Christensen Middle School Honored With Golden Bell Award

From Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District: Christensen Middle School (CMS) was presented with a California School Boards Association (CSBA) Golden Bell Award for its outstanding work, “Redefining Services: Pushing In to Maximize Learning for All.” The Resource Teacher Push-in Program (RTPP) allows students in resource programs to participate within the general education classroom setting and interact with their peers, and increases their overall access to electives. A co-teaching model is the centerpiece of the program, wherein the resource teacher plans lessons collaboratively with the general education teacher to provide an accessible education for all students. Instead of pulling out students who require special attention, the program “pushes in” special education teachers to the general education environment to enhance the classroom experience for all students.

The RTPP aligns with the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District’s (LVJUSD) Board of Education’s Core Values that include “providing a high quality educational program, service, and support to students” and “offering an engaging educational experience that includes innovative academic core instruction and elective offerings and allows students to explore their unique personal competencies.” RTPP seeks to increase academic performance for all students, reduce inequities on campus, increase collaboration between special and general education staff, as well as augment communication with parents.

The inclusive and collaborative nature of the program benefits all students’ well-being, in addition to closing the achievement and opportunity gap between learners. “Our District continues to push for excellence on many fronts,” said LVJUSD Board President Craig Bueno. “This prestigious award recognizes the success that we’ve experienced with some of our most vulnerable students. CMS Principal Pat Avilla, educator Steve Martin, and our district administration under the leadership of Dr. Kelly Bowers, are to be commended for taking the steps necessary for the creation of this fine model.”

Now in its 38th year, the Golden Bell Award Program recognizes governance practices by school boards that nurture innovative and sustainable educational programs that are rigorously and successfully put into practice by teachers and administrators. The award also makes an effort to celebrate educators who serve students in extraordinary and novel ways that produce demonstrable results for the targeted students’ changing needs. For more information on the Golden Bell Program, visit gb.csba.org.

Photos courtesy of LVJUSD:

(Photo 1) Christensen Middle School Principal Pat Avilla and educator Steve Martin with award

(Photo 2) The Golden Bell Award