We are El Dorado! This is my school's credo. I like the idea of being a part of a bigger community but I teach in a diverse area. On one end of town are million dollar homes and on the other end are apartments, overcrowded single family homes, and gang controlled areas you don't go in after dark. Even though my school's motto is "We Are El Dorado", socio-economic stressors create a situation of "Haves" and "Have-Nots." Oftentimes, this disengages capable students from my school. My role is to re-engage these kids in our school and our community. With positive enthusiasm, consistent role modeling, and creative resources, I have seen these statistically disadvantaged kids defy the numbers and turn their lives around. My 9th graders are part of my pack. They are smart, funny, empathetic, creative, and, because of their rough road to my class, resilient. Once they get a hunger to learn, they see their capabilities are endless. I especially see this through writing and class discussion.
About my class
We are El Dorado! This is my school's credo. I like the idea of being a part of a bigger community but I teach in a diverse area. On one end of town are million dollar homes and on the other end are apartments, overcrowded single family homes, and gang controlled areas you don't go in after dark. Even though my school's motto is "We Are El Dorado", socio-economic stressors create a situation of "Haves" and "Have-Nots." Oftentimes, this disengages capable students from my school. My role is to re-engage these kids in our school and our community. With positive enthusiasm, consistent role modeling, and creative resources, I have seen these statistically disadvantaged kids defy the numbers and turn their lives around. My 9th graders are part of my pack. They are smart, funny, empathetic, creative, and, because of their rough road to my class, resilient. Once they get a hunger to learn, they see their capabilities are endless. I especially see this through writing and class discussion.
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