Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon Teacher Recognized

A local teacher has been cited for outstanding performance in reading education, the School Renaissance Institute announced recently.

Pat Talley, who works at Gurdon Primary School, was awarded Reading Renaissance Model Classroom Level I Certification by the Madison, Wis.,-based institute. Model classroom certification indicates that Talley's efforts to adopt Reading Renaissance methods have resulted in measurable increases in student reading performances.

"Pat Talley exemplifies the kind of commitment to the success of every student that is at the heart of effective teaching," Institute president Stuart Udell said, in making the award.

To receive Reading Renaissance Model Classroom certification, a teacher must demonstrate that their students receive a minimum of sixty minutes of reading practice time daily. In addition teachers must be actively working with individual students to meet institute-recommended standards for reading achievement.

In addition to national recognition Gurdon Primary School will receive a merchandise certificate for $50 in recognition of Talley's achievement. The school will also receive a discount on educational staff development opportunities.

The School Renaissance Institute works with educators nationwide to disseminate classroom-proven teaching strategies and techniques. It is a comprehensive reading improvement strategy that combines computer technology with a regimen of extensive reading practice to rapidly build student reading comprehension.