Middle School English/Math Support
Our mission at Eastside Catholic is to create a learning environment centered on the Touchstones of academic excellence, relationships and leadership. We are committed to differentiation of instruction which means that we recognize that students come to us with different skill sets and different learning styles. We are dedicated to providing an excellent education in a fully inclusive setting that enables the development of the child as a whole person. However, when students come to us with deficits in his/her learning we need to attend to those deficits so that child can meet their fullest potential.
The English/Math Class (EMC) was created to help support the learning of students with deficits in English and/or Mathematics. The focus of the EMC is to provide middle school students with an opportunity to work on these skills by utilizing the materials in the current curriculum, and provide extra time and support to work on those skills and concepts with a highly skilled teacher in a small group setting. Our goal is to work with each student so that he/she will meet or exceed grade level skills in all subjects, especially in mathematics, reading, and writing. When students fall behind in any of these core subjects, it becomes increasingly difficult to succeed in any academic subject. Helping students catch up during their middle school years will increase the potential for success in high school and beyond.
Academic Coaching (High School)
The role of the Academic Coach is to provide assistance and support for high school students identified and qualified for the Academic Coaching program. The student and the coach will determine the consistency and specific meeting details. The meetings will allow time for the coach to provide individualized attention to the student’s needs and work on various strategies, such as goal setting, time management, organization, planner usage and/or Edline checks, review of accommodations, and encouragement to meet with appropriate teachers for additional support.
The coach will initially serve as an advocate for the student, gradually teaching the student to become a self-advocate. The goal at Eastside Catholic is for students to become strong self-advocates and empowered to be in control of their own academic journey. The academic coach and student will work together toward reaching this goal.
Academic Resources (High School)
Our Academic Resource program supports high school students with various documented learning disabilities. This program teaches students various methods to enhance their study skills and academic preparation, with particular emphasis on organization, note taking, memory strategies, text book reading, writing, test taking, the use of relevant technology and self advocacy to ensure full participation in our academic program. Specific accommodations are determined by Academic Resources after reviewing the results of recent diagnostic education testing (within three years) and/or other relevant physical health information by a licensed professional health care provider.
Wendy Burnham ‘87
HS Academic Resources Coordinator
Joined Eastside Catholic in 1994
B.A., Special Education (regular education endorsement), Gonzaga University
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction: Reading, Writing, and Literature, Lesley University
Leslie Meier
MS Math/Humanities, EMC grades 6, 7
Joined Eastside Catholic in 2008
B.A., Wittenberg University
M. Ed., University of Washington
Arlene Naganawa
MS Humanities, EMC grades 6, 7
Joined Eastside Catholic in 2007
B.A., English Literature, University of Washington
Jenny Wendorf ‘95
Academic Resources Program
Joined Eastside Catholic in 1999
B.E. Special Education and Psychology, Gonzaga University
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