Bridgeport's Outstanding Teacher
Jim Reilly was named by the Bridgeport Public Education Fund as one of the 2010 Outstanding Teachers in the Bridgeport Public Schools System. He was presented with an award for all that he has done for his students. Mr. Reilly was nominated for the award by Anne Cunningham, the Supervisor of Social Studies for the City of Bridgeport. Mrs. Cunningham's nominating letter is printed below.
"James Reilly is a seasoned and talented Social Studies teacher at Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He currently teaches United States History and AP United States history. He has created a content rich learning environment where high expectations are interspersed with humor and personal concern for his students. This is a recipe for success as Mr. Reilly’s Advanced Placement students consistently outscore students from other urban areas of Connecticut and the nation on the annual United States History Advanced Placement Examination. Mr. Reilly always challenges his students to do more. Last year, one of his students was a winner in the State of Connecticut Comptroller’s annual Black History Essay Competition.
If you were to visit Mr. Reilly’s classroom on any given day you might find the class engaged in any one or all of the following activities: analysis and interpretation of an actual historical document such as a copy of the check used to purchase Alaska in 1867, viewing and analyzing art (such as paintings from Jacob Lawrence’s Migration series) or debating the grade President Theodore Roosevelt should receive on his “report card”. All of these instructional techniques involve active student participation, challenging content, collaboration and multi-sensory opportunities for student learning.
Respect, responsibility and self-reliance are the hallmarks of Mr. Reilly’s classroom and he models them through every word and action everyday. His intensive preparation for class and his development of lessons that are both rigorous and engaging signals to students the fact that there is something important going on here and that they are an integral part of it. The extraordinary amount of time he spends helping them to revise their writing and sharpening their thinking validates for them the worthiness of their efforts. Mr. Reilly takes his professional responsibilities seriously and models for his students the respect for knowledge, the learning process and each other. Mr. Reilly also supports his students in their efforts to take responsibility for their own decisions, actions and learning and to develop the civic awareness needed to become a contributing member of our 21st century democracy.
Mr. Reilly reaches out to parents in assisting the intellectual, social and emotional well-being of their children. He makes parents aware of the expectations and requirements of his class as well as the progress of their child. He brainstorms with them ways to mitigate the stress as examination time approaches. He works with parents to make sure that every Advanced Placement student is well prepared. He even gives up several days during April vacation to make sure that all students have an opportunity to take a full length practice test and to score the results. He does everything he can to support and assist his students in their transition to post-secondary education. He spends countless hours writing recommendations for students to make sure that colleges are aware of the unique talents of everyone of his students.
As a veteran teacher Jim Reilly is a “walking” resource for this colleagues whether they seek academic, instructional or everyday practical advice. Without compensation he has taken on the unofficial role of mentor to several new teachers. He is always ready to share ideas, materials and insights with others. He has single handedly coordinated AP testing throughout the building for all subjects. He has facilitated professional development within both the school and social studies department. As a lead teacher participating in the Teaching American History Grant professional development initiatives, he is now supporting middle and elementary school teachers in the development of their instructional expertise.
As Director of the Department of History and Social Science I am proud to recommend James Reilly for recognition by the Bridgeport Public Education Fund Inc. By every measure James is truly and “outstanding” teacher. His classes are well-planned, rigorous and relevant. His demeanor is both professional and engaging. I am proud to have taught with him for many years. In my mind, he is a teacher’s teacher. However, the best testimony that I can give to his character and achievement is the fact that he is the one teacher that I wish my own children could have had."
Jim Reilly was named by the Bridgeport Public Education Fund as one of the 2010 Outstanding Teachers in the Bridgeport Public Schools System. He was presented with an award for all that he has done for his students. Mr. Reilly was nominated for the award by Anne Cunningham, the Supervisor of Social Studies for the City of Bridgeport. Mrs. Cunningham's nominating letter is printed below.
"James Reilly is a seasoned and talented Social Studies teacher at Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He currently teaches United States History and AP United States history. He has created a content rich learning environment where high expectations are interspersed with humor and personal concern for his students. This is a recipe for success as Mr. Reilly’s Advanced Placement students consistently outscore students from other urban areas of Connecticut and the nation on the annual United States History Advanced Placement Examination. Mr. Reilly always challenges his students to do more. Last year, one of his students was a winner in the State of Connecticut Comptroller’s annual Black History Essay Competition.
If you were to visit Mr. Reilly’s classroom on any given day you might find the class engaged in any one or all of the following activities: analysis and interpretation of an actual historical document such as a copy of the check used to purchase Alaska in 1867, viewing and analyzing art (such as paintings from Jacob Lawrence’s Migration series) or debating the grade President Theodore Roosevelt should receive on his “report card”. All of these instructional techniques involve active student participation, challenging content, collaboration and multi-sensory opportunities for student learning.
Respect, responsibility and self-reliance are the hallmarks of Mr. Reilly’s classroom and he models them through every word and action everyday. His intensive preparation for class and his development of lessons that are both rigorous and engaging signals to students the fact that there is something important going on here and that they are an integral part of it. The extraordinary amount of time he spends helping them to revise their writing and sharpening their thinking validates for them the worthiness of their efforts. Mr. Reilly takes his professional responsibilities seriously and models for his students the respect for knowledge, the learning process and each other. Mr. Reilly also supports his students in their efforts to take responsibility for their own decisions, actions and learning and to develop the civic awareness needed to become a contributing member of our 21st century democracy.
Mr. Reilly reaches out to parents in assisting the intellectual, social and emotional well-being of their children. He makes parents aware of the expectations and requirements of his class as well as the progress of their child. He brainstorms with them ways to mitigate the stress as examination time approaches. He works with parents to make sure that every Advanced Placement student is well prepared. He even gives up several days during April vacation to make sure that all students have an opportunity to take a full length practice test and to score the results. He does everything he can to support and assist his students in their transition to post-secondary education. He spends countless hours writing recommendations for students to make sure that colleges are aware of the unique talents of everyone of his students.
As a veteran teacher Jim Reilly is a “walking” resource for this colleagues whether they seek academic, instructional or everyday practical advice. Without compensation he has taken on the unofficial role of mentor to several new teachers. He is always ready to share ideas, materials and insights with others. He has single handedly coordinated AP testing throughout the building for all subjects. He has facilitated professional development within both the school and social studies department. As a lead teacher participating in the Teaching American History Grant professional development initiatives, he is now supporting middle and elementary school teachers in the development of their instructional expertise.
As Director of the Department of History and Social Science I am proud to recommend James Reilly for recognition by the Bridgeport Public Education Fund Inc. By every measure James is truly and “outstanding” teacher. His classes are well-planned, rigorous and relevant. His demeanor is both professional and engaging. I am proud to have taught with him for many years. In my mind, he is a teacher’s teacher. However, the best testimony that I can give to his character and achievement is the fact that he is the one teacher that I wish my own children could have had."