The AVID Curriculum
The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with College professors. It is driven by the WICR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes, in content-area classes in AVID schools, and even in schools where the AVID elective is not offered.
Teachers
Jennifer Egan: Coordinator, AVID Class of 2017
Email:
eganj@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
A Redondo Beach native, Ms. Egan is the happy mother of three small children. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Literature and Women’s Studies from UC San Diego and Master of Arts degrees in Literature and Education from Loyola Marymount University. Ms. Egan began her teaching career at Notre Dame Academy in 1997. After teaching at NDA and then Bishop Montgomery (her Alma Mater), she made a permanent move to PVHS where she has taught since its reopening in 2002. She has been teaching AVID since 2004. After her first AVID class graduated in 2008, Ms. Egan jumped right into teaching her second class, the class of 2012. When not teaching or coordinating the AVID program, Ms. Egan teaches AP Literature (her other passion).
Ms. Egan’s AVID class focuses on College preparation. While her students have sometimes referred to it as “AP AVID,” they all walk away from the class with the skills they need to succeed in high school and College. There is a strong emphasis in note taking, organization, collaboration, comprehension, College test preparation and College exploration. AVID class not only prepares students for College, but also helps them to determine the College that fits them best.
While there is no other course that has challenged her more, there is also no other course she finds as rewarding to teach. Ms. Egan believes in the AVID program because she has witnessed its effectiveness. “I love teaching AVID because I am able to develop such a close relationship with my students. I have the unique privilege to watch them grow into adults and to support them in making the most important decisions of their lives.”
Jim Whalen: Teacher, AVID Class of 2014
Email: pvteacher@gmail.com
Born in New York (on Long Island) and a graduate of Boston College, Jim Whalen is a father of three young sons. Mr. Whalen has been teaching at PVHS for 7 years and is in his 6th of teaching the AVID elective. Mr. Whalen can seem all AVID, all the time, but is also dedicated to his algebra 2 classes and coaching on the baseball staff. Mr. Whalen loves bonding with his AVID students and seeing them excel in their core classes at PVHS. After graduating 60 AVID seniors in 2009 and 2010, Mr. Whalen is excited for the newest venture with the 69 students in the Class of 2014.
Mr. Whalen’s AVID class focuses on skills needed to be high school successful and College ready. There is an emphasis on reading, whether it be a novel (we do one a semester) or something featured in the New York Times or something else. Current events are also an AVID “go to” topic and are delivered through newspaper articles or watching the latest 60 Minutes episode. There is also a steady diet of vocabulary building, SAT preparation, writing, College exploration units, and regular AVID style tutorials.
“I really enjoy working with students inside the AVID classroom, but I think all of us love the outside activities as well. Fun Fridays are a great break from the regular routine, and College day trips and overnight trips are awesome. And the AVID Car Wash is one of my favorite days of the year and the Knott’s excursion is great too.”
Alex Morales: Teacher, AVID Class of 2015
Email: moralesa@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
No one really knows where he was born? Possibly in Cuba or was it Hollywood? His age is somewhere between 28 and 48. This mystery man is Mr. Morales and the AVID Class of 2015 teacher. Morales is a lifelong learner and has demonstrated this by attending LA Harbor, Culver-Stockton, Long Beach State, Western Oregon, UCLA, and a few other schools.
Alex Morales is a father of two beautiful children - a fact that is indisputable. Mr. Morales joined the PVHS staff in 2009 and immediately got involved with AVID. Along with being a family man, Mr. Morales is also devoted to his Spanish classes, coaching baseball, and being a socialite. Mr. Morales enjoys finding teachable moments to share with his AVID students and seeing them excel in their core classes.
Mr. Morales is a big believer in education and all the doors that it can open. Mr. Morales uses a holistic approach to learning while he understands that grades and test scores aren't the end all be all - but does recognize it is the system we have all agreed to play by.
Mr. Morales' AVID class focuses on skills needed to be high school successful and college ready. In conjunction with the AVID staples of Cornell Notes, Tutorials, and WICOR, Mr. Morales likes to incorporate current events, Philosophical Chairs, Socratic Seminar, and Project-Based Learning with his AVID students. Students are also exposed to SAT preparation, from test strategies to direct instruction in Math and English.
“Alex Morales is a misunderstood genius. His teachings have provided me with lessons in both life and Spanish,” read a posting online by an anonymous student.
Gailene Lancey: Teacher, AVID Class of 2016
Email: lanceyg@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
Gailene Lancey is an East Coast transplant, having grown up in the snow belt of upstate New York. After graduating from SUNY Cortland with a BA in Spanish and Education, she eked out a few more icy years teaching in Syracuse, New York, then left the cold for sunny California. A state school junky, she received her MA in Linguistics/TESOL from CSU Northridge and has been teaching ever since. Throughout the years, she has taught Spanish, English, ESL, Computer class and has even run a computer lab. She has experienced K-8 schools, private & public schools, adult schools, community college and the American Language Center at UCLA. She has finally found her home here at PVHS, where she boasts, “I especially love these kids because they keep me young and I don’t have to wipe their noses for them!”
Lancey admits she was a fan of AVID way before she started teaching in the program. “The AVID teachers are a great group to work with and I couldn’t have been more excited to join them.” In her first year of teaching AVID, she was delighted to have four classes. “I wanted them all to myself,” she reveals, adding that the most important part of her job is getting to know each student inside and out so she can help them discover their strengths and talents. She accomplishes this through writing assignments, presentations, group activities and fun activities like Fundays and group trips.
She admits the first year is a handful. The biggest hurdle for AVID freshmen here at PV is to get them used to high school, the routine and the environment. Next, the focus is on organization and responsibility. “It’s a difficult transition for them to make – going from parents and teachers being responsible for you and checking up on you, to having to do that all yourself.” Lancey insists on being tough; she feels that the harder she is on them now, the easier the path through high school and college will be. She is looking forward to each day that one of her students gets into the college of his/her dreams. She promises, “I’ll be crying a lot in June of 2016…but they will be happy tears.” |
