Meet the Team Leaders: Lauren Allison

Lauren Allison, AmeriCorps Team Leader and a Taylor Mountain student

My name is Lauren Allison and I am the Team Leader at Taylor Mountain Elementary. I moved to Santa Rosa from the East Bay to attend Sonoma State University where I recently graduated with a BA in Liberal Studies. I enjoy photography and playing with my new dog Rufus.

My Taylor Mountain team is amazing! We work well as a group by sharing ideas and offering needed support in and out of the classroom setting. Our site supervisor is supportive and encouraging and is willing to meet any of our needs. I love my placement and am excited to see what this year will hold for all of the Taylor Mountain staff.
 
I have worked with children for a very long time, and am excited to be a part of AmeriCorps and CalSERVES. Children inspire me and their smiles make me smile. I hope to bring my students excitement and determination as well as a boost in their self-confidence. I am looking forward to the future months and watching the development of my students.

By Lauren Allison, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Taylor Mountain Elementary

Ms. Y's Secret Blog: A Tribute from the Bellevue Team

^{The Bellevue Elementary CalSERVES Team}

The Bellevue Elementary CalSERVES Team wanted to take a minute to appreciate Yesenia Salas-Chavira, their Site Supervisor. What follows are quotes from team members expressing appreciation for her leadership. Ms. Y, as she is known at Bellevue School, has been serving with the CalSERVES programs for many years, first as an AmeriCorps member and now in her 5th year as a site supervisor.

Yesenia Salas-Chavira, you are one AMAZING person. In a little over a year you have taught me so much about myself and how to be a leader, I wouldn’t know where to begin to thank you. Your zest for life, and your attitude coming into ‘work’ everyday giving it 110% is inspiring. You have built yet another amazing team this year at Bellevue and we all want to say thanks in our own special way! Enjoy your secret blog, and thank you for everything you do for us. Go Bulldogs! – Sara Craige, AmeriCorps Team Leader

I appreciate Ms Y for her positive abundance of energy. She can really motivate people and get things going. – Lavonne Toso, Literacy Scholar- 2nd  Grade

Almost a year ago, Ms. Y was frantically running around with a camera at my grandparents' 50th anniversary celebration, trying to take the pictures of all the sons, daughters, nieces, and nephews. I was among them. I hid. But as we all know, Ms. Y is very persistent, hard-working, and she perseveres even through the most challenging circumstances, which has allowed her to become an excellent, probably one of the bests, Site Supervisors in CalSERVES. And of course, she eventually found me at the anniversary celebration. – Alejandro Tinajero, Literacy Scholar- Kindergarten

This is my first year working for CalSERVES and without Ms. Y I would be completely lost. She welcomed me with open arms and has guided me through everything. She is always at 110% and nothing less with her positive and outgoing attitude. Ms. Y puts the COOL in Cool School everyday and her staff and students love her! – Nikki Goeppert, 4th Grade Classroom Leader

Ms Y has been very patient with helping me write effective lesson plans for the kids. She has given me specific ideas on how to make them better. She has also helped my class run more smoothly with the idea of a chore's list so the kids aren't constantly asking to help with different tasks. – Jesse Bevan, 5th/ 6th Grade Classroom Leader

To Ms. Y.: I would like to let you know why I truly appreciate you. I love the way that each and everyday when I walk into room C-3 I know that you will be there always with a smile and a "Hi" and asking, "how are you doing Ms. Candelaria?" When I have difficult days, as well as crying days, you are there with a hug and kind words of encouragement. You are not afraid to be a "friend" and for that it makes me feel like I have been placed well with an amazing supervisor! Much love and thank yous for always being great to me! - Teresa Candelaria, Literacy Scholar- 1st Grade

Ms. Y is a highly energetic person that really knows how to get the crowd roaring. In the first assembly she had the kids screaming with excitement to see how happy they were to meet the new service scholars. It was a wonderful feeling and I automatically felt accepted from Ms. Y's introduction. It made me feel welcome to Bellevue Elementary. And it's very nice how she always brags that I was in the After School program in my younger days. – Endy Valdovinos, STEM Scholar

Ms. Y (soon to be MRS. Y): I honestly don't think there are any words that can describe how amazing she is! As one of my six graders said, "She's the mama lion and we're her little cubs!" We're the best but it wouldn't be this way without Ms. Y! Thank you for everything so far... because we still have a long way to go. –Vicente Sosa, Healthy Behaviors Scholar

Ms Y is always ready to listen and has an open mind. She has such an imagination that always keeps us on our toes. We never know what to expect but it always something great. I love my job because of her; she makes it a pleasure to come to work everyday. – Carmen Hernandez, 2nd Grade Classroom Leader

Ms. Y's energy and personality makes this job so much easier and fun to do. I love her positivity; its contagious. I can't help but to want to be around her hoping that some of that positive energy will rub off on me. I know if I need anything, have an issue, or I just plain want to talk to someone, I can go to her. – Gabbi Diaz, Kindergarten Classroom Leader

Yesenia in one of the most positive and energetic people I have ever come into contact with. Since first meeting her over 4 years ago, she has done nothing but encourage me to do what I love and pushed me to become a better mentor and person. -Megan Cockrum, 1st Grade Classroom Leader

Ms. Y is a wonderful Supervisor. She always gives everyone the benefit of the doubt. She is willing to take on any challenge,. Working under her leadership has been and always is very rewarding. She has a great personality. I admire her love for her job and the kids she works with. She recently said something that inspired me-- she said "This doesn't feel like work. I love to be here... if it ever starts to feel like work then I'll know it's time for me to go somewhere else". I found that I feel the same way. CalSERVES is a community, not a job. Ms Y plays a HUGE role in making is as COOL as it is!” – Alejandra Franco, 3rd Grade Classroom Leader

Ms. Y having fun with students.

Meet the Team Leaders: NightSnow Vogt

NightSnow Vogt, AmeriCorps Team Leader at Meadow View Elementary

Originating from the horse capital of the world, Lexington, Kentucky native NightSnow Vogt is the Team Leader at Meadow View Elementary School. With a degree in International Studies from Humboldt State University, a long history of volunteering, and a passion for working with kids, this is NightSnow’s first year in the CalSERVES program.


During his time at CalSERVES, NightSnow hopes to learn how to be an effective leader and mentor to both his students and team members and wants to use his own story to inspire the children he works with. He also wants to bring more creativity and fun to the learning process and help his students cultivate a passion for learning and school.

 As a team leader, NightSnow enjoys the multi-faceted nature of his position; he gets to manage the AmeriCorps Service Scholars, tutor students himself, and has a first-hand look and a helping hand into how the entire CalSERVES program is ran and operated. But he says that the best thing about his position as a team leader is witnessing that moment when the “light bulb turns on” in a child’s mind when they are learning something new or when they suddenly understand a lesson with which they were struggling.

Another aspect of AmeriCorps service that NightSnow appreciates is the team and school administration staff that he works with at Meadow View Elementary. Parents, the school administration, classroom leaders, AmeriCorps members, and the Site Supervisor are all putting in hard work and trying to make this year fantastic for the students in the program. NightSnow says he is looking forward to seeing how the chemistry and dynamics of the entire team evolve and strengthen as the year progresses.

Having just very recently passed the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test), after his time is up at CalSERVES, NightSnow wants to continue onto a career in classroom education. He will first start out as substitute teacher and then eventually, after completing a Teaching Credential program, a full time teacher. As for advice for future Team Leaders or Service Scholars, NightSnow says that you should be ready to take initiative and lead by example. The best leaders are the ones who can both identify the strengths of a group and find areas for improvement; and as a leader, your function is to be the vehicle for the collective improvement and growth of your group.

By Jacquelene Bennett, AmeriCorps Content Leader
and NightSnow Vogt, AmeriCorps Team Leader, Meadow View Elementary

Getting Geared up for Make a Difference Day

 After a successful day Bellevue team takes a moment to document and capture the day.

 With the help of CalSERVES's Classroom Leaders, AmeriCorps Service Scholars and staff, students and families at Bellevue Elementary are getting ready to make a difference on October, 27th. For the past several days, CalSERVES Classroom Leaders and AmeriCorps Service Scholars have been working together to promote this important day and make a positive impact at our school site! Last Friday, all the students in our After School Program got together outside of our school black-top to create and decorate more than 30 colorful posters!

 These are the supplies that were set-up for all the students to get creative!

Bellevue 3rd grade students work together as a team as they follow the four Tribe agreements.

Our 5th and 6th grade students are adding finishing touches.  As  part of their "COOL School Student Council" commitment, they've been working hard to promote this day during regular school hours.

From kindergarten to 6th grade, all of the students in our After School Program at Bellevue have worked together to make this year's "Make A Difference Day", on October 27th, the best service day that students and families from Bellevue have ever seen and attended! Our AmeriCorps volunteers, alumni, Classroom Leaders, staff, students and parents will be working on beautifying Bellevue's playground structure, re-painting recess border lines, and painting four mini murals on wall-balls. There is no doubt that the students and CalSERVES staff from Bellevue Elementary are dedicated to making a positive difference in several weeks!!!

 Our Kinder class takes a pose for the camera.

Ms. G. our 4th grade Classroom Leaders engages with her students as they finish up their
Make A Difference Day posters.

Classroom Leader Takes Off with First Grade!

Megan Cockrum, CalSERVES Classroom Leader

The school year began with a new set of kids and a new program for CalSERVES. Although the past month has been challenging, it was one for which I was ready. Not only was I starting the school year moving from mentoring fifth to first grade, I would be in the class without a partner.

I came into the classroom thinking I knew what first grade would be like and automatically threw those expectations out the window. It was refreshing being able to be more silly with the kids, but I found out straight away that I still had to keep my game face on. There have been some trips along the way, but more than a month in I think I’m getting the hang of things. My class is eager to learn and quick to please.

Living by the TRIBES agreements (Mutual Respect, Attentive Listening, No Put Downs, and the Right to Pass) has become the norm in and out of the class, along with the school motto: be safe, be respectful, and be responsible. Homework time is probably my biggest struggle, with 20 first graders to help, but it's been a learning experience too. I’m ready for the rest of the year and what will come.

GO BULLDOGS!!!

by Megan Cockrum, CalSERVES Classroom Leader, Bellevue Elementary

"Do you want to work with kids?" A story of joining CalSERVES

Alejandro Tinajaro, CalSERVES AmeriCorps Service Scholar

There have been few moments in my life when I have felt a sense of worthiness and usefulness in myself. Contrasting to that, there are many moments where I have felt pathetic, awkward, and like a misfit. I don't particularly mind these feelings, though. Like a terrible illness or any film by Michael Bay, I know there will be a general build-up of angst and anxiety that will eventually lead to utter chaos. But after all that fades, I know the virus will wither away and the film will come to an end. And all will be well.

There is a point to all this, and I'm getting to it. In order to understand something in its entirety, it is crucial to realize how you got there. The reason you're reading this sentence is because you were born, I was born, we learned to read and write, and you have read (and thus I have written) the previous words and sentences. See? It makes sense.

This particular story begins outside of Stevenson Hall at Sonoma State University. The beginning of the school year started off wonderfully and my high expectations were being met. Most of them. However, on this day, as I walked out of my sociological research methods class, I was rather distraught. I had been trying to add this class and it didn't look like I was going to get it. So I walked on, head hung low, with a generally angsty look about me, the kind that is usually found among the preteens and teenagers. And that's when a cheerful looking girl asked me if I wanted to work with kids.

For the past few months, I had been trying to find a job that involved working with kids. I like kids. For one, they aren't as judgmental as most people my age are. And when they do judge you, they do it in a positive way. Such examples of praise and judgments include, "Those shoes that are covered in milk are really cool," and "I like how huge and messy your hair is." These are awesome. Also, kids basically always have fun. It seems that the older we get, the less interested we are in the tiny things in life. Kids embrace all of them and it makes for interesting times. They're just fun in general.

So of course I said yes. Next thing I knew I was on my way to an interview, training, meeting my brothers and sisters in arms, and going to my school site to prepare for the months that lay ahead.

And let me tell you, dear reader, it has been a blast.

Along the way, tears have been shed, and blood has been spilled. Metaphorically and literally. I am very proud to be part of the staff here at Bellevue. I won't deny that we are awesome. But as much as I love all the AmeriCorps and CalSERVES members, it is important to also note how great the kids are here. As corny and cliche as it may sound, they are one of the main reasons I want to keep coming back.

Our first month is coming to an end. September has come and gone, the green leaves of summer are giving way to the warm tones of autumn, and as the year comes to a swift end, I can't help but think about how I got here. As I type this, I am sitting in the local bookstore to which I give my free time every weekend, working for a person who probably doesn't respect me and maybe even looks down on me for being young and inexperienced. Maybe the reason I was so willing and ready to join the CalSERVES team was simply to show the world that I can make a difference and what I do during my short time in this life actually will matter. I guess in the larger scope of things any change will be miniscule. But a change is still a change. Kicking a stone from the sidewalk changes that sidewalk just a little. And the changed sidewalk changes the town, which changes the county, which changes the state, the country, the continent, the Earth, the galaxy, the universe, and, well, just about everything. Everything is just a matter of perspective I suppose. But I digress.

I'm not really sure what's next. I can only assume it will be awesome and I will have a total blast. But a wise friend once told me that happiness doesn't last forever. This is true. I mean, without sorrow or misery, happiness and joy can't exist. So I know that the rest of my time with CalSERVES at Bellevue will be filled with momentous occasions of utter joy and excitement, and I also know that there will be tougher times. It's just expected.

But why focus on any of that? Why over think things as soon as they get started? I know where I am, I know how I got here, and I know why I want to stay. That's all that matters now. All that should be done is really go with the motions, ride the undulating waves. We're off to a great start.

And so we raise our anchor, and sail off. And, dear reader, the sea looks promising and beautiful from here.

by Alejandro Tinajero, AmeriCorps Service Scholar, Bellevue Elementary