Daniel Weiss, a mathematics teacher at Thomas Stone High School, was recently named the overall winner in the Tips and Tools for Back to School campaign sponsored by the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union (ESFCU). As part of the campaign, interested educators were asked to submit helpful ideas and tips they planned to use to start the school year. Six weekly winners were selected to receive a $100 Visa gift card to use for back to school shopping. Weiss was chosen from the group to receive a $1000 overall prize which he donated to the Stone community.
Chris Conway, the president and chief executive officer for ESFCU, presented Weiss with a check during a visit to the school Nov. 9. Weiss’ idea focused on how to deal with students who are late to class. Implemented in the classroom is Weiss’ idea of making a student who is late to class be the last student to leave his class when the bell rings. The names of late students are displayed on the classroom board for their peers to see and Weiss’ students have adjusted to his late policy.
According to Weiss, each of his classes has created a “club name” for when their class period ends. For example, his seventh period college prep math class ends at 1:26 p.m. and the students now call out their peers when they are late and call it the “1:26 club.” Weiss said it has helped his students learn to come to class prepared and on time.
“Knowing my policy, unexcused tardy students will often enter my class telling me to go ahead and put their name on the board as they are already aware of their indiscretion. I rarely have students come tardy to class because this tool is so effective and I am consistent with it from the beginning of the year,” Weiss said.
For his selection as the overall winner in the credit union’s back to school campaign, Weiss said he was humbled by the recognition for an idea that models a simple concept that focuses on consistency. “This tool is extremely effective for me for many reasons. Students hate to be the last to leave class, so they often run to class to make certain that they are on time,” Weiss added.