We met virtually with Sharon Westbrook, 3rd-grade teacher at Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School, to learn more about her 33 years as an educator and her nuggets of wisdom during this period of distance learning. Sharon hopes we maintain a sense of community and generosity of spirit when we return to campus. Since the beginning...
We met virtually with Maria Mendez, Resource Specialist Teacher, Parent Engagement Lead, and former Restorative & College Culture Lead at Twentieth Street Elementary School to understand the important stage that social-emotional learning is taking during distance learning. Read more below. Maria strongly believes that SEL helps students persevere through difficult times. How vital is social-emotional...
We connected virtually with Adam Barillas, an 8th-grade student at Hollenbeck Middle School to learn about his interest in music and how it helped him during the pandemic, and his year-long participation in the school’s music academy. Hollenbeck’s Music Academy is directed by Mr. Erick Quintanilla alongside Mr. Christian Melgoza, who is the strings director....
We connected virtually with graduates from all Partnership high schools — Santee Education Complex, MSTMA at Roosevelt, Mendez High School, Jordan High School, and Roosevelt High School — to get their perspectives on distance learning. We asked them the same question: What was your biggest success during distance learning and what was your greatest challenge?...
We met virtually with two Edwin Markham Middle School teachers — Jamie Schnablegger, English Language Arts (ELA) Team Lead, 6th grade ELA and History Teacher, and 7th and 8th grade Leadership Teacher; and Wendy Vanegas, 6th grade Math & Science Teacher and Peer Coach — to learn more about their distance teaching experiences. Wendy and...
Recently we sat down with two seniors from Santee Education Complex: Denise Calderon and Emerson Majano. They are peer mentors to younger students as part of a peer mentorship program spearheaded by Dr. Claudia Cataldo (Teacher PROfile). Here they share the impact the program has had on their lives. L to R: Denise, Dr. Cataldo,...
We spoke at length with Dr. Claudia Cataldo, English teacher, Academic Decathlon Coach, and Falcon Feminists and Gay Straight Alliance Faculty Advisor at Santee Education Complex, about the importance of supporting incoming international students on campus. Learn how the need for support at Santee evolved into a mentorship program. Dr. Cataldo is personally invested in...
We visited Edwin Markham Middle School and spoke with Willow Manley, an eighth-grade student, to learn about what drives her love of reading and writing. Willow Manley enjoys helping others in times of need, a skill she developed with the help of her mom. Willow loves to read and write, so it doesn’t come as...
Recently we spoke with Tajuana Johnson, Instructional Coach and Restorative & College Culture Lead at Ritter Elementary School and Partnership board member. Below, Tajuana talks about her passion for education and her school and students’ success. Tajuana Johnson has been teaching for 14 years and one of her daily reminders to her Ritter family is...
We spoke with Angel Garcia, a senior at Roosevelt High School and a 2018-19 and 2019-20 Lundquist Fellow, who shared his high school student experience and what it was like to apply to college this year. Learn more about Angel below. Angel Garcia is very involved at Roosevelt, and participates in many enrichment programs, such...
Recently we spoke with Taylor Shields, sixth grade English and Social Studies teacher and Partnership Team Lead at George Washington Carver Middle School, to learn more about how she prepares her students for success. Get an inside look at Taylor’s teaching style in this PROfile. Taylor Shields knew she wanted a teaching career in South...
Recently we spoke with Anavelen Macias, 4th grade teacher and Partnership Team Lead at Grape Street Elementary School, to learn more about how she prepares her students for success. Here’s what she shared: Photo: Dedicated Grape Street teacher Anavelen Macias has high expectations for her students. Why did you want to pilot the Eureka Math...
