Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/436829
students are sent to classrooms wherever there is room if their own teacher can't come to work. Avalon teachers are very, very versatile. For example, Finley and Jacob Bowker both teach high school math classes and AVID classes, and serve as the high school run- ning coaches. David Markowitz teaches music and also runs the island's radio station, which serves as a training ground for students. That and his connection to the island's cable TV station allow students to be hosts on island radio and TV, and learn skills like writing, editing and video production, which connect them to the out- side world. Becky Davidson teaches kin- dergarten and is also a part-time psychologist at the school. "The trick here is that every- body wears lots of hats," she muses. "You sign up for that when you come to teach here." Eileen Torres-Zeller was the assistant principal of the school for seven years, but decided to teach sixth- and seventh-grade English and intervention classes when her child was born. "Yes, I demoted myself," says the island resident, who laughs t h a t t e a c h e r s a r e n ow m o r e receptive to her ideas because she is "one of them" instead of an administrator. Most high school classes average 15 students. All secondary teachers are expected to sponsor clubs, and most educators are happy to go the extra mile because they care deeply about the stu- dents and the community. "Sometimes, you will see teachers holding study sessions at night so students can get help," says Finley. "That's just the culture of our school, where teachers help students and try to be more accommodating. We are one big family here." Students say they also feel a sense of family. "The teachers are great and are here to help you succeed with whatever you need," says Jonathan Luna, a junior, who has spent his life on the island. "It's a great place where everybody wants to be friends." An "aloha" spirit on Catalina "This is the most generous community I've ever come in contact with," says Maxwell. "I'll be carting a suitcase off the boat, and perfect strangers offer me a ride. When somebody gets sick — whether it's an adult or child — the whole town gets involved. Five years ago a boy died, and the Hispanic community stepped up and paid for that kid's funeral. Two years ago one of our kids head- butted an opposing player during a football game and he became disabled, and the entire community rose up to help the opposing team's player. If something happens to you, this is the community where you want to "The most challenging part of the job is probably the commute — and I don't just mean the boat ride," says Lynda Muenzer, a technology teacher who started the recycling program. "It is not easy to wrap things up at the end of the day when students come by for after-school help or there are still piles of papers to be corrected and prep work for the end of the day. Some- times I can work on the boat, but I have to be careful because I get motion sickness from reading while the boat is rocking." Living on Catalina is also an adventure, say residents. Math teacher Frances Finley, who lives on the other side of the island where the Two Harbors School closed, has a one-hour drive on dirt roads through buffalo country to get to school. Her commute is so tough, she stays in town during the week, renting a room from another teacher. For resident teachers who were laid off, it's akin to being marooned. Trisha Brown lost her job three years ago due to budget cuts, and nearly lost her home to fore- closure and her health from the stress. She was ecstatic to be rehired this year. "I am thrilled to be back," says Brown, who is trying to catch up on Common Core and other things. "You have no idea how happy I am." Educators wear many hats Teachers never know who they might have in their class- room if rough seas cause the ferry to be canceled, because to be hosts on island radio and TV, and learn skills like writing, editing and video production, which connect them to the out side world. dergarten and is also a part-time psychologist at the school. body wears lots of hats," she muses. "You sign up for that when you come to teach here." David Markowitz, here with Cesar Silva, teaches music and runs the island's radio station, which serves as a training ground for students. Becky Davidson ago due to budget cuts, and nearly lost her home to fore closure and her health from the stress. She was ecstatic to be rehired this year. "I am thrilled to be back," says Brown, who is trying to catch up on Common Core and other things. "You have no idea how happy I am." Educators wear many hats Teachers never know who they might have in their class room if rough seas cause the ferry to be canceled, because Eileen Torres-Zeller was the assistant principal of the school for seven years, but decided to teach sixth- and seventh-grade English and intervention classes when her child was born. "Yes, I demoted myself," says the island resident, who laughs t h a t t e a c h e r s a r e n ow m o r e receptive to her ideas because she is "one of them" instead of an administrator. Most high school classes average 15 students. All secondary teachers are expected to sponsor clubs, and most educators are happy to go the extra mile because they care deeply about the stu- dents and the community. "Sometimes, you will see teachers holding study sessions at night so students can get help," says Finley. "That's just the culture of our school, where teachers help students and try to be more accommodating. We are one big family here." Students say they also feel a sense of family. assistant principal of the school for seven years, but decided to teach sixth- and seventh-grade English and intervention classes when her child was born. the island resident, who laughs t h a t t e a c h e r s a r e n ow m o r e receptive to her ideas because 39 V O L U M E 1 9 I S S U E 5