Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is an approach schools use to promote school safety and good behavior.  Schools that effectively implement PBIS demonstrate:

SIXER Shoutouts are awarded to students who demonstrate values of being a SIXER: Spirited, Innovative, eXtraordinary, Engaged, and Respectful.

“Sra. Alvarez is the core representation not only of what a true Sixer should be, but of what an impactful teacher is. I would even say what the perfect teacher is. Whether it's staying late to help us prepare, cheering us on during performances, or always being there with words of encouragement, she has demonstrated what an extraordinary teacher is. The support we receive from Sra is what fulfills the diverse needs of individuals as well as the club, making us all look to seek independence and self-growth. The passion she invokes in her students to find their happiness while continuing to strengthen their knowledge is what makes her so special. During instructional time, she is determined to make us leave our comfort zone and use critical thinking skills to extend our curiosity. While outside instructional time, she receives all students and staff with a warm smile and profound wisdom to make the best decisions possible. By fostering a safe and comfortable classroom, she has created a nurturing environment where each student is valued and cared for. Her determination to guide every single student in achieving lifelong success is truly admirable.” ~Latino Student Union

“So beyond happy and proud that Angel Resendiz goes above and beyond for his fellow SIXERS & Staff! Even though he is one of our student aides, he is always happy to assist by giving us extra time to complete the necessary tasks here in the SLCenter. Using his lunch break to give a new student a tour or to finish handing out passes, Angel is a student we can count on to get the work done and with a smile! Thank you Angel!” ~Ms. Marquez, School Counselor

“A huge Sixer Shoutout to our Parent Community Involvement Specialists– Ms. Maggie Rodriguez and Ms. Ha Pham for continuing to support all of our students and families! They make attendance calls, have attendance conferences, tirelessly translate for meetings, organize community support, make home visits, host parent conferences, support our safety and counseling teams, engage multilingual families at ELAC, support EL testing, provide tech support for families, and assist in new student enrollment. Thank you for going above and beyond each and every day to keep our students and families engaged.” ~Mr. Salgado and Dr. LaMontagne

“Ceres Finney is a student who truly exemplifies what it means to be extraordinary. During Saturday school, she took the initiative to pick up garbage around the student union, ensuring that our space remains clean and welcoming for everyone. Her selfless act of kindness and responsibility shows her dedication not only to maintaining a positive environment, but also to making a difference in the community. Ceres' commitment to taking action without hesitation highlights her admirable character and deserves to be celebrated.” ~Sra. Alvarez, World Language Teacher

“A huge Sixer Shoutout to ALL PE Course 1- 4th period students in Ms. Roberts, Ms. Santa Cruz, and Coach Yenchik’s classes! The student union could have been bustling and loud, due to the high volume of students. However, during our school-wide lesson, Say Something, the atmosphere was remarkably silent. Understanding the appropriate moments to speak up and Say Something is a critical skill, and we take great pride in the engagement and respect demonstrated by our Sixers during this important school-wide lesson.” ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

A big Sixer Shoutout to Katie Hion, our incredible district-wide Student Governing Board leader! Katie, your unwavering support for IHS—even at the eleventh hour—never goes unnoticed. Your dedication to bringing students from East Side schools together and fostering collaboration for the betterment of our district is truly inspiring. Thank you for always showing up with a smile and leading the way! ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

A Sixer Shoutout to one of our own staff members, Ms. Amy Bihag, Education Specialist. Ms. Bihag supports her students through the creation of a curriculum that allows students to work at their own pace. Students feel accomplished when achieving their goals, even if they enroll in her class late. Ms. Bihag has noticed positive changes in her students, creating a more relaxed, but goal-focused classroom atmosphere. Bravo, Ms. Bihag!” ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

“Raufi Pedram embodied the spirit of education in my class.  Did everything he could to participate in class!” ~Mr. William Brown, English Teacher

Shoutout to the STEAM Academy students Joshua Thampan, Ace Tran, Kadin Tu, Carlos Sandaval, Victor Hsu, and Joshua Garcia, and teacher Mr. Winterlin! Incoming 8th graders were treated to a Vex Robotics claw Bot demonstration, STEAM classes with project examples, 3D printing, Steam Academy keychains, 3D printed Eagle clips, and STEAM pin back buttons! The students also  highlighted our Mesa Club and Hydrogen RC Car Clubs.

A Sixer Shoutout to Sra. Guadalupe Alvarez, Latinx Student Union, Folklorico, and all the students and staff who taught our community about Dia de Los Muertos. It is so important to remember our loved ones, their values, and how those values live within us. Your presentation was beautiful and we learned so much. We are grateful to all who worked hard to bring our Sixer Community together to celebrate those who have passed and their legacies that live on. ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

A Sixer Shoutout to Ms. Robin Edwards and the cast and crew of She Kills Monsters! The show was amazing and your hard work shined on stage and behind the scenes. A theater performance truly teaches us about teamwork and how each one of us is important; that when we all come together we truly are greater than when we stand alone. Congratulations on a fantastic show! ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

Estrella Rivero Santamaría is truly extraordinary for her unwavering determination and passion for learning. She approaches each challenge with a positive attitude, inspiring her peers to do the same. Her curiosity drives her to explore new ideas and concepts, often going beyond the classroom material to deepen her understanding. Additionally, she demonstrates exceptional empathy and support for others, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer encouragement. This combination of resilience, enthusiasm, and kindness makes Estrella a standout individual, positively impacting both her classmates and the school community as a whole; she's plainly EXTRAORDINARY!” ~Sra. Alvarez, World Language Instructional Team Leader

“Mr. Ivan Zavala is extraordinary for his open-mindedness and unwavering perseverance in the face of challenges. He approaches each situation with a willingness to learn and adapt, embracing feedback from colleagues to continuously improve his teaching methods. Instead of shying away from difficulties, he sees them as opportunities for growth, demonstrating resilience. His ability to remain flexible and open to new ideas fosters a dynamic classroom environment where students feel encouraged to express themselves and explore different perspectives.” ~Sra. Alvarez, World Language Instructional Team Leader

Mr. Dean Nguyen deserves a Sixer Shoutout for his extraordinary dedication to fostering an engaging and respectful learning environment. Here's why:

1. **Spirited:** Mr. Nguyen infuses his teaching with contagious enthusiasm, making learning an exciting journey for his students. His passion for his subject matter ignites curiosity and encourages students to actively participate in class discussions and activities.

2. **Innovative:** Mr. Nguyen consistently seeks out new and creative teaching methods to keep his lessons fresh and engaging. Whether it's incorporating technology, interactive projects, or real-world applications, he strives to challenge conventional thinking and inspire innovative problem-solving skills in his students.

3. **eXtraordinary:** Mr. Nguyen goes above and beyond in supporting his students' academic and personal growth. He recognizes each student's unique strengths and challenges, providing personalized attention and guidance to help them reach their full potential. His unwavering commitment to student success sets him apart as an extraordinary educator.

4. **Engaged:** Mr. Nguyen is deeply invested in the learning journey of his students. He actively listens to their thoughts and concerns, fostering an inclusive classroom where everyone feels valued and heard. By building strong relationships with his students, he creates a supportive community where learning flourishes.

5. **Respectful:** Mr. Nguyen cultivates a culture of respect and mutual understanding in his classroom. He leads by example, treating every student with dignity and kindness, regardless of background or ability. By promoting empathy and tolerance, he creates a safe space where students feel empowered to express themselves and take academic risks.

In summary, Mr. Dean Nguyen's spirited, innovative, extraordinary, engaged, and respectful approach to teaching makes him truly deserving of a Sixer Shoutout. He not only imparts knowledge but also inspires and empowers his students to become lifelong learners and responsible members of society. ~Peter Le, Class of 2027

Unlike other U.S. government/economic teachers that involves boring paperwork and textbooks, Mr. Pryor has a teaching strategy that involves not only on notes and lectures, but also discussions for the most part. He would always makes sure that people are talking out their ideas and thoughts during tables, mingles and rotating chairs. That can potentially help students like me to improve communication skills and confidence when it comes to socializing and asking for help in the future! ~Jona Mae Mutuc, Class of 2024

[Mr. Na]'s the best teacher in the world. ~Jaxon Morrow, Class of 2027

IHS Special Education- These people deserve a Sixer Shoutout because they help students to be successful in life by helping the school community. ~Roswen Estrada, Class of 2025

Even in first period, Ms. McHugh is always been so awake and energized. She has always been up and at it, encouraging us to do our best, I appreciate her more for it and her upbeat attitude. Thank you for everything!! ~Kaylynn Doan, Class of 2027

Ms. Tran is my math teacher and she is honestly one of the best teachers I have ever had or will have in my time in school. She cares about her students and does the most to ensure all her students pass so they can move onto higher classes and graduate. Not only that, but she takes time after school from the end of 6th to 5 o'clock to run Math Recovery and there people can do their homework if they don't have a place to study at home, they can work on their cyber high to recover a failing math grade or other failing grades, people can receive tutoring there to help kids who are struggling in learning math, and people are allowed to go in there to just sit down or hide from the harsh weather (and even though she wants everyone to do their work, she still lets the people who are just sitting and talking stay instead of kicking them out). Not only that, but during class, in her lessons she'll incorporate motivational speeches and lessons on studying making it relatable to the students who have a hard time studying and completing work, and gives them solutions to their problems and struggles in doing their work and takes extra time during class to make sure we can all understand the material well. She has also provided solutions to problems a lot of people have gone through this year which has helped them so much, she has told us about resources that give us extra help with the situations some of us have going on at home, like no WIFI, no power, no place to study, she has done the most to help us face these problems and to make sure we all have a successful time learning in her class and even after her class. She also provides good structure in her students lives, calling them out on their bad habits and convincing them to be better students and people, she really is a one of a kind teacher! Overall, Ms. Tran has made such a big impact on my life and her other students lives, and even though she will be retiring, I hope she knows her work has had numerous effects on multiple people including myself and I hope that she has an amazing retirement and is proud of her work in Independence. ~Marco Villafuerte, Class of 2027

Ms. McHugh is one of the most understanding teacher I have met. She is constantly dealing with people coming late to her class, not doing work on time, and lack of participation in her class everyday and has never let it affect her judgement and actions to her other students. She is a great German teacher and she also teaches 2 other classes besides German, teaching French and ELD. Ms. McHugh has personally seen me at my worst and has made me cheer up so fast, she incorporates fun lessons about Germany and teaching the German language very well giving us hints and giving us the pages in the textbook in case we struggle and shows us fun videos to help us remember the lessons she teaches us. And not only that, but on special events, whether a holiday in Germany, or a birthday in her class, she does the most to make us feel celebrated or to celebrate these German holidays making us feel more connected to Germany and more close as a class. She really is one of the best teacher I've had and I'll be sad not to have her next year for German 2. I hope whoever she has for next year are the best students ever who take her class very seriously, especially in her German 1 class! ~Marco Villafuerte, Class of 2027

Mr. Ponticelli has done so much for me this year, and does so much for everyone else the whole year. He starts off the year coordinating marching band, then he took care of London trip, then the musicals, and then the winter guard and that all takes the whole year. Not only does he coordinate all those extracurriculars, he does great work in his classes. He starts off teaching his very big orchestra commuting 2 hours everyday, then he switches instruments and teaches his wind ensemble and then teaches his freshman band. And he puts so much work into every single class it's insane he has so much energy. He has also done so much for me as an individual, he helped me increase my skill as a musician, made me first chair, and promoted me into his wind ensemble as a freshman which is such an accomplishment. Not only that but in the time after school he has to do his work, instead of keeping the band room closed and silent, he lets his students come in to get their instruments, and practice their instruments, and then he continues to instruct one of his many extracurriculars. He's such an amazing teacher, I look forward to having him for 3 more years. ~Marco Villafuerte, Class of 2027

Big shout-out to our incredible German teacher! From organizing the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) to leading our beloved German club with passion, you make learning German an adventure. Thank you for being such an engaged, spirited, and awesome educator both inside and outside the classroom! Your work changes people's lives. You have my respect and I thank you. Please keep up the hard work, Herr Lynch! ~Huyen Ha, Class of 2024

First of all, Mrs. Hinchey has the sweetest soul ever. She is always greeting and smiling to her students when they enter the classroom. She is always understanding towards her student's needs. She genuinely is so adorable and sweet I cannot imagine this woman hurting a fly. Second, she organized our school's earth day event. She went above in beyond in putting together a bunch of activities students could do to show appreciation to our school and earth. The event went extremely well and educated students on the importance of not littering, recycling and planting plants. She even takes care of our school's plants on the weekends and just does so much to keep our school looking nice. ~ Amy Tran, Class of 2025

Ms. Grover helped our Model UN team a lot this year, whether it was accompanying us at conferences, lending us her classroom during lunch, helping us out with logistics and planning, and assisting us in hosting our first conference here at Indy! We wouldn't have been able to do it without her. Our whole club is extremely thankful.Thank you Ms. Grover! ~Katie Hion, Class of 2025

Sra. Alvarez deserves a shout out because she very much engages with her students. She is very unique compared to other teachers because she treats her students like a "familia." She greets her students everyday and asks them how they are doing. She respects every one of her students and loves to talk to them. If there is a problem, you can talk to her and she would listen and give advice. She wants her students to be successful for their future and be the best they can be. ~Dylan Rin, Class of 2025

Mr. Nguyen totally deserves a 🎉SIXER shoutout🎉 because ✨he made learning actually fun✨. He did this by making labs fun, cracking jokes, and being a kind teacher. And most importantly he taught us how to conquer the world, one step at a time😈😈😈. ~Adhvay Jagadeesh, Class of 2027

Ms. MC is the most supportive person i know! ~Mari Mendez, Class of 2027

“A Sixer Shoutout to Francis Franco! Francis, I am very proud of all that you’ve accomplished this year! You’ve learned so much about time management, self-advocacy, and navigating unknown pathways to get to where you want to go! Keep learning and growing, and know that you can do hard things!” ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

“A Sixer Shoutout to Christopher Cortez! I am so excited for what the future holds for you. There will always be challenges along the road, and this year you have proven that when you set your mind to something, you can accomplish it. I see all of the extra time and effort you’ve been putting in. I’m very proud of you. ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

Thank you, Tony Dang, for highlighting the student-organized Calculus Bee 2024! Not only did you and the organizing team put on a great event, you went above and beyond by documenting the learning and student outcomes! Thank you for highlighting the good in our Sixer Community and continuing to create a supportive campus culture. ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation 

Thank you, Julian Baca, for reflecting on teaching and learning in the classroom! Students will benefit when they hear you talking about how mistakes are all part of the learning process. Your perspective and voice is valuable. I appreciate you being on the Student Equity Council. ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

“Ms. Emerald Harlan was welcoming and supportive, asking me questions about my experiences at Independence, and was very welcoming to me to participate in the WASC Focus group.” ~Ms. Christi Bradford, IHS School Site Council President

“A Sixer Shoutout to Katie Hion, who will be the Student Governing Board Chairperson at the District level! Representing the student voice at every district board meeting is a huge responsibility. I am so proud of you– what you’ve learned and accomplished to prepare yourself for and earn this role!” ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

“A huge Sixer shoutout to the Teaching Academy Seniors putting on the Santa Clara County Office of Education Prom and showing us how we can make a positive impact within our own Sixer community. I’d like to highlight Sunny Ruiz Guzman and Jaylin Villanueva Quinones for speaking about why it is important for us to practice inclusiveness and make it part of our lives.” ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

“Nicholas Truong has made incredible efforts and improvements to his grades this semester. He has consistently shown up for himself and continues to put forth his best efforts to reach his goals. Nicholas exemplifies what it means to be a SIXER and we are proud to have students like him!” ~Ms. Bonnie Liang, School Counselor

“Ms. Christi Bradford has dutifully served as our School Site Council President for many years, making sure all voices are heard. She takes great pride in our school and the work achieved by our staff, students, and community.” ~Mr. Bjorn Berg, Principal

Vincent Tan and Eric Quach–  Thank for your willingness to reflect on and share your learning experience creating the ERWC Module in Mr. Warren's class. It is so important for our community to hear your voices about what students are learning at Independence High School. Bravo for taking an assignment and truly being Innovative and eXtraordinary! ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

Ms. Dodd and Ms. McClelland– Thank you for your continuous passion and hard work in creating opportunities for students to experience, appreciate, and be moved by the beauty of multiculturalism with IHS’s annual Parade of Nations performance. You are both treasures to our school community. ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

A HUGE Sixer Shoutout to the students in Student Equity Council who represented our school in the LCAP discussion with our Associate Superintendent! Shakir Ali, Julian Baca, Royce Castro, Isaac de Anda, Dulce Estrada, Ethan Gualberto, Anh Davina Ho, Emmanuel Juarez, Ngoc Tam Thao Luu, Amir Mohammed, Muntazir Mohamed, Akshita Pegallapati, Sunny Ruiz, Kale Suba, Aldrin Udasco, Kayden Wong! You represented our school well and I am extremely proud of each and every one of you! ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

I am so HAPPY Ms. Lissenia Marquez is back with us! Since her return, she hit the ground running showcasing her dedication and care towards our students' success. She provides a lot of support to students new to the country, helping them adjust to their new school environment. Witnessing her devotion to helping students adapt is truly inspiring. I remember a family bringing her a home-cooked dish last year as a gesture of appreciation. She graciously shared it with our team, saving me on a day when I forgot my lunch. Mrs. Marquez has the biggest heart on our team. Thanks for all you do! ~ Mr. Thompson Ly, School Counselor