Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/436829
I T H I T S B E A U T I F U L beaches and palm t re e s , C a t a l i n a h a s a v i b e m o re C a r i b b e a n t h a n C a l i f o r n i a . I t ' s a friendly place where everyone says hello. Golf carts outnumber cars, and buffalo roam the countryside. CTA members say it's easy to love teach- ing in "paradise," but one needs a sense of adventure, true grit and the willingness to live on a remote desert isle or to commute 26 miles across the sea. Educators brave rough waters, isolation, swarms of tour- ists and long days to get to Avalon School. The K-12 school has 632 students and is located in Avalon, the main town. A one-room schoolhouse on the other side of the island closed recently when the population went from s i x t o t wo s t u d e n t s . Te a c h e r David Morse recalls that visitors barged into the building think- ing it was a tourist attraction. They were surprised to learn it was an actual school with real students. He is heartbroken that it closed, but now is teaching at the main school. So what's it like teaching in paradise? Catalina is a paradox as well a paradise. The tourists are wealthy, but many students are poor and English learners, with parents working service jobs. Teachers are welcomed warmly into the community, but sometimes feel as though they are living under a microscope. (One com- ments, "Have a drink at the local pub, and it's all over town.") It's friendly but sometimes lacking in Tina Newhard is one of a dozen teacher commuters on the early morning ferry. Some sleep, draped in coats or blankets. Others grade papers and sip coffee. Several commute daily; some stay on the island a few days a week. island closed recently when the population went from are wealthy, but many students are poor and English learners, with parents working service jobs. Teachers are welcomed warmly into the community, but sometimes feel Tina Newhard one of a dozen teacher commuters on the early morning ferry. Some sleep, draped in coats or blankets. Others grade papers and sip coffee. Several commute daily; some stay on the island a few days a week. W 37 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 5