; Jamie Booth, Panola; Jimmy Harwood, Pittsburg; Roxanne Honeycutt, Courtney Henson, Kimberly Henson, Stigler; Cherish Marshall, Janie Stovall, Kimberli Suttles, and Betty Waldrop, Wilburton.

Also attending were Linda Morgan, GEAR UP Project Director; Lorrie Russ, GEAR UP Professional Development Coordinator; Helen Scott, GEAR UP Project Assistant; LaDonna Baldwin, GEAR UP Education Coordinator; Fenessa Little GEAR UP Education Coordinator; and Lori Roberts, GEAR UP Education Coordinator.

Eastern Oklahoma State College received a $6.7 million federal GEAR UP grant and is in its second year of implementation. Eastern has partnered with area schools to provide students with additional educational opportunities and teachers with professional development opportunities. The GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow grant application was one of 27 selected nation–wide to receive funding.

Caption info:

Area educators attending the "FISH! for schools workshop recently included from front left: Gina Geary, FISH! for Schools Event Coordinator; Pricella Fairchild, Canadian; Mia Smith, McAlester Key Academy; Sonny Richards, McAlester Key Academy; Steve Mintz, FISH! for Schools Curriculum Specialist; Betty Waldrop, Wilburton; Kim Suttles, Wilburton and Tammy Bray, Bokoshe. Second row:  Roxanne Hunnicutt, Stigler; Erika Giles, McAlester Key Academy; Abigail Taylor, McCurtain; Fenessa Little, GEARUP Education Coordinator; Marcia Armstrong, Moyers; Lorrie Russ, GEARU P Professional Development Coordinator; Paula McGee, McAlester Key Academy; Courtney Henson, Stigler; LaDonna Baldwin, GEARUP Education Coordinator; Lori Roberts, GEARUP Education Coordinator and Julia Cummings, Crowder. Third row: Jamie Booth, Panola; Delores Blessing-Hawkins, Indianola; Janie Stovall, Wilburton; Kimberly Hall, Stigler; Selina Riley, Haileyville; Linda Morgan, GEAR UP Project Director; Sandra Oliver, McCurtain; Helen Scott, GEAR UP Project Assistant; Jean Henderson, McCurtain; Janice Montgomery, Moyers; Kimberly Gillispie, McAlester Key Academy; Wes Williams, LeFlore; Ron Sullivan, Indianola; Charles Geis, McAlester Key Academy and Doug Phelps, McAlester Key Academy. Back Row: Marsha Brady, Indianola; Cory Wood, LeFlore; Tina Pack, Canadian; Maria Martinez, Buffalo Valley; Jaclyn Ward, Crowder; Kelli Hopper, Canadian; Donna Dudley, Moyers and Lawanda Vaughn, Moyers.