ADVANCE COMMUNITY SUPPLEMENT VOLUME 39 • ISSUE 1 MAY 8, 2017

MTABEST M O D E S TO T E AC H E R S A S S O C I AT I O N - B E T T E R E D U C AT I O N A L S U C C E S S TO G E T H E R

Modesto Teachers Association l 817 Coffee Road, Building E Modesto, CA 95355 l 209.526.0191

Legendary teacher going strong after 52 years in classroom BY JENNIFER JAMES, BEYER HIGH SCHOOL

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Modesto Teachers Association 817 Coffee Road, Building E Modesto, CA 95355

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When Beyer High School English teacher Gordon Chan began his career in 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson had just signed the Civil Rights Act. To say Chan has seen a lot during his 52 years in the classroom would be an understatement. Originally, Chan wanted to be a history professor at Berkeley, but when he met a classmate who was an English major, she influenced him to double major. She told him she wanted to “do good for people,” specifically high school students. He took those words to heart, enrolled in the same English courses she did, and decided to become an English teacher. “Getting my first job was hard. No one was hiring Asian English teachers,” Chan remarked. After 35 interviews up and down California, he only received one job offer in Sunnyvale, CA at Homestead High School. “The principal who hired me got in trouble for hiring an Asian. He asked me to resign and said he would give me a good letter of recommendation.” So again, Chan interviewed about 40 times throughout California and received two offers—one from Oakland, and one from Modesto High School. Chan said that Wes Berry, the principal of Modesto High at the time, was really nice, and after Chan’s parents interviewed Berry, Chan was given the “mom seal of approval” so he took the job. Chan credits his mentors at Modesto High, fellow English teachers Jay Cline, Dan Donlon, Jim Kenyon, and Ken Williams for helping him get through his first year of teaching. Racial tensions were still running high, and cultural differences were

not as widely accepted as they are today. Chan crossed the racial line when he dated a Caucasian colleague. Another colleague approached them and asked the woman, “Why are you dating this chink?” When she reported it, Chan said it was the first time he lost respect for his principal because he did nothing to stop it. Chan credits his Chinese heritage for appreciating the teaching profession. “In the Chinese culture, they value and respect teachers more than doctors because teachers make the doctor. In China, they revere their teachers, but in America, they hate teachers. I don’t understand it.” Chan believes the worst change in education is the introduction of the smart phone. “The cell phone is addictive. They cannot sit still without looking at the screen. It’s habit. It breaks their focus and concentration. They are constantly worried about who is trying to contact them,” Chan says. Chan admits that the most challenging aspect of his job is trying to get kids to read who do not like to read. “There’s more of them now. They cannot sustain a long read. The attention span just isn’t there.” Without a doubt, Chan’s most memorable moment happened recently in the middle of a class. A young female student shouted, “You dated my grandma!” At Backto-School Night, the student brought her grandmother, and Chan remembered dating her. While it made him feel old, Chan says he is waiting for a student to say, “My grandparent was your student!” Chan has advice for new teachers: “No matter what, you have to be flexible. You have to sell your soul. But the connections you form with your students is well worth putting up with the stuff they throw at you. You want to share your passion and teach your students what you learned, but they block it. They put bottlenecks to stop it.

Gordon Chan, as pictured in Modesto High's 1966 'Sycamore' yearbook, and today.

“Connections you form with your students is well worth putting up with the stuff they throw at you. You want to share your passion and teach your students what you learned, but they block it. They put bottlenecks to stop it. You’ve got to keep pushing. Get past it.”

Always with a suit, tie and a smile, Gordon Chan teaches college prep junior English at Fred C. Beyer High.

You’ve got to keep pushing. Get past it.” He has a few words for parents, too: “Push your kids to be better than you are. Reading and education is power.” Chan estimates that he has taught over 10,000 students, has read over 150,000 essays, and has had about 39 student teachers throughout his 52-year tenure. Beyer junior Isaiah Chukes says Chan “makes class fun” and “makes it easier to learn and more exciting.” Junior Jasmine Chavarria agreed. “He is super funny. He’s always there for you,” she explained. When asked if he has any plans to retire, Chan says, “I think about it. So far it’s (teaching) still fun.” Until the day teaching is not fun, Chan will continue to don his suit and tie and instill his passion for learning onto his students.

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MTABEST Outstanding students awarded MTA scholarships

MODESTO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION--BETTER EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS TOGETHER

EDITOR Jennifer James CONTRIBUTORS Jennifer James Bryan Rogers PHOTOGRAPHERS John Haley Scott Steve Clark MTA Office Manager Melanie Hardy MTA Staff Secretary Esther Campbell

The Jon Walther Memorial Teaching Scholarship is for students who are pursuing a career in education. One student is selected from each of our high schools. Jon Walther spent most of his career in education teaching English at Downey High School. He also served as President of the Modesto Teachers Association. After his death, MTA named the scholarship they had established in his honor. The Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship is awarded to sons and daughters of CTA members who demonstrate academic excellence during their high school

President Doug Burton 1st Vice President Darrel James 2nd Vice President Cameron Guinn Secretary Jennifer Avila Treasurer Steve McEwen Elementary Director-at-Large Jennifer Ollar Jr. High Director-at-Large Dewey Wong High School Director-at-Large Jimme Sevick CTA State Council Rep. Kelley Blanc CTA State Council Rep. Melody McGill CTA State Council Rep. Jennifer James CTA State Council Rep. Bryan Rogers EDITORIAL INFORMATION The BEST newspaper is published by the Modesto Teachers Association for the information and edification of its members. The editorial philosophy is governed by the policies of MTA. Articles and advertising reflect that philosophy. Send letters to the editor to: [email protected]. The political action arm of the Modesto Teachers Association is the MTA CEE– Modesto Teachers Association Citizens for Excellence in Education. No. 770459 MODESTO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 817 Coffee Road, Bldg. E Modesto, CA 95355 (209) 526-0191 MAIN (209) 526-0294 FAX

Before he was MTA Executive Director, Frank was a math teacher at Davis High School, and when computers first started being taught, he began the first ROP computer programming classes at several MCS high schools; as well, he helped maintain the first computer system for Modesto City Schools and the Modesto Teachers Association. He passed away in June of 2016. Pictures and biographies written by the winners follow this article. Congratulations to these outstanding young men and women.

2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

MTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Director Yaser Herrera

career. The top six applicants are awarded the scholarships. Cecil Curfman was a long-time social science teacher at La Loma Junior High School. In recognition of Mr. Curfman’s service to the teaching profession, the Modesto Teachers Association established a scholarship in his honor. Frank Vandervort served as the MTA Executive Director for 15 years, from 19912006, after serving as President for 8 years, from 1983-1991. Frank provided valuable leadership to the MTA Negotiations Team and the other committees for many years.

Holly Addis–Downey

junior year for both triple jump and pole vault.

Holly Addis is the youngest of five children, and is the last of her siblings to graduate from Thomas Downey High School. Holly has earned a 4.3 GPA, and has played three sports each year. She is also a CSF life-member, and is currently ranked number one in her class. Holly’s second oldest brother, who is severely mentally disabled, has been a major influence in her life and has opened up many opportunities for her to show compassion to others with special-needs. Holly has taught special-needs students in the Bridges Ministry at Cross Point Community Church. She is also the president of the Pura Vida club, which focuses on helping students diagnosed with autism. Pura Vida teacher Brandon Fromm remarked, “Holly’s compassion and patience when working with students on the autism spectrum is extremely admirable and speaks volumes about her character.” Holly wants to pursue a degree in biology and become a pediatrician for special-needs children. She is currently deciding between attending UC Davis or Azusa Pacific University this fall. Her father, Royal Addis, has taught at Downey High for thirty-one years.

Megan Blickenstaff–Downey

Megan Elting Blickenstaff is graduating from Thomas Downey High School, and has committed to attend California State University, Chico where she plans to take classes that will prepare her to work with students who learn differently including students on the autism spectrum. She participated in two spring musical productions due to the encouragement of the now retired Michael Johnson. Megan really found her passion working in the Pura Vida class, where she was able to work with special-needs students. She grew up knowing and caring for these students, but really enjoyed learning how to help them connect with the social world of friends inside and outside of the classroom. Bill McHale, her senior English teacher, says, “Megan’s work and efforts in English are outstanding in every facet. What is remarkable about Megan is her desire for knowledge.”  Megan was able to maintain a 3.5 unweighted GPA while working twenty hours a week at Oodles Frozen Yogurt.

Hunter Blickenstaff–Modesto

Julia Cadrett–Davis

Hunter Blickenstaff has maintained a 4.72 weighted GPA and has committed to attend University of California, Los Angeles. Hunter has been involved with yearbook, the Make-AWish Club, the entrepreneur club, and the ping pong club. He also participated in track where he was JV League champion for triple jump his sophomore year and went to Sections his

Julia has been very active in the Davis High Leadership, finishing her time as the ASB President.  Her leadership teacher, Ann Farina, has worked with Julia for the past three years.   Of Julia she says, “During her time in Leadership, I’ve witnessed Julia’s skills grow as a leader.  Over the years, she has developed from being a student working to accomplish various events and activities to the one who plans and leads

Frank Vandervort Memorial Scholarship

Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship

the activities from start to finish.”  Last year, Julia was excited to participate in the Stanislaus County Office of Education’s Leadership Academy.  She has also been active as a mentor and tutor, as well as participating in Key Club, and California Scholarship Federation (achieving lifetime member status).  She has participated all four years of high school in water polo and swim.   Next fall, Julia plans to attend UC Irvine as a biology major.  Her goal is to help others by becoming a physician or working in medical research.  

Ellen Davis–Modesto

Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship

Ellen Davis is currently a senior at Modesto High School and a Full Diploma Candidate in the International Baccalaureate Program. Ellen is the daughter of Julie Davis, a kindergarten teacher at Caswell Elementary in Ceres Unified School District. She has been extremely involved in both her school and community. She was a member of Leadership, PHAST, Dance Production, Speech and Debate, and Girl Scouts, and she taught dance at a local studio on weeknights. She was selected as the Girls’ State Delegate for Modesto High School in 2016 and also received the Congressional Merit Award of District 10 from Jeff Denham. Her Junior IB English teacher, Jennifer Pereira, said the following about Ellen, “She is a dynamo who uses every fiber of her being to make a significant difference in the lives of people around her. When Ellen Davis walks into a room, she brings with her a palpable energy.” In the fall she plans on attending the University of California Los Angeles to study Business Economics. She hopes to someday work in marketing for a major corporation, but also wishes to pursue work with a non for profit due to her devotion to service and humanitarian efforts. Continued on following page

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2017 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Continued from previous page

Lauren Krone–Enochs

Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship

Sylvia Garmon–Enochs

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Sylvia Garmon will be attending California State University, Fresno and will major in history. She wants to earn a teaching credential and teach middle school history. She is considering returning to the Central Valley to give back to her community. Sylvia also participates in extracurricular activities and is active in her church and other community organizations. She has been a part of student leadership, cheer, Black Student Union, and drama. Outside of school she is a Sankofa Theatre Company volunteer. Additionally, Sylvia is an active part of her church’s youth group. She has attended Christian Love Baptist Church for 17 years. Teacher Matt Doyle remarks, “Sylvia has worked hard and showed determination in her college placement classes and maintained good grades while also participating in numerous school activities and clubs.”

Emily Kleinfelder–Davis

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Emily Kleinfelder will be graduating from Grace M. Davis High School this spring. She has been active in Leadership, the California Scholarship Federation, and Teens Run Modesto. Emily has served as a peer mentor for Teens Run Modesto at Prescott Junior High for the last four years and she completed her fifth marathon in March. Her volunteer work with Teens Run Modesto and at the Salida Library has shown her the importance of education and involvement in school. She plans on being a junior high English teacher. While she always loved reading as a child, Emily began writing in the fourth grade and has known ever since that her passion for reading and writing would take her wherever she goes. She hopes she will be able to one day make a difference in her students’ lives, always pushing them towards selfimprovement. After teaching her for two years, Advanced Placement American Government teacher Christina Welch sees Emily’s potential saying, “Emily is truly a modern woman, who not only understands the way the world works but who also wants to make the world a better place.” In the fall, she will be attending UC Berkeley to pursue a degree in English.

Lauren Krone plans to attend San Jose State University in the fall. Lauren hopes to pursue a career in creative writing. She also plans to pursue other interests while in college, such as art, film, and dance. Lauren has made many academic and personal goals for herself. She mantained a 4.30 GPA since her freshman year of high school. Lauren has always enjoyed writing, and she hopes to share her passion with others by writing and publishing a novel. Lauren also plans to attend either New York University or the University of California, Los Angeles for graduate school to receive a master’s degree. Jennifer Carlson, Lauren’s math teacher remarks, “Lauren always came to class with a wonderful smile and positive attitude that are infectious. She has a great work ethic and is very organized. She has also shown me that she takes great pride in her education.” Lauren’s mother Traci Krone is a kindergarten teacher at Chrysler Elementary School.

Samantha Langdon–Gregori

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Samantha Langdon will attend Modesto Junior College to pursue a teaching career. She hopes to teach elementary school in either a mainstream or special education classroom. She then wants to receive a four-year degree in Liberal Arts. Samantha has had experience working with special needs children during her senior year at Gregori High School. During this time, she made a great connection with all of the students. The special education teacher often tells Sam that she will be a great teacher one day and is already thinking like one. This then created an even greater interest in teaching for Samantha. English teacher Deanna Williamson praises Samantha’s work ethic. She states that Samantha is “…a young lady who has worked hard to achieve success in everything that she has done.”

Samuel Nichols–Modesto

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Samuel “Trae” Nichols attends Modesto High School and is very active in his school and community. He has played multiple sports, is part of the Black Student Union, and is involved in his church.

Trae likes helping people who are less fortunate than others. He helps coach youth baseball and was involved with a program which provided assistance to kids with disabilities. In the fall, Trae plans to attend Azusa Pacific University and play baseball, and he would like to receive a degree in physical therapy.

Hanna Rivera–Enochs

Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship

Hanna Rivera plans to attend the University of California at Davis, which has also admitted her into it’s distinguished Honors Program. She will be double majoring in International Relations and Economics this fall. While attending UC Davis, she is looking forward to engaging in research and study abroad. After achieving her Bachelor’s degree, she plans to pursue an advanced degree and a job in international relations with the United Nations. Chris Montalbano, an AP English Teacher at Enochs, says, “Hanna is one of the most diligent students I have taught in my fourteen years of teaching.” At the end of this academic year Hanna will be graduating in the top 1% of her class. In addition to taking ten Advanced Placement classes, Hanna participated in swim, cross country, dance, academic decathlon, math club and Interact Club. In her spare time, she works as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of Modesto. Hanna is the daughter of Amy Rivera, a second grade teacher at Freedom Elementary, and Chuck Rivera, a Fire Engineer for Modesto City Fire Department.

Mary Rydquist–Beyer

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Mary Rydquist is a senior at Beyer High School. Mary plans to attend San Diego State University in the fall and wants to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree and Special Education Credential at SDSU. While at Beyer, she has been a cheerleader and a member of the swim team. She also worked with special education students in the Peer Assisted Learning program. Her favorite high school memory is when the students in her special education class were able to don cheerleading outfits and join her to cheer on the side-

lines at a Beyer football game. When she was in Randi Smith’s Advanced Algebra class at Beyer, Mary was asked to come to the board and demonstrate her work to the class. Smith recounted that Mary’s “inner teacher came out. She spoke boldly and confidently. She called on students for their input. She was entertaining and her demonstration was clear and concise.” Smith further stated the she sees “fabulous teacher as Mary’s future vocation.” This is certainly Mary’s personal goal. She has a deep and genuine love for others and a special place in her heart for students with challenges. Mary’s parents’ commitment to education, the fantastic experiences she has had at Beyer High School, and these personal traits she possesses have set her up for great success in college and beyond.

Raechal Sharma–Johansen

Jon Walther Memorial Scholarship

Johansen senior Raechal Sharma will attend California State University, Stanislaus starting this fall, and will major in Liberal Arts. She plans to pursue a teaching career and would like to focus on elementary education. Raechal's French teacher, Deborah Sessa, says, “Raechal is determined in her path towards teaching.”  One of her biggest motivators throughout her life has been her teachers, and she hopes to be looked at the same when she herself becomes one.

Daniel Turn–Gregori

Cecil Curfman Memorial Scholarship

Daniel Turn is a graduating senior from Gregori High School who will be attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in the fall to study Mechanical Engineering. While maintaining a 4.54 GPA, Daniel takes rigorous AP courses, particpates in leadership, mock trial, and participates in multiple varsity sports. Katherine Merenda, Daniel’s science teacher says, “It is obvious to me that Daniel highly values education and its power. He has a true interest in the future of humanity and finding solutions to the many problems we face.” After completing Cal Poly’s five year Masters program, Daniel plans to work towards his dream job in the aerospace or tech industries. Daniel’s mother, Lara Wong, is a reading intervention teacher at Neil Hafley Elementary school.

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MAY 2017

1:1 devices: A new wave of education reform BY BRYAN ROGERS, ENOCHS HIGH SCHOOL

For over 50 years, the history of education and education reform has followed a pattern of big changes approximately every ten to twenty years, with smaller reform movements scattered throughout the decades. For example, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965), A Nation at Risk (1983), America 2000 (1991), Goals 2000 (1994), No Child Left Behind (2001), Race to the Top (2009), Common Core State Standards (2012), California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (2014), and the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) represent the “who’s who” of major educational reform movements in modern American history. Each of these reforms has resulted in a continuous search for the next “silver bullet” idea, instructional process, or fancy tool that fuels a multi-billion dollar educational materials industry. Veteran educators often describe the history of education in America as a swinging pendulum of ideas, programs, and processes that can seem eerily familiar in some fashion to staff development training from a few years in the past. In some ways it is as if educational concepts never change other than by being rebranded in shiny new colors and “re-sold” as the answer to all of the problems in education. For professional educators, the process is akin to ocean waves rolling into your favorite beach. The waves roll in; some big, some small, but they never stop. Some educators are eager to be in the middle of the biggest waves, while others stay in the shallows and still others never get wet at all. In recent years, the movement towards the use of laptop computers and other one to one personal technology devices has appeared to become the next “silver bullet” to be fired at the target of improved student performance. Modesto City Schools has jumped into this reform movement and is going forward with implementation of 1:1 devices for 2017-2018 school year. The question for stakeholders, parents, students, and teachers, is will these new devices improve educational outcomes in our district, and are we on a path to success or failure?

Beyer High School math teacher Steve Clark uses laptops to assist in classroom instruction. Next year, Modesto City high school students will be issued individual devices on a take-home basis.

Alan November, an international leader in education technology, notes in his article, Why Schools Must Move Beyond One to One Computing (2013), “As many schools and districts are now rushing to buy every student a digital device, I’m concerned that most one-to-one implementation strategies are based on the new tool as the focus of the program. Unless we break out of this limited vision that one-to-one computing is about the device, we are doomed to waste our resources.” November further comments that, “In every case of failure I have observed, the one-to-one computing plan puts enormous focus on the device itself, the enhancement of the network, and training of teachers to use the technology.” The research on 1:1 programs nationwide reveals mixed results related to improvement of student performance. A 2009 study on the use of 1:1 devices in Texas showed promise in the areas of student engagement and technology skills, but limited or mixed results in content areas of English language arts and mathematics (Goodwin, 2011). Research on Maine’s statewide 1:1 laptop program reported a limited effect on student achievement except in growth of writing skills. Prin-

2017 Modesto City Schools

GRADUATION SCHEDULE

cipal Nick Sutton commented in his article, What the Research Says about 1:1(2015), that “Another theme is the significance of professional development, and more importantly, how it is approached when implementing computers to each student within a school. The success of a one to one initiative is dependent on so many characteristics and approaches, and not merely creating the infrastructure and providing the resource.” Modesto Teachers Association conducted a LCAP survey of members in March of 2017. The survey results revealed significant concern among Modesto City Schools educators about technology, and the implementation of 1:1 devices due to the current issues of unstable WiFi, and lost instruction time when existing technology devices such as big screen TV’s and Surface Pros don’t communicate reliably. One Modesto educator stated, “One to one devices will be a disaster until the WiFi and other issues are figured out.” Enochs High School English teacher Ivy Byron participated in the English Language Arts pilot of new curriculum and 1:1 devices for 2016-2017 school year. Byron shared insights from her experience this year and com-

mented that, “1:1 devices will be an incredible addition to my ‘toolbelt’ as a teacher. I see huge potential for growth in my students especially in the area of writing. I will be able to more easily provide in-class feedback on essay drafts while they are still in the drafting process.” The implementation of 1:1 devices in Modesto City Schools represents a very large financial investment of educational dollars over the next few years. It is important that Modesto City Schools heed the evidence in research about the implementation of 1:1 devices as well as listen to the concerns and commendations among our veteran staff related to this reform. The potential positive benefits of 1:1 devices cannot be ignored as we prepare our students to be proficient 21st Century Learners. However, the pitfalls must not be overlooked in this process as the devices will never be more than a tool— tools that must be effectively and intentionally wielded by the professional educators in Modesto City Schools District who will continue to work and support our students through this next wave of reform and beyond.

May 25—Last day of school May 23—Elliott Education Center, 6:30 pm, Johansen Stadium May 24—Beyer High, 6:30 pm, MJC Stadium May 24—Davis High, 6:30 pm, Johansen Stadium May 24—Downey High, 7:30 pm, Downey Stadium May 25—Enochs High, 6:30 pm, Enochs Campus Courtyard May 24—Gregori High, 7:00 pm, Gregori Stadium May 25—Johansen High, 7:00 pm, Johansen Stadium May 25—Modesto High, 6:30 pm, MJC Stadium Tickets required for all graduation ceremonies.