Several
students
at
Ellis
Elementary
School
are
the
proud
recipients
of
special
"golden
tickets,"
a
form
of
recognition
awarded
to
students
who
excel
in
an
academic
setting
on
a
school
assignment
or
demonstrate
an
improvement
in
classroom
behavior.
The
Golden
Ticket
program
is
an
initiative
spearheaded
by
Leigh
Allen-Hughes,
assistant
principal
at
Ellis
Elementary.
It
is
a
motivational
tool
for
teachers
to
identify
students
who
are
working
hard
toward,
and
achieving,
their
academic
goals.Virginia Tilitsky, a special education teacher at Ellis, recently awarded a golden ticket to a student who used hand gestures to represent a "ray" on a geometry quick check. Tilitsky shared, "This student read the question and with each answer choice, he would stick out his arms and hands and prove why each choice was correct or incorrect."
The golden ticket system works as a positive reinforcement not only do well once, but to continue to strive for academic or behavioral excellence.
"Golden tickets are a great way to provide positive immediate feedback to students. Students remember that special feeling of when they earned the ticket, which makes them want to be the best version of themselves. When a student walks into the front office with their golden ticket, the world stops. Our office staff cheer along with the students, and students are eager to tell any adult/student walking by what they did to earn the golden ticket. It has been a great way to open communication and build relationships with every family. I personally feel like our golden tickets have broken the stigma that school administration only call home to report negative behavior," explained Tilitsky.
Several other teachers have been distributing golden tickets to their students for their good behavior and academic achievements. It is not your standard run-of-the-mill congratulations; it is a big celebratory, inclusive program that is on its way to becoming an inspirational tool for teachers and other school staff. This program is open to all students in grades Pre-K-5 at Ellis.
Allen-Hughes shared how the program has reinforced a positive culture at the school. "Ellis staff are working hard to create a strong support system or network around the students, and give them a safe space to grow, challenge themselves to achieve/succeed, and believe in themselves. Once the golden ticket culture catches on, it will take on a life of its own."