Former students often visit their beloved fifth-grade teacher, Sean Patrick Griffin, who specializes in reading, English/Language Arts and social studies at Belmont Station Elementary School in Ashburn, VA. Judging by Griffin’s innovative instructional practices, it is easy to see why.
To maximize his effectiveness, Griffin tailors his lessons to accommodate student needs based on the state’s Standards of Learning (SOL) student achievement data. One of his popular programs is a curriculum that integrates reading and social studies, using eight novels to represent the five regions of the U.S. Griffin created an online museum for his students to develop “visitors’ bureaus” with information on each area’s culture, climate, geography, resources and recreational facilities. He uses popular lyrics (such as Billy Joel’s “Allentown”) and hosts a reading blog to further engage students in the project. Griffin administers what he calls “The Starting Five” activity to get students learning within minutes of the bell. And by making every second count, Belmont Station Elementary’s fifth graders have enjoyed at least a 95% proficient rate on the reading SOL for the past five years.
Griffin’s energy and enthusiasm for learning are felt beyond his classroom walls. He provides SOL resources and support to staff across grade levels, is a member of the school equity team and school improvement plan committee, and serves as the social studies liaison between his school and district. After school, you may be able to find him coaching the staff basketball team or the Stone Bridge High School varsity baseball team. Griffin is also the well-recognized voice of the Stone Bridge home football games.
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