Sally Doyle

**Sally Doyle, Poudre High School -- March, 2008 Teacher-of-the-Month**
Introduction by Principal of the Poudre High School Statement by Sandra Lundt, Principal, Poudre High School
Report about comments Sally made at Rotary Meeting on March 12, 2008 Garth McCann introduced the Teacher of the Month, Sally Doyle, from Poudre High School. Sally said that it is really a pleasure to be able to be with your club today. I don’t know how to express my sincere feelings about what an honor this kind of an award is. And I thank all of you in the business community for taking a look at the different kinds of things we do in Poudre School District and to take the time on a monthly basis to recognize teachers and what they are doing. So I want to thank you for honoring me and thank you for honoring all of the others as well. The position that I hold right now is in the PaCE (Professional and Community Experiences) program. I feel very, very strongly about saying that this is our time today to honor each of you. It is the business community that has done such a phenomenal job. I believe that PaCE has been in existence for about 15 years and in those years we have had between 500 and 700 businesses every year supporting our students. We have the opportunity to place students out in the community based on their career interests and it is you taking on our students and giving us these incredible experiences for them to explore. So when I was asked about what was one of the things I liked best about teaching, I said it is relationships. It is the relationships that I have developed over the years with the community, with the students, with the school staff, with the administration and with the community that I like most. I really get to work with my friends. I wanted to share some of those relationships with you. What I have appreciated so very much is, that years later after students have graduated, they come back and they thank you for what you did for them in high school. And it is a phenomenal feeling, that they remember you and the really neat thing is that you remember them, because you have had an impact on thousands of people. One example is of the student who got an intern position at a bank. He would say over and over again that he could not believe that he had such a professional opportunity as a junior and senior in high school. want to thank you again for the support of PaCE and the honor. I have truly enjoyed the relationships. The Following Are The Statements That Sally Made In The Rotary Teacher of the Month Form: Positions and years in Poudre School District: PaCE Director - Poudre High School 15 years (1993 - 2008) (Professional and Community Experiences) Teacher on Special Assignment (Administrative) 4 years (1989 - 1993) (Fort Collins High School) Marketing Education Teacher/DECA Sponsor 9 years (1980 - 1989) (7 years at Fort Collins High School) (2 years at Northglenn High School) What are your community activities? In my position as PaCE Director, I am actively involved in community businesses; seeking connections for students and the business community. Capstone Coordinator at PHS - community members mentoring students PEA Scholarship Committee Representative Advisory Board team member for the Open Door Mission Project Self Sufficiency Mentor for client of workforce center What do you like best about teaching? Finding opportunities for students to get connected in community experiences that they would not otherwise experience. Helping students associate the relevance of education with their career. What are you most proud of in your career? Having students return years later and share their successes; whether they struggled in high school or not. Having students come back to PHS and give praise that their PaCE experience has helped them be successful. Helping students achieve success in ways they did not know were possible in high school. What is the single biggest stumbling block you have in teaching? Having students in the classroom ready to learn and be responsible learners. (Students with disadvantages from peer social pressures to living independently of family, to the need of earning money). Given the opportunity, what would you to do eliminate it? Offer lessons/classes that help students believe they are here for themselves and their futures and the importance of taking responsibility for their own education. Support and promote programs that help students and parents in need; school psychologists, clubs, support groups. Encourage more students to access the free and reduced meal program which assists students with breakfast and lunch for those that come to school hungry. What is the greatest problem facing Poudre School District today? Time and money; time for staff to accomplish all that is expected and money to accomplish it. What recommendations do you have to solve it? We have excellent classroom teachers, classified staff, and administrators. Time to collaborate; share best practices, observe others programs, think outside the box. Find things we can let go of as we are adding new projects and programs. Engage the saying; work smarter, not harder. Money - this is especially difficult in light of reduced budgets. I need more time to come up with recommendations for this one.
Copyright © for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Poudre R-1 School District and by Alan Ashbaugh, October 18, 2007