Mark Czapski (left) presents his Masterpiece about his hero and father, Mark Czapski (right). Dr. Ellis maintains a high level of respect in her classroom by requiring her students to do the same for one another. She explained that part of the assignment was for students to listen attentively as each presented their Masterpieces. “It was important that every person felt welcome and accepted when it was their turn to present.” Emma Howe (right) looks up to her hero and mother, Cathy Howe (left) “The reason I chose my mother is because she knows the best way to learn is from your mistakes. That is one of the most valuable things that she has taught me,” Amber Simmons (left) said of hero and mother, Darcy Simmons (right)

When Dr. Katherine Ellis, 6th grade teacher of Novi Meadows School asked her “scholars” to write a 9-12 page research paper, she chose a topic that she knew would really resonate with them; their Everyday Heroes. Ellis took the idea of celebrating Everyday Heroes, and let her students’ imaginations run free.

In order to help them discover who their Everyday Heroes were, Ellis asked her students to think about people whom they admired and wanted to be like. The students discovered that in most cases, their true heroes were family members such as their parents or grandparents.

All of the students worked very hard on their “Masterpieces.” They conducted phone interviews with their heroes, some as far as China, Japan, and Lebanon. When the writing was done, each student was required to give a presentation about their hero to the class.

The actual heroes were then invited to the classroom for a day of honor and recognition. “We had our heroes come in, sit on our "Hero Throne” while each scholar read their 9-12 page Masterpiece about them. All but 2 [heroes] were able to come or had a family member sit in for them while it was video taped,” Dr. Ellis said. “There were many heartfelt tears… and a lot of love to go around.”

The festivities lasted for 3 days and included skillfully crafted presentations by the students such as boards illustrated with pictures and mementos dedicated to the heroes. One student, Mark Czapski designed a detailed program of the festivities while another student, Anthony Ialungo created a power point presentation to share with the class. All of the students were encouraged to weave their individual talents into their Masterpieces.

“Creativity is a [driving] force in my classroom,” Ellis says. “Creativity reaps fun. Love and acceptance of our own uniqueness illustrates that each of us is a hero in different ways…” Ellis is not only teaching the fundamentals of writing to her scholars, but also of life.

Ellis feels that it is very important for her students to learn about the positive influences in their lives, especially at an age when many young people start pushing away from their parents. “Sometimes it’s not always comfortable for them to talk about their feelings at this age, and I don’t force them to. But half of it is simply recognizing that those feelings are there.”

“I look up to my mom and dad and when I interviewed them, I learned so much more about them… I feel about ten times closer to them,” said student, Emma Howe.

Emma’s mother and hero, Cathy Howe said, “I didn't realize how much my husband and I are positive role models to Emma. I am so happy that she sees how much we love her and are so proud of her in every way.”

Darcy Simmons, hero and mother of Amber Simmons was also very enthusiastic about Dr. Ellis’ approach to teaching and has noticed a very positive attitude in her daughter at home. “We are so lucky that Amber has Dr. Ellis this year… It is so wonderful to have a teacher who empowers her students this much. She takes learning to a whole new level!”

For a copy of Dr. Ellis’ rubric of the Heroes project, click here (.doc).