Whittier, CA
It has been announced recently that the 2012 ACSA Superintendent of the Year is Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson of the Whittier Union High School District.
LC Foundation Founder Dr. Ralph Pacheco hired Sandra Thorstenson as Superintendent along with his fellow colleagues on the Governing Board of the Whittier Union High School District 9 years ago.
Dr. Pacheco states, "We set in motion one of the extraordinary feats in K-12 education here in California... An entire school district, "all schools", experiencing sustained Academic Improvement (API Score increases) every year for 9 consecutive years!" Dr. Pacheco continues, "When you look at our demographics; 80% economically disadvantaged ethnically diverse students who are defying the odds! We have a belief in Whittier Union HSD that 'Demographics does not determine Destiny!' Every educator in Whittier Union HSD makes it their goal to deliver the promise for every student in our school district. We are not making excuses, we are continually raising the bar for our students to function at optimum performance -- every day!"
It is a remarkable record of accoomplishment... Teachers and Administrators are all engaged in providing a learning environment on all of our school campuses... It is total! We've established an organization who believes that we shall do "Whatever it Takes" to get results. Failure is not an option. The Schools have adopted a "pyramid of interventions" that ensures that every underperforming student is identified early and immediately receives required interventions that will assist the student in acheiving greater success than they have been experiencing; Improvement is not an option... It is mandatory for every student.
It is understood that the School District will provide whatever resource is necessary to assist and provide for student success... Students understand and respect this commitment to their success and have responded in a powerful and dynamic way. Students know that teachers genuinely care about their success and are instilled with "hope & optimism."
It starts with an outstanding Governance Team; 5 dedicated Governing Board Members and an educational leader at the helm leading the way -- That person is Whittier Union's Superintendent Sandra Sanchez Thorstenson (California Superintendent of the Year). She has led the way for past 9 years and continues to "raise the bar" not only for the student body but with every employee in the organization... A truly great accomplshment! These accomplsihments are shared by fully engaged Administrators, Teachers, Classified Employees, Parent and Volunteer leaders who assist with student support each day on Whittier Union HSD campuses. Whittier's business community has also been very instrumental in assisting in this process... It has truly been a collaborative process.
Ken LaVigne, 2012 California Teacher of the Year at La Serna High School is an outstanding example of quality instruction and commitment to Whittier's students. hundreds of success stories have been recorded by Ken's students over the years. It is one of hundreds of teachers equally committed to assisiting in the success of their students in the Whittier Union HSD.
It is a time to celebrate Whittier Union High School District's recognition for excellence... It is also a time to recognize that all glory is fleating and we must continue the good work and build on its prior successes. It is not a time for Whittier Union HSD to sit on its laurels, but a time to acknowledge excellence in our midst and strive to increase expectations ... The successes must be sustainable through a continued effort and emphasis on providing excellence inside and outside of the classroom.
California Teacher of the Year Ken Lavigne states it best, "We are called to provide our students with classroom instruction, but more importantly we are committed to coaching their souls."
We agree, "coaching the soul will last a lifetime!"
Saturday, December 3, 2011
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