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In the Valley

Reflections from a young teacher in the San Fernando Valley

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  • March 6-8 - Ms. Mac will be attending Project Citizen training. March 14 - Seven of Ms. Mac's students will be competing in Los Angeles History Day! March 29 - The Cesar Chavez students will be participating in the San Fernando Cesar Chavez Commemorative March

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    Cesar Chavez Day at BCCS

    Today, Bert Corona Charter School celebrated the memory of Cesar Chavez, a leader in the Latino community who fought for equal rights for Latino farm workers.  As the coach for the Cesar Chavez Service Club at BCCS, I helped to organize and lead the events from the day.

    For the past five weeks, the Chavez Club has been working on creating a mural themed around Cesar Chavez's moto: "Si Se Puede!"  The students came up with a wonderful design, showcasing the Farmworker's Union symbol as a rising sun over colorful fields, which are "growing" Chavez's 10 core values. 

    As much as I am pleased with the final product, I'm most impressed with the effort that many kids put into the project.  A few of the kids stayed late, missing their snack time, to labor over the small details of the sunset, the foliage, and the lettering.  In paticular, I noticed a change in "S", who joined the club late this year, but dove right in and showed amazing dedication.  Because of her efforts, I asked her to speak at the yesterday's assembly unveling the mural.  Many teachers, myself included, were really touched by the insights she shared in her address.  She talked about how Cesar Chavez had done so much for her and her community, and she was glad to do a little something in honor of him.  Watching "S" and "J" address their school and talk about the importance of Cesar Chavez in their lives was a really great moment (now we just need to teach the girls not to mumble into a microphone.) Smile

    Overall, I felt really good about the assembly.  I think things flowed well; there was a clear introduction, middle, and conclusion.  We stayed on time.... mostly, and the student body was engaged....mostly.  I think part of the success was that we divided the different elements of the assembly between people who had skills in each area.  Having Mr. D start the assembly got things off on the right foot with a clear message and high expectations.  The students who were chosen to speak were thuroughly prepared and not overloaded with the amount they had to stay.  And, of course, Mr. T's 'Core to Score' basketball game was a huge hit, as always. 

    I know that it is a goal at BCCS to have student led assemblies, but I really think that a balance between teachers and students, where each stakeholder plays to their strengths, is more successful. 
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    Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 4:08 PM by MsMac
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