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FHS teachers report about special assignments

Rick Monroe

Special to the Village News

Three Fallbrook High School teachers – Omar Muro, Virgilio Meo and Pauline Woolson – made presentations to the school board at the Jan. 24 meeting of the Fallbrook Union High School District.

Each of the teachers are part of the Teacher on Special Assignment program at the school.

Muro’s assignment is the Multi-Tiered System of Support, with a focus on helping new teachers. Part of that involves reading the book “Grading for Equity” by Joe Feldman. He conducts discussion meetings with teachers and advocates for “self-analysis of assets based on effective grading for all students,” he told the board.

“You need to feel connected to be successful,” he said. Part of his assignment is to be coordinator of the school’s “Leader in Me” initiative.

Muro also works on restorative practice by both meeting with individual students and conducting classroom sessions.

The teacher said it’s important to make grading more standard-based. He has been a teacher for 7-8 years and spends about 110 minutes a day with the special assignment in addition to teaching three math classes.

Meo’s program is English Language Learners. He told the board about a PSAT Activity Day for Newcomers in October that covered character and team building, as well as college and career readiness.

In November and December, he coordinated professional learning for teachers. He said 30 teachers participated in three cohorts, with a focus on strategies to ensure success of language learners. The program included an in-depth look at the ELD program, standards, and proficiency level descriptors. A student panel and student shadowing were introduced. There were also parent visits.

Meo said he has concentrated on character building, former students sharing their “road to success” and guidance counseling on graduation requirements, college, and developing a four-year plan.

Woolson’s assignment is Dual Immersion, where students develop academic skills in their native language, while building skills in a different language. Classes consist of both Spanish and English speakers.

She said it is a rewarding experience in working with both elementary and high school students in a dual immersion Saturday Academy. Woolson said 95 elementary and high school students have participated. High school students earn volunteer hours while mentoring younger students from Maie Ellis Elementary School. The academy does academic activities that strengthen biliteracy skills and engage all students, she said.

Woolson’s special assignment is to continue to develop and refine systems for the dual immersion program, including placement tests and practices.

 

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