Tag Archives: Class Act

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tina Nunes

Posted on by

Tina Nunes

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Tina Nunes

Family: Husband, Alfred; children, Morgan, 17, and twins Allison, 13, and Alfred, 13

School: Denair Charter Academy

Subject taught: Independent Study

Experience and education: My background is in agriculture. I earned an Associates of Science Degree from Modesto Junior College, a Bachelors of Science in agriculture education from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and my single subject agriculture teaching credentials from Cal Poly, SLO.

What most inspires you about teaching? As a teacher, we do not always know the impact we have on students; however, when you see the difference you are making in their lives or years later when a student tells you how much you helped them … that makes all the hard work worth it and inspires me to keep working hard to make a difference in their lives.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? At times, it feels as if you want the success or achievement more than the student, but I have learned to never give up no matter how challenging a student may be. The rewards are so much greater than the challenge.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity?   I feel the greatest educational tool is any hands-on activity where students can physically see and touch the subject matter they are working on. When a student can take a formula that they memorized and physically see how it is used is the greatest teaching tool.

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? I have always believed in vocational education being from an agriculture background. To me, Common Core has reinforced the necessity of applying what we are teaching to real-life application and students being able to problem solve. I believe that in the long run, Common Core will create adults who are stronger critical thinkers and successful problem solvers.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that I believed in them and that with hard work and dedication, they can truly accomplish their goals in education and in life! Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tina Nunes” »

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Rosanne Cantwell

Posted on by

RCantwell

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Rosanne Cantwell

Family: I have a spectacular husband of 16 years, Mike, who not only teaches AP biology and chemistry at Gregori High School in Modesto, but coaches wrestling there as well. I am also blessed to have two beautiful, active daughters: Riley is 14 years old and a freshman in high school and Sidney just turned 12 and is a seventh-grader.

School: Denair Middle School

Subjects Taught: Seventh- and eighth-grade math as well as a leadership class

Experience and Education: I worked hard and earned my bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from CSU Stanislaus. I am currently in my 18th year of teaching (all at DMS!!). I started teaching seventh-grade language arts and social studies before moving to sixth grade to partner teach with a dynamic teacher (Mrs. Bush) before taking two years off to stay at home with my girls. I returned to teaching in 2004 and have been teaching algebra/math ever since.

What inspires you about teaching? I think the connections that I get to make with these young adults that I teach inspires me the most. I remember when I was in sixth grade and had to have emergency surgery. My sixth-grade teacher (Ms. Willett) took time to come and visit me while I was recovering in the hospital. I knew then that I wanted to teach and connect with students the way that I felt connected to her. That she would take her personal time to visit me made me feel special. It gives me joy to have former students come back to visit my classroom to tell me they miss my class or that they are doing well in high school math.

After 17 years of teaching in Denair, I have great pride in seeing how successful some former students have become. Some are even parents now to my current students. I currently work alongside a particularly amazing former student (Mrs. Hilton) who carries the same enthusiasm and work ethic now as when she attends the middle school as a sixth-grader! Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Rosanne Cantwell” »

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Samantha Ericksen

Posted on by

Samantha Ericksen

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Samantha Ericksen

Family: Husband and three daughters

School: Denair Charter Academy

Subject taught: Kindergarten through sixth-grade home school class

Experience and education: BA and teaching credential from Biola University. I spent five years as a classroom teacher in Modesto. This is my 14th year at DCA.

Why most inspires you about teaching? Seeing students make progress in areas that are challenging for them.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? Teaching multiple levels effectively.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Using technology to create projects with my students.

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? I use more conversation between students to inform their learning.

What do you want your students to remember? I want them to remember that they are capable of anything. They CAN succeed.

How can parents support what you do? Participate in school work. Check their assignments. Show you care about school.

What will it take to improve academic success in DCA? A group effort between parents, teachers and students to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning.

What’s next in your classroom? We are focusing on water and energy and how we can conserve both.

What would surprise people about your job? That the time I spend on paperwork exceeds the amount of time I actually spend with students.

What do you do for fun? I became a teacher because I enjoy being with children and helping them become lovers of learning.

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tami Sondeno

Posted on by

Tami Sondeno

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name: Tami Sondeno

Family: My husband Denis, with whom I have been married to for 22 years; my son Cameron, 18, who attends MJC and is on the water polo team; my daughter Natasha, 16, who attends Pitman High School and is on the dive team; and my daughter Shannon, 12, who attends Denair Middle School and is on the leadership team.

School: Denair Academic Avenues

Subjects taught: Fourth and fifth grade math and science

Experience and education: I attended Modesto Junior College and received an AA degree in child development. I furthered my education at CSU Stanislaus and earned BAs in child development and liberal studies. I have a multiple subjects credential as well as a general science supplemental credential. I taught science, history and core at Yolo Junior High for eight years and moved to Livingston as a part-time instructor for seven years, in which I taught fourth grade. I have been in Denair for 10 years and have instructed fifth grade, 4/5 GATE, fourth-grade GATE, first- through fifth-grade science, and now fourth- and fifth-grade math and science.

Why most inspires you about teaching?  The excitement that students generate when they have learned new content and apply it to their daily lives.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? I want to purchase more lab materials for hands-on based instruction and my budget is not in the six figures. Nasco can be my greatest friend and foe!

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Teaching hands-on science and math labs is my favorite way to instruct because I find that the students are extremely engaged in the learning process. I just love to hear, “Wow! That was so cool!” Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Tami Sondeno” »

A Class Act! 10 Questions for Maria Olivas

Posted on by

MariaOlivas

Submitted by Denair Unified School District

Name:  Maria S. Olivas

Family: Three children (Isaac, Gloria and Eva) and three grandchildren (Leonidas, Jordan and Emilia)

School: Denair High School

Subject taught: Spanish 1 – 4

Experience and education:  11 years teaching experience. Bachelor of science degree in business administration from San Francisco State University; teaching credential from CSU Stanislaus; master’s in education from Grand Canyon University.

Why most inspires you about teaching? Teaching students lifelong skills and waking their desire for knowledge.

What are your biggest challenges as a teacher? To motivate students who don’t seem to appreciate the value of education.

What is your favorite teaching tool or activity? Anything with technology.

How has Common Core affected your classroom strategy? Many of the Common Core concepts were already being applied in my classroom. Students are often expected to explain their answers. We do math when we do conversion to the metric system; we learn about history of the Spanish language and its influence on English. Some Common Core strategies that we are using more frequently are working with partners, pair-share activities and group discussions.

What do you want your students to remember? I want my students to remember that everything I did in the classroom, even though it seemed too demanding, was done with their best interest at heart.

How can parents support what you do? Parents can support my efforts by minimizing the number of student absences and by making sure their students bring their materials to class. Continue reading “A Class Act! 10 Questions for Maria Olivas” »