|
Teachers in Action
Below, you will find a collection of projects that are sponsored or have been presented by our staff at different venues.
| English teacher, Mr. Jay Rehak, had his short
play “Doctor J’s Magic Spray” performed at the 3rd
Annual Toronto Ten-Minute Play Festival May 1-10, 2008,
Alchemy Theatre. One of eight plays chosen for the
festival, “Doctor J’s Magic Spray” tells the story of a
carnival barker who sells a strange potion that forces
couples to tell the truth about their relationship with
one another. Jay’s comedy was chosen as the “People’s
Choice” by the audience members. Free downloads of all
of Mr. Rehak’s plays, including “Doctor J’s Magic
Spray” can be found at
http://therighteousman.com/blog/other-works-and-observations-by-jay-rehak/
More information about the Toronto theater festival
can be found at
http://www.inspiratofestival.ca/past-productions.php
|
 |
|
Mr. Jay Rehak (English) - Whitney M. Young Magnet High School announced the publication and signing of its first collectively-written text, Book of 101 Grammar Lessons.
Students collaborated for a year and a half with their teacher, Mr. Jay Rehak, to create a book of lessons that are designed to help people with the subtleties and minutiae of English grammar. Mr. Jay Rehak created this project to empower his students while simultaneously teaching his students the necessary grammar rules. Mr. Rehak noted that the book will continue to be used long after students who wrote the book have graduated. "I intend to use the book in the classroom as a supplement to other available texts. I think it is important that current students leave a legacy for future students, while at the same time, learn through the creative efforts of students who may have preceded them."
Excitement surrounds the publication of this book. Dr. Joyce Kenner, Principal of Whitney Young notes, "Creative resources such as this writing tool enhance our students' ability to effectively comprise, construct and articulate their opinions." The enthusiasm abounds not only within the walls of Whitney Young. Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, proudly states it is a "terrific book that makes the entire Chicago school system proud."
|
 |
Mr. Jim English (English) was recently named "Teacher of the Year" by Pegasus Players. Now in its 20th anniversary year, The Young Playwrights Festival (YPF), sponsored by the Pegasus Players, has provided more than 90,000 Chicago teens with the chance to pour out their heart and soul into a medium that builds literacy skills that last a lifetime. Last year, 583 scripts were submitted by 683 students from over 40 schools. Over 6,000 students participated in YPF Interactive Tours, which teach young people, the basics of playwriting. Winning plays are professionally produced on the Pegasus main stage, with playwrights participating in all parts of the process from casting to opening night. YPF's four-week run is attended by thousands of theatre-goers and is reviewed by all major Chicago media.
WY students Jose Requena, Imani Josey and Brian Tasch have won the Pegasus Playwriting Contest in the last 2 years. Their plays were produced with a professional cast, director and professional technical people and performed in the Pegasus theatre for 1 month. The Tribune, Sun-Times and Reader all reviewed the plays and gave each of them good reviews. Each student won cash rewards and scholarships.
|
 |
Mr. Joseph Scotese (English) is author of a website dedicated to exploring new techniques in teaching, in particular, text-based teaching. Includes several lesson plans and activities as well an impressive collection of original student samples.
www.awaytoteach.com
|
 |
| Mr. Jay Rehak (English)- The Continuous Development of Student Writing at Whitney M. Young Magnet H.S. -PowerPoint 102kb (you will need Microsoft PowerPoint or the free PowerPoint Viewer in order to view). |
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
