Community members interested in filling a vacancy on the Denair Unified School District board are encouraged to attend a meeting tonight to learn more about the position.
The question-and-answer session begins at 7
p.m. at the district office. Community members who live within the district’s
boundaries and are registered are eligible to apply.
Applications are available at the
district’s office and also can be downloaded off the district’s website.
Applications will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
until Aug. 19.
The vacancy was created when longtime board
member John Plett resigned Aug. 9, citing a need “to focus on my health.”
The remaining four trustees decided they will appoint
Plett’s replacement rather than hold a costly special election. His term ends
in November 2020.
On Aug. 29, Trustees
Kathi Dunham-Filson, Regina Gomes, Ray Prock Jr. and Crystal Sousa will hold a
special board meeting at 7 p.m. to interview all the applicants. After
discussion, trustees will vote that night to choose Plett’s successor. The new
trustee will be sworn it at the Sept. 12 board meeting.
Those with
questions about the process should call Daisy Swearingen, executive assistant
to superintendent and board, at (209) 632-7514, ext. 1202.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to
Denair Unified in 2019-20
Family: I am married. My husband and I have
two girls in junior high school.
School: Denair Charter Academy
Subject taught: Science
Experience and education: I am a local girl, graduating from
Stanislaus State. I have a multiple subject credential with a science
supplemental. I have been in education in a variety of capacities for more than
15 years.
What attracted you to Denair? I was
attracted to Denair by the opportunity to teach science across grade levels
from kindergarten through high school.
What most inspires you about
teaching? I am most inspired in education when students give their
testimonies of how teachers have impacted their lives, not only in the
classroom, but also in steps to success in life.
What is a challenge you look forward
to tackling this year? This year the challenge I am
looking forward to tackling is making science come alive, in and out of the
classroom.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to
Denair Unified in 2019-20
Family: Parents, two
brothers and fiance.
School: Denair
Elementary Charter Academy
Subject taught: Spanish
Experience and education: I
am a first-year teacher. I received my bachelor’s degree and teaching
credential from CSU Stanislaus. I have a BA in communication studies and
Spanish and a single subject teaching credential in Spanish.
What attracted you to Denair? I have
lived in small towns in California my entire life. First Davenport, then Delhi
(all places that start with a D). Denair feels a lot like home and I like the idea
of teaching in such a close-knit community where everyone is friendly and knows
each other.
Why most inspires you about teaching? What
inspires me most is watching students grow throughout the school year. I also
want to be a role model for my students to show them that they can be
successful. Growing up, I struggled in school due to learning English as a second
language. Thanks to all the wonderful teachers I had all throughout school, I
was still able to succeed. I hope to be an aid to the success of my students in
the same manner that my teachers have done for me in the past.
What is a challenge you look forward
to tackling this year? A challenge I look forward to
tackling this year is a reduction in technology use. I want to make it a
personal goal to not use any electronics 30 minutes before bed and the first 30
minutes I’m awake in the morning.
What is your favorite teaching tool
or activity? My favorite teaching tools are songs. They are fun and they
help students learn whatever concept we are learning. Plus, you can dance and
sing along.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to
Denair Unified in 2019-20
School:
Denair Middle School
Subject taught: Sixth grade
Experience and education: In 2014, I was a elementary PE teacher,
while also subbing. I was also an intervention teacher for two years at Little
Lake City School District in Norwalk, Calif. Last year, I was a sixth-grade
elementary school teacher in Waterford. I graduated from Turlock High School,
went to Stan State for 2½ years and then transferred to Long Beach State, where
I graduated in 2013. I then went and got
my teaching credential and master’s at National University.
What
attracted you to Denair? I already knew a few people in the district since
I grew up in Turlock. What got me noticing the district more was when I was at sixth-grade
camp, and my district got paired with Denair and I got to work with some of the
staff. They were awesome, friendly and a real joy to work with.
Why
most inspires you about teaching? I enjoy making an impact on
students. I remember when I was a student and how much I appreciated a teacher
who made learning fun, but taught me life lessons along the way that I could
use after my time with that teacher. I like being on the other end of that
spectrum now and making that same impact to students.
What
is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? The big
challenge I am looking forward to is that this is my first year being in a
middle school setting, rather than being in the elementary setting. I am also
teaching a new elective that is new to the district — robotics and model
design — which should be interesting and fun for me and the students.
What
is your favorite teaching tool or activity? I think the best is yet to come for this question. I get to teach
robotics to the students, so I am sure that will be my new favorite activity.
What
do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember
how awesome their first year of middle school was and how much they enjoyed
their elective class.
How
can parents support what you do? The goal with parents is to have a team
effort and keep standards high both outside and inside the classroom. Making
sure parents understand what is happening inside the classroom and feeling open
to emailing me and keeping an open communication line.
What
would surprise people about your job? Every day is different and
keeps things fresh. Building relationships with students and teaching them new
crafts always has self-gratification within it. I think most people laugh when
they find out I am a teacher because when I was in school I struggled at times,
and now I am a teacher.What
do you do for fun? I love being around
sports. Anything that could be competitive, I am all for. I also enjoy going to
the movies and reading.
This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to
Denair Unified in 2019-20
Family: Husband,
Jose; daughter, Emma (at DMS); and son, Victor (at DECA’s Dual Immersion
Program)
School: Denair
Middle School
Subject taught: English
Language Arts
Experience and education: I hold a bachelor’s degree in both
criminal justice and psychology, as well as a multiple subject teaching
credential from CSU Stanislaus. This is my fourth year in education and
my first year teaching sixth-grade language arts.
What attracted you to Denair? I have
family and friends who are a part of the Denair community. I was attracted
to Denair because it is a small town and a very tight-knit community.
What most inspires you about teaching? Knowing
that I have the ability to positively impact the lives of my students and their
families.
What is a challenge you look forward
to tackling this year? Effectively developing reading
and writing lessons that are going to inspire and motivate my students.
What is your favorite teaching tool
or activity? While there are many tools and activities helpful to teaching, my
favorite is building community in the classroom. I like to get to know my
students (their likes, their dislikes, what excites them, what they look
forward to in the future, etc.). I’ve learned that by taking the time to
make these genuine individual connections, my students are willing to work
harder in pursuit of their own learning goals.
