With progress reports released this week, grades are on many students’ minds. One group of students has chosen an elective class that puts them firmly on a path for success.
AVID — Advancement Via Individual Determination — is a college-preparatory elective for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors that aims to empower students to excel in college, careers, and beyond.
“AVID’s role at BHS is to demonstrate to students that they have grit to accomplish any academic challenge that comes their way through fierce critical thinking, genuine collaboration, and regular academic support,” said longtime AVID Teacher Ernestina Palerm Wilson, who also teaches English.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, AVID students gather in the Old Administration Building for peer-run tutorials. In these tutorials, they learn to use their brainstorming and questioning abilities to present and resolve points of confusion until they arrive at their “aha!” moments.
Junior Darla Crisostomos joined AVID this year as she is taking on her first Advanced Placement/Honors track courses. She said she appreciates the academic support. “It helps me stay focused on goals.”
For freshmen, AVID helps with time management, organization, and increasing academic stamina. Freshmen also look carefully at their grades, research higher education, and focus on short-term and long-term academic goals. Juniors and seniors continue all of the above but also receive major support in building an academic and extracurricular portfolio as well as applying to universities, internships, and scholarships.
Joining Palerm Wilson this year as an AVID elective teacher is Social Studies Teacher Kellyanne Godinez, who previously taught AVID at Murray Middle School.
“We went on field trips and had a ton of fun,” said Godinez. “I’ve missed being a part of the AVID family since I moved schools.” Now, Godinez has enthusiastically joined back in.
“I think the program provides a fantastic structure for students to learn critical skills, both academic and social. It creates a built-in support system that revolves around helping students be the best version of themselves they can be” said Godinez. “My goals this year for my AVID students are for them to use the processes within the program to further develop their critical-thinking skills and strengthen their relationships with their peers through the process — and to, of course, have a little bit of fun along the way!”
Palerm-Wilson is pleased to have Godinez as part of the team.
“Kellyane has brought a new energy to the program and the students,” said Wilson. “She wants to continue to improve our routines and strategies. She has already improved our tutorial process by pushing students to ask harder questions as well as streamlined the tutorial process, infusing it with technology and better accountability.”
Both teachers emphasized the importance of “AVID Family.”
“The AVID FAM shows leadership and understands we can all do hard things,” said Palerm Wilson. “AVID FAM is supporting each other in academic successes and failures. AVID FAM is showing up to help each other and the community.”
“Helping the community” takes place through AVID students’ participation in extracurricular activities throughout the year. More than just brag-sheet builders, these activities give students the opportunity to collaborate on yet another level.
“My hope is to get AVID Club up and running with dedicated officers as well as create more fun activities to do together,” said Palerm Wilson. “We take pride in our Amazing Race game and teamwork and want to create more opportunities like that for everyone to enjoy.”
