Teachers, students honored for extra efforts

By Editor Ken Harvey

Numerous students and teachers were honored before the 577 attendees at the Promising Practices Conference in Spokane last fall.

SUPERINTENDENT LAUDS WORK OF TOP TEACHER

Teacher of the Year Portia Childress of South Bend School District is a "doer."

Her former principal, Mike Morris, now the district's superintendent, quotes a Chinese proverb in describing Childress: "Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it."

Childress has not been a teacher very long officially. It was six years ago when she approached Morris to see what it would take to move up from Title I paraprofessional to become a teacher.

"She actually was already one of our best teachers," says Morris. "She just didn't have a degree. I did everything I could to support her ambition because I knew she would be great!"

He says Childress has been vital to the district, to him and, most importantly, to the students.

"She has an unbridled passion for learning, and her kids always come first," Morris says. "Teaching is not a job for her but a calling. She is every administrator's dream. She doesn't know what the union contract says, she will tackle any and all assignments ... and does them better than should be expected. ... I know she will always continue to be an advocate for all kids."

PASS CONTACT GOES ABOVE & BEYOND

Nohra Giraldo of Seattle School District, selected as the 2005 PASS Contact of the Year, helped students complete 113 PASS semi-independent courses by mid-April last year, with another 68 in progress.

Through Giraldo's efforts in Proyecto SABER at Ballard High School, the achievement gap is truly closing every day, notes Counselor Julie Chapman, who nominated Giraldo.

"Nohra helps students see the connection between the PASS classes and their futures. She invites guest speakers from local community organizations and colleges into her classroom...[and] inspires students to work toward career and post-high school goals," Chapman writes. "Each year, I can count multiple seniors who simply would not have graduated that year if not for Nohra. ... She is supportive, but at the same time she holds students to their responsibilities, which is a very powerful combination."

Giraldo directly impacts a total of 125 students each day with her unique style of being "forthright and realistic while being optimistic and encouraging, as well," writes Chapman.

The students are divided into five classes, where they receive one-on-one assistance with their PASS courses, general tutoring and other semi-independent studies. She also puts in a lot of extra time beyond the classroom. About 84 percent of her students complete their PASS courses, which is much higher than average.

"I think of my students as my own kids, so I fight for them as if they were mine," says Giraldo.

She says she receives strong support from school and district administrators.

"If you are supported by the principal, you can do anything," says Giraldo.

STUDENT OVERCOMES MIGRANT LIFESTYLE TO WIN TOP HONORS

Lacy J. Gaspard of Wahkiakum High School in Cathlamet was honored as Migrant PASS Student of the Year.

"In my 15 years with the Migrant (Education Program), I have never had a student work so hard to accumulate enough credits to graduate," writes Marilyn Gatens, a PASS contact at the high school.

As a result of her family's highly mobile lifestyle, Lacy had completed only 1½ credits by age 17. Despite a part-time job, significant family responsibilities, and active participation in the school sports program, Lacy graduated in June 2005 with 26¾ credits, with many of her graduation requirements completed through the PASS curriculum.

"What I want to be in the future is a nurse or someday a doctor," Lacy says.

She appreciates the support of Gatens and other Migrant Education Program workers who "have helped me build up the strength and courage I need ... [to] achieve what I can do ... and be in the future.

"Mrs. Gatens always tells me that I can be whatever I want to be and never to discourage myself by saying that I can't do it," Lacy says.

Lacy's name will be placed in competition for the National PASS Student of the Year Award. If she wins that award, she will receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

STUDENTS HELP OTHERS AS THEY BUILD OWN LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The Primeros and Primeras College Bound Club of Brewster High School was honored for conducting the Local Leadership Development Project of the Year. The students and their adviser, Lupe Ledesma, developed a local leadership conference attended by 60 students. Subsequently, they worked with migrant parents to organize a leadership training and college awareness regional event attended by more than 500 participants.

With curriculum and support provided by the Secondary Education for Migrant Youth Office (SEMY), members of the club grew in their own leadership skills, overcame barriers, created action plans, and helped hundreds of other students and parents enhance their leadership skills and school involvement..

Club members have served as presenters at local, state and national conferences; as associated student body officers; and as organizers of numerous community service projects.

OTHER STUDENTS ALSO HONORED

The Promising Practices Conference also honored numerous other students.

Ruthell Martinez of Eastmont School District was awarded an HACER scholarship. She thanked her dad and one of her counselors for their support. She also challenged the hundreds of educators in attendance: "Give the students a smile, and give your time to help them out."

Sergio Luis Marquez of Wapato School District, Guillermo Espinoza of Cascade School District, and Angel Lopez of Mount Vernon School District were all awarded Space Academy Medals of Honor for excelling in last summer's weeklong Space Academy.