Associate Teachers Named 2023 Award Recipients

Two Associate Teachers at Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton (SHS) have been nominated to receive student-teaching awards from Notre Dame de Namur University’s (NDNU) School of Education for 2023. The awards ceremony will be held at NDNU’s Chapel on May 2, 2023, with NDNU Senior Lecturer Sandra Larragoiti, Ph.D., making introductions for award recipients.

 

Monic Aguilar Gonzales and Jesus Lozano are both completing their multiple-subject credential program at NDNU this spring and are in their second year of the SHS Associate Teacher (AT) program. This year, the AT cohort of eight individuals at SHS’s Lower and Middle School (LMS) is composed of career-changers, recent college graduates, SHS alumni, and first-generation college graduates, all who share an enthusiasm for teaching.

 

“We are so proud to see Monic and Jesus recognized for their devotion to their students and craft,” said Mackenzie Campbell, LMS associate director of new faculty programs. “They are being [recognized by] Notre Dame de Namur for their excellent work in pursuit of their advanced degrees in elementary education. Both Monic and Jesus have fully immersed themselves into the SHS Lower School, bringing exceptional dedication, energy, and perspective to their fourth- and third-grade classrooms. It is with great pride and appreciation that we share their accomplishments with our Sacred Heart community.”

 

The AT program at SHS was launched in 2017 to create an apprenticeship opportunity for new educators, preparing them to effectively lead their own classroom, and provide a mutually beneficial relationship between associate and lead teachers. The program has grown significantly since its launch in 2017 with one AT. During the pandemic, two associate teachers at the Lower School—in their second year of the AT program—successfully led core grade levels and also covered maternity leave.

 

Four ATs to date have been hired as lead teachers across K-12; the program currently partners with four graduate and/or credential programs.

 

Aguilar Gonzales first began exploring the field of education as an elementary school volunteer while also substitute teaching. She was hired as a distance-learning teacher and taught over Zoom during the Covid pandemic, after which she applied to Sacred Heart; last year she taught in the second grade at SHS, and this school year she has been teaching in the fourth grade.

 

When speaking about her passion for education, Aguilar Gonzales said, “I always knew I wanted to help others; I enjoy being able to help children and see how excited they get when they first understand something… Coming here to Sacred Heart, the teachers have always been so supportive, providing great feedback and tips on how to improve, and also how to get out of my comfort zone.”

 

Lozano knew from an early age he wanted to work with youth. Last year at SHS he taught in the fifth grade, and this school year he has been teaching in the third grade.

 

“After graduating from UC Merced, I knew I wanted to be in education, but wasn’t sure in [what capacity]. Gaining the experience here at Sacred Heart allowed me to be sure I wanted to be a teacher,” said Lozano.

 

Both Aguilar Gonzales and Lozano work full-time positions as ATs at SHS, while concurrently pursuing their credential program at NDNU.

 

“It’s been a challenge,” said Aguilar Gonzales, “but it’s been worth it—it feels great receiving the acknowledgement of this award and knowing, ‘OK, I’m doing the best that I can.’”  

 

Lozano says he is grateful for both the award and for the overall excellent education gained at NDNU. “I appreciate the opportunity to take the knowledge from their great instructors and apply it here at Sacred Heart and in my career.” 

Learn more about the SHS Associate Teacher program in our video!