Kristen Harris
AVID Coordinator Santiago High School AVID Senior Seminar Teacher Corona-Norco Unified School District Reason for Choosing Capstone: The purpose of this project is to improve the D and F rate of AVID students (which is a Santiago High School program goal for 2013-2015). The site program goal is to become a National Demonstration school, and one of the requirements is to have 75% AVID students passing core academic classes with a C or better. We are currently not meeting this statistic at all grade levels. |
I am passionate about the AVID system and what is does for students. I have the pleasure of coordinating the AVID program at Santiago High School, and I am continuously searching for ways to make the program better. When I started teaching AVID 7 years ago in 2007, the AVID elective teachers would assign mandatory tutoring to our students in order for them to seek help in areas that they needed additional academic support. What we didn't realize was, that with budget cuts, came a cut to funding for tutoring. We were sending students to receive tutoring, and they had nowhere to go. Over the years, we have creatively partnered up with departments to find tutoring opportunities, but it became clear that we needed to look outside of the box if we wanted to decrease the D and F rate significantly. That is where the idea of the Saturday Intervention was birthed. We needed a way to help students that needed additional academic support systematically, while also mutually benefitting the teachers that want to help support students.
Philosophy of Education
I believe that all students can learn and succeed if they are given the proper opportunity, access, support and encouragement. I like to think of my students as flowers; if you provide what they need to flourish: sunlight (encouragement), soil and water (support), and space to grow (access), they will thrive and exceed even their own expectations.
Each child is a unique individual who needs a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature emotionally, intellectually, physically, and socially. It is my desire as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in these areas by providing a supportive and positive environment that is safe, supports risk-taking, and invites a sharing of ideas.
Teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of learning in my students, as I share my own passion for learning with them. There is a need for compassionate, strong, and dedicated individuals who are excited about supporting and nurturing students.
In our competitive society it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. I want to prepare students to be successful in a globalized society. I believe that my students can be anything they want to be, and I have the honor in supporting them through their educational journey to find what they are passionate about, and prepare them for a future in which they can live out their dreams. I will always strive to be the best educator that I can be.
Experience
Corona-Norco Unified School District 2007- Current
Santiago High School – Corona, CA
AVID Program Coordinator
Teaching: AVID, English, ELD
Chino-Valley Unified School District 2006-2007
Ramona Junior High- Chino, CA
Taught Language Arts and facilitated our After School Program
Fullerton Unified School District 2005-2006
Raymond Elementary School After School Program Site Team Leader
Education
Administrative Services Credential- 2013
Masters of Science in Educational Counseling - Azusa Pacific University-2009
P.P.S. Credential- Azusa Pacific University- 2009
Bachelors of Arts in English and Comparative Literature- California State University Fullerton -2006
Single Subject Teaching Credential in English- 2006
Teacher Leadership Experience
Santiago High School Teacher of the Year
Corona Norco Unified School District Teacher of the Year
AVID Program Coordinator- 550 AVID Students, 17 Sections, 8 teachers
Teacher Leadership Certification Academy (TLCA)- RCOE
Superintendents Teacher Advisory Council
CNUSD Leadership Academy
Instructional Focus Leadership Team- Santiago High School 2012- Present
PLC Strand Leader
Department Chair- AVID
WASC Leadership Team- Santiago High School
Common Core Transition Team- CNUSD
Pacing Guide Team- CNUSD 2011- Present
Corona Norco Educational Foundation Ambassador
AVID Strategies Leadership Team- 2012-2013
AVID Site Team 2007-Present
School Site Team- Ramona Junior High
Cheerleading Coach-CNUSD 2008-2010
Class Advisor- 2012-Present
Activities Experience
Planned and Coordinated the Santiago Senior Dinner Dance 2013
Class Advisor 2012- Present
Coordinated 8th Grade Events- Ramona Junior High
AVID Coordinator: Manages Events, Fundraising, Trips and Activities for our Large AVID program of 530 students.
Fundraising and financial planning for Cheerleading, AVID, Class of 2015/2014
Counseling Experience
Internships
Project Breakthrough- Murrieta Valley USD-Participated in drug and alcohol, social-emotional, group sessions, anger management, career and academic counseling for at risk youth.
River Heights Intermediate School-Counseled individual students for academic, social, personal and career development. Consulted with teachers and parents regarding student concerns.
Orange Grove High School- Co-facilitated group counseling sessions.
Santiago High School- Advised students in regards to their schedules. Offered career and college information to Juniors and Seniors.
References
Reginald Thompkins- Administrative Director of Student Services CNUSD- 951-736-5111
Dr. Sarah Ragusa: Assistant Principal- Santiago High School 951-739-5600 Ext 1042
Catalina Cifuentes: RCOE RIMS AVID Coordinator 951-313-4318
Dr. Ryan Lewis- Principal- Santiago High School 951-739-5600
Petria Gonzales: Activities Director- Santiago High School 951-739-5600
Corona-Norco Unified School District 2007- Current
Santiago High School – Corona, CA
AVID Program Coordinator
Teaching: AVID, English, ELD
Chino-Valley Unified School District 2006-2007
Ramona Junior High- Chino, CA
Taught Language Arts and facilitated our After School Program
Fullerton Unified School District 2005-2006
Raymond Elementary School After School Program Site Team Leader
Education
Administrative Services Credential- 2013
Masters of Science in Educational Counseling - Azusa Pacific University-2009
P.P.S. Credential- Azusa Pacific University- 2009
Bachelors of Arts in English and Comparative Literature- California State University Fullerton -2006
Single Subject Teaching Credential in English- 2006
Teacher Leadership Experience
Santiago High School Teacher of the Year
Corona Norco Unified School District Teacher of the Year
AVID Program Coordinator- 550 AVID Students, 17 Sections, 8 teachers
Teacher Leadership Certification Academy (TLCA)- RCOE
Superintendents Teacher Advisory Council
CNUSD Leadership Academy
Instructional Focus Leadership Team- Santiago High School 2012- Present
PLC Strand Leader
Department Chair- AVID
WASC Leadership Team- Santiago High School
Common Core Transition Team- CNUSD
Pacing Guide Team- CNUSD 2011- Present
Corona Norco Educational Foundation Ambassador
AVID Strategies Leadership Team- 2012-2013
AVID Site Team 2007-Present
School Site Team- Ramona Junior High
Cheerleading Coach-CNUSD 2008-2010
Class Advisor- 2012-Present
Activities Experience
Planned and Coordinated the Santiago Senior Dinner Dance 2013
Class Advisor 2012- Present
Coordinated 8th Grade Events- Ramona Junior High
AVID Coordinator: Manages Events, Fundraising, Trips and Activities for our Large AVID program of 530 students.
Fundraising and financial planning for Cheerleading, AVID, Class of 2015/2014
Counseling Experience
Internships
Project Breakthrough- Murrieta Valley USD-Participated in drug and alcohol, social-emotional, group sessions, anger management, career and academic counseling for at risk youth.
River Heights Intermediate School-Counseled individual students for academic, social, personal and career development. Consulted with teachers and parents regarding student concerns.
Orange Grove High School- Co-facilitated group counseling sessions.
Santiago High School- Advised students in regards to their schedules. Offered career and college information to Juniors and Seniors.
References
Reginald Thompkins- Administrative Director of Student Services CNUSD- 951-736-5111
Dr. Sarah Ragusa: Assistant Principal- Santiago High School 951-739-5600 Ext 1042
Catalina Cifuentes: RCOE RIMS AVID Coordinator 951-313-4318
Dr. Ryan Lewis- Principal- Santiago High School 951-739-5600
Petria Gonzales: Activities Director- Santiago High School 951-739-5600