My AVID Experience
Differentiated instruction, student-centered learning,
interdisciplinary lessons—these are all buzz terms that are heard
in the education system. Pre-service teachers reading about
these methods and theories in textbooks can gain a general
knowledge of how they can be applied in the classroom
setting. However, I know a “general knowledge” simply isn’t
enough. The only way for a pre-service teacher to truly grasp
and understand the methodologies taught in their university
classrooms is by putting these methods into practice in a real,
urban public school setting. In my Language Acquisition and
Literacy for Adolescents class at St. John’s University, Staten
Island Campus, I have been able to see theory come alive in
practice when our class entered McKee High School and had the
privilege to work with their students in the sophomore and AVID
classes.
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It
is a program designed for Level 2 students who wish to improve upon
their academic abilities. At McKee, the program enhances
college preparatory skills, includes weekly time dedicated for
tutoring, encourages character development with tutors and a
dedicated AVID teacher, and offers advanced classes with the finest
instructors.
Since February, I have been one of eight St. John’s undergraduates
who have served as the tutors for the McKee’s AVID program.
Working under the direction of Vice Principal, Joe O’Brien, AVID
teacher Mr. Lou Lucci, and St. John’s School of Education
professor, Dr. Sandra Abrams, the AVID students and Education
students have been participating in cooperative and engaging
sessions, learning from each other. Through a
student-centered learning approach (there’s the buzz term again),
I, as a pre-service teacher, have been able to lead tutoring
sessions as the guide on the side. Throughout the semester, I
have utilized various methods, namely scaffolding, peer modeling,
and differentiated instruction.
Upon the close of the semester, St. John’s University welcomed the
AVID students onto our campus on April 29th, immersing students in
collaborative learning in DaSilva 110, an adolescent education room
designed by Dr. Regina Mistretta and funded by the Richmond County
Savings Foundation. By inviting the AVID students to our
campus, we not only returned the courtesy they provided for us, but
also we exposed the students to a college setting, reinforcing the
emphasis the AVID program places on college readiness. While
our partnership with McKee High School is at a close for this
semester, the network we have created with this school and its
students will last long after. The McKee trip to St. John's
ended with a bittersweet parting. In a discussion with St.
John's students, I found this rang true for others. Junior in the
Adolescent Education course, Dayna Ugo, said, "While the students
may look at the whole experience as us tutors helping them with
what they need, little do they know they’ve helped us in equal if
not more ways than we’ve provided for them. They have given
each one of us the confidence and practice we need to continue on
the journey we have chosen." Sophomore Angela Martin
reflected upon the semester by stating, "Having the McKee AVID
students visit our campus was the most rewarding experience I've
had in the field to date. I really got to see my progress as a
pre-service teacher and how much the students appreciated my
service to their school." The experience proved to be a
success for all.
In closing, after all of the lessons I have learned and taught
throughout this semester, there are a few that stick out in my
mind: learning is dynamic. It is a vibrant exchange of
knowledge, experiences, and lessons, both academic and life-long,
among students, teachers, and colleagues. Though I cannot
speak for the AVID students, I can speak for myself. The
unique experiences I have been exposed to in this course have
provided me with a knowledge I know cannot be learned from a
textbook, and for that, I am forever grateful.