June 15, 2006

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Teacher of the Month

Mrs. Christian with student Christian Newkirk

Graystone’s Donna Christian

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

For Donna Christian, who has taught third through fifth grade at Graystone Elementary School for 13 years, teaching is a calling. “I have always enjoyed being with children,” says Christian. “Being full of energy, I enjoy being around others who are.”

As a sophomore in college, she considered entering social work, but assisting third graders learning how to read solidified her desire to teach. In addition, Christian has always maintained a close connection with children, from babysitting and being a summer camp counselor to teaching Bible school at church. “I decided that being in the classroom is where I needed and wanted to be,” she says.

A San Jose native, in her 28 years with the San Jose Unified School District, Christian has taught a great number of students. “Almaden Valley has and will continue to produce wonderful children,” she says, “pluses to our society.”

In turn, it was Christian’s first grade teacher who inspired her to teach. “She was very kind and patient,” Christian recalls. “She would give me her leftover dittos to play with.” Christian put those dittos to good use, holding school for her stuffed animals, which were arranged on chairs in a horseshoe before her. Even as a child, Christian took teaching seriously. “I can remember not wanting to take any talkativeness from my stuffed animals,” she laughs. “I’d tell them, ‘I have things to tell you and you have to listen!’”

Christian attended Pepperdine University in Southern California and did her student teaching in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood and in San Pedro. Although she has taught both younger and older students, she found her perfect place with fourth graders. “I really like them,” she says. “They come in as immature people and leave feeling confident. I love seeing that transformation.”

In fourth grade, according to Christian, students learn to be organized and responsible, as well as more independent. “It’s letting them know they can do it and giving them the confidence,” she says. “You can talk to them with honesty and sincerity about their choices. This is when they begin to come into their own. They’re not just pleasing their parents, they’re trying to please themselves.”

Whatever it is they’re learning, Christian tries to relate it to their lives. “I always tell them that if I cannot tell them how and where they are going to be using what I teach them in life,” she says, “then maybe I shouldn’t be teaching it to them.” Christian explains to her students that what they’re learning now lays the foundation for the future and that this is the time to not only make mistakes, but to find ways to solve them.

Christian also enjoys teaching fourth grade because of the opportunity to teach her students about California’s accessible history. “I love that you can visit most of the places we read about, like Death Valley and Mount Shasta,” she says. Having visited many of these locations, Christian is able to share her own photographs and topography maps, making it more interesting for her students. “I’m a very visual person and it helps to have a picture,” she says, “or to create analogies and show the kids how everything fits together.” When her class read a story about fishing for halibut in Alaska, she was able to show them photos of the fish from her trip there, aiding the students in imagining what the author was trying to convey.

When the class read the “Trumpet of the Swan,” they drew a trumpet nest 6 feet in diameter and saw how many students could fit in it to give them an idea of its size. They also researched different types of nests and viewed Christian’s collection, which ranges from small hummingbird’s to large raven’s nests.

“I went through school when science and social studies was reading and answering questions,” she says, “and I didn’t like it. I love to share information with them to help them become more aware.” When studying the San Juan Bautista historic route, Christian asked her students to keep an eye out for the El Camino bells while driving around the Bay Area, making them more aware of where they live.

Her students also accompanied Graystone Elementary School’s entire fourth grade on a field trip to Sacramento to experience some of its history firsthand. “We read about it, learned about it, and had the chance to see it,” says Christian, “that’s why fourth grade is so much fun.” She engages her students through storytelling and sharing intriguing facts about their subjects, such as California explorers. “I try to bring these people out of history to life,” she says, “or else it’s just a whole bunch of dead people.”

Christian encourages her students and is careful not to squelch their enthusiasm. “If a child is brave enough to volunteer a response to a question, I don’t like to say that that child is wrong,” she says. “I say that that’s one way of looking at it, but there might be another way.” Her approach pays off, as by the middle of the year, her students raise their hands saying, “I’m going to take a guess on this one,” learning that it’s OK to try.

With the testing and accountability demanded of teachers today, the challenge for Christian is to cover the material while presenting the curriculum in an interesting way. “It’s the kids and community that keep me here,” she says. “But, it’s the state that will drive me out with the hoops we have to jump through these days.”

Still, Christian is glad that she became a teacher and appreciates it when a past student comes by to say hello. “If you respect children, they will turn around and respect you,” she says.

As student Christian Newkirk shares a name with his teacher, she calls him “Mr. Christian.”

“He is such a gentleman,” she says. “Something that impressed me so much about him was his behavior during a class auction.” To reward students for good behavior, she gives them squares they can use to purchase items during an auction from the class store. One such item was a poster of a jet airplane, which a lot of students wanted, resulting in a bidding war. Finally, it was down to just Newkirk and another student. “He could have purchased it right out,” she says, “but as he knew another student wanted to buy it for her cousin, he let her have it.” When she asked him about it later, Christian mentioned that she knew he really wanted it. “I did,” he said, “but so did she.” Mrs. Christian was so impressed that she says it was something she’ll never forget. “He is such a bright young man and has come into his own with his writing this year,” she says. “He is well-respected and is our student body vice president. He is an all-around nice person.”

Just like his teacher.

Who’s your favorite teacher?
Is there a special teacher who has made learning fun, helped you with a problem or is just plain terrific? Maybe someone who fostered a love of reading or explained fractions in an innovative way? If so, the Almaden Times Weekly would like to hear from you. In a short essay (200 words maximum) tell us about the special teacher in your life (mom or dad can give you a little help if necessary). Be sure to include your teacher’s name, the school where they teach, the grade, your name, grade and phone number.

If your essay is chosen for the Almaden Times Weekly’s Teacher of the Month, you and your teacher and your class (a maximum of 30 people), will be treated to a special Teacher of the Month party at Baja Fresh, located at 1008-H Blossom Hill Rd. Send your essay by e-mail to newsroom@timesmediainc.com, by fax to 494-7078 or by mail to Almaden Times Weekly, 1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107, San Jose, CA 95122.

Anita Praturu applies an intricate Indian henna tattoo on Almaden Country School alumni Lauren Herr, who shared her Japanese culture for the day. Photo courtesy of Almaden Country School

Around the world with Almaden
Country School

Annual International Fair salutes ethnic diversity

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Ever tried baklava? Or been to a Philippine bamboo dance? These were only a few of the ethnic diversities recently celebrated at Almaden Country School’s International Fair.

Twenty-five ethnic groups were presented by third grade teachers, parents and students spanning the globe under the direction of parent organizer Leann Makhni. India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Greece, France, the Philippines and the Ukraine among others were represented with colorful costumes, games, demonstrations, dance and of course, food. Retiring Principal Jean Delwiche even had a table set up representing her birthplace Great Britain.
“It’s quite exciting,” said Sharon Wilkus. “We’re all learning so much about other countries.”

Here is a sampling of the day’s events around the world enjoyed by attendees at the International Fair.

Until we meet again…

Almaden Country School students, parents and teachers celebrated the retirement of Principal Jean Delwiche at a recent party on the school grounds. With memories and laughter shared, the goodbye was met with tears as the beloved principal said goodbye. But thankfully it’s not really goodbye, because Delwiche plans to substitute teach and as well as serve on the board of the school. Pictured above is Delwiche with her family.

Leland camera action

Second annual LEMA Film Festival draws out numbers, raises questions

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Leland Media Arts instructor Mark Schwab and 250 spectators turned Oakridge Mall’s AMC Theater into Cannes on June 2 for the second annual LEMA film festival.

Schwab said LEMA (Leland Media Arts Film Festival) bumped a “DaVinci Code” episode off of Oakridge’s regularly scheduled program, thanks to an outpouring of support from the student body and parents eager to learn more about Leland’s sprouting film program.

Students line up in front of the AMC Oakridge entrance pior to Leland's second annual LEMA film festival.

“It was absolutely fantastic—we blew last year’s event out of the water,” said Schwab, recalling the inaugural site in Leland’s media center last spring.

The gala was held to display projects conceived and concocted by students in Schwab’s Media Arts 1-2 and 3-4 classes, which introduce writing, directing and camera techniques as an elective unique to Leland, according to Schwab. He said that part of the experience in working with film is screening your project, and realizing vulnerability at the mercy of a live crowd.

“The idea is to give kids the chance to show their work before a real, live, breathing audience,” said Schwab. “It’s a unique experience to show off your film in front of a group of strangers. Kids going into the program think they can’t possibly pull this off, but then they see that they can do it. It makes all of the other classes easier in that sense.”

Schwab screened 10 films in all, seven documentaries and three short features.

Documentary highlights included James Kim’s “The Secret Life of Street Racing,” which glimpsed into San Jose’s risky but flourishing underground car scene. Erik Farmer’s “Ourspace” examined teens’ obsession with the social networking site “MySpace.” Kenneth Choi looked at Leland lacrosse with “Coach Clarke,” a chronicle of first-year coach Heath Clark’s experiences guiding Charger troupes.

Saree Skeen’s “Favorite Child” was an especially provocative look at her mother, who obsesses over pampering family dog Millie with designer clothes, ice water and fluffed pillows, while Lindsey Oberman’s “The Unnoticed Key” revealed the secret world of Coxin—the vocal authority in crew boats.

While many films were bent on action and activity, two featuring personal paths, which Leland students embarked upon, left lasting impressions.

Osheen Davoudi’s "Shake Hands with Chris Faria" connected with spectators who recognized Faria’s routine and intellect, navigating the high school halls afflicted with cerebral palsy.

“Davoudi created an inspiring profile of Chris, a high school student who, despite battling cerebral palsy, has succeeded in sports, academics and in the local community,” said Schwab.

Yet, Schwab’s award for the finest documentary project went to Mario Glaviano’s “Nicky,” a glimpse into the life of his friend Nicky Hlodan—skateboarder, philosopher, and artist struggling to graduate with his class in June.

“All of the films were so good,” said Schwab. “The only reason we handed out awards is because I said I would.”

“The Get Back Game,” written by Rob Gilman and directed by Chad Francis, received Schwab’s top nod amongst original works. The duo set the stage with a cryptic thriller centered around a villainous new kid on the lacrosse team.

“It had a great script, a very strong screenplay for a high school movie,” said Schwab. “There was also a lot of visual style to it.”

Director Max Harding teamed with writer Jay Chow on “Make My Day,” and the result was an actor’s easel, which Sohrab Modani utilized.

Modani, who graduated from Leland last year, returned in blistering form, playing a sniveling high school student with hideous luck.

Finally, “The Reclaimers,” directed by Danny Woolston and written by George Leung, followed two high school students who open business tracking down lost goods.

Individually, senior Lauren Claudatos received the LEMA Dedication Award for tireless work she contributed working as the assistant director on “The Reclaimers.”

Schwab also acknowledged junior Andrew Azimian with the Mark Schwab Recognition Award for his efforts in class this year, after reluctantly enrolling in the program.

Modani received the academy’s highest acting honor for his interpretation of a bad day.

“I hope that the students take away a grand experience, the accomplishment of something that they never thought was possible and an expression of creativity,” said Schwab. “With the growing availability of film techniques and equipment, hopefully it means there are more film makers, which is a great thing—we need more ideas. Filmmaking in the studio system is kind of getting boring. That is not a good thing. We can get rid of that with good, original thoughts and ideas.”