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Boles teacher Sheniqua Browder one of seven honored nationally

Boles Junior High Math 180 teacher Sheniqua Browder was in her classroom last Wednesday morning doing what she normally does – teaching a class to help students grow their math skills.

Her regular day took a turn when 91��Ƭ�� superintendent Dr. Matt Smith, Boles principal Codi Van Duzee and several members of the district’s state and federal interventions and operations department came through her door.

That’s what happens when you earn a national honor from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)’s program.

Browder was one of seven teachers nationally to be recognized for her excellence in teaching Math 180 and her overall student growth. She’ll be highlighted by HMH for her practices, classroom environment and interaction with students.

What made the honor more amazing is that this is Browder’s first year in the Math 180 program.

“I do this for the students,” said Browder, who is in her 16^th year of teaching at Boles. “It’s all about them. The growth is great. It’s awesome. I’m totally shocked. The program enables us to find content areas where students are struggling in to come in and fill those gaps. We get to see the growth.”

While Browder was surprised Wednesday, she wasn’t alone. 91��Ƭ�� has students in both Math 180 and , programs designed to help students who are behind make rapid gains. In addition to surprising Browder, three district students were honored for their growth in the program. This is the 18^th year HMH has honored students and teachers for their achievements. The district has more than 3,700 students in the Read 180 program and 1,250 in the Math 180 program.

Caleigh Green, a fourth grader at Miller Elementary, started her day with balloons and a surprise visit from her mom as she was recognized for her reading achievement in Read 180.

Chris Howell, an eighth grader at Workman Junior High, has made huge strides in math thanks to the Math 180 program and now says that math is his favorite class.

“This was really cool,” said Howell, whose father visited the school as part of the surprise. “Math isn’t always the easiest subject, but this has made it better. I’m really happy about this.”

Johns Elementary sixth grader Melody Cruz-Cibrian got a bag of books nearly as big as she is as part of her surprise for being honored with a Read 180 award for her growth.