6 minute read
New Teachers
New teachers join the AHS community
Christine Weavil English
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By:Robby Romero and Clarence Capunitan
James Madden TREND Pathway
Q-What has been the most challenging part of being a new teacher at Arroyo?
A-The most challenging part has been that I have also taken on the role of the English language program coordinator and the previous teacher who had that role is no longer here so I don’t have much guidance.
Q-How did you hear about the job opportunities at arroyo?
A-I heard about them because they were available and when that happens with the district they offer it to current teachers first and it was towards the end of last year and i was working at SLZ and EBA and i was looking for a position with more stability than those two schools would offer me
Q-What past experiences have you had with teaching?
A-This is my 13 year teaching experience. I’ve taught in private schools and I’ve taught in middle school. I substitute taught in Hayward Unified and this is my third year in the SLZUSD district.
Q-How do you like this school so far?
A-I love it,I love being able to really teach and spend the majority of my time dealing with curriculum and instruction and very few discipline problems.
Q-What past experiences have you had with teaching?
A-About 10 years of education, Masters in education in administration, masters in instruction and technology career, clear CTE credential in engineering and architecture and adult basic education credential I got two or three different credentials.
Q-What has been the most challenging part of being a new teacher at Arroyo?
A-Getting used to the new systems Canvas,and technical issues making sure that Canvas and Aeries were in sync with each other so I think those are the most difficult pieces I’ve had to deal with.
Jennifer Dreyfus English, Drama, Dance
Q-How do you like this school so far?
A-It’s good so far,I really like the students. I haven’t met everybody yet. It’s a big change for me because I came from a really small school where I knew everyone, all the teachers and all the kids,like everyone, so it’s hard adjusting to that.
Q-What past experiences do you have with teaching?
A-I’m a theater teacher,and then I taught ballet, tap theater for little kids for a while I did kindergarten magnet for a while I did my student teachings in middle schools I worked in a K-5 and did theater in San Francisco I did summer camps in San Francisco for musical theater and then I got my credential.
Q-Why did you choose to work at AHS?
A-So I didn’t want to leave the district yet I feel like I’ve been really an integral part and also feel very proud of the fact that I helped build and create performing arts programs for this district and its students. I want to be a part of the performing arts in this district, I want to give this to the students of this district.
Q-What past experiences have you had with teaching?
A-I was little, about 12 years old, and lived in a very poor neighborhood. The apartments I lived in had a lot of children., I remember bringing out a whiteboard out in the quad and I read and created a lot of art for the kids around there, But my later experience in teaching is inside a state prison. These students in these populations were neglected and I wanted to go in there and provide any resources Ii took any classes Ii could and Ii helped them get their AA degree.
Q-How did you hear about the job opportunities at AHS?
A-I lived in Socal, i’m not from around here and I was looking for a high school teaching job on EdJoin originally I thought the AHS I was applying to was in the county of San Bernardino which is in [Southern California] come the day that I’m doing a zoom meeting with [AHS Principal] Ms. Webster and a few teachers they kind of hinted that this job was not in San Bernardino and in fact in San Lorenzo.
Sofia Zepeda
English
Gagan Grewal Math
Q-How do you like this school so far?
A-“I like this school so far because the students are good and the staff are very cooperative and the environment is very good.”
Q-How did you hear about the job opportunity at Arroyo?
A-“I applied on EdJoin. On the website I heard about the job opportunity here at AHS.”
Q-What past experiences with teaching?
A-.“I have taught as an assistant professor of math in my hometown in India and then after that I am just starting my teaching career right here.”
James Aguilar Social Studies
Q-How do you like being a new teacher at Arroyo so far?
A-“I really love it.I have a really supportive staff and colleagues who have helped me every step.I have been having a great time and really appreciative of my students have been giving me grace to be able to start Ethnic Studies as a brand new class.I just think everything about Arroyo has made me happy so far and I have been having a good time.”
Q-Why did you choose to work at AHS?
A-“I got a call from [AHS Principal Angela Webster] and she said why don’t you join our faculty.I had to think about it because I went to San Lorenzo High. Then I got to learn a bit more about this year and more about the supports and I felt so motivated to come here and now that I am here I made the absolute decision and I am not going anywhere.”
Kalena Yambao Special Education
Q-How do you like this school so far?
A-“It feels great being able to teach at AHS.It also feels great to be able to have this opportunity.”
Q-What has been the most challenging part of being a new teacher at AHS?
A-.“The most challenging part of being a new teacher has been learning all the policies all at once.”
Q-What are your plans for the future as an AHS teacher?
A-.“I want to help my students succeed in the best possible way they can.”
Alison Nash Math
Q-How do you like this school so far?
A-“I am really enjoying working at Arroyo.The students are really wanting to learn and seem excited about learning and that is a nice change of pace from previous schools I’ve worked at.”
Q-What has been the most challenging part about being a new teacher at AHS?
A-“The most challenging thing is getting all the information around policies and procedures because different schools have different ways of doing things and those weren’t all made perfectly clear so there is like a little bit of learning as you go required.”
