All course descriptions, instructor bios, and course outlines are listed in chronological order. They are in development and could be subject to change. 

Click here to complete the Registration Form for all components of the Santa Fe Public Schools Volunteer Training Program. 

Introduction to Volunteerism

Wednesday, September 25, 2019                 

9:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Lunch Included

B.F.Young, Road Runner Room

1300 Camino Sierra Vista

Course Description

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)- Untreated trauma, due to Adverse Childhood Experiences and social adversity can diminish one’s capacity to learn, acquire and hold down a job, have healthy intimate relationships and be a successful parent. In this session we will learn about the scope of ACEs and other forms of trauma in New Mexico, and the impact this can have on our classrooms. 

Growth Mindset- The way students perceive their abilities has a strong impact on their learning and motivation. We will discuss and experience a variety of ways to help students develop a growth mindset and increase their achievement. When students believe they can achieve through effort and perseverance they do better. When children learn new strategies for learning they begin to believe that they can reach their dreams.

Katherine Ortega Courtney, PhD is the co-author (with Dominic Cappello) of Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment, and co-director of the Anna, Age Eight Institute. Dr. Courtney worked with the State of New Mexico for eight years, as the Juvenile Justice Epidemiologist, and the Bureau Chief for Protective Services Research Assessment and Data Bureau. She has also served as the Director of Collective Impact at the Santa Fe Community Foundation, and as the Director of Research and Policy for the New Mexico Early Childhood Development Partnership. She earned a Ph.D.  in Psychology from Texas Christian University where she studied at the Institute for Behavioral Research.

Rayna Dineen loves teaching and learning, and has worked in education for 38 years. She received a master’s degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University, in addition to doing doctoral work at Colorado State University. She co-directed the Santa Fe Public School based Cariño Community Children’s Program and has worked as an education consultant for EL Education in America, India and Australia. Rayna founded the Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences here in Santa Fe in 2000 and served as their teaching principal for 13 years. She is the founder and executive director of Reading Quest, a non-profit organization which provides year-round, high quality reading tutoring for students who are one or more years behind grade level in reading.

Click here to view the course outline.

Reading Tutor Preparation

Sunday, October 27, 2019                 

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM 

Snacks Included

Reading Quest

1409 Monterey Drive

Course Description

This training will provide concrete support for tutors working with children who are reading at a K-3rd grade level. This workshop includes; growth mindset, reading rules, phonics and multi-sensory strategies for tutoring reading, in addition to providing reading resources, creative strategies and games for tutoring reading.

Basic Math Tutor Preparation

Thursday, November 21, 2019                 

2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Snacks included

B.F.Young, Road Runner Room

1300 Camino Sierra Vista

Course Description

This training will provide Math Tutors with the understanding and tools to help students build confidence and knowledge of fundamental Math concepts.  This training can be helpful to all grade levels of students who struggle with basic mathematical operations. 

Students will learn to determine answers and solutions independently (or working with pairs) by employing various strategies, including Math manipulatives, with coaching and guidance from their tutors. Tutors will be able to identify and direct students through various approaches to mastering of basic math facts and their relationships to each other.   Handouts will include practice sheets for understanding Place Value, Number Sense, Fact Families, and also what students are expected to learn during each grade through Common Core information. Attendees will also participate in creating the Basic Math Plus training workshop scheduled for March 7, 2020.

Culturally Relevant Volunteering

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

9 AM to 1:30 PM

Lunch Included

B.F.Young, Road Runner Room                          

1300 Camino Sierra Vista

Course Description

Santa Fe Public Schools believes in promoting an inclusive, respectful learning environment that accommodates students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and strives to celebrate students and provide equitable access to learning.

The Language and Culture Department will present Culturally and Linguistically Responsive (CLR) speakers, and activities that will promote CLR and teach our volunteers how to validate a students’ home culture and language, affirm and intentionally give students alternate perspectives of the biases their cultures receive, build an appreciation of cultural linguistic behaviors and use those behaviors to develop a rapport with students and encourage students how to be successful beyond the classroom. 

The overall goal is to increase cultural awareness and empathy in our schools in an effort to close the cultural gap that exists in our community.  Research shows that awareness and understanding of diverse students, facilitates student achievement. Transgender 101: Beyond Blue and Pink - An introduction to terms, best practices, and the creative navigation of binary systems for transgender communities. 
More transgender and non-binary people are coming out than ever before. This progression in visibility and access means that families, peers, and school communities are quickly needing guidance on how to best support trans/non-binary people in a system not built for their needs. Jess Clark, the Education and Prevention Manager at Solace Crisis Treatment Center will lead an interactive discussion on terminology and best practices while re-framing common myths and exploring ways to move in solidarity with transgender communities.   

Instructor Biographies

	Lisa Vigil is Director of the Language and Culture Department for Santa Fe Public Schools. Mrs. Vigil is a graduate of New Mexico Highlands University, where she received a BA in Elementary Education, a MA in Curriculum & Instruction and a MA in Educational Leadership.   ​Mrs. Vigil taught in the elementary setting for 14 years in northern New Mexico prior to transitioning into the administrative roles of assistant principal at El Camino Real Academy in Santa Fe, NM and her current position as the Language and Culture Director.  Mrs. Vigil is dedicated to creating an equitable educational environment that incorporates the histories, languages, values, beliefs, and perspectives of all SFPS students. She works to ensure teachers are adequately trained in culturally and linguistically responsive instruction to better meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
	Nancy Davis, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, serves as the coordinator of Native American Student Services for the Santa Fe Public Schools.  Previously she was a teacher and taught grades K, 1st, 7th-8th grade math. She currently oversees academic and cultural programs for over 400 Native American students in grades K-12.  The students come from many different tribes from all across the United States as well as the local pueblos and tribes here in NM.  She enjoys working with students at all grade levels and strongly encourages their involvement in school, community, athletics and visual and performing arts.  Nancy is a dedicated advocate for students and their families attending Santa Fe Public Schools. She serves on the Truancy Task Force, Homeless Children and Youth Task Force, the Superintendent’s Diversity and Equity Council and is a member on the Santa Fe Indian Center board. She has two loving daughters, Kayla who is beginning her senior year of college at Ft. Lewis College in Durango, CO and Isabella who is in the eighth grade and attends ATC School.
	Jess Clark is the Education and Prevention Manager for Solace Crisis Treatment Center in Santa Fe, NM. He has been involved in social change and sexual violence prevention work for over a decade. His work focuses on increasing youth capacity for healthy relationship navigation as well as collaborating with faculty and administration on policy building and implementation to achieve school climate change. He is Vice Board Chair for Girls Inc. of Santa Fe and has presented at regional and national conferences about topics including transgender identities, sexual violence, and queer masculinities.

Click here to view the course outline.

Note: Advanced ELA Tutor Preparation and Basic Math Plus course descriptions and bios to be added at a later date.