Meet the ABC Readers

By GiGi G., Parent of Snowboarding Snow Leopard Zoe and Smart Sushi Roll Ben
 

At the beginning of the school year, every teacher selects a parent volunteer from their class to do the Project Cornerstone Asset Building Champion (ABC) lessons for their class and they are called “ABC Readers”. Each month, ABC Readers read a specially selected ABC book, usually during their workshift in that class. They will also lead discussions and share activities to help all kids feel valued, respected and that they belong at this school.

Let’s get to know our 2016-2017 ABC Readers a bit better:
 

From left to right: Arti S. (Roberta’s class), Olga D. (Elizabeth’s class), Erin V. (Gretchen’s class),
Alexis D. (Chris’ class), Aisling C. (Lori’s class), Gigi G. (Aisling & Michele’s classes),
Jess H. (Jill’s class), Brett S. (Andy/Gina & Talia’s classes) and Dorothy A. (Aline’s class)

Aisling

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I have been teaching at Village School since 2003. I’ve taught grades from first through fourth, but third is where my heart belongs. I have 2 kids, Vivienne who is a kinder in the Cute Cupcakes classroom and Sawyer a future Villager, although he thinks he owns the school already.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I’ve watched ABC readers come through my classroom over the years and I have always loved the messages the books share with the kids and the rich discussions the kids engage in. Since this is my first year being both a teacher and a parent I thought that this was the perfect way to be present in my daughter’s classroom.

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? Since this is my first year hearing the kinder books I have been enjoying each one! The kids love connecting with the various characters in the books.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? Enjoy it! Connect with the kids!

 
Alexis

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I have two daughters at Village– Mia is a 2nd grade Rockin’ Redwood in Mr. Chris’ class and I also have a 5th grader, Sienna who is in Ms. Michele’s Snowboarding Snow Leopards class. I work as a counselor and instructor at Foothill College where I teach Stress and Wellness and also see college students for personal counseling. Prior to that I was a school counselor at the School for the Deaf in Fremont where I provided social emotional lessons just like ABC reading.

How long have you been an ABC Reader? This is my second year as an ABC reader. I read last year for Mia’s 1st grade class. This year I’m reading for Mia’s 2nd grade class.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I love reading aloud to the students. They seem to always look forward to ABC reading and are so engaged with the topics. I love talking with them about important things that are life lessons in ways they can relate to. I feel I’m with the students during my work shift on an academic level, but ABC reading lets me have a deeper heart connection which I just love!

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? I loved all the books from last year–I’m not sure if we’ll be reading “Have You Filled A Bucket Today?” This is a classic and invites a common language for students to begin thinking about how their behavior and choices impact others.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? To enjoy the process– to just connect with the kids on a heart level is so special.

Arti

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am proud to be entering my 7th year at Village School. My oldest child is a Village alumni and began at Village as a Kindergartener. Naomi is a Powerful Puppy in Roberta’s 3rd grade class. I am a former elementary school teacher and currently a fitness and yoga teacher. I love teaching in all its forms and express myself creatively through teaching. I love nature and exploring the outdoors through travel, backpacking, camping, running, cycling, and hiking. I enjoy reading, cooking, and relating to other humans.

How long have you been an ABC Reader? This is my first year! I am honored to have the opportunity to connect with the students in Roberta’s class through ABC Reading.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I really enjoy playing an additional role in the lives of the students in Roberta’s class and designing the lessons so each child has the opportunity to share and be supported.

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? I am most excited by the book, “Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon.” This is a book I read to both my kids when they were younger and I have fond memories of the illustrations and the words. I appreciate the opportunity to present this book in the format of ABC Reading and dive deeper into the valuable lessons it offers.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? Take time to digest the theme of each lesson and consider sharing personal stories that relate to the topic. I have found that this type of sharing really engages the students and lets them know that adults are affected by the same social issues they face.

Brett

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am married to Jerome and we have two children at Village School: Bailey who is in the 4th grade (Fearless Falcons/Talia) and Gabriel who is in the 1st grade (Courageous Cats/Andy-Gina). I am a professor at Santa Clara University in the Child Studies Program with a courtesy appointment in Psychology. This year I am also the Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion for the university. My research focuses on implicit bias among school teachers and how those biases contribute to the school to prison pipeline. I love my work and my research and am committed to equality for all children.

How long have you been an ABC Reader? I have been an ABC reader since 2012 when Bailey was in Kindergarten at Capri. When she came to Village in 1st grade I was elated that I could continue with ABC reading. Now that Gabriel is at Village, I’ve read in his classes as well.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I love interacting with the children. That’s what makes my days. I love when they see me in class on any given day and they ask “Are you doing ABC reading today?” When I say “not today” the reply is often “Awwwww.”

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? I always look forward to reading “Have You Filled A Bucket Today?” because it provides so many ah-ha moments for children from kinder through 5th grade. I also love reading the Ruby Bridges books because they put our children in the shoes of a 6-year old African American girl who faced unimaginable obstacles when she was the first to desegregate a school in the U.S. South.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? Have fun! Listen to the children. They have such wondrous perspectives. Talk to your teacher to gauge what activities might ideally suit your age group.

Erin

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I am new to Village school. My son Nolan is a Dancing Bird in Ms. Gretchen’s class. I also have a second grader, Miles, over at Capri, who will be joining Village in third grade. I work at the Starbird Youth Center in San Jose, and I work with at-risk, gang impacted and underprivileged youth.

How long have you been an ABC Reader? This is my first time being an ABC reader. September was my first month reading to the kids.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I absolutely love being able to read and interact with the children! In addition to that, I love that you get to help them relate what you just read to real life, and see them use their new life skills, not only on the playground but at home. I really feel like ABC Readers is a fantastic program.

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? I can’t wait to read “Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon.” I love how this book celebrates the differences in children and encourages kids to celebrate their differences too. It’s a good reminder not just for the kids, but for us as adults too.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? Well I am completely new to this program, but I would say that it is very simple and very rewarding.

GiGi

Tell us a little bit about yourself: I’ve been at Village since 2012, when my daughter Zoe entered first grade. Zoe is now a graduating fifth grader (yikes!) in Ms Michele’s Snowboarding Snow Leopards class and I also have a son, Ben, that is a Smart Sushi Roll in Ms Aisling’s third grade class.

How long have you been an ABC Reader? I’ve been an ABC Reader since Zoe was in kindergarten at Blackford Elementary so this is my sixth year as a reader. I am also the ABC Reader Coordinator at Village and this is my fourth year in this role.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? For me, I enjoy the interactions with the kids, watching them grow and seeing how the ABC vocabulary has become part of their daily talk. I love seeing acts of kindness and I hope I’ve helped make children feel safe, cared for and that they belong here. I am grateful for all the parent feedback that let me know how the ABC program has made a positive impact for their child or helped them tackle an issue their child was having.

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? This year, I’m really looking forward to reading “Who Moved My Cheese?” to the graduating fifth graders. This is a special book and lesson designed for children entering middle school and this will be my first time reading this book for the ABC program.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? My advice is from an ABC Lead Training session and was adapted from “Edutopia”: ABC Readers will be remembered, not for the organized binders and bulletin boards, but for empathy, caring, concern, and inclusion. Students will remember that you took the time to listen. They will remember the personal stories you shared about your life. They will remember your laugh. They will remember that you sat and talked to them at recess. Don’t do it all. Instead, connect with others by including, delegating, accepting and being your true self. What matters is you. You make a difference in our kids lives.

Jess

How long have you been an ABC Reader? Although I have always wanted to be involved in our ABC reading program this is my first year on the team. My first lesson in Ms. Jill’s class was so rewarding. The kids were so engaged and eager to absorb new tools and information.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I really love to read out loud. So far I am so impressed to see the connections the students are making in the own lives.

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? “My Secret Bully”

Olga

Tell us a little bit about yourself: This is my second year at Village. My son Leandro is a Generous Jaguar in Ms. Elizabeth’s second grade class. I am also the Spanish teacher for both second grade classes.

How long have you been an ABC Reader? This is my second year as an ABC reader, but my first year as an ABC reader at Village. I was an ABC reader at Lynhaven Elementary in the 2014-2015 school year.

What do you enjoy most about being an ABC Reader? I could say everything. I enjoy reading out loud and looking at all the kids facial expressions while I am reading. I love the discussion after the reading and seeing how the kids relate to the main idea of the books.

What book are you looking forward to reading the most and why? I am looking forward to reading ”Today I Feel Silly” because It shows that it is ok to have different feelings/moods on different days. This is a message that not only the children should remember, we all should.

If you were to give advice to a new ABC Reader, what would you say? Enjoy the moment with the kids and don’t focus on planning a perfect lesson. The kids are gonna amaze you in every reading and you are going to be remembered for your interaction with them inside and outside the classroom.