The AVID Curriculum
The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the WICR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes, in content-area classes in AVID schools, and even in schools where the AVID elective is not offered.
Teachers
Jennifer Egan: Teacher, AVID Class of 2012 and Class of 2013
Email:
eganj@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
A Redondo Beach native, Ms. Egan is the happy mother of three small children. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Literature and Women’s Studies from UC San Diego and Master of Arts degrees in Literature and Education from Loyola Marymount University. Ms. Egan began her teaching career at Notre Dame Academy in 1997. After teaching at NDA and then Bishop Montgomery (her Alma Mater), she made a permanent move to PVHS where she has taught since its reopening in 2002. She has been teaching AVID since 2004. After her first AVID class graduated in 2008, Ms. Egan jumped right into teaching her second class, the class of 2012. When not teaching or coordinating the AVID program, Ms. Egan teaches AP Literature (her other passion).
Ms. Egan’s AVID class focuses on college preparation. While her students have sometimes referred to it as “AP AVID,” they all walk away from the class with the skills they need to succeed in high school and college. There is a strong emphasis in note taking, organization, collaboration, comprehension, college test preparation and college exploration. AVID class not only prepares students for college, but also helps them to determine the college that fits them best.
While there is no other course that has challenged her more, there is also no other course she finds as rewarding to teach. Ms. Egan believes in the AVID program because she has witnessed its effectiveness. “I love teaching AVID because I am able to develop such a close relationship with my students. I have the unique privilege to watch them grow into adults and to support them in making the most important decisions of their lives.”
Jim Whalen: Teacher, AVID Class of 2014
Email: pvteacher@gmail.com
Born in New York (on Long Island) and a graduate of Boston College, Jim Whalen is a father of three young sons. Mr. Whalen has been teaching at PVHS for 7 years and is in his 6th of teaching the AVID elective. Mr. Whalen can seem all AVID, all the time, but is also dedicated to his algebra 2 classes and coaching on the baseball staff. Mr. Whalen loves bonding with his AVID students and seeing them excel in their core classes at PVHS. After graduating 60 AVID seniors in 2009 and 2010, Mr. Whalen is excited for the newest venture with the 69 students in the Class of 2014.
Mr. Whalen’s AVID class focuses on skills needed to be high school successful and college ready. There is an emphasis on reading, whether it be a novel (we do one a semester) or something featured in the New York Times or something else. Current events are also an AVID “go to” topic and are delivered through newspaper articles or watching the latest 60 Minutes episode. There is also a steady diet of vocabulary building, SAT preparation, writing, college exploration units, and regular AVID style tutorials.
“I really enjoy working with students inside the AVID classroom, but I think all of us love the outside activities as well. Fun Fridays are a great break from the regular routine, and college day trips and overnight trips are awesome. And the AVID Car Wash is one of my favorite days of the year and the Knott’s excursion is great too.”
Alex Morales: Teacher, AVID Class of 2015
Email: moralesa@pvpusd.k12.ca.us
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