This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2019-20

Family: Daughter: Brie, Sons: Isaac and Logan, Dog: Butters, Cat: Peanut

School: Denair Middle School

Subject taught: Seventh- and eighth-grade math

Experience and education: Two years teaching sixth grade. BA from Western Governors University in 2017. Currently pursuing a master’s in mathematics education.

What attracted you to Denair? I was raised in a small town, Midland, Texas. I love that Denair is a small town and tight-knit community. It’s the kind of place I want to be a part of and raise my children in.

Why most inspires you about teaching? Being allowed to the privilege to shape the minds, ethics and morality of children. Educating a child in math is my first priority. Setting an example for them as an adult is a close second. It’s important for children to hear that everyone is valued and equal, but they need to see it in practice, too. The only people who spend more time with children are their parents. Teachers have a priceless influence on children and I want my influence to be of compassion, justice and kindness.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? I will be teaching my own child for the first time this year. I expect that to be challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? I LOVE real-world application activities. I think that students gain a deeper understanding, especially in math, when they can see how it applies to real life and how they’ll use what we’re learning about as time goes on.

What do you want your students to remember? I want them to remember to be kind to others. Take the high road every time. It’s not always about winning or being right; being kind is just as important.

How can parents support what you do? I think that parents can do the most by being open and honest with their children, in an age-appropriate way, of course. It’s easy to tell our kids little white lies about why they should do what we say or why the world is what it is. I challenge parents to take the path least traveled and level with your kids. Explain to them why, how or what for whenever possible. We can’t treat them like children for 17 years and 364 days and expect them to be ready for adulthood on their 18th birthday. We need to put in the difficult work now.

What would surprise people about your job? Teachers spend a lot of time teaching children how to resolve problems. Conflicts are inevitable in a setting where people are put together in one room, or school, and come from many backgrounds with many different personalities. Throw puberty in the mix and you get a unique opportunity to shape lives.What do you do for fun? I spend most of my time with my kids. I love and collect video games and video game consoles as well as Nintendo memorabilia. I love to learn so I spend quite a bit of time reading to learn new things.

This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2019-20

Family: I grew up with my mom, step-dad, and older brother

School: Denair High School

Subject taught: Biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology

Experience and education: One year of student teaching. Biology degree from California State University, Monterey Bay.

What attracted you to Denair? I was attracted to Denair because it was close to my home, Merced, and it seemed to have a very close-knit community. I love my family and am looking forward to meeting all of my Denair family as well.

Why most inspires you about teaching? I have had many amazing teachers in my life who have pushed me to do well and taught me amazing lessons about both life and subject matter. I strive to be a positive safe space for students where they feel comfortable exploring the world and learning all they can about life and science.

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? This is my first year teaching on my own in a classroom; that, in itself, is the most exciting challenge of my year. I will be excited to learn and grow from this experience. You can only have one first year!

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? My favorite activity in science has to be labs. Labs are the true essence of science where you can explore the content and work with materials to help it stick in your brain. Sience is all about trial and error.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to know it’s OK to make mistakes and it’s OK to not have everything figured out. School is a safe place to learn from your mistakes and grow from them. Teachers are there to guide you and help you learn while you help them learn. Everyone is learning things their whole life, so it’s OK to be figuring everything out.

How can parents support what you do? Parents can just do their best at taking an interest in what their child is learning in school. Having students talk about material outside of school is a great way for them to retain more information, almost like a quick informal study session! As long as you support your child in every way you can, it will be a great year. As parents, you are free to ask me any questions you have about me or your student; I will help in any way I can. I like open communication and collaboration.

What would surprise people about your job? Since it’s my first year, I’m sure I’m going to find many things that surprise even me about my job, but I think a lot of people don’t realize how much time setting up a lab takes and how much supplies you find out you need when you go to do the lab. Labs are the best part of science, but they are also the hardest thing, as a teacher, to set up and run. You want to make sure every student is both having fun and safe, while also trying to fit it into a 50-minute period.What do you do for fun? In my free time, I love to play video games, watch shows, swim, go to the beach and listen to music.

This is one in a series of Q&A’s with teachers new to Denair Unified in 2019-20

Family: Married one year

School:  Denair Middle School

Subject taught: Math intervention, PE, and leadership 

Experience and education:  I graduated from Fresno State in 2016 with a degree in Kinesiology. I then got my teaching credential at CSU Stanislaus. I am beginning my second year of teaching after teaching independent study at Denair Charter Academy as well as hath intervention at Denair Middle School last year. I am also the current high school JV boys basketball coach at Denair High School.

What attracted you to Denair? Denair is and always has been my home. I was raised in Denair and attended Denair schools from kindergarten through high school. I am a fourth-generation Denair Coyote and take great pride in that. I love the small-town atmosphere and the community. This is where my wife and I plan to start our family and raise our children, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work in this district. 

Why most inspires you about teaching? I teach because I truly want to make a difference in my students’ lives. There are very few professions that provide an opportunity to influence and inspire our youth and that is exactly what I hope to accomplish as an educator. 

What is a challenge you look forward to tackling this year? A challenge that I look forward to this year would be raising the school spirit here at Denair Middle School. As the leadership teacher, I want to create a culture at the middle school that makes kids feel safe and excited to come to school each day. 

Continue reading “New Teacher Profile: Clayton McDonald” »

Dear Denair Community,

Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year!

I hope you were able to take part in the many great learning opportunities in our community this summer: Drone Camp, Football Camp, Gaslight Theater performances, the Vanguard Cadet performance and more! As the school year opens, you’ll see me on campuses, at events, and at community meetings. Please feel free to share your insights and ideas about how our district can best meet the needs of our students and the community!

The DUSD Board and administrative team have been hard at work this summer, planning for a successful launch of the new school year. In June the Board approved our 2019-20 budget and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). A big thank you to stakeholders who attended meetings and provided input for the LCAP, which is our strategic plan for the year. Based on the feedback we received, we will hold steady on the initiatives we’ve started and focus our attention on professional development that supports rigorous and relevant instruction at all schools, in all grades, and for all students.

Our district participates in a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, which allows us to offer FREE breakfast, lunch and an after-school snack to every student in the district! Individual families do not need to meet specific qualifications for the program but ongoing funding for this program is based on the need in our community. In a recent mailer, we included a form that asks about family income levels. Please complete and return this form with your child’s other paperwork so that we can maintain accurate records for use when we need to renew our participation in the program (individual family information remains strictly confidential).

Important Dates

• Denair Charter Academy ~ Open Enrollment begins July 22, 2019
• Denair High School Coyote Call ~ July 31, 2019
• Denair Middle School Coyote Call ~ July 31. 2019
• Mobile Health Clinic ~ July 31, 2019 (8 am – 3 pm)
• Denair Elementary Charter Academy Class Lists Posted ~ August 6, 2019 (6 pm)
• Denair Elementary Charter Kindergarten Roundup ~ August 7, 2019
• First Day of school is Wednesday, August 7, 2019

I am excited for the new year and committed to the district vision of empowering tomorrow’s leaders through exemplary instruction and powerful innovative programs. Here’s to a great year!

Terry Metzger, Ed.D.

Superintendent

TURLOCK – Dakota Rutherford is getting to be pretty good at this fair thing.

In 2018, as the youngest competitor in her class, Dakota walked away with two ribbons for her market Hampshire hog. She hadn’t even started eighth grade yet, but was up against mostly high school students.

At this year’s Stanislaus County Fair, the Denair High School freshman-to-be backed up her accomplishment, again finishing second in her market division with her 253-pound Hampshire hog Dolly Porkton. She also was fifth in intermediate hog showmanship.

“I don’t know,” said Dakota when asked about her success with pigs. “I just love them. They’re the sweetest animals.”

That affection doesn’t get in the way of the undeniable truth when it comes to all market animals at the fair. Today’s cute hog, steer, goat or other market animal is soon to be someone else’s meal. As the fair winds down this weekend, the market auctions always provide a stark finality to months and months of care and devotion by Dakota and her other Denair FFA members.

“I’ll sell her and she’ll be processed,” said Dakota matter-of-factly.

“She won’t admit to it, but it still hurts a little,” said Denair ag teacher Holli Nielsen.

Dakota may not be sentimental, but she draws the line at actually eating an animal she has raised – though it almost happened last year.

“My uncle bought my hog,” she said. “We were on a houseboat and he said he was making sausage from her. I passed.”

Dakota was among 21 Denair students who entered animals this year in livestock competitions involving dairy and beef cattle, goats, sheep and swine.

In addition, more than 60 entries were submitted by Denair FFA members in the horticulture and floral barns, with impressive success. Denair’s floral entries were awarded 56 first-place ribbons, including a Best of Show in silk flower arrangements for Makena Padgett. Denair’s succulents won five more firsts and two of its fairy gardens earned blue ribbons. The Coyotes also received third place for their 10-foot by 20-foot plot.

Continue reading “Denair FFA Students Enjoy Success at Stanislaus County Fair” »