Purpose
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination). Student success has always guided AVID’s mission. All the funding, requirements, new technology, educator trainings, and curriculum are meaningless unless students can achieve their college and career goals. Passionate teachers with genuinely high expectations are creating lifelong connections and positively impacting the trajectory of their students’ lives every day because of the AVID Effect.
What we've done
Golden Sierra is in their 3rd year of offering the AVID program. As a school, we have recently gained accreditation to our AVID program by becoming certified. This shows that our students and staff demonstrate a remarkable dedication towards delivering and learning the AVID content which leads our students on a path towards incredible success.
Ms. Gould
7/8 AVID Teacher
Hi students, my name is Ms Gould and I teach history classes at Golden Sierra. Currently, I am also teaching AVID for 7th and 8th grade students. I love teaching and really like getting to know all my students. I live in Newcastle (yes, I drive 45 minutes to school every day) and have one daughter, one dog and one cat. I try and incorporate as much art into my classes because I am also an artist. Anyways, looking forward to getting to know all of you.
Mr. Sammons
9/10 AVID Teacher
Mr. Bill Sammons has been teaching in BOMUSD since 1997. It is not uncommon for him to now teach children of former students. Currently, his 9/10 AVID class is focusing on virtual college tours. These tours have replaced actual college field trips during the pandemic, but actually allow his class to learn more about the many different colleges, many being further than a bus ride away. The students are selecting which colleges they would like to visit. Mr. Sammons is incorporating the AVID strategies of TRF's, 1 pagers, Cornell notes, philosophical chairs and socratic seminars into week long units for each virtual college tour.
Mrs. Smallwood
11/12 AVID Teacher
Hello! This is my third year teaching AVID at Golden Sierra and we have become like a family! I love watching my students grow and overcome obstacles on their journey to college! Right now AVID 11th graders are working on the Opportunity Scholarships through CollegeBoard and preparing for a presentation on Philosophical Chairs for the middle school Grizzly Pride classes
Ms. Jacoby
AVID Coordinator/Counselor
Ms. Jacoby has been a school counselor at Golden Sierra Jr/Sr High school for the past 6 years. Ms. Jacoby coordinates the AVID program and supports students and staff in the program. Ms. Jacoby goes into AVID classes to teach various lessons from exploring career interests, college talks, and various other topics. This is such a valuable program to Golden Sierra and she encourages many students to apply to gain the diverse skill set that AVID curriculum provides. "This is an exciting opportunity," Ms. Jacoby.
What students learn!
AVID students are educated on various topics that are scaffold throughout each grade level. Students learn skills, behaviors, and techniques for academic success, especially when teachers have been trained and coached in effective instructional strategies to build a college-going culture. AVID has taught us that one of the best strategies for building academic mindsets is to create an environment of high expectations.
Students will learn note taking skills, study skills, community service skills and various other techniques throughout their AVID career that prepares them for college. Students also get to attend college field trips to explore college campuses and get a feel for the college environment.
Want to apply for AVID? Click the hyperlink!
Want to learn more?
Visit AVID's website:
https://www.avid.org/
