Two local teacher recognized for "high impact" performance

Taylor Jefferson – Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- What does it take to be a high impact teacher? Although every teacher impacts their students daily, a handful of teachers are recognized by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) for their students’ success.

LRHS law studies teacher Anthony Cummins and English honors teacher Amanda Hargen both received the high impact teacher award this year.

“I just got designated as a high impact teacher,” said Hargen, “so, in the state, I have been calculated to be among one of the top 30% of all teachers in terms of my student’s performances, and it feels amazing. I certainly don’t feel like I’ve done this alone.”

She added, “I know that my students benefit from their other teachers whether it be in social studies or science. We’re all working on this together, so I just feel lucky that I have such a great team helping me help my students, and hopefully I get to do the same thing for them. That’s really what it boils down to, is I just have a great team here at Lakewood Ranch.”

Cummins knows what it means to him to be a high impact teacher.

“It means that you get to work in a really great place, with really great kids. Where we have a sound administration and a sound system that helps all the teachers,” he said.

“A high impact teacher is simply having an amazing group of students that strive to learn and make accomplishments, being an impact teacher is just helping student’s accomplishment their goals,” Cummins added.

To become a high impact teacher, the teacher must –

1. Receive a highly effective overall rating on their 3-year aggregate combined score in 2014-15, had at least 10 assessments go into the calculation of their score and taught at least one Value Added Models (VAM) generating course in 2014-15.
2. Receive a highly effective 9th Algebra I VAM score in 2014-15 and had at least 10 assessments go into the calculation of their VAM score.
3. Receive a highly effective 8th Algebra I VAM score in 2014-15 and had at least 10 assessments go into the calculation of their VAM score.

Stay updated on important LRHS news and share what you like by following our Twitter @LRHSNews1, Instagram @mustangs_ahead, and Soundcloud @Mustangs Ahead Podcasts.