A High Honor

I know Michael Miller as a hearty fellow who handles a lot of the technical problems at National TPRS Conferences and is a jovial Master of Ceremonies during the Talent Night show.  He's also a very talented teacher who wrote his own books to teach German using TPRS. Yesterday he published this on the moretprs forum.  I think it shows that TPRS is not a cop out, just a way to keep the kids amused.  It's a method which allows students and teachers to attain excellence.

Liebe Listler,
Today my school received a high honor: We are designated as an AATG German Center of Excellence. This honor is given to 4 high schools but only one K-8 school per year. As a Jr. High School, one could conclude we have the best pre-high school German program in the country. As I look at the comments from the judges, what really stood out for them is the curriculum. They were very interested in cutting edge methodology and TPRS is it. Sabine und Michael was created for the needs of our school, but many other schools find this curriculum to meet their needs as well.
Bottom line: TPRS works. My 8th graders score at the 61st percentile on national exams for sophomores in German 2 (we are technically in German 1). Stick with TPRS. It gets better all the time. I'll copy the panel's comments below.

Michael Miller

Dear Mr. Miller,

It is my great pleasure to inform you that Cheyenne Mountain Junior High
School's German program has been designated a German Center of Excellence
by the American Association of Teachers of German. After carefully
reviewing the applications of numerous K-12 German programs, the jurors
found Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School's programming excellent in
every category. Your program is the only junior high school programs to
receive this high distinction this year. 

The jury was impressed in particular that the German program is so very
well established and growing. There is clear evidence that the program has
strong support from the administration, professional colleagues, alumni,
and students, and has strong ties to the wider campus and community.
Extracurricular activities and special events are clearly integral
elements of the program. 

Furthermore, the selection panel noted the highly qualified staff with
credentials appropriate to the teaching assignment and an appropriate
faculty-student ratio. The application provided clear evidence of
continuing faculty development at local, state, and national levels. The
opportunity to collaborate and evidence of self-evaluation and shared
program goals are to be commended.

Most impressive is the program's curriculum. There is a clear, articulated
sequence of instructional programming that is standards-based and reflects
current methodologies. Outcomes at each instructional level are clearly
articulated and diverse learning styles are respected through varied
instructional and assessment techniques. The materials used in the program
are culturally authentic and interdisciplinary connections have been
established. 

The German Program at Cheyenne Mountain Junior High School certainly
values its students. The jury noted that the teacher clearly values
student feedback and the application provided abundant evidence of the
good rapport you have with your students. This is truly a program that is
designed to meet the needs of students.
__________________________

Michael Miller
Sabine und Michael German TPRS materials
2418 Hagerman Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Tel: 719-635-0017 FAX 719-785-5755
michael@sabineundmichael.com
http://www.sabineundmichael.com