Random Vail
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La Honda, California, United States
About the store
Teacher, Pescadero Middle/High School, La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District Taught: English grades 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Honors), Social Studies 6, 7, 8, Conditioning (PE), and Environmental Field Studies (a UC-approved elective). 2007 - present.
Coordinatorships, Pescadero High School, La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District Duties included: Helping to set up and run “Panther Camp,” a district-wide, multi-faceted summer school program for K-8 students. Summer 2011. Administering the Safe Routes to School program for LHPUSD. 2012-1013.
Teacher, Half Moon Bay High School, Cabrillo Unified School District Taught: Physical Education & Social Studies. Summers, 2008 & 2009.
Coordinator, The Home Engineering Academy, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Duties included: Meeting with faculty and administration; recruiting students and teachers; attending district conferences; managing budgets for California Partnership Academy grant. Also, served as NHHS Service Learning Coordinator, Mentor Teacher for two years, School Governance Council voting member for two years, Curriculum Council and Coordinators Committee member. 2004 – 2007.
Coordinator, The Naturalist Academy, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Duties included: Meeting with parents, faculty, and administration; recruiting students and teachers; attending district meetings and conferences; managing budgets for Specialized Secondary Program grant and School for Advanced Studies. 1999 – 2007.
Teacher, The Naturalist Academy, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Taught: Plant and Soil Science, Introduction to Horticulture, Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Economics, AP English Language & Composition, AP World History, AP Human Geography, English 9, Life Skills, Health, and Introduction to Philosophy. Also, sponsored the Ecology Club. 1999 – 2007.
Teacher, The Highly Gifted Magnet, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Taught: AP Government (US & Comp.) and Economics, AP English Language, English 9 & 10, United States History, Introduction to Art, and developed HGM Core Course: An Introduction to Ideas. Sponsored HGM student journal "Magnitude." 1992 – 1999.
Teacher, Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet, LAUSD Taught: Government, Economics, Psychology, US & World History, English 9, and Education and Career Planning (ECP). 1990 – 1992.
Teacher/Counselor, The Humanities Magnet, Hamilton High School, LAUSD Taught: Introduction to the Social Sciences as part of the Humanities curriculum. As counselor, programmed students for the Magnet. 1989 – 1990.
English as a Second Language Teacher, E.L.S. Language Center Taught: Conversational English to visitors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Santa Monica, CA. Summer 1988.
English Teacher, The Utsunomiya American Club, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan Taught: English to Japanese students at a new private school outside Tokyo. Developed curriculum and proficiency assessment system. 1986 – 1987.
U.S. Operations Coordinator, Chuo Sogo Kenkyujo & Comnes Co., Ltd. Tokyo Duties included: Set up negotiations for the export of products & publications. Acted as liaison for interests in the convention and trade show business. 1988 - 1992.
Teacher, Alexander Hamilton High School, LAUSD Taught: Psychology, United States History, English 10, French 1AB, and Future Studies course. Initiated and sponsored the Junior Statesmen Club. Acted in school play. 1984 – 1986.
Bilingual Host (French/English), Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Worked at the UCLA Olympic Village, 1984 Summer Olympic Games.
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Programs & methods
Implications of the Drake Equation
Created by SETI scientist Frank Drake, the Drake Equation is a hypothetical determination of the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy capable of communicating with Earth. Each of the eight variables in the equation have interesting implications. Originally designed as a note taking exercise, this lesson plan has numerous links to the sciences and the humanities.
7th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Basic Principles, Other (Social Studies)
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About the store
Experience
Teacher, Pescadero Middle/High School, La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District Taught: English grades 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Honors), Social Studies 6, 7, 8, Conditioning (PE), and Environmental Field Studies (a UC-approved elective). 2007 - present.
Coordinatorships, Pescadero High School, La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District Duties included: Helping to set up and run “Panther Camp,” a district-wide, multi-faceted summer school program for K-8 students. Summer 2011. Administering the Safe Routes to School program for LHPUSD. 2012-1013.
Teacher, Half Moon Bay High School, Cabrillo Unified School District Taught: Physical Education & Social Studies. Summers, 2008 & 2009.
Coordinator, The Home Engineering Academy, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Duties included: Meeting with faculty and administration; recruiting students and teachers; attending district conferences; managing budgets for California Partnership Academy grant. Also, served as NHHS Service Learning Coordinator, Mentor Teacher for two years, School Governance Council voting member for two years, Curriculum Council and Coordinators Committee member. 2004 – 2007.
Coordinator, The Naturalist Academy, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Duties included: Meeting with parents, faculty, and administration; recruiting students and teachers; attending district meetings and conferences; managing budgets for Specialized Secondary Program grant and School for Advanced Studies. 1999 – 2007.
Teacher, The Naturalist Academy, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Taught: Plant and Soil Science, Introduction to Horticulture, Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Economics, AP English Language & Composition, AP World History, AP Human Geography, English 9, Life Skills, Health, and Introduction to Philosophy. Also, sponsored the Ecology Club. 1999 – 2007.
Teacher, The Highly Gifted Magnet, North Hollywood High School, LAUSD Taught: AP Government (US & Comp.) and Economics, AP English Language, English 9 & 10, United States History, Introduction to Art, and developed HGM Core Course: An Introduction to Ideas. Sponsored HGM student journal "Magnitude." 1992 – 1999.
Teacher, Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet, LAUSD Taught: Government, Economics, Psychology, US & World History, English 9, and Education and Career Planning (ECP). 1990 – 1992.
Teacher/Counselor, The Humanities Magnet, Hamilton High School, LAUSD Taught: Introduction to the Social Sciences as part of the Humanities curriculum. As counselor, programmed students for the Magnet. 1989 – 1990.
English as a Second Language Teacher, E.L.S. Language Center Taught: Conversational English to visitors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. Santa Monica, CA. Summer 1988.
English Teacher, The Utsunomiya American Club, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan Taught: English to Japanese students at a new private school outside Tokyo. Developed curriculum and proficiency assessment system. 1986 – 1987.
U.S. Operations Coordinator, Chuo Sogo Kenkyujo & Comnes Co., Ltd. Tokyo Duties included: Set up negotiations for the export of products & publications. Acted as liaison for interests in the convention and trade show business. 1988 - 1992.
Teacher, Alexander Hamilton High School, LAUSD Taught: Psychology, United States History, English 10, French 1AB, and Future Studies course. Initiated and sponsored the Junior Statesmen Club. Acted in school play. 1984 – 1986.
Bilingual Host (French/English), Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Worked at the UCLA Olympic Village, 1984 Summer Olympic Games.
Teaching style
I have learned that it is good to come to school with a really big toolbox. That way you are more likely to have the right tool for the job, and since people are so different, it takes a lot of different tools to help them come to learn.
Many of these tools I found in schools, as a student of learning. The Socratic Method in it’s various manifestations, the doing of Dewey, and the insights of Skinner, Kohlberg, Vygotsky, Chomsky, et al., are all part of building knowledge. I have been inspired by the ideas of Marshall McLuhan, George Leonard, Neil Postman, Howard Gardner, and Doug Lemov. I use the tools of Developmental Stages, Attribution Theory, the Inquiry Method, Problem-Based/ Discovery/Experiential Learning, as well as Constructivism and all combinations thereof. Add a little Elbow grease, and one can really start to get things done!
Some of these tools are not found exclusively in the workshop of education. In war and sports, competition and cooperation are like a reversible power tool. The businessperson’s shrewd cost/benefit analysis is a tool, and interest (really important in education) can help or hurt depending on where you are invested. Real estate, insurance, securities - just the ideas as metaphors are tools for students and teachers. Transportation and communication are full of tools. The school bus, oh yeah. Computers, phones, cameras, xBox, eBooks - you know it! Technology in general, in all its new and exciting manifestations, is an essential tool for learning, exploring, and understanding.
I’ve also found some other, very valuable tools along the road of life. Patience is a good one. Tolerance, compassion, and a rollicking sense of humor can get used a lot when working in the heat of a classroom. Infectious curiosity, trusty respect, and demonstrable integrity can be used to great effect. And fun can be the lubricant that gets all the parts moving. If you have got some industrial strength enthusiasm and a big bucket of love, you can definitely get the job done.
Of course, the job won’t be done, and really, the teacher can’t do it. The teacher can only show students how to use those tools themselves, to empower them to realize their unique potential. “Wax on, wax off,” “teach the man to fish.” The students are learning the craft of learning, the trade of knowledge, they are becoming journeymen on the journey of life, and maybe of wisdom.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Junior Achievement Teacher of the Year Award, San Fernando Valley, 2007. School Leadership Licensure Assessment and accompanying LAUSD coursework (Administrative Credential), 2005.
Service Learning Model Practitioner, LAUSD, 2004.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, 2003. Certification: Adolescence/Young Adult – Social Studies/History
Earthwatch Institute Expedition to the Pantanal, Brazil, Researched fresh water invertebrates and wild peccaries, 2000.
Universal Inspirational Teacher Award, North Hollywood High, 2000.
Spanish course at the University of Havana, Cuba, as part of a Global Exchange Reality Tour, 1996.
UC Education Abroad Program, 1980 - 1981: Université de Bordeaux III, Bordeaux, France, Université du Benin, Lomé, Togo, West Africa .
My own education history
Certificate in Online Teaching for Academic & Business Professionals, 2005 - A six course program from UCLA Extension.
Master of Arts Degree: Education University of California, Los Angeles, 1991.
Teaching Credentials: Social Studies, English, Art, French (supplemental), Physical Education, CLAD, Administrative (eligible) University of California, Riverside, 1984.
Bachelor of Arts Degree: Social Science University of California, Irvine, 1982.
Additional biographical information
PRESENTATIONS:
"Morale & Morality – Redesigning your Academy Culture.”
“Classroom Ethics: Morality and Values for Teachers and Students”
“To be Young, Gifted, and Multicultural: Education for Diverse, Gifted Students.”
“Plagiarism.Not: Academic Integrity and the Internet.”
“School Gardens: The Ultimate Interdisciplinary Catalyst.”
“Service Learning: Natural Style.”
“An Ecology of Ideas: Interconnections for Relevance.”
“Dangers to Teenagers: Keeping Gifted Children On Track.”
“Creating the Naturalist Academy: Successes and Challenges.”
"Standards of Living: Linking your Academy to the Content Standards.”
“School Gardening at North Hollywood High.”
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