I began my career as an educator in the Capistrano Unified School District where I taught English in middle and high school. On my commute to work, I would pass a high school in its infancy. I truly believed in my heart that I would teach there someday. I am in my 21st year as an educator and I am so proud to call Sage Creek High School my home. Over the years, I have been the department chair, BSTA provider, AP Writing and College Prep English teacher to seniors. Currently, I am the Genius Project Coordinator and a high school English teacher. For me, change is inevitable.
Who I am as a teacher now is much different than the teacher I was when I first started and I would say there are a few aspects that have contributed to my evolution as an educator. First, becoming a parent myself, then my experience with the craft of teaching and undoubtedly my participation in the California Reading and Literacy Project in two regions, UCI and UCSD.
During my teacher training I was taught really great skills. I was taught how to conduct a lesson and write lesson plans. But, I didn’t really understand how to actually monitor and support students with complex text. That’s a gift that CRLP gave me super early on. It really changed the way that I taught kids how to access challenging text.
I distinctly remember talking about The Lord of the Flies by William Golding with Karen Foster as we ate lunch. I spoke with flourishing cadence as I said,“ Well, I got them all talking! They’re not just reading silently.” Karen is such a sage for me and in the sweetest way she asked me, ‘How did you know that they were saying what you wanted?’ ‘How are you monitoring their comprehension? I said, “I don’t know.” She said, “There’s a difference between student talk and unbridled conversation.” Karen is the person who invited me to the CRLP at UCI. When I learned the structures, strategies and routines that accompany complex text students would respond with specificity. I chose one area to practice all year long and then I would present it before the end of the year at CRLP. After that I became a trainer in CALL. I would have never learned about any of the structures or strategies if it were not for CRLP. It has changed everything. ‘This project has blessed me with professional development that makes me the teacher I am today. I’m so lucky to work alongside other teachers in a quest to continually better our profession.’
Shannon is intuitive, a good listener, empathetic, optimistic, a mentor, and a leader. I celebrate her belief that she has in her students and provides space and time where they feel safe and loved. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Thank you Shannon for giving homage to the genius of Dr. Maya Angelou. Keep those heart points flowing.