Email  Print

TSN: Bringing the Valley community into our classrooms

The education of our children is among our most important responsibilities as a community, and Sonoma Valley shines brightly with the deep devotion of our high school volunteers who are members of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation’s Teacher Support Network.

As the school year comes to a close, we want to send out our deep appreciation to the more than 60 individuals who have worked along side our teachers and students all year at Sonoma Valley High School. We also want to applaud the teachers who open their classrooms to TSN volunteers to further enrich and enhance the educational experience of our local students.

Kudos to the 300 volunteers who sign up each year to assist with senior projects – spending an entire afternoon to review the projects and serve as panelists as the students make their formal oral presentations. Most volunteers return year after year because they are so inspired by the depth, creativity and intense effort put forth by the high school seniors.

The Teacher Support Network recently ended the school year with a gathering to thank the volunteers for their commitment to the students and teachers at Sonoma Valley High School. The resounding response from our volunteers is the sense of fulfillment TSN gives to them personally.

One volunteer even said, “TSN is the reason I look forward to Monday through Friday.”

TSN was created to provide volunteers to help high school teachers in whatever way possible, to give teachers more time to do their work in the classroom. By being in the classroom, the volunteer can work one-on-one with a student or in small groups.

I recently met up with one young SVHS graduate who said his classroom interaction with TSN volunteers throughout the years absolutely impacted his confidence in himself and his learning. He is currently enrolled at SRJC and credits that decision in part to the support he received from TSN volunteers.

This past year, TSN volunteers worked in many different classes including math, science, U.S. history, AVID, drama, culinary arts, metal shop, English, ALD, college and career counseling, library, forensics and mock interviews and senior projects. Next year we would like to see our positive influence grow within the classroom and in special projects such as the school newspaper, yearbook, agriculture and a specialized tutoring center on campus.

Beginning in the fall of 2012, TSN volunteers will also be involved in the new Engineering, Design & Technology Pathway program at Sonoma Valley High School. We will be looking for community support with volunteers who are involved with or have background in engineering, graphic design, interior design, architecture and fashion design.

In addition, we are looking to launch a pilot TSN program at the middle schools by 2013.

It’s easy to sign up and get involved. Whether you have an hour a week, month or year to give to our schools, we would love to hear from you. If you do not have time to volunteer, your donations to the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation are crucial. Community investment is key to improving and enhancing our public schools.

 If you would like more information, please contact me at sallie@svtsn.org or contact the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation at 935-9566 or svgreatschools.org.