What is the Renaissance National Honor Roll?
The Renaissance National Honor Roll program is designed to help guide educators to data targets that research has shown result in greater student growth through implementation strategies. It is available to teachers, librarians, and school administrators.
There are eight monthly challenges published August through March. The challenges are like bite-sized chunks of professional development to help educators improve implementation and get more out of the programs. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate student growth throughout the year. The final step of the process entails data submission for educators to show their achievement of the targets. Those who meet the targets will be recognized through an achievement kit that includes customizable digital student certificates, a classroom pennant, and a school banner.
Watch the Honor Roll video.
Meet some of our Renaissance Honor Roll educators!
Amanda Erceg
5th grade teacher
Alexander II Magnet School
Georgia
I am a mom and teacher that loves to spend time with my husband and family. We like to go on walks and travel together. I used Accelerated Reader over 20 years ago as a student and now I get to use the same program as a teacher! I participate in the National Honor Roll program because my students deserve the absolute best! Professional Learning is one way I can be sure I continue to learn and grow. I've seen success with Accelerated Reader this year by watching my students enjoy reading consistently and regularly. Likewise with Star Assessments, I've enjoyed watching my students give their best on each assessment. They were so determined to increase their score and meet our class growth goal.
Amanda Erceg
Virginia Travis
2nd grade teacher
Granite Falls Elementary
North Carolina
I'm Virginia Travis and I've taught second grade at Granite Falls Elementary School for 25 years. I hope to foster a love of reading in the students I teach. Using Accelerated Reader in my classroom helps me to keep students engaged, focused, and wanting to read every night. Participating in Renaissance National Honor Roll is a great way for students to be rewarded for their reading success. Fun Fact: My husband draws the students' favorite book character for those who have met their individual goals.
Virginia Travis
Julie Thoma
4th grade reading teacher
Warrenton Grade School
Oregon
I am a 4th grade reading teacher at Warrenton Grade School in Warrenton, OR. I use STAR reading and AR to help students set and achieve personal reading goals. I want all to see how hard my students work throughout the year. Renaissance National Honor Roll brings attention to their hard work and helps them realize that reading is important. AR has been especially helpful while teaching from a distance. I can assign a book that meets our learning goals for the week on myON and assess comprehension with AR quizzes. Due to Covid-19 I was not able to test students each quarter as I normally do but since STAR is online, I was able to remotely administer the end of the year assessment and help kids celebrate their goal progress at a distance. At the end of each quarter, we have a party for everyone that meets or exceeds their personal goals.
Julie Thoma
Nancy Jackson
Librarian
Westover School
Tennessee
I have taught for over 40 years and have been a librarian for over 30. I've been using AR for around 20 years. I love what I do and working with kids has been and is a joy! Participating in National Honor Roll gives us a school-wide goal that teachers and students want to achieve. My greatest success with Accelerated Reader this year has been getting our students accustomed to focusing on meeting goals instead of earning points. I love seeing kids in the hall that say things like “I met my percent correct goal” and “I made 100/90/85 on my quiz!”
Nancy Jackson
Diana Mitsch
Second grade teacher
Southwestern Christian School
Arizona
I am a Second Grade teacher in southwestern Arizona, completing my first year of teaching Second Grade. My husband and I have two children, and one very loving 11 year-old dog, Lucy. My greatest success has been the continuous encouragement of each of my 21 Second Graders, even as school transitioned to distance learning with COVID-19. Each student maintained their reading practice, met or exceeded goals for the quarter, and finished strong. When school was physically in session, students received various incentives for making their goals, such as new books and "coupons" to do fun things in our room (i.e. use the special supply box for their work, bring stuffed animals to school as a buddy, eat lunch with a friend at a special table, etc.). Our school participated in National Honor Roll collectively, and what a blessing that each of us as educators at different grade levels, gets to encourage each other in our successes. It truly takes a village, and I'm thankful that our school recognizes that and capitalizes on the opportunity to take our students' learning abilities another step further.
Diana Mitsch
Magaly Piña
3rd grade teacher
Dr. Palmira Mendiola Elementary
Texas
Hello! My name is Magaly Piña, and I'm thrilled to say this is my 5th year teaching elementary at La Joya ISD. I enjoy coming up with creative & rigorous ideas for the classroom. Using Accelerated Reader this year helped my students improve their reading skills, motivated them to read more, and made them more responsible for meeting goals. Our principal recognized students who have met their individual goals by giving them an incentive every Friday. I participate in National Honor Roll because I love learning from other teachers.
Magaly Piña
Missy Berry
4th, 5th, 6th grade math teacher
Granite Elementary
Oklahoma
I'm married to my high school sweetheart with three kids, Trey, Kennedy, and Charlie Belle. Oklahoma educator for 18 years. Recently received my master's degree in public school administration. I participate in National Honor Roll so our students can be recognized for their hard work and dedication. I love how this program has paved the way for success for all my students. I am able to provide a gifted and talented portion to my day, as well as, maintain a balance for the students that require purposeful and targeted intervention strategies. Witnessing firsthand how the purposeful intervention strategies via the exercises can benefit the entire class has been my greatest success with Math Practice this year. I also love how I can create my assessments to target specific standards. We have celebrations for students that make a 90 or above on their first attempt of a practice or test. I let them ring a bell in the class each time. I offer to video it and send to their parents or grandparents! They love that!
Missy Berry
Shonda Hill
2nd grade teacher
Venice Christian School
Florida
I am a second grade teacher who has a huge desire to build a love for reading. Reading is my favorite pastime. I want to spread that love to my students. I participate in National Honor Roll because it is fun to be recognized for our hard work. We have weekly reading goals and students who exceed the weekly goal get a special Lunch with the Teacher.
Shonda Hill