We are student teachers at O'Farrell Community School.We have been in this program since this past summer. We are part of the dream. Our names are Melanie Ellis, Monica Fernandes, Finn Lohner and Yolanda Vallina.
All of us have worked with an "educational family" called the Achievers. The Achievers are also referred to as Family C. Family C is made up of six core teachers: Randy Conry, social studies teacher and family leader; Irma Jones, language arts teacher, Kathy Lathus, math teacher; Joanne Marti, science teacher; George Munoz technology teacher; Kathi LeBeau,P.E.teacher; and Chris McDaniel, family support teacher (four of these teachers are Mentor Teachers-respected teachers in the district that can offer assistance to beginning teachers who face problems in the classroom); two teacher's assistants: Corina Cruz and Lance Williams; and we, four student teachers.
The relationship between these teachers is also fostered by the shared belief in the O'Farrell Standard - Basically that the school has a responsibility to address the social physical, and psychological needs of the students and that we offer every student the opportunity to succeed in an advanced, interdisciplinary, multicultural, educational environment.
Educational families are provided flexibility in organizing instruction to assist students in reaching the Standard, guided by schoolwide criteria for each challenge. In addition, O'Farrell will measure student performance using both state and national assessments. The effort to meet the O'Farrell Standard is a shared responsibility among students, parents, and staff. Students, parents, and homebase teachers will sign a contract identifying responsibilities as the student enters the school. Some students masy require extra time before school and during the summer to be able to meet the Standard.
Everyday, the Achiever Family meets at 11:05 for Common Family Prep. In this time, we have meetings with parents, decide on family matters such as grades, field trips, etc., and always, always discuss students. The students see us as a surrogate family because they know we always are talking about them, and because we care.
There is tutoring and detention every morning in the science room with Mr. McDaniel, the family support teacher. He serves to help students on the work they've had problems with. He also monitors those students who have received detention for misbehavior.
All in all, Family C is a group of people who care about their students and their education. We all work together to provide interdisciplinary units and consistent reinforcement for our students. We are known to be one of the most strict families at O'Farrell, but that may be because we care for our students, and only want the best for them-like any caring family.
