Every minute a child is losing hope in our education system as they sit there disengaged, and bored.
This truth speaks loudly as one of the words associated most with school is irrelevant!
The fact that students feel disconnected and see learning as a waste of their time has led to the startlingly statistic that 1 in 12 students will drop out of high school.
Now is our time to act to save the next generation, but we must be willing to change our mindset, which is exactly what Vista High School is doing.
Background
Last year, Vista High School piloted a program about Personalized Learning called the Personalized Learning Academy that was structured around four basic components: Voice, Co-Creation, Social Construction, and Self Discovery.
Credit: Allison Zmuda
Voice: The vocalization of student’s strengths, interests and values within their educational pathway
Co-Creation: The sweet spot where students and teachers come together to develop areas of study that promote a theme that supports student’s strengths, interests and values in a challenging, yet captivating way.
Social Construction: One of the true action phases where students lead and build on their ideas through collaboration with peers and others to inquire and investigate in order to develop solutions for a common goal.
Self-Discovery: Where students come to learn about themselves in and outside the context of learning in order to discover their strengths, interests and values so that they can find their forever changing path in life.
Roughly 165 juniors took part in the PLA, which served as one of the primary components and examples of reimagining high school in our grant application to the XQ Super School Project, which we were one of ten schools in the nation to receive in order to combat that statistic.
Professional Development
On March 23rd 2017, co-creation truly took on another level of meaning as Vista High teachers, current Vista High students and a team of eighth graders — seven from Vista Innovation and Design Academy, and three from Roosevelt Middle School — worked together to develop the curriculum and potential experiences for Vista High School’s incoming freshman class.
During our break, I pulled the VIDA students into another room to ask them about their thoughts.
At first, they were unsure of how to respond, so I divided them into sections each representative of a house.
I assigned each a topic, and mandated a specific requirement and proceeded to ask: How do you feel about this? Do you feel engaged, motivated and or inspired?
Unanimously, the response was no, since having no say in what “we” doesn’t make for an engaging and interesting school experience.
Photo by Jennifer Ludwig
In response, I changed the scenario.
The scenario now gives each of the houses I have put them in the autonomy to choose what they’re passionate about. Then, I asked them, “what would you do?”
To my heart’s joy, the students spoke of choosing individual topics within their overall chosen theme for each semester. Eventually, they came to the conclusion that the semester should be divided into two segments each focusing on different aspects of design thinking all targeted at achieving developing and refining plausible and workable solutions.
For example, one student explained how within the first section of the semester students would focus on gaining empathy through research, ideating and prototyping. Another student, building off of the first’s idea, then explained how the next segment would be dedicated to testing their prototype and several reiterations.
My heart swelled as I heard these students using the Design Thinking Process, which they have spent the last three years using. Now, I know that they not only can apply this technique, but will apply it in their lives going into the future.
I am beyond excited to see how these students will continue to shape the educational transformation at Vista High School.
Our future is truly in the hands of the great future leaders, thinkers, creators, and inventors of tomorrow!
“Send Ms. James up to the principals office” usually has a negative stigma to it; however, in my case it has only opened up a world of opportunity that I never could have imagined, at least once I got over my fear of being in trouble.
For the past year and a half, every call to the principal’s office has been aimed at providing my voice in the educational reformation at Vista High School. In the 2015-2016 school year, a team of eight teachers, two from each core discipline: English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, and 165 juniors broke a traditional educational mold together within our school-within-a school named the Personalized Learning Academy.
Within our academy the true meaning behind school, learning and the importance of receiving an education was reimagined.
It’s our belief that to prepare students for the world ahead school must promote self-discovery, voice and choice, collaborative work and soft skill training.
During the first year of the academy, we wrote a grant to the XQ Super School Project in order to help us offer this experience to all students sooner rather than later. Below is a glimpse of our story:
XQ Super School- Vista High School
The world opened up in a way I never imagined when I decided to take a leap of faith on the Personalized Learning Academy. Without the flexibility of this program, I wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to delve into my passions, which took on a tangible form within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number four: Quality Education.
Roughly a year and a half ago, I developed an internship program with a local magnet middle school, Vista Innovation and Design Academy, where I supported at-risk and struggling math students. Beginning in August, I left the classroom to work alongside the Principal of VIDA in order to understand another point-of-view within the education system. (Click here to learn more)
Fast forward to the half-way point of senior year, where I am blessed with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend the Model United Nations: Change the World Conference in New York City because my teachers believed that I could bring about change in the world, my passion for sustainable development goal #4 and my dream of one day being a consultant to the United Nations on Education.
The day we left felt so surreal. Below is how I have chosen to share this experience which leaves me speechless even weeks later. This trip will always have a very special place in my heart.
Throughout the entire experience, my eyes were opened to the sensational world in a way I never imagined. To be in the world’s most cosmopolitan city, where diversity flourishes in such a unique way taught me about the importance of keeping an open mind because you’ll never know what you will miss out on.
To close, I would like to say, “The future of the world is what we choose to make of it as the creative leaders, thinkers, problem finders and solution designers in tomorrow’s world of changing beliefs and ideals.”
Born into a devastated America, plagued by the aftermath of a war and plague, Stephan Quinn finds himself in a flipped world. One were the only way to stay alive is to keep moving. Within a short amount of time, Stephan’s world completely changes as his grandfather dies and the next day, his father during a heroic action has an accident that puts him in coma leaving Stephan completely and utterly alone.
War and Plague Devastated America Credit: Royalty Free
This truly realistic book written primarily for young adults is thriller for anyone who enjoys shows and books about a post apocalyptic America. such as The Walking Dead. Not only does the setting stick with you, but the internal conflicts Stephan experiences are similar to those of any teenager. Raised by two very different personalities, he tries to fit the mold of both his grandfather and father ultimately leading him to struggle with the concept of staying in Settler’s Landing.
Readers find themselves relating to Stephan on several levels as they try to imagine how they would respond in his situation. Would they stay or leave? Who is the real threat? Can home be a world I can experience? The Plot though it could be more developed and the story expanded into a trilogy is engaging on several levels as it’s relatable and covers multiple genres, Science-Fiction and Romance.
My one and only complaint is that I felt the author could have made this a successful series with more developed characters, since it is very personable for any teenager.
Peer pressure is just that: pressure. ~ Jerry Spinelli
Every day a high school student is under constant pressure: family, sports, academic, but the one that every teenager feels is peer pressure. Peer pressure is situational and causes massive discomfort because you desire to say no, but everyone around you says yes. No one wants to be the buzz kill, the let down, the goodie two-shoes.
The yucky, gut-wrenching feeling of wanting to please those around you, but not wanting is do what makes you uncomfortable is best captured in the song, Counting Stars, by OneRepublic which says, “I feel something so right doing the wrong thing, I feel something so wrong doing the right thing.” The wrong things seems right and feels right because everyone around you in that moment agrees. The right thing feels so wrong because it typically means making the decision that is least chosen.
In the moment, you seem fine, almost happy. The morning after you feel different.. A poor decision is a poor decision even if all the cool kids are doing it. These situations become even more difficult when it’s your friends whom you are closest too pressuring you. If it happens often with the same person, rethink your friendship.
Peer Pressure isn’t always swaying someone to do the wrong thing. It can be indirect, and subconscious. For instance, at some point in our life, we all find ourselves standing in front of the bathroom mirror wondering, ” Should I wear this?” and “What will people think of me?” In today’s society, the judgement factor of peer pressure is what is deadly to teens.
Eating Disorder Credit: Christy Mckenna
“5% of girls and boys start developing eating disorders such as anxiety, bulimia, and anorexia” from the insecurities brought on by comparing themselves to friends and peers.
38% of boys in middle school and high school reported using protein supplements and nearly 6% admitted to experimenting with steroids.
The sad truth is peer pressure doesn’t always stem from the words of those around you, but from the thoughts associated with peers, role models and those around you. Peer Pressure effects your own perception of yourself, it skews your thoughts and causes you to think so negatively of yourself that some try to take their lives, harm themselves, get into abusive relationships because of the low self-esteem and lastly seek vices to numb the pain. This is why Peer Pressure is the Silent Murder, most don’t think about it, but it’s there lingering.
All of us, know someone suffering from depression, low self-esteem or some form of peer pressure, which impacts their health emotionally, physically and mentally. The effect of peer pressure needs to be discussed. It’s strong effects on a person’s physical wellness is what changes the lives of everyone. Once a persons mental state declines so much that self-harm begins, the situation becomes more devastating. This is why we need to talk about Peer Pressure from all aspects because it’s impact on a person’s physical health could make the difference between life and death.
Physical Wellness
According to UC Davis, Physical Wellness is described as taking care of your body in a way that promotes optimal health. Optimal health contains proper nutrition, exercise practices, and mental-well being about your body image.
Poor Body image is a sign of poor mental and emotional health which can lead to low self-esteem which leads to the most physical harm in the health of teens.
Credit: UC Davis
Low Self- Esteem
Leads to cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking, suicide, premature sex, and eating disorders.
1 in 12 teens will attempt suicide…
About 20% of teens suffer from depression before they reach adulthood
Ways to Improve Self-Esteem
Stop Comparing yourself to others is different
Talk yourself up, not down
Think about your strengths, not weaknesses
Make sure that let yourself do happy things
Accept Compliments
Smile more
Once, your self-esteem improves, your life can change.
Saying “no” in tough situations becomes easier
Being proud yourself is natural
Your life moves forward.
Peer Pressure is more than being influenced to drink and take drugs, its an internal struggle between making choices and yourself. Be aware, stay aware and most of all look forward.
As we end the semester with an intense focus on trigonometry, I find it nice to have simplistic equation problems that refresh our skills and don’t jumble our understanding of trigonometry.
This semester has been rather interesting as we experienced several changes to our ideas and focus. We began the year with a plan and like most great ideas they end up getting changed.
What I appreciated most about this semester has been the overall vibe of the Personalized Learning Academy. Being with the same group of students for the past two years has allowed us to develop a family dynamic which has brought life to the collaboration aspect of our program. As we have grown as a unit, our willingness to provide feedback and express our dislikes and likes of the ideas within our classroom has grown.
Within the last several months, I have made many life altering decisions. The dynamic and support I receive within the academy from all my teachers, past and present has been key to my success. My ability to express and communicate with my thoughts and feelings with those around me more openly has my greatest achievement this semester.
Credit: Richard Stephenson
The largest insight I took away so far has been in regard to perception. As we learn to accept ourselves, and cease to find fault with one another, we end up learning to appreciate one another for the gifts we bring to the table. Each student possess a set of talents and abilities, learning to harness and utilize these strengths is what adds to our ideas. With this insight, our collaboration experiences after high school will be forever impacted.
I am Ms. Nelson. My lovely friends are being evacuated tomorrow morning. They are being sent away because their Japanese. The government claims it is to protect them, yet I find the situation too surreal to understand. I am dropping them off in the morning, I don’t want to see them go. I pray they will be alright, my mood sinks at the sight of not knowing where our friends are going. I hope they will write, let me know how I can help. Now, I must wait, wait to understand the situation that makes little to no sense.
Chapter 9: A New Rumor
I am Yuki. Every morning, I arise early to prepare to attend school with Emi which has brought excitement to my dull existence here. Ever since the night Ken came over with his friends to announce the possibility to go back to school, my heart has been broken. Everyone tells me Ken’s decision is a hard one and his future is essential, but I don’t want him to leave. Rumors are flooding the camp of the possibility of being moved as soon as a month from now. Ken decided this evening that the rumors were enough for him and Jim to stay with their families for now. I have never been so happy, since arriving here til now.
Chapter 10: Goodbye, Tanforan
I am Ken. Time has flown by quickly and the camp has been slowly sinking. Our orders to join the several others in the internment camp in Topaz, Utah have finally arrived. I am getting tired off our circumstances. I just want to attend college and start my life, but my honor and responsibility to my family. I now sit on a train with a hard heart as I head to Utah to continue being a prisoner of barbed wire.
Chapter 11: A Home in the Desert
I am Yuki. My “mental climate” is lousy as I look at the barren conditions among my family. The train ride to Topaz was unbearable. The dust destroys my breath. The sun is beating down unceasingly. The situation is only slightly better, but the weather is chaotic. Emi has grown tired, and weary. Today she collapsed and my heart with her.
Chapter 17: Hello, World
I am Yuki. Feelings of wanting to be in the free and out from behind the barbed wire have been pressing on my mind lately. I just want to be joyful and experience happiness. Emi’s return home filled the void in my heart and softened my longing to be part of the world again. Once i finally felt okay with staying, my father’s life was threatened leaving us no other option than to leave the camp. Leaving was strange, it brought me both joy and sadness. because “Hello World” meant life without our friends.
In one of The New York Times debates entitled, “Should Voting Be Mandatory?”, the concerns for the current election are addressed, since the fate of our future president lies in the hands of the 36% of eligible people registered to vote. William Galston, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution, with whom I agree, addresses this concern, advocating for mandatory voting, since it will improve the idea of democracy in America.
Ballot Measure Box
Barack Obama’s statement, “It would be transformative if everybody voted” is hardly an understatement as the percentage of Americans taking part in their country’s democratic foundation has decreased. Throughout the world, Twenty-eight countries had made voting a mandatory practice. In specific, Australians regard voting as civic obligation reinforcing the idea of pride in their country.
Voting
In America, many citizens don’t value of their rights and freedoms because little is asked of them in return. As the years have gone by, less and fewer people are sharing their voice in our democracy. If mandatory voting existed more citizens would feel a resurgence in their civic responsibilities, and feel the effects of a responsive democracy. The responsive democracy would limit the extremes, since the polarization of American Politics only exists due to the low voter turnout. Making voting mandatory would improve our legislative process and encourage a more involved America.
Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. Most people perceive discrimination as sexism, racism and homophobia; however, discrimination has several branches and components. On a daily basis, people are judged for the way they look, how they talk, the clothes they wear and even their name. The examples listed above are representative of just a few forms of subtle discrimination that people experience, but hardly discuss. As the less judgemental and understanding generation, it is our responsibility to speak up about subtle discrimination in order to improve the situation for all.
Names are worth a thousand words as they reflect a specific culture, origin or race. Just like words, we judge names. Without thinking, when we read the name Jose, we automatically assume the person is hispanic and we hear the name Samuel, we envision a caucasian male. This is a subconscious response we are all guilty of committing. To end the dilemma, we must begin to spread awareness, and become conscious of our tendency to judge before even getting to know them.
As society has made several strides toward becoming more understanding and less judgemental racial bias still plagues specific groups. In a study by University of California Los Angeles, the depressing truth about names and their effect on the perception of the person are discussed. For example, participants “attributed violence to individuals based solely on having names like Darnell or Juan; whereas names such as Connor automatically led to expectations of prestige and status” (Holbrook). Men attributed black-sounding names to lower economic status, and violence out of fear. African American men are associated with gang violence, abuse, neglect and are often seen as dangerous because of a few. This stereotype follows them in every aspect of their life, as children in school or job applicants. More often than not they are misjudged because of the subconscious fear and judgement other races echo without malicious intent. Employers emulate name discrimination more often than not as they search for potential candidates. The stereotypes surrounding different racial names, especially impact the African American Community. According to a study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research, “Job applicants with white names needed to send about 10 resumes to get one callback; those with African-American names needed to send around 15 resumes to get one callback”(Francis). The startling reality of these study bring to light the subconscious bias people have toward names because of the origin or race associated with them. In more racially mixed communities less name discrimination occurs, but the reality is that name discrimination can be attributed to the difficulty of employment and success within certain races where their stereotype is prominent.
Racial bias, Judgement surrounding sexual orientation and gender plague society, yet several other forms of discrimination exist. Even though we are a progressive country to some extent, name discrimination still heavily impacts the success of specific races within our culture. As a nation, we need to address the sub conscious struggle around name discrimination in order to help limit the stereotyping of certain communities and improve their lives.
Works Cited
Howard, Jacqueline. “New Study Confirms Depressing Truth About Names And Racial Bias.” Huffington Post. N.p., 08 Oct. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
Francis, David R. “Employers’ Replies to Racial Names.” Employers’ Replies to Racial Names. The National Bureau of Economic Research, n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.
One my favorite assignments from this semester of Pre-Calculus was the creation of our small business logos from simple sketches into intricate, but simple equation based designs.
Trying to develop my beautiful and already difficult to sketch design brought fourth an interesting challenge which allowed me to apply my understanding of equations. In particular, my design focused heavily on utilizing circle equations in order to develop shapes and letters.
Circle Equations:
Definition of a circle: a round plane figure whose circumference (area) consists of points equidistant from the center.
Math is Fun Image
(x – h)2 + (y – k)2 = r2
h represents the x of the center point
k represents the y of the center point
r represents the radius which help us to determine the size of the circle
How I Applied Circle Equations to My Design
My Small Business Logo
In order to create the light bulbs, I first had to figure out my center point, (.5,7), which means it crosses the x-axis at .5 and the y-axis at 7. My r is 1^2. In order to shade in the bulb, I wrote my equation as follows:
(x-.5)^2 + (y-7)^2 <1^2
I create the letter c, by applying restrictions on the circle equation. In order to prevent it from forming a circle, I placed restrictions on my x value where the r would typically be found. This is what the equation looks like:
(x – 21)2 + (y – 6.95)2 = (X< 21.75)2
Summary
In conclusion, learning and applying my knowledge of circle equations allowed me to develop a unique small business logo. In my opinion, learning how to develop designs based on equations using computer software is important to graphic design and development.
technique, but will apply it in their lives going into the future.
