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What Teachers Say
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"I came to John Muir hoping to change the lives of my students. I do not look at my students as troubled or in need, but rather as students with missed opportunities. Not only do I teach them academic lessons, but also lessons in life skills.
"I try to develop a rapport with them so they open up to me when they are having trouble with their studies or having problems that keep them from doing the best."
Roger Rather
Teacher, Tulare Conservation Corps
(C-SET)
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"Imagine having the opportunity to be the turning point in a young person's life. When they graduate, they are prepared to be successful in anything that they pursue."
Linda Weaver
Teacher
Redding Satellite
California Conservation Corps |
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"For 10 years, it has been an honor to work with our sponsoring organization, the CCC, and the entity that is the John Muir Charter School, serving the young adults who so desperately need our focused support.
"The work of these two dedicated organizations to provide the best education for their students while being sensitive to the intricacies of our work schedule and population is peerless."
Ray Faulkenberry
Teacher
Napa/Vallejo California Conservation Corps
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"It is because of schools like ours that students who had difficulties in the past with traditional education can pick themselves up, dust themselves off and finish what they need in life -- an education.
"One of my proudest moments as a teacher is seeing my students up on stage about to receive their diplomas."
Joaquin Murillo
Teacher, Tulare Conservation Corps
(Pixley Site)
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"JMCS is a unique environment. It fosters growth and allows students to face and overcome many of their past academic failures. The greatest reward of all the effort we as teachers put in is watching our students cross that stage, beaming with pride, as they are awarded their diplomas. We know all the hard work, the risks, and struggles our students have put in and overcome in order to reach this turning point in their lives, and it is what fuels us here at the SFCC to push forward and continue to raise the bar for our students."
Katherine DeVinna
Associate Director of Academics
San Francisco Conservation Corps |
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"My job is to educate the kids who have dropped out of school. I love it. Many students don't make it, but I always try to keep my eye on the students who have graduated! That is what keeps me going. Just to keep the focus on those that have changed their lives!"
Rosemary Mohler
Teacher
Urban Corps of San Diego |
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"I love teaching and helping others succeed. Teaching Language Arts is my passion since I can help non-English speakers overcome the language barrier for them to be successful in America.
"I enjoy the state-of-the-art technology in the classroom which allows me to greatly integrate many tools and resources in my Language Arts curriculum. I like students to leave my class with a positive attitude about themselves and their education and not just with a huge amount of homework."
Cecy Villatoro
Teacher
Urban Corps of San Diego County
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"The best thing about teaching at John Muir Charter School is that I
get the privilege of motivating and encouraging students to achieve
their educational goals."
Cristina Vanderlaan
Teacher
Camarillo CCC
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"The more we invest into the lives of our students, the less we'll be required to pay later."
Sonara Barber
Education Coordinator
Conservation Corps of Long Beach
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"If someone believes in you,
well, that is just the greatest thing..."
John Berge
Teacher, Pomona CCC
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(From left to right:) Samuel Santos, Andrew Coll, Jose Hernandez, teacher John Berge, Manuel Salazar,
Andrea Hernandez, Juana Hallstead |
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"Seven years ago I came to work as a Business Services Manager and a
Safety Officer at Urban Corps of San Diego. I have had the privilege of
working with corpsmembers as their mentor. I learned to develop rapport
with them to the point where I found myself being a father figure to
them.
"I never thought in my life that I was ever going to become a teacher.
I taught them basics of conservation awareness as part of my duties. I
was part of the teaching staff and I envied the teachers and wished
that I were one. One day my CEO came to me and asked me if I wanted to
change my career and become a teacher. The most wonderful feeling
overcame me.
"Today, at John Muir Charter School, I just want to be around my
students. I look forward to coming to work every day just to see them
and to be with them in a classroom setting. I enjoy putting lesson
plans together for them. They are special human beings that need a lot
of love, respect, guidance, and understanding. I learn a lot from
them.They make me feel rejuvenated."
Richard Lovato
Teacher
Urban Corps of San Diego |
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"I believe that education is a life skill that enables young people to be responsible members of their community. Students exhibit different learning styles. Yet, I believe that every student possesses the ability to think and to do, even if they do not all learn in the same way. I believe that John Muir and YouthBuild are dedicated to facilitating educational experiences conducive to the students' success."
David Marshall
Teacher
AV Champions YouthBuild
Littlerock, CA
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"I use daily quotes to inspire my students ... here's a sample:
"If you argue for your limitations they're yours -- please don't tell me you are deficient or slow -- I don't believe it.
"Can't never could -- you may have to work twice as hard but you can do it.
"Life is a journey -- don't get left at the Trolley station."
Jess Vizcaino
Teacher
Urban Corps of San Diego |
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