Geanora Bonner
Birdielee V. Bright Elementary
Los Angeles, California

Geanora Bonner teaches her third grade students by giving them the opportunity to explore learning through a hands-on approach. Her students are not passive learners, but are encouraged to experiment and apply knowledge to real life situations.

"Children learn by doing. . . I try to provide many opportunities for hands-on exploration in my classroom. I orchestrate an environment where it is safe to make mistakes and where help is available. I try very hard to make all children responsible. They know when they come in that we have one task: to learn more than we did when we came."

Highlights:

• Teaches using general themes such as Consequences and Choices. Students study the Constitution and legal system by participating in a legal trial, in addition to incorporating personal experiences into the coursework.

• Teaches diverse student body using multicultural education. Examined the important roles of Hispanic cultures by studying the art and influence of Diego Rivera.

• Serves as a Los Angeles unified district trainer for new teachers.

• Facilitates and presents workshops including D.A.T.E. (Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Education) programs, Core Literature Unit Preparation, Standards Based Education, Technology in the Classroom, Hands on Science, and Open-Ended Math.

• Serves as D.A.T.E. Coordinator.

• Serves as member of the Local School Leadership Committee and the School Advisory Council.

• Participated in California Literature Project and California Science Project.