EDITOR:
”
We don’t get extraordinary things done by working alone with no
support, encouragement, expressions of confidence, or help from
others.
”
EDITOR:
“We don’t get extraordinary things done by working alone with no support, encouragement, expressions of confidence, or help from others.”
This recent GUSD Leadership session quote will appropriately preface our concerns about recent Dispatch articles, editorials, and opinion columns focusing on the Gilroy High English Department, Principal and GUSD Superintendent.
We are support providers working with new teachers and new veteran teachers in GUSD. For the past three years we have had the opportunity to work with the administration and staff at Gilroy High School. This is what we have experienced.
Robert Bravo is an intelligent leader with a vision. In the past two years, he has outlined a comprehensive plan for improving student achievement. Staff members are asked to commit to: writing across all content areas, learning and using research based literacy strategies, making goals clear to students by posting agendas and objectives, using curricular standards based maps and creating common end-of-semester assessments for all classes, participating in professional training that develops classroom instruction resulting in higher student achievement.
The current responsible and responsive GUSD Superintendent, GHS leadership team and a cadre of professional department chairs support these goals. An honors program exists for ninth and 10th grades with ongoing curricular development and daily reading and math classes help below-grade students reach grade level. The English Department continues to work on curricular change guided by the California Content Standards, curricular maps, board policy and student need.
The current core reading list for four years of English includes Shakespeare at three grade levels, Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Steinbeck, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Golding, Sandra Cisneros, Aldous Huxley, Rudolfo Anaya, and Yukio Mishima. The Writer’s Craft text, which includes grammar lessons, with TE and supplemental materials is available for each grade level.
The required reading list is comprised of books considered classics by any standard. The supplemental lists have a lesser number of diverse, contemporary authors considered notable and distinguished by any standard, such as Maya Angelou, Anthony Burciaga, and Elie Wiesel.
Vocabulary, grammar and other standards are embedded in the curriculum. A recently published anthology would strengthen the curriculum while providing increased diversity in available materials. The adoption of additional texts is a process, not an instant, nor static decision. The work is being done, book lists are being reviewed, professional discussions are being had, approved texts will be purchased.
Gilroy High School has met its API goal. Gilroy High has award-winning bands, choirs, newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine, and athletics. If we want the many successes at Gilroy High School to continue, if we want exemplary teachers and leaders to choose to work here, the community of Gilroy needs to support and encourage, express confidence in and work with the staff in order to get the job done.
Bravo, Mr. Bravo and your dedicated staff.
Linda Hussar, Peer Assistance and Review Consulting Teacher and
John Licursi, BTSA Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Advisor, Gilroy
Submitted Monday, Nov. 17, to ed****@****ic.com
