Keishia Thorpe
Position: Twelfth Grade Teacher / Track & Field Head Coach
School: International High School Langley Park
School District: Prince George's County Public Schools
City, State: Bladensburg, MD
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Music that Describes Keishia
Keishia Thorpe was nominated by a family member, Dr. Tresha Borris.
As a young woman and immigrant from a country with most of its population living below poverty line, Ms. Thorpe dreamed of living the American Dream. She worked very hard to earn a track and field scholarship to a college in the U.S, where she graduated at the top of her class. Since then, she made it her civic and personal responsibility to help others achieve their dreams of going to college, as well. After college, she began teaching English in Title I public schools, where she could help students from disadvantaged backgrounds realize and maximize their potential.
Over her 14 years as an educator, Ms. Thorpe has dedicated herself to preparing students for college, both in and outside of the classroom. The students she teaches are from similar backgrounds. Many of them are undocumented and struggle with the English language. Over the past six years, she has dedicated herself to helping her English language learners level up and prepare for college, an opportunity that most of them did not see as a possibility. Every year, more than 90% of her students vastly improve their English skills, both in their post-test scores and WIDA levels.
Even though she is a single mother, Ms. Thorpe has stayed after school at her workplace on many evenings, assisting a great number of her students with applying to colleges. As a result, she was honored as the district's Teacher of the Year Runner-up for 2018. She has also earned two mission awards from her school for preparing students for college and contributing to the school’s mission. She still stays in touch with and is a mentor to some of her students who are now in college.
One of her former students is now working in the Mayor’s office as Director of Culture and Diversity. This particular student was a part of an organization Ms. Thorpe started at school called the Hope Beyond Distance Foundation. With the foundation, she created a program to support immigrant students, especially those who were undocumented. She invited speakers who are immigrants to share their stories and created a safe space where students felt supported. She also successfully hosted two forums where she invited the Chancellor, city leaders, council members and immigration lawyers to answer questions from immigrant students’ families and offer support services. As a Union Leader representing her school, she was also involved in the initiative for DC to become a sanctuary city and promote safe schools for the immigrant student population. She also led her students in researching and developing presentations on immigration and created a platform through the program where they could share their voice about their immigrant experience in America with city leaders.
Several students received college scholarships from the Kiwanis and One World Education as a result. Along with her students, she wrote many letters to Congresswoman Eleanor Norton Holmes in favor of the DACA program. Beyond that, the program also allowed students to connect to their home countries. On different holidays she would sit with them and write hundreds of cards to send to schools and hospitals in their home countries.
Because of her care and involvement with her school, students and community, she was chosen by her school and school district as a travel ambassador. She visited the Bahamas with her students and taught at one of their high schools in Cat Island. She was instrumental in helping the school she taught at to become the first government-registered school in the Bahamas to offer AP subjects in preparing students to compete for scholarships and admission into US colleges. During her trip, she taught AP Language and Literature. After she returned to the U.S., she continued teaching and mentoring the students through Skype. The small cohort of students were all granted scholarships to college because of their Advanced Placement scores. Since then, more schools began using the model with their students to access AP courses, since most teachers on the island are not trained to teach AP courses.
"This goes to show how far reaching her impact is on students as an educator. I know she is still working with one superintendent in the Bahamas to expand the program so more students there will have access to AP courses, which will offer more opportunities for them to access colleges in the U.S," Borris said.
Outside of the classroom, Ms. Thorpe is the co-founder of a registered nonprofit, U.S. Elite International Track and Field, Inc. under which she created the Liaison International Scholarship Program. The Liaison Program was established to give student-athletes an opportunity to use their gifts and talents as a vehicle to access scholarships to earn a college diploma debt-free. As a student athlete from a disadvantaged background, the only opportunity she had to go to college was through her involvement in sports. Through the program, she helped student athletes realize their dream of college by encouraging them to use their talents.
"Most of these students do not necessarily have the highest GPA or SAT scores, but through the network she established with many college coaches, she is able to assist student athletes she coaches and those in the school district in achieving a debt-free education through track scholarship opportunities," Borris said.
The program she developed targets student athletes from low to moderate income families and those who are considered “at-risk." Most of the student athletes who enroll in her program and ones who she mentors are first-generation high school or college students.
"Since track and field gave her the hope of college when she was in high school and had no clue what was going to happen next, I think she feels obligated to pay it forward," Borris explained. "Through a track scholarship, she was able to complete college and had the opportunity to help her family. With the program, she wanted to provide the same access and opportunity for other student athletes to change their lives in the same way that higher education was able to change hers – not just for the athletes she coaches, but all athletes in her school district and community."
From the beginning, Ms. Thorpe has been using her own paycheck to make sure students had a way to pay for clearance for the Eligibility Center, pay for the SATs, or even admission fees to college for those experiencing extreme financial hardships. For the past nine years, she has reached out to community businesses and organizations to sponsor an Annual Scholarship and Athletic Convention. The Convention brings together a team of college coaches and college admissions and compliance teams who educate student athletes on college admissions, the Eligibility Center, SAT and ACT, DI, DII, and NAIA standards, NCAA compliance, and more topics that will help them to transition to college successfully. The day ends with an Olympic guest motivational speaker and a two-hour college fair, where student athletes get to interact with college coaches and admission representatives one on one. Most students usually get recruited on the spot.
Ms. Thorpe has spent hours writing grants and partnering with shoe companies to make sure all athletes who cannot afford tennis shoes for track practice get a pair at the event. What started as a local initiative became an international one, as the student athletes in the program talked about how they benefitted, and coaches requested her to do workshops with their athletes in other states and countries.
"It is intruiging to see how she forms a personal relationship with each individual student athlete, guarantee each of them a college scholarship, and come through for each of them. Not only was she helping domestic students, but her international population grew because students wanted to attend college in the U.S., but were totally unaware of the legalities and the international student process," Borris said.
Ms. Thorpe wanted to make sure she equipped those students, not only with equal access to opportunities, but all the necessary information for attending U.S. colleges, especially due to the current immigration laws. With many international students reaching out, especially from the Caribbean, she hosted three successful conventions in Jamaica to educate college-bound student athletes, and she received a lot of support there. This year, she hosted the Annual Scholarship and Athletic Convention in Freeport, Bahamas and was able to get the Ministry of Education in the Bahamas to support my initiative.
On October 17, 2018, the country-wide newspaper, The Freeport News, published a spread on the benefits of her college bound initiative to the Bahamas. It will offer students a chance to go to college debt-free and help reduce the opportunity, income and achievement gaps in the Bahamas, where the largest population contributing to the unemployment rate are those under 20 years old (high school graduates). She continues to do the same for her students and those in her school community daily.
While helping students to achieve their dreams, she made sure she stuck to accomplishing her own professional goals as well, to be a constant role model and equip herself enough to advocate for students in meaningful ways. While managing the organization’s college bound programs, she qualified for 2 Olympic trials, completed her MEd. and her USA Track and Field Level II and AIC National Coach’s Certification. She has been chosen a presenter in various school district professional development and at College Board AP Conferences, sharing her best classroom practices with other educators. She has also published research in education.
"She continues to strive for greatness to be an example to the college bound students she mentors, to show them if she can do it, then they can," Borris said.
Ms. Thorpe currently teaches at a new Title I school for English Language Learners, where she has been put in charge of creating and teaching the entire English Language Curriculum and two AP courses – AP English Literature and Composition and the new AP Capstone Seminar. Her goal is to expose her students to the kind of academic rigor they will experience in college and prepare them for life beyond the classroom, with skills they can transfer to any aspects of their lives.
"Many critics believe that ELL students are incapable of taking and being successful in AP courses, but she thinks that whether or not they pass the exam with a high score, the level of critical thinking they are able to achieve and the knowledge they are able gain is going to be invaluable to their post-secondary pursuits," Borris said. "Therefore, she is relentless in encouraging perseverance in her students and giving them hope where many doubt their abilities. She has stayed after school to tutor her students and is always available through her email anytime to help them. "
Ms. Thorpe has registered her students to be exposed to and attend their first live Shakespeare play. She has also just helped her students to write and revise their Common Application essays for college admission and mentoring a large group of them, no easy feat when you teach more than 70 students. Under her coaching of track and field, her cross-country athletes placed first in the regional championship, placed second as a team, and have qualified for the first time for the national championship. This is a great accomplishment for a new school of 3 years.
"The school will graduate its first class of seniors in 2019, and I am proud of her work with the students and her role in their journey," Borris said.
Ms. Thorpe! I watched your video and read your nomination and comments. You are what I look for in a mentor! What you do for your students are beyond amazing and I only hope to one day have a great impact on my community as you do!
Congratulations I don’t know you be it’s a honor to be put in the Category to be nominated for this and I pray for that you continue to change lives in a positive and Magnificent way. You have my support I’m only a email away and again one my time congratulations....
I saw your name and knew instantly that you were Jamaican. I thank you for inspiring the younger generation and encouraging them. Congratulations on your achievements and sincerely wishing you God's abundant blessings, always!
I think She is the best teacher in the School because i learn a lot from her.
congratulations ms.thorpe
good luck congratulations and thank you mr.Thorpe
Congratulations Ms Thorpe!
Congrats Ms. Thorpe!! I wish you the best in the competition!
Best of luck Ms. Thorpe!!!
Congrats!! Wish you the best!
Congratulations, Ms Thorpe for your good work.
I hope you win! Mr.Thorpe
Thank you , Ms Thorpe
Good Job.
thank you ms thorpe congratulations for the great job you do you do a good job teaching
congratulations Ms. Thorpe!
we love you and good jod!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Ms.Thorpe!!!
congratulations ms.Thorpe
Thank you Ms.Thorpe congratulation!
You are the best!
Congratulations!!! Ms.Thorpe
Congratulations ms.Thorpe
Thanks ms.Thorpe for be a great teacher and for help me a with my english .
Congratulations !!!!
thank you MS Thorpe I want it
Phoenix United! Go IHSLP!
Congratulations! Great job!!
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe!
Congratulations, Ms. Thorpe God bless you always.
congratulation Ms.Thorpe!
good job, and thank you for help me.
Good luck, way to go!!!!!
Congratulations Ms.Thorpe.
thank you Ms Thorpe
we love you
I am so happy for you, hope you win.
Congrats Ms. Thorpe! Way to go...
she is a very helpful teacher she deserve the best and everything.
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe, thanks for all your effort at our school.
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! I wish you the best!
Way to go Ms. Thorpe! Congrats!
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! Way to go!
Congratulations. keep going
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe!!!!
Ms.Thorpe is the best teacher in the that show different student be someone i life she talk with everyone in the school she say good something she make great jod
Congratulations! Wish you the best!
Ms. Thorpe congratulations for getting into this competition you are a really good teacher and you also encourage your students to work hard.
I think she is a great teacher
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! God bless you!
i hope you win. you are the best.
congratulation, & thank you for everything you do for our school.
Way to go congratulations I hope you win.
goood luck Ms.thorpe hope you win the competition for us dont matter if you lose at least you tried to win for IHSLP but we all know you are going to win because your the best runner out here and we all have faith in you and your a strong fast woman hopeful it all goes will for you we all wish you the best <3 -_-
congratulations. Ms.Thorpe
good luck ms.Thorpe way to go.
Good work Ms.Thorpe! You are at the next level. Hope you win it.
congratulation, Ms.Thorpe
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe
congratulations!Ms.Thorpe
Congratulation Ms.Thorpe keep those expectations. We are proud of you.
Congratulations ms.thorpe for be very responsible and also to help others people to be better.
i hope you win congratuation for od you doing in this schoo
Hello, I hope that very well I just wanted to say hello and thank you for being a good teacher of English for teaching English classes very well
GOOD LUCK, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST CONGRATULATIONS
I hope you win ms.thorpe you are a nice teacher
I hope you win.you are awesome .
Ms. Thorpe has high expectations of her students and pushes them to grow so they are prepared in English (and in athletics!) for college & career. Congratulations to her on the nomination!
I think She is the best teacher in the School because i learn a lot from her.
Way to go!
You're Awesome..!
Good Job!!
You deserve to win. I hope you do.
I hope you win. All the best to you.
You deserve it . Good luck
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! You deserve this! Keep going with the amazing job that you do in our community!
Her class taught me to be more responsible and to be punctual with my work to be stronger to think things through.
She taught me to organize and do things better. Doing things well all the jobs the responsibilities in getting everything right in having everything in order.
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
Congratulations, Ms. Thorpe!
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
Great job Ms. Thorpe! Keep those expectations set high.
Excellent work, Ms. Thorpe!
Congratulations, Ms. Thorpe! You’re a boss. Thank you for all that you do:)
CONGRATULATIONS MS. THORPE, WAY TO GO
Thanks for everything you do for us and we are very proud of you.
CONGRATULATIONS MS. THORPE, WAY TO GO
CONGRATULATIONS MS. THORPE, WAY TO GO
Congratulations, Ms. Thorpe! Thank you for all that you do:)
You've taught us a lot this year! Thank you for everything.
Good luck, we proud of you.
Good Luck Ms Thorpe! We are so proud of you!
You are great teachers ????? and amazing teacher I have ever had in my life we hope you win
Good Luck Ms. Thorpe! Way to go!
Youre amazing Ms. Thorpe!! You're a huge inspiration
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! Good luck!
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
Thank you for all you do for the youth and families of Bladensburg!
Way to rep Bladensburg! Thank you for all you do!
She has brought up the best in our children! She encourages to succeed!
In this time and age, we tend to only remember the great or worst of a person, and most of us wish to be remembered for our successful hours and not our painful hours, which most at times happens, but it is essential to also see a person went through in order to be what they are today. I say congratulations to Ms. Thrope for her wonderful accomplishment in life, but I also feel that it is important for our younger generation to also know what kind of trials and tribulations that she has survived to make it this far, or this will just become another one of those honor ceremonies that does not move nor impress us instead of inspiring us.
Ms. Thorpe you make a good job.
Good Luck , I hope you win.
I want the you thorpe is go to be like my vote for you because I think you are a good person and you have some tings especial for love person.
Hello, ms thorpe! I really said that you can enjoy the good work and then you will look forward for working for seniors if they receive their good work. and i realize that you claimed this reward for being a english ELA teacher to represent your hard work!
Thank u for representing our school good luck
Good luck ms Thorpe ????????????
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! Keep going with the excellent work! Good luck!
good job, congratulation.
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe! Good Luck!!!
Ms. Torpe you are the BEST.......
Good luck Ms. Thorpe! We are so proud of you.
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe!
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
Congratulation Ms. Thorpe! I wish you the best and keep going doing great things in our school :)
Congratulations on being selected as a Nominee for the LIFECHANGER of the Year. This is so well deserved! On behalf of the Town of Bladensburg, I thank you for all you do to support our students.
With the formidable obstacles immigrant students face, unwavering support is vital for success in school, work, and life. Ms. Thorpe is the unwavering support our students need.
On behalf of the Office of Council Member Taveras, I attended the Senior Portfolio Presentations to which Ms. Thorpe invited us. I was a panelist that engaged with the students by listening to their stories of challenge and triumph; having dialogue about their future goals and ambitions; and facilitating an environment where the students could be challenged and supported. The students were absolutely amazing! Their resiliency and hard work were more than inspiring. They are college and career ready.
Common amongst the students was the gratitude they expressed for Ms. Thorpe. The number of students who are supporting her LifeChanger of The Year nomination is testimony to the unwavering support she holds for them.
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe!
Good luck, and thanks for representing IHSLP with pride and positivity everywhere you go!
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
GOOD LUCK Ms. Thorpe! We are so proud of you! Way to go!
congratulations Ms, Thorpe
Way to go.you makes me proud. as a provisional,you are our model.
congratulations Ms.Thorpe way to go.
Congratulations Ms.Thorpe
Way to go.
Good Luck!!!!! You're a great coach.
Thank u so much for everything you do for our school, good luck.
Our staff and students are so lucky to have you at our school. You are a dynamic and inspirational source for our students. Best of luck with this award!
Congratulations, Ms. Thorpe. Thank you for all that you do for IHSLP and our students!
CONGRATULATIONS MS. THORPE, WAY TO GO, GOOD LUCK, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
Awesome, Congratulations
Best of luck!
Congratulations, Ms. Thorpe. Thank you for all that you do for IHSLP and our students!
CONGRATULATIONS MS. THORPE, WAY TO GO, GOOD LUCK, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
"good luck" and goodbye :y
Good luck and i wish you the best.
Thank you for working with our seniors to make sure they are life ready. It is an honor to work with you at IHSLP!
CONGRATULATIONS MS. THORPE
A life lesson I learned since being in Ms. Thorpe's class was being able to accept the fact that things we expected in something can be twisted. I think the way she teaches has made me realize that you are a teacher of word. If we need to get something done it has to get done. This class has prepared me on what to expect in college. Being more organized with my classwork is a key fact. Turning everything on time and managing time will be helpful in college.
Oh, how sweet, blessings overflow. Congrats Keish. Well deserved!! May God continue to order your steps.
Congratulations to Keishia for being a Finalist of the NationalLife Changer Award. We are so happy for her. She deserves it for all her hard work and her dedication to serving underserved, underprivileged, and underrepresented students in the public school system. She has literally taken clothes from her closet and purchased groceries to ensure her kids come to school and has helped so many to obtain debt free college education. She was also the runner up last year for Teacher of the Year in DC Public schools. Hardy congrats to her. Keep up the good work. Keep on in the business of changing lives. ???
Aww!! Congrats! So well deserved!
That is awesome!!! Congrats.
Congratulations. This is impressive. Thank you for helping the student athletes in the Bahamas achieve their dream of going to college. it will always be a pleasure to assist you in helping to change the lives of our young people. you are a genuine person,coach, and friend.
You are a Superstar! Congratulations! Thank you for all that you do to help our athletes in the Bahamas go to college in the U.S. debt-free and mentoring them through the process.
Congratulations. Happy and proud of you!!! God is good. what you put in is what you get out!! Let's plant seeds and reap them later!!! It comes back ten times better!!
Congrats. I can't wait to talk to you about this.
Congrats. To be honored as a teacher is a special appointment from God. Keep doing awesome things foe the children you serve.
There no words to explain how amazing you are and how far you have come along through the years. I hope for the best on your future endeavors and that you continue to excel in your field of work where you help change lives and mold young minds daily. Thank you for having such a huge impact on lives inside and outside the school. Through your organization and community outreach program, you have proven that there is no bound for greatness. Everyday you have shown that the only limit is the one that we set ourselves. I am extremely proud to call you my mom and best friend!
Congratulations to you and many more great rewards in the future. You deserve it.
I give God thanks for your success and I pray that whatever you put your hand into will be successful always. God bless you in your great endeavors. Congratulations and be blessed.
Awesome!!+ So proud of you.
Congratulations Ms. Thorpe.
Congratulations on your award.
Your class has help me because I can deal with my time, and I can do better in the classroom. What I have learned in your class help me for college because we learned how a really good essay looks like. You let me know that things never are going to be easy everything is hard and we have to search for it until we find it. Congrats!
Ms. Thorpe, your teaching has shaped my thinking of life as a person to take actions because life doesn't wait on nobody. From what I learned in your class, it prepared me for college to turn things on time because they might not be a second time. The life lesson I have learned since being in your class, is " time doesn't wait on nobody" So than you for that.
Congrats Keishia! I wish you all the best in your endeavors.
Congrats!!! You deserve it! Best of luck.
Your teaching shaped has change my life because now I know how to be responsible. Something that i have learned in your class to prepare me for collage is that i know how to write and essay. The life lessons I learned since being in your class is to be responsible.
You taught me that life is really hard and you have to work really hard to be successful Your teaching shaped me to be a better literacy writer and a better reader.
In college students read and write a lot, so this class has prepared me for that situation. Thank you!
Being in Ms. Thorpe's class has helped me little by little to develop my thoughts to be ready when I have to move to another level. It has also helped me to reflect on the things I am not doing right and try to improve them. Thank you.
The life lessons I had learned from Ms. Thorpe is mostly about how be a better student and person whenever we develop our work (school/job). She teaches us by some personal reflection. This reflection is also motivation and work as the core values that the she gave to us. These are very special because they help us to be motivated while we are in class or in any activity that we are doing inside and outside the classroom. Also all the hard work that we had received during this years, she shows us an example of how college life is going to be so we can have a clear idea about college and be prepared for it.
Since I have been in your class, I have experience a different view of responsibility. It has changed my understanding of what responsibility means. Before I used to know responsibility but never physically walked through it. Responsibility for me today means time. It means everything's has a time period and knowing this will help me accountable on timing in college. Thank you!
One lesson I have learned in Ms Thorpe's class is the fact that real life is not as easy as high school. We not going to be kids or teenagers forever, we need to take things more serious in order to be successful in life, Sometimes we find everything hard and we just give up and not try and that's what makes us weak. We blame our teachers but the truth is that they are trying to help us be better and strongest even though we make it difficult for them by just not trying they keep pushing us. Ms. Thorpe wants us to be prepared for what college or work its holding for us. Take things serious from the beginning and finish strong.
Since 9-11th grade my teachers made it feel like there was nothing to be worried about, they made everything look so easy for us that now that I have a little responsibility and extra work at my job and my classes it seem hard and difficult for me to keep on track. Now that I'm in Ms. Thorpe's class, I see how real life work is and how hard we have to work in order to accomplish our goals, we need to try and do our very best and also do our works at due dates so that we won't be lost at the end.
Her class prepared me for college in many ways. During this last school year I learned how to structure essays and how to use MLA format and other stuff that will be very helpful in college. I also wrote many essays and narratives which I did not do during 10-11th grade. I also learned that if I keep on track with my things it would be more easy for me at the end. Is no the teachers who make us failed, is us. It's our responsibility to keep up with our work. Thanks for the lessons. Congrats Ms. Thorpe!
Congrats. You definitely deserve it!
I have learned in your class many things about myself. I always try to be a good student but this class is teaching me to be a responsible person this is why now i'm trying to get this class on point to get or increase my grade in english. Ms Thorpe has been telling us about life and giving us examples of what our life looks like without education. Of this class I learn to work as a team and always support who need help in some work.
So very proud of you!!! A true servant leader!
It is good to be responsible in your work, and that it is always better to deliver the work on time so as not to damage your grades........Ms. Thorpe is trying to make me a more responsible person with my classwork...She has helped me in different ways but as in the previous ones, the most important thing that I have learned is the responsibility.
ELA English 12 had a huge impact more than any other of my classes could ever had. At the beginning of the school year I had no idea what to do after I graduated, I had only one option which was to work after school. Then I started to know more about college since the time was passing I was learning at the same time, ELA and Ms Thorpe help me to realize that I had the abilities to keep studying after high school, this class help me to saw something on me that I had no idea that I could ever have. I have learned many things in her class that will help me and prepare me to the future after high school. I also learned some lessons that will be very important if I want to be success in life, one of those lessons are how to be responsible, how to manage my time, and how to be organize in my works. Being responsible is one of the things that I learned during ELA class, at the beginning I never did my homeworks because after school I always found time for other things and not for English 12. Then Ms Thorpe had a conversation with all of her class and tell us that the decisions that we were making will have some consequences at the end of the school year, one of the consequences will be to not graduated, that conversation make think that I wanted to graduated, but if I continue to do other things instead of my homework I would be far away from graduation and that’s when the other lesson that I learned came. To manage my time was the second lesson that I learned on her class, I started to realize that I had to stopped to do the things that would not take me to graduation and there were many things like ELA homeworks that will take me to graduation. Finally Ms Thorpe’s teaching changed me as a person because when started on her class I didn't like her class, I remember one time I said I hate her class but that was because I didn't knew anything in that time, months later my personality and the way how to see the things were changing because I started to understand the class and her as a teacher and also as a person, I understood that not all the things are going to be the same since I was growing up. Ms Thorpe help me to growth mentally because now I'm the kind of person that turn in his homeworks, to get prepare because my studies will not stop after I graduate and also the lessons that I learned will help me to be success in life.
Your class will prepare me for college to write a good essay.
The lessons of life that I have learned in this class is that when we go to college nothing is going to be easy.
The way of my teaching that I learned is to think more about the things that I have to do for my life and also to be able to take advantage of all the opportunities that I have and never give up.
I have learned from Ms. Thorpe that in life I have to ask for help or try to do it even if I can't or I don't understand the work. I learned a lot in her English class and now I know I am an adult and I have to be responsible. What I learned from her helped to get me prepared in life and makes me get ready for the real world.
In Ms. Thorps class I learned not to expect every that every work that I do is going to be an easy on in life. Being in Ms. Thorpe's class shaped me to be a hard worker rather than being a slow and lazy worker.
Before coming to Ms.Thorpe class I have no idea what the MLA format is and how to write proper. After being in Ms. Thorpe I realize that writing proper essay and understanding is very important to college and life.
Your teaching has changed my life making know that not everything in life is easy, that I have work hard to go so far and learn. Something that I learned from you is how to be responsible. The lessons of life that I have been learning is how to work with a partner.
I have learned to be more responsible with my taks. I think I earn it because she is an excellent teacher. It helped to change my life that if I set out I can become whatever I want.
the miss thorpe helped me to pronounce new plants and learn more new words she helped me because she told me that she read a book and she read us and that helped me a lot
It is good to be responsible in your work, and that it is always better to deliver the work on time so as not to damage your grades........Ms. Thorpe is trying to make me a more responsible person with my classwork...She has helped me in different ways but as in the previous ones, the most important thing that I have learned is the responsibility.
I learned that everyone needs to be responsible of their things, also I learned to be always on time to class.
this can help me be on time to classes every day, and be focus when the teacher is explaining something.
congratulations, Mrs.Thorpe
I learn from ms Thorpe that we must not give up to achieve our goals you can never say i can not if you do not try to help yourself.I think she was given this lifechanger because she is an excellent teacher because she always helping us
student and because i believe her goals was to be what she is today .
miss thorpe helped me learn some new words because she gave us books to read and she gave us a project to do in that helped me
I learn from ms.Thorpe that we has to try and try and never give up this helped me in school because when I don't know how to do something I need to try to do my best and never give up until doing it well.Congratulation Ms.Thorpe.
I learned that she only from the projects and does not explain anything of what we had to do in the project only the project after project
I really do not know why she was doing that, but it's good, well, happy.
I do not know what I can change my life but I'm fine as I am
I had learned many things from Ms.Thorpe that has helped me to get better in school. One important thing that she has helped to get better is in my responsibility. She has helped me to become more responsible in my school in my school because when she says that we have to turn in or finish something for a specific date we have to do it yes or yes. This has helped me a lot in real life because it taught me that when I have to do something I got to do on time with no excuse to do late.
I learned from Ms.Thorpe is that she try to help me to improve my English,like to speaking more for to know how pronoun word and also read to others to be clear when I speaking with others in English another think is she try to help me to be responsible with my work. I believe that they gave them this gift because she is a good teacher and if more she tries to sarcar the best of each one of her student.This help me to improve my life is to know that I can do whatever I want if I want to do it and I know I can do big things with the help of my teacher Ms.Thorpe.
congratulations Ms.Thorpe
My Advisory help our to do project everyone in class need to present it, she want our to get more better in our English and speaking skill. She also make sure every students do their work in class.She even ask our to get a mental who can help our in your English and Speaking.Ms Thorpe she my Advisory and also she my coach she help in track she want my body to be in proper shape next years. I want my life to change because i want to become a successful person in life.and also i need to put more and more effort so that my life can change.congratulation Ms Thorpe.
I had learned many things from Ms.Thorpe that has helped me to get better in school. One important thing that she has helped to get better is in my responsibility. She has helped me to become more responsible in my school in my school because when she says that we have to turn in or finish something for a specific date we have to do it yes or yes. This has helped me a lot in real life because it taught me that when I have to do something I got to do on time with no excuse to do late.
I have learned about ms thorpe than she is a person who tries to help others for better and perform better in school that taught her to help them and focus on the studies.
And she wins that because she is one the best performing people select and i change in my life is has learn more ingles congratulations ms thorpe.
I learn from ms.Thope how to get better at my reading and how to work with my group and my speaking.I think that they give this Ms.Thorpe because they how she show to the work
I learn more English and I improve my reading and I learn how to make a good presentation and how to make a smart goal, I think that Ms.thorpe should get that award because because she is a great person, she is help us how to learn more English and how to be more successful, this change me because now I can present a presentation to my classmates without shame and now I can speak more English without shame.
In ms.Thorpe Advisory I learn to do well in class . She made me do some presentations to get better speaking in front of an audience . This help me in the real life to don´t be shy to something that I want , Also to don't be afraid to new beginnings ,to continue trying .
I learn a lot of this class like I learn about college and graduation and also she teach me how to write and read the sentences in a right way ,when I did the lgbtq project that was my favorite I learn how to read the new words and how to write it I really think I learn a lot.
Ms Thorpe congratulation for your award I think they give you that because you are a great teacher.
your class change my life very much learning is not easy if you don't try more than once reacher find information presented to don't be afraid in the feature to speak up that will help me communicated with other and if I don't try you not succeed was the word i get from Ms Thorpe.
Congratulations you are a Super Star! It is awesome to have you as a PG County Teacher.
Her teaching prepared me to know how to manage my time, it also prepared me how to communicate with others if we are working together. Her teaching helped me to use evidence for everything.
Your class prepared me how to manage my time.
I have learn how to communicate with others if we are working together.
It helped me to create a copy of everything in case you lose it. Also have proofs of everything, without evidence no one believes.
Your AP Capstone has given me additional skills to use in real life. In this class, I have analyzed topics through different lenses for greater meaning or understanding and by doing this I am open to new perspectives and I see problems in a different way. For example, I knew suicide was a big problem in the United States however, I was only exposed to the idea that people kill themselves because they are sad or depressed. During this process, I had the opportunity to explore different events or problems that lead people to hurt or kill themselves. My idea changed and now I know that there are different situations leading to suicide. Additionally, in this class I have gained the ability and the skill to Propose solutions to real world problems.
Your class has help me learn to persevere and to always try to do the my work even if is hard, this prepare me for college because that is how it will be there. I will have to do new work that I have probably never see in my life and it will be difficult but, I have to persist and work very hard and even if make mistakes I have to stand up and try again until I get it right. College will be difficult and that is why this class is preparing me so I am familiar to what a college class looks like. This class has help me find credible sources for my reports to make them credible and better.
Phenomenal Woman. Well Deserved. Such a blessing to see someone not only with a heart to give back, but to do something about it. The first four or five paragraphs earned showed she deserved the honor fo me, but there was so much more. May God continue to bless her in all that she does to make an impact on the lives of so many, which will in turn impact others.
Great work Ms. Thorpe. It is an honor to have you on the team!
Wow, that’s huge! Congratulations!!!
Great News!!!! Congratulations Ms. Thorpe!!!
That's amazing! You rock, Ms. Thorpe!
Way to go Ms. Thorpe!
Congratulations on the honor and we will be rooting for you to win the big one!
Go go go Ms Thorpe! Congratulations! So proud of you!
Good morning, Ms. Thorpe:
Congratulations on your recent achievements!
The work that you have done and continue to do to support our English language learners is phenomenal. As you know, many times our students are able to go above and beyond what they could ever dream of because they have someone who cares about them in their life. I love that you have become that person. THANK YOU for giving tirelessly of your time to support so many students. Thank you for making me PGCPS Proud!!!!
I have learned nothing come easy if you want something you have to work for it . your teaching has being very nice and I think it shaped my life changed me from negative to positive.
In life I have learned to be more responsible, the older we get the more people expect you to be multitasking and doing higher level work in a short period of time. Mrs.Thorpe has taught me to be even more responsible, and to use my time wisely. Also to be more organize and professional to the eye of others. This will not only prepare me for college, it will help me overcome even harder challenges in life, and not see them as a stumbling block.
The life lessons I had learned Ms Thorpe's class is mostly about how be a better student and person whenever we develop our work (school/job). Her motivation work as the core values that the teacher had gave to us this are very special because they help us to be motivated while we are in class or in any activity that we are doing inside and outside the classroom. Also all the hard work that we had received during this years show us an example of how college life is going to be so we can had an clear idea about college and be prepared for it.
Congratulation!! We are so proud of you Miss.Thorpe. I'm glad to have you in my senior year. I have learned a lot of things from you. I hope you be successful in your entire life. We love you.
Congratulations !!
The Love and care you gave to our young people give meanings to their life. You do whatever it takes for them to succeed.
May God continue to bless you
on your ministry.
Your story is very inspiring. Thank you for your service, and Congrats!
Congratulations on your success!! Thank You for all you do for the students!!
Your class help me a lot because when you has a lot responsibilities you has to has to make time or aways to complete the work or homeworks because if i don't do my work on time i will lose a lot grades or i will lose the years as the same the work if i don't do what they ask for it i will lose the job. I learned how to make time a every single thing during my day. Thanks because this changed how i look at life.
Ms. Thorpe,your teaching shaped me and the way I think, act and it has changed me because now I'm thinking about life in a deeper way to be successful in life.
Also, by influencing me to change the way I use to do my assignments and It has also pushed me to always be on time with any deadline assignments.
Some life lesson that I have learned since the being in this class is that I should always be ahead of everything and always improve myself to do better things.You are always caring and I appreciate it.
Your teaching shaped me and make me think about being responsible and trying to be on time but also to don´t get distracted in class. In your class, I learn that not everything is easy and work is given every day. Since I being in this class I learned that I need to take things serious and not as a game.
Ms. Thope’s teaching shaped my thinking because this class makes me wants to work twice harder and it also motivate me push myself so I ca have a better grade in her class. What I've learned in this class will prepare me for college or work life because I learn to write a perfect essay because she made us do it over and over so we can get used to it. Also because I've learn to work with people who I thought I would never be able to work for example I never picture myself be a partner with yaya working on a class work or keeping him on track so he can do his homework so we both won’t have a bad grade, and this class really push to get out of my boundary. I learn to work people who I don’t without an arguement or complaining. Thank you for that!
Your teaching has changed my life making me know that not everything in life is easy, that I have work hard to go so far and learn. Something that I learned from you is how to be responsible and how to work with partner.
Your class has shown me what social and physical development are.
Every day in this class I am learning to balance my time and be organized. By being organized I can get more things done by the time they are due. I have learned to be more prepared with supplies and that there are no excuses. Work has to be turned on time and you are giving us an opportunity to do the work the have not turned in which is helping me get a better grade in her class.I appreciate you.
In Ms. Thorpe's class I have learned a lot of lessons. One of them is a big lesson about responsibility and hard work. Also, this change me as a person been more responsible and taking care of the work and putting more effort in all the work of the class. What i have learn in this class it's preparing me to be ready for college and real life. Thanks for the lessons.
I learned in Ms. Thorpe's class many things about myself. I always try to be a good student but this class is teaching me to be a responsible person this is why now i'm trying to get this class on point to get or increase my grade in english. Ms Thorpe has been telling us about life and giving us examples of what our life looks like without education. Of this class I learn to work as a team and always support who need help in some work.
What life lessons I have learned since I have been in Ms. Thorpe's class are to not easily give up on life even though we don't have any idea what to do still we have to try hard. I have learned to be awake and active by doing whatever we are deciding to do.
Ms. Thorpe’s teachings really affected me as a person actually not only by being a student but being a human being. These teachings really shaped how I think and collaborate with others, this way I get stronger and become more mature. This is a big challenge for everyone to be in this class and have a good grade and its for me too, but I never give up and even though sometimes when I even don’t have any idea what to do, I still do it. She gives us the courage to actually go to her during lunch time, after school or even email her to ask her any questions based on the lesson she gives.
I think this is a great class to start it off by doing work and actually encouraging other classmates to work too. Her class can be very challenging but I like it because it prepares me for college and actually showing me that not everything comes easy, but by trying and putting effort on. She teach us that We have to believe in ourselves that we can do it.
The life lesson that I have learned since the being in Ms. Thorpe's class is that the time doesn't wait and that if you miss a day of work you have so much to catch up with after. My teacher shaped the way I think about life is by telling us that the work out there is even harder if you don't understand what you get in class. She change me as a person by making me think about the world when I graduate school. How not everything in life is going to be easy. What I learn in her class is preparing me for college and work life because it is giving me an experience in how work life and college is going to be. For example if you don't get something done on time there is consequences, and if you do the same for college and work you will get in trouble and bring you score down and even faired if your working. Thank you!
Ms. Thorpe, In your class I have learned things that I know will help me in my life after. I have learn to work hard and also not to think only about myself. In this class we are learning to work as a group and with partners. This is a life skill because when we go outside and need to a good job we will need to work with different kind of people. This will also help me personally because I am not a really social person but, I try to work even more with the people around me. I am growing this skill and developing it as I work in the class and in school all because of you.
I changed because you teach me how to be ordered with our things and here I learned it little by little.
The lessons of life that I have learned from Ms. Thorpe is how to be responsible and how to prepare for college. I have learned that going to college requires being able to do things without going to Google.This have changed the way I study.
I learned so many lessons of life from Ms Thorpe - how to be responsible and how to prepare for college. I have learned that going to college requires being able to do things without going to Google.
she helped me changed the way I study. She teaches me things that will help me if I go to college because she cares.
The things that I like about Ms. Thorpe's class is it's helpful for a college or my work life because of everything I learn . Writing well is one of those skills that will benefit me for the rest of my life. How to take the time to do each task and above all have a responsibility.
She instilled in me that Life is not just a moment, life continues with good news, so learn to love your life right now and you will have an incredible life.
The lessons I learned since knowing Ms. Thorpe is that you have to face the real-life problems and faced the future. I had changed a lot because in her class I learn so much important things about life and how to respect and be on time.
Her class has actually teached me some basics that will be really helpful, from how to write the headings of a paper in a correct way, to teaching me the right structure for an essay.Her class have changed my mind because it has been a challenge for me, so I have learn to work hard and to try again when I failed. Being in the class with Ms. Thorpe have made me a better person, because it taught me that there is going to be situations in life in which we have to work with people that we don’t connect but we just have to keep going and work hard and try to leave feelings behind in order to succeed.
I have learned a lot of things from Ms. Thorpe to prepare for college. I learned what to do when I write an essay.
The life lesson I have learned since being in this class is how to cooperate with others. I learned how to communicate in a group.
I think life is easy if you make it easy. If you work hard on something to achieve it, you will make it. These things changed my life. She is a life changer.
I think what all I been learning in Ms. Thorpe's class would help me by showing me the hard work and prepare for the future I see this class as a preparation for students. I learned from her that hard work makes us more available to do hard things in life, for example, the essays and the books, novels, plays that we been reading prepare us. This changed me as a person because it shows me that if I want something better I need to work hard.
Ms Thorpe's class prepare me college by giving me the experience.
Being in her class make learned that the outside world is not an easy life, like College is very different from High School because in College a student is not allowed to turn in late assignments, but in High School, things are different because of some teachers allow students to turn in a missing assignment even if it is a week later.
The teaching you gave to me, has shaped my life because you tell us to do our very best and being responsible for our assignments and our partners, to communicate and help them to their best.
What I have learned in Ms. Thorpe's class can help me know what the college will be like so I can be prepared for that day.One life lessons that I learn in her class is always do all your work and always give the best of yourself, no matter what obstacles are ahead.And your teaching shaped give me the feedback that I need to keep fighting for my dreams and and it change me to be always positive in life.
I am currently at Gordon College, majoring in Political Science and Sociology. I also happened to be Ms. Thorpe's former student and current mentee. This an opportunity for me to highlight Ms. Thorpe's contributions to my community and her unrelenting dedication to her students. Teachers are the leaders and the examples for our tomorrow; it is through their diligence and passion, that we understand the world around us and further realize our destiny; educators evidently play a powerful but sometimes undervalued role, hence why I believe that Life Changer Of The Year is a wonderful way to change the ways in which we view our educators by shedding light on their hard work and encouraging them.
There are two teaching approaches held by most teachers in the Public School systems; one is a common pursuit to ensure that students have the best grades possible and on the other hand, the second method approaches students with rigor and the expectancy that even if their growth is not always reflected in their grades, they do not remain stagnant admits poor education. To no surprise, Ms. Thorpe is and has always been the second kind.
Ms. Thorpe’s class is always ranked the most difficult in the school and often the class that students complain about when initially placed in it. Nonetheless, it is also the class that students find most rewarding. I know plenty of students that mention how grateful they are to have taken her course in preparation for college and that they have no idea how they would have completed their research papers or presentations.
Not only does Ms. Thorpe ensure students are being challenged academically, but she is adamant about helping to build character in her students and exposing them to opportunities that they never thought possible. During my senior year of High School, admits the stresses of college application and a great deal of class workload, I found myself earning grades that I had not achieved before; I owe much of that to her; I spent much of my after school hours with her, whether it be practicing on the track field or in her classroom conversing, I found that there was so much to admire and even more to take away from her life.
In those months, I saw how dedicated she was to me, my goals, and that of all her students. I will never forget the time she sought out the White House Internship for me, ensuring that I applied and going as far as driving me to the functions and helping me prepare for the interviews. I felt like she treated me no different than her own daughter and for that I am evermore grateful. Thanks to her guidance and support, I was able to have a summer of a life time, interning under President Obama’s Administration. Beyond that, I was able to realize all that I had to offer this world. You see, that is what Ms. Thorpe does, her energy has a way of reminding one that even the sky is not the limit and that truly, I can do all that I put my mind to!
She is the phenomenal women Maya Angelou speaks of; she has the heart of a champion, with her journey she brings the wisdom of the old, conveys passion in all her efforts, and remains meek in her success. She is a firm believer in the power of good education and a beautiful representation of how hard work never ends, but it always pays off.
Growing up in the neighborhoods and the circumstances that my peers and I did, there was often a feeling of carelessness that came from our parental figures; by that I mean, they were more focused on putting food on the table and a bit less on how we were doing in classes regularly. This type of upbringing causes a student to sometimes be idle and lack discipline. However, in classrooms like Ms. Thorpe’s, excuses were not acceptable, and her high expectations, also sometimes foreign to us, pushed us to do more. Yes, far more than the bare minimal!
All this being said, I have no doubt that Ms. Thorpe should receive recognition for her astounding efforts and be awarded Lofe Changer of the Year and frankly it strikes me that she has not been acknowledged already.
Ms. Thorpe has been an active community member and well respected for her passion in helping kids in the community chase their dreams. She is definitely a life changer. I applaud her for all that she is doing and I am so proud of her. Keep up the good work.