Celebrating Achievements and Building Community Connections

April 2023: Honoring an Apple Distinguished Educator and Celebrating Achievements

This month’s district updates highlight the importance of arts integration, community engagement, and honoring the achievements and memories of educators. Here’s a recap of the latest developments across the Dover School District.

Arts Integration and Culturally Responsive Practices

The district will proudly send a team to the Summer Institute for New Jersey Arts Integration in Princeton, New Jersey. This initiative, spearheaded by Ms. Gaynor Matonti, includes educators Hannah Olmo, Christopher Hunt, and Freddie Nunez. The Summer Institute will focus on developing district-wide strategies that integrate the arts with culturally responsive instruction.

Culturally responsive practices use the cultural characteristics, experiences, and perspectives of ethnically diverse students to create more effective teaching pathways. Research has shown that students in classrooms structured around these principles are more engaged and connected to the content. This equity-driven approach promises to enhance teaching outcomes and student learning experiences.

Community Events and Engagement

The district’s community liaison team continues to connect families with vital resources and opportunities. Recent events included:

• Getting to Know Dover (March 16): Held at Dover Middle School, this event featured a record-breaking 31 social organizations and assisted 82 attendees.

• Optical Academy (March 30): Hosted at Dover High School, 110 people received vision care and assistance.

• Cooking Matters for Healthy Eaters (April 20): Aimed at families with children in Pre-K through 3rd grade, this event, presented by Head Start and a SNAP-Ed Nutritionist, focused on preparing healthy meals. Six families and eight children participated.

A heartfelt thank you to the community liaison team for their dedication to organizing these impactful events that support families in the district.

Honoring an Apple Distinguished Educator

Congratulations to Mr. Michael Clear, a teacher at Dover High School, for being recognized as an Apple Distinguished Educator. This prestigious honor is awarded to educators who demonstrate excellence in using Apple’s technology and tools to enhance teaching and learning. Mr. Clear will be formally recognized at the May 15th board meeting, where his achievements will be celebrated. This recognition is a proud moment for both Mr. Clear and the Dover School District.