2007 Unity Conference
Michigan Teacher of the Year Kimberly Kyff, who teaches elementary school in Detroit, said educators must expect and demand that all students will succeed. Many at-risk students, however, are at a standstill in the learning process. “We need to be the spark to move them forward so they will never stand still again. We must give these children dreams, hopes and the inspiration to succeed. We must serve as their voice, demanding what they can’t. We must not allow them to stand still.”
Teachers of year address closing achievement gap
Participants in the 2007 MEA Unity Conference on March 2-3 heard keynote presentations from not one, but two teachers of the year. 2006 Michigan Teacher of the Year Kimberly Kyff spoke on Friday and returned to take part in sessions on Saturday. 2006 National Teacher of the Year Kimberly Oliver delivered comments on Saturday. Sessions addressed the conference theme, “Actions for Closing the Achievement Gaps—Measures That Matter!”
National Teacher of the Year Kimberly Oliver, a kindergarten teacher from Maryland, said a key to closing the achievement gap is providing all students equal resources. “Equity is still a factor today, preventing too many of our students from succeeding.” Teachers also need to set high expectations for children and let them know that learning requires great effort on their part. “Without the effort from students, our high expectations will never be met.”
Amy Guzman (second from left), chair of the MEA Minority Concerns Committee, and Susan Schaner Schultz (far right), co-chair of the MEA Women’s Issues Committee, welcome National Teacher of the Year Kimberly Oliver (far left) and Michigan Teacher of the Year Kimberly Kyff to the Unity Conference.