Category Archive

Elena Luna was a math, science, and English teacher and part-time administrator at Giano Intermediate School; she is now a teacher and director of several programs at Santana Alternative Education Center.

Let me first begin by thanking the Ball Foundation for giving me an opportunity to network and travel to Chicago. My first experience was to step out and get involved in the Strategic Planning committee dealing with parent involvement.  I met some amazing people from the district that I had never met, which led me to working with Principal, Patricia Cuesta. I met her, we hit it off, and that brought me to teach at Giano Intermediate.  Moving to Giano Intermediate opened up the opportunity not only to teach a couple of single subjects, but to do student discipline, administrative duties, and participate in many committees.

Prior to coming to Giano, I was teaching at Northam Elementary.  I have been in elementary nine years. One year at the intermediate level and one year at the High school level.  Some of the districts I have taught at are: Glendale, Los Angeles, Pomona, and Rowland.

Traveling to Chicago with the Ball Foundation to participate in a weekend workshop on parent involvement gave me the opportunity to network some more and to meet a lot of authors and amazing people who have written books on the subjects that we have been dealing with.  It made me realize that no matter where we are in the world, we’re dealing with the same issues: parent involvement, teacher training, and student issues. These were the exact same three issues that the strategic planning committee has been dealing with. It was wonderful to see that connection.

Moreover, the networking with the Ball Foundation has enriched my learning both professionally and personally. As a teacher, if I have a question, I know who to call and say, “I’m dealing with this,” and that person will say, “Try this or try that.” On a personal level, I’m networking a lot and getting more involved in the district, which I never would have done otherwise.

Since this interview, I have been hired by Santana Alternative Education, known as Santana High School.  I am the Director of the ACCEPT Program and Coordinator of the Infant Center.  This program is geared toward helping pregnant teen moms and dads acquire their high school credits to graduate from high school and move on to college.  During their busy day, we take care of their infants, while they accomplish their goal.  We also provide our teens moms and dads with outside services, such as WIC, Counseling, educational guidance, and community services.

Finally, I continue working with the Ball Foundation because it gives me opportunities to continue growing personally and professionally.  The entire experience has been networking, collaborating, enriching teachers and my students– it’s an ongoing learning process.

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