C E L E B R A T E TEACHING & LEARNING There are big things happening across MBUSD! Check out these "sneak peeks" that are deserving of celebration.

EDITION - BTSN Culture of Care

Between August 29th - September 15th all MBUSD teachers addressed parent-filled classrooms at Back to School Night. Passionate, professional, and positive educators shared that they know their content, but equally as important that they enjoy what they do and care about their students. Over and over again, parents expressed gratitude for our teachers, staff, schools--MBUSD. Here are two such examples: " At the most recent back to school night, I was amazed at the caliber of Krista’s teachers. It certainly made me realize just how privileged and blessed my family is to live in this amazing school district." " Admittedly, there were moments in each of the six 10-minute blocks when it was difficult for me to hold back tears. The teachers were so engaged (even after a long day), so prepared, and so tuned-in to the work and art of educating." What was communicated to help earn the confidence of many? Check out these BTSN snapshots of your colleagues and their messages. Ours is truly a culture of care.

MBMS AUGUST 29th

Mr. Sybesma, PE "I try to make PE more of an outlet for kids. They have fun and maybe forget they're exercising."

Mrs. Vaccaro, English "This is a fantastic year of growth for your 7th grader. He/She learns to be more independent."

Ms. Califano, Science "Students do the most amazing Passion Products in science."

Mr. Arnold, PE "I love what I do, and I never take it for granted."

Mrs. Lafoon, Spanish "This is the time for them to learn time management."

Ms. Cook, Science explains that she engages students through the 5E Lesson Model: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate

Ms. Dreiling, Math "Please have your children reach out to me whenever they have a question. This is the time we lovingly teach them how to advocate for themselves."

Mrs. Thompson, H-S.S. "Students say this class most challenging...and the most fun."

Mrs. Pottish, Art "I love teaching middle schoolers. They are creative and so fun."

Sra. Laureiro, Spanish 'I love my students because you made them so great. So, I love my job because of you! Thank you."

Mrs. Haslop, Music "Your students will learn to work together...these musicians work as a team to make music."

Mrs. Bahk, English "They are going to be reading a new book every month."

Mr. Leonard, Science "We will think about natural phenomena and use science to explain and predict it."

Mr. Dean, Math "The best way for your kids to keep track of lessons, tests, and everything related to this class is through Google Classroom."

Mrs. Daly, Humanities "Resist being that parent that checks Aeries all the time."

Sra. Auday, Spanish She welcomed her students' parents with warmth and hospitality,

MCHS SEPTEMBER 5th

Ms. Gesualdi, Math 'I think your kids are really going to enjoy Calc!"

Mr. Morrow, Science The parents laughed when he said, "This is my 945th year at Costa!"

Mr Hughes, Math "Sometimes it takes time to click, but it's not if they learn...it's when they learn.

Mrs. Geczi, World Lang She brings laughter and love to her parents! “This is my 30 th year teaching... but I started when I was 12!”

Mr. Chow, English He opened BTSN with a tribute to John Heideman, a great man who started Costa’s thanatology class—teaching students to lead a more meaningful life. He then shared, “Being a great teacher and loving by job is connecting with my students every day.”

Mr. Oystrick, Science "I believe anyone can learn. Your kids can come in anytime to get extra help from me."

Ms. Locke, Science He captivated his students' parents/guardians with biology mystique!

Mrs. Qerbash, Math "I'm so excited about this new mantra...'Earning doesn't equal learning!' It's about practice...not points."

Ms. Resnikoff, World Languages “Student groups work on skits…they start out with the same vocabulary, but what they end up with is wildly different. It’s a great way for them to personalize what they’re learning.”

Mr. Caine, H-S.S. “I try to create a classroom environment that is comfortable for them, where they can come out of their shells, and where they can see me as a resource not only for this class but for anything that comes up.”

Mr. Marx, H-S.S. "We want them to have the best year they can have. It's a team effort. They need to advocate for themselves...whatever is going on...I will make myself available for them."

Mr. Wheeler, English “In no other subject do we get to work with students as closely and as personally as in the study of English literature.”

Mr. Smith, Math He shared that he is celebrating his 29th year at Costa as a coach of soccer and mathematics.

Ms. Di Bernardo, English “This tenth grade book list is my favorite!”

Mr. Westerberg, Drama He invited the parents of his advanced drama students to smile for the camera.

Mr. Brenan, Tech & Engineering He and the team got parents excited about MBUSD partnerships with Northrop Grumman and El Camino College, internships, field trips, the Global Summit, STEM Clubs, and so much more!

Sra. Martinez-Sellan She began by having the entire class of parents sing with her in Spanish. She shared, “Spanish three is the most exciting class because it’s when students start to pull it all together...they speak and converse in Spanish.”

ELEMENTARY SEPTEMBER 12th

Ms. Slater, GV "In PBIS we look for what students are doing well and reward them for being G.R.E.A.T"

Mrs. Scott and Mrs McCullum, RB They present together to underscore that they are a team, and that they support all fifth graders...not just those in their classes.

Ms. Gregorio, MD "It's my job to teach them to read, and it's your job to get them to LOVE reading."

Mrs. Olson, GV "I love what I do. Every day I get a hug, high five, or a fist pump at the classroom door."

Mrs. Cubillos, MD 'It's okay to let our students productively struggle in this safe learning environment."

Every Grand View teacher shared this short video with their parents to introduce their theme for the year--CONNECTIONS. Watch it now...click the image. Got Kleenex?

Pacific Elementary's first grade team, Mrs. Becker. Ms. Johnson, Ms. Cameron, and Ms. Rech, communicated that their culture of care extends beyond the classroom, "Please introduce yourselves, tell us who your child is, and share one thing that brings your family joy." There was a lot of laughter and connections being made among parents, and a chance for those new to the district to be welcomed into the Pacific Family.

Pennekamp teachers, Mrs Vavao, Mr. Warner, Mrs. Fletcher, and Mrs. Kuklinski talked about meeting students where they are through a balanced approach to teaching student-centered reading, writing, and mathematics.

Mrs. Weiss, RB Explained that they focus on rewarding positive behavior in 4th grade.

Mrs. Brunick, MD Like most teachers, she thanked MBEF for their continued support... "Without you, we could not offer all the quality experiences in our schools."

Ms. Diamond & Ms. Murphy, PA They talked to their parents about the importance of fostering a "growth mindset" within their kids...that through failure we learn, and that it is true for all of us.

Mrs. Yates, MD She described for her parents the energy in her classroom around reading, and she shared ways parents/guardians can encourage reading at home. Her tips were simple, inexpensive, and promoted connectedness.

Mrs. Pliaconis, GV "We incorporate a workshop approach to reading and writing instruction. After a mini lesson, they start working...then I can pull small groups and individuals to teach a specific skill and strategy."

RESPONSIBILITY OPPORTUNITY PRIVILEGE Congratulations to ALL teachers who hosted MBUSD families at BTSN!  Thank you for approaching the work you do for and with our students and families as a responsibility, an opportunity, and a privilege.

FOR MB US D IT'S PERSONAL