Rocky Ridge Elementary is the last Washington state school standing in the Farmers Insurance Thank a Million Teachers Dream Big contest. Teacher Elissa Dornan was surprised in an assembly today with the news that she is one of three teachers left in the running for a $100,000 grant.
Teaching Students HOW to Love Reading
My name is Elissa Dornan and I have been an educator in elementary education for almost 20 years in the Puyallup and Bethel School District. Currently, I am an Instructional Coach at an elementary school of over 400 students. Many of our students come from various levels of poverty and English proficiency. Last year 70% of our students qualified for free/reduced lunch. Our students struggle to meet the expectations of the Common Core State Standards. Upon months of research I have discovered a reading approach by Sarah Collinge called the C.I.A. (Collect, Interpret, Apply) Approach to Reading Chapter Books. This approach could make a huge impact on our 3-5th grade students and their teachers. For $2,500 I would be able to purchase Sarah Collinge’s Book Study, guides, and novel sets for all of our 3-5th grade classrooms. Your gift would help our staff and students embark on a journey of discovery that could last a lifetime.
Video file
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jobbuqlj0zzo9xr/Farmers%20Thank%20a%20Million%20RRE%20h264.mov?dl=0
Run sheet (interviews begin at 6:16) 0:00 – Rocky Ridge principal Michelle Fox “Why would Mrs. Fox call and assembly?”
0:07 – Principal Fox holding iPad “How many of you would like to have these in your classroom?” kids cheer
0:24 – Teacher Elissa Dornan surprised by announcement that she’s a finalist in Farmers Insurance Thank a Million Teachers contest. Rocky Ridge is the only school in WA still in the running
1:07 – kids clapping
1:11 – Randy Rice (National Manager of Education Programs for Farmers Insurance) talking about how much money teachers spend out of their own pockets
2:19 – Secretary of State of WA Kim Wyman talks about how the kids can vote for Rocky Ridge
2:33 – Kids shouting yes to Wyman’s question
2:38 – Wyman “I’m excited…”
2:45 – Teacher Elissa Dornan speaks during assembly, quotes Russell Wilson, “Why not us?”
3:25 – Principal Fox “How many of you want these iPads?” kids cheer
3:34 – More from Randy Rice
4:45 – More from Principal Fox
5:56 – High fives to Rocky Raccoon
6:16 – Soundbites from interview with Dale Kelley, local agent for Farmers who sponsored Elissa Dornan’s grant proposal.
6:58 – Soundbites from interview with Elissa Dornan – Teacher, instructional coach at Rocky Ridge Elementary
Pierce Prairie Post 
I am unable to open the attachment
Cheryl
Thanks Carol!
Birdie Davenport
Aquatic Reserves Program Manager
Deprtment of Natural Resources
Aquatic Resources Division
360-902-1073
Cell 360-915-4005
From: carol.v.wright@att.net [mailto:carol.v.wright@att.net]
Sent: Friday, September 12, 2014 3:47 PM
To: DAVENPORT, ROBERTA (DNR)
Subject: Fw: [New post] Vote for Rocky Ridge in Farmers Insurance contest
This should work as a link to pierce prairie post. Let me know if not. Carol
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