First: Thanks to Chris for sharing this link: Three of the four teachers honored recently with the Alliance for Education‘s Swain Excellence in Teaching Award are from West Seattle schools – Denny’s Marcus Pimpleton and Madison’s Stephanie Poole and Alisha Taylor. More info, plus a photo from the recent ceremony, can be found here.
Second: Jeanne Merritt from Madison Middle School shares news of a memorable visitor:
Madison Middle School eighth graders had a special treat recently when a former teacher came for a visit.
That teacher was Jesse Hagopian. He, his wife and their one-year-old son arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti two days before the big earthquake hit. Mr. Hagopian had taken a one year leave of absence from Seattle Public Schools to care for his baby. He accompanied his wife, an HIV educator who was working with health professionals there.
The family escaped safely from the earthquake, although half of the hotel was in ruins. Mr. Hagopian and a guest doctor treated wounded people who arrived throughout the night, and his wife translated for the doctor. At Madison he shared photos of the devastation, a brief history of Haiti, and ideas of how students could continue to help rebuilding efforts.
Students were visibly moved by his personal account.
After a week in Haiti Mr. Hagopian and his family caught an evacuation flight home.
Our regional-news partners at the Seattle Times told the Hagopians’ Haiti story here.
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