The Leadership and Learning Center Recognizes Arkansas Teacher through Common Core State Standards National Essay Competition

Over the last two months teachers and administrators nationwide participated in an essay contest held by The Leadership and Learning Center (The Center), a division of global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, that asked, “Why should your school win a guitar autographed by Alice Cooper® for your music department?” The contest drew many compelling entries, but one lucky winner was awarded the authentic autographed guitar for demonstrating her school’s passion for learning and music. This contest is just one element of the rapidly growing momentum of The Center’s 2011 U.S. Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Tour initiative.

Tammy Russell, a teacher from the Horatio School District in Arkansas, titled her winning essay, “Rock On Net Generation!” In her essay, Russell stated the case for why her district should win. “Our school is a very small, rural school with an immense appreciation and love for music, and we’re incorporating it into our curriculum. Last year we finally got band uniforms, which was a major achievement and has elevated our students’ confidence and pride. Winning the guitar might lead more students to pursue careers in music and become lifelong learners.”

“After reviewing the entries, The Center selected Arkansas’ Horatio school district because we believed it was a great example of a district that has successfully planned and implemented the growth of a music program,” said Peter Juergens, Senior Director of Communications at The Center. “Ensuring proper implementation to guarantee future success is what our 2011 U.S. Common Core State Standards Tour is all about, and is why we have seen such an overwhelming response to our efforts assisting with CCSS implementation across the country. Just as CCSS implementation will shape the future of education in this country, music and the arts will help shape children's futures.”

“The Horatio School District would like to express our thanks to The Center for the guitar, autographed by Alice Cooper, which we will display prominently at our high school," said James Ray Dobbins Jr., Horatio's High School Principal. "We will also be moving into a brand new high school facility in the fall of 2012, and this guitar will be a key focal point and a great addition to our planned Wall of Fame.”

For more on The Center’s position on Common Core State Standards and the resources that The Center provides, or to register for the U.S. Tour, please visit www.leadandlearn.com/CCSS or call toll-free 866-399-6019.

About The Leadership and Learning Center

The Leadership and Learning Center, a division of global education leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, provides world-class professional development services, cutting-edge research and innovative solutions for educators and school leaders who serve students from pre-kindergarten through college. The Center has worked in all 50 states and every Canadian province, as well as Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. The Center works with public school systems, as well as religious and secular independent schools, charter schools, community colleges, technical schools, universities, state departments of education, national ministries of education, and international education associations. Center Professional Development Associates are experienced superintendents, principals, administrators, and educators who provide comprehensive practices for clients in the area of standards and assessment, instructional strategies, leadership and accountability, data analysis and collaboration. For more information please visit, www.leadandlearn.com.

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

With education products and services used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company. The world's largest provider of materials for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. Through curricula excellence coupled with technology innovations and professional services, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students, providing interactive, results-driven learning solutions. Its Educational Consulting Services group works to increase student achievement in underperforming schools by developing, implementing and supporting education transformation through sustained district partnerships. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.

Bianca Olson
Director, Corporate Communications
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-3841
bianca.olson@hmhpub.com

Peter Juergens
Senior Director of Communications
The Leadership and Learning Center
303-504-9312
pjuergens@leadandlearn.com