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Mrs. Lisa Tanikawa-Brown
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Perry L Drew Elementary School
Class Information:
Room Number: 107
Students per Class: 13
Class Description:
Bilingual/ESL (English as a Second Language) 3rd grade class of English Learner students whose native language is Spanish. Some students were born in Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and some were born in New Jersey. Despite the fact that many of my students' parents work two jobs, still 100% of my students are on free/reduced lunch, which also categorizes them, according to government standards, as economically disadvantaged. Although my students face many challenges in their lives, in class they are always respectful and eager to learn. As I teach my students, I realize that the teacher-student roles reverse at times as my students teach me lessons about struggle, resilience, hope, and triumph. My students inspire me daily.
Position:
Teacher
Needs:
In order to prepare my students for success in this increasingly glozalized society of the 21st century, I embrace technology and integrate it into lessons whenever possible. For example, utilizing MovieMaker software and an inexpensive webcam, I incorporated Writing and Social Studies standards into a class movie project entitled Voices of Pride. Students wrote autobiographical poems and were filmed reading them. Students who were camera shy had the option of being filmed with a 3-D animated Avatar feature that tracked and mimicked their facial movements. As an added surprise, their parents, teachers, administrators were also interviewed on camera stating why they were proud of these students. The final product was a 40-minute movie that showcased on a movie-theater size screen at the middle school auditorium. Thus, I am writing about this in the "Needs" section because I would like to request a simple digital video camera similar to the inexpensive $100 Flip camera because my webcam had many limitations for moviemaking. I would like to put technology into the hands of my students and send home the digital video camera with each student to support their writing. We are learning how to write descriptive, narrative, and expository paragraphs, and I would like to incorporate digital movie making as a means of enriching the writing process. Imagine how much richer students' writing will be and how much more motivated they will be to write about a movie they actually made themselves! Additionally, inexpensive digital cameras could serve a similar purpose for my class. For example, for a social studies/writing project, I would like students to interview a family member about their immigration experience in coming to the United States. We all have important stories to tell. Imagine how this project could come to life with photos incorporated into a PowerPoint presentation generated by the student (with teacher support and guidance). The possibilities are endless.
Personal Information:
About Me:
I am the mother of a delightful, inquisitive, Spanish bilingual 4-year-old daughter, and am married to my college sweetheart who also happens to be my best friend. We moved from California to New Jersey last year for my husband's employment. This is my tenth year teaching elementary (Spanish) bilingual students and I have also worked as a Summer School Principal. Working with students is the most rewarding profession there is and I would not trade it for anything!
College and Degrees:
I earned a BA in Language Studies with an Education Minor from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Then I obtained my Multiple Subject Bilingual (BCLAD) Teaching Credential from the Project Pipeline Teacher Credential Program. Next, I completed a MA in Educational Administration, along with obtaining my Administrative Services Credential, from California State University, Northridge. My future aspirations include earning a PhD in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. I am interested in achievement gap issues with English Learner students, and creating equity and access for ALL learners in an increasingly globalized 21 century society.
Favorite Quotes:
"Be the change you want to see in the world." --Gandhi