Diversity "DREAM" Award Honorees: 2004/05

The 2004-2005 Diversity "DREAM" Award honorees were nominated by their peers. The text of the original nominations appears below.

Congratulations!

Kristina Kielbon
Student – University High School

Kristina developed and taught an Introduction to Spanish and Latin Culture class to 25 seventh graders at Horizon Middle School. She taught three days a week. The students learned the basic vocabulary for simple dialogue and researched topics such as government, geography and habitat, holidays, music, customs and what a day in the life of a teenager in the country would be like. Kristina put in hours of time on this class.

Kristina arranged a field trip to U-High advanced Spanish class, where the 7th graders learned dance, had a piñata, practiced dialogue and played games. The students loved it and just can’t wait to take Spanish in High School.

Inspired by one of her teachers, Kristina plans to go on to college majoring in Spanish and International Studies.  She says her own diverse family background, which includes Mexican, Polish, Russian, Irish, African American, German, and Cuban has helped teach her the true meaning of diversity.

Anthony Xin
Student – Central Valley High School

Anthony Xin is a fantastic individual with tremendous leadership qualities. As vice-president, he has taken on the true leadership of the ASB team. He stands at the front of each and every project, taking the lead and the heat.  He embodies the principles of CV’s leadership team. He believes that ASB means All Students Belong and strives to exemplify this at every turn. Each time a new student arrives, Anthony embraces the opportunity to welcome him or her.

When he hears grumbling among his peers, he’s the first to ask what he can do to help solve the problem. He breaks up fights, befriends those alone, attends meetings of all groups and can articulate the needs of all students to any adult. He fights for the rights of students in a very mature way. He is absolutely amazing. We’d love to remove some of his credits toward graduation so we can keep him just one more year!

Jan McFarland
4th Grade Teacher – Adams Elementary

Jan actively teaches diversity all year. She consciously selects reading materials that deal with other cultures. During Black History month, she concentrates on African History and the roots of slavery. She emphasizes the injustices of prejudice and segregation. She also stresses the contribution of African Americans during the growth of Industrial America.

She uses Reader’s Theater for further education against prejudice and segregation, African art is displayed for the entire school and Zimbabwe music is played for the enjoyment of all. She appreciates children of diverse cultures and helps make them proud of their heritage. She encourages them to study, read and do reports on their country of origin.

Jan is passionate about acceptance of all people! She exemplifies tolerance of differences.

Carolyn Nutsch
Educational Assistant – North Pines Middle School

Carolyn is a true advocate for all students, especially for those learning the English language. This school year has found a variety of languages including Punjabi, Mandarin, Spanish, a British dialect English and Bassa. Despite a caseload of more that 40 students, she has patiently learned to communicate with each of her students.

She takes it upon herself to learn the cultural history of each student and about them as an individual. As they enter this scary new world of American culture, she nurtures them through the process, always with the goal of excellence.

Carolyn is constantly striving to expand her education to better help her students. She is a positive role model to her peers in her effort to understand and respect cultural diversity.

Karen Zurfluh
Interpreter – Bowdish Middle School

As a sign language interpreter, Karen is very accustomed to working in the diverse climate of the hearing impaired.  While at Bowdish for the past three years, she had led the fostering of an educated staff by inservicing staff with positive practices to be used with hearing impaired individuals. 

She has assisted in the development of a comfortable and inviting learning environment for her students. She has created an inviting environment for these students. She also has taught sign language classes as an intramural activity. She creates activities that help other students understand the frustrations of the hearing impaired.

Barriers are being broken down; doors are opening; and “voices” are being heard. Our school, students and staff alike are very fortunate to have Karen leading us to a more appreciative environment for the hearing impaired student.