CTE Department Chair

Yearbook Advisor

Graphic Design CTE Pathway Capstone Teacher

Digital Media Teacher

https://sites.google.com/birminghamcharter.com/konowebsites

Info:

I am credentialed in Industrial and Technology Education, Multiple Subjects, and Art. I also hold a Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree in Photography with a Master’s Degree in Best Practices of Education. In 2020, I obtained National Board Certification in Career and Technical Education with a specialty in Information Systems & Technology, Communications, and the Arts. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my practice and be a better teacher for my students. My focus is to present practical technology related lessons, real-world experiences, and professional guidelines with high expectations. I want students to be able to utilize what I teach them immediately, while enjoying the process of becoming college and career ready for life beyond high school.

As Department Chair for CTE (California Career Technical Education) at Birmingham Community Charter High School, I seek to collaborate positively with all members of our school community; students, families, teachers, support staff, administration, local businesses, colleges, and professionals so that we can insure all of our students are given wide ranging opportunities for learning, and held to high standards required for successful, high paying employment.

About the Courses I teach :

Digital Media class is designed to give students the knowledge and skills to use computers effectively, to design documents and images that will enhance their work at school and beyond. Students will improve abilities in all core classes for better presentations, document formatting, and organization. Students will understand how computers relate to design, and their future careers. Lessons are created to integrate literacy standards from the common core initiative as well as from the Media and Design Arts Pathway of the California Career Technical Education Curriculum Standards. Students will use Google Docs and Adobe Creative software to design resumes, posters, advertising, artwork, videos, games and presentations that support their communities, families and selves.  Digital Media is articulated with Los Angeles Valley College's (Course Name & Number:) Computer Applications Office Technologies - 124, (College Course Title:) Intro to Image Creation for the Office Professional. This means that by earning an A or B for two semesters, and meeting specific requirements, students can earn both high school and college credit in one year by completing this course. Digital Media is also the foundation (first) course of the Graphic Design CTE Pathway. Digital Media is an "F" Visual arts A-G elective.

In the Digital Graphic Design CTE Pathway Capstone course, we focus on giving students an in depth knowledge of Adobe Design software through online training and access to free Adobe Certified Associate testing. Adobe Associate Certifications allow students a way to demonstrate in depth understanding of professional design software and design principles. For advanced students, our goal is to match real life clients for whom they can design websites, brochures, and other graphics related projects while getting feedback and critiques from design professionals. This course will be building students' knowledge from the Digital Media course they took as part of the Graphic Design CTE pathway.The Media and Design Arts Pathway standards of the California Career Technical Education Curriculum Standards is utilized as the basis of our coursework. Digital Graphic Design is articulated with Pierce College's (Course Title:) ART 604: Graphic Design I. This means that by earning an A or B for two semesters, and meeting specific requirements, students can earn both high school and college credit in one year by completing this course. Digital Graphic Design is an "F" visual arts A-G elective.

As Yearbook advisor at BCCHS, I help recruit, train and oversee a highly qualified design and photography team of students who work collaboratively to produce the school yearbook. Yearbook students are exceptional leaders, creative thinkers, and collaborators. Students practice professionalism in communication, attitude, and problem solving. This is the ultimate course in real life learning. We recruit hard working, great people into our staff that come back to let us know how much yearbook class helped guide better work life balance and a positive mindset into their daily life. It takes a great deal of heart, trust, and perseverance to craft the yearbook, and we have done so successfully year after year. Yearbook is a College Preparatory, "G," Interdisciplinary elective. 

I love working at Birmingham Community Charter High School. Our students and staff are wonderful. Together, we are collaborating to make our campus a continually evolving space for young minds to develop and realize dreams of a successful future.