Santiago High School has introduced numerous new teachers this year, and let’s focus on this year’s newest Math 2 teacher. Not only does she teach math, but she is also the AVID teacher. Let’s look into the impact that she hopes to make during her time at Santiago.
What is AVID, and why is it important for high school?
The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program is an academic support program for grades 7 through 12. The AVID program is currently a part of 8,000 schools and has welcomed two million students. AVID is solely for college preparation and success, introducing California colleges such as UCLA, Chapman, Cal Poly Pomona, and Stanford. AVID allows students to keep track of the A-G requirements. Ms. Siordia invites guest speakers to her class so her AVID students know about different careers, such as social workers, software engineers, graphic designers, and more. AVID introduces us to college and careers by doing activities and reviewing a curriculum that asks us more about ourselves, our likes/dislikes, our personalities, and what we would be skilled in. AVID weekly asks students to complete focus notes tutorial request forms and stay organized to go into college with note-taking, study, organizing, and communication skills. AVID tends to look good on college applications and transcripts as well.
What is AVID to Ms. Siordia?
“AVID, to me, is about being rigorous, achieving our educational goals, and learning about different careers,” says Ms. Siordia. “AVID helped me learn how to use the tutorial process in my math class curriculum and helped me learn about myself and what careers I would be interested in or would be good at. It helped me to stay organized during my high school years, but also in my college years.”
Math has been something Ms. Siordia has always enjoyed ever since she was a student here at Santiago High School. She told her friends she wanted to become a math teacher as a young student. They laughed in her face and said she would never be a good enough math teacher. She then had a fantastic math teacher here at SHS, Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. Gonzalez would teach calculus in a way that made Ms. Siordia understand and become more curious about all the math concepts. “What I enjoy the most about math is there is always a right answer; you can never be wrong. There can be different methods, but everything leads to a right answer,” says Ms. Siordia.
She then pursued a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at CSUSB (Cal State University of San Bernardino), letting no one stand in her way. She was criticized, but her harsh criticism pushed her further, letting her teach what she loves to struggling students.
How did the criticism Ms. Siordia faced ultimately motivate her to become a math teacher? “It allowed me to work ten times harder and achieve my dream job.”
What do her students think of her?
“I think Ms. S is very awesome sauce! She’s very chill and teaches and is very involved with her students.” – Kayleigh Morgan, 10
“She is amazing, helpful, and very involved with her students. She will be there for her students when they need math help or AVID help. Whoever has her for math or AVID should be very grateful to have her as a teacher, as she is a wonderful teacher.” – Markus Mejia, AVID, 10
“Ms S is a wonderful teacher. Unlike most teachers, she develops a connection with her students. She allows students to improve themselves and gives them a better chance to be a better student. I know I’ve improved in her class more than I have in the few months than I have in years.” – Sophia Varela, AVID, 10
“Ms S is a great teacher. She stands out compared to other teachers. She creates a safe space in her classroom and you can tell how much she cares for all of the kids who come into her class, whether she teaches them or not. She makes it a point to create genuine bonds with her students. She was meant to be a teacher, and you can tell she loves us and her job.” -Melanie Balderas, AVID, 10
“I strongly like Ms. Siordia because she is very passionate about her studies,s and she cares about her students because as math students, she understands the struggles we have to face.” – Javier Beeler-Moreno, Math 2 Enhanced, 10
“Ms S is an awesome teacher. AVID is one of my favorite classes of the day because of her, and it is also a great way to end the day. She understands us when we are struggling and gives us solutions. Ms. Siordia is also an amazing AVID teacher, and I wish Ms. Siordia nothing but the best.” – Izzy Isom, AVID, 10.
AVID coordinators Kenna Millspaugh and Allison Pleblani are more than thrilled to have her as an AVID teacher. “We are more than thrilled to have Ms. Siordia on our team! We are thrilled!” says Mrs. Millspaugh.
Thank you, Ms. Siordia, for all you have done for your students in your first year of teaching! Your teaching methods have inspired students to be their best because of you.
