Teacher Patricia Brown: CCAE Bay Section 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award

Patricia holding her award
Alt Text:  Patricia in a dark red shirt holding her award
next to paintings of flowers

Patricia is our ESL Coordinator - the person who organizes and manages our ESL Program. She is also a much loved and respected ESL teacher. For her dedication and hard work, she won a CCAE Bay Section 2019 Excellence in Teaching award. Read about why she won this award:

Patricia Brown came to volunteer at the San Mateo Adult School in the mid 1990’s.  She was inspired by what she saw to get a credential and has taught ESL at San Mateo School since 1997.  A dedicated teacher with a tremendous work ethic, Patricia was deservedly named the school's ESL Coordinator this year. Patricia is the person who always has her hand raised to try out something new.  

Patricia with Director Tim Doyle
at the CCAE 2019 Bay Section
Conference

Her road to being named ESL Coordinator was built upon her many initiatives and accomplishments at our school.  She is a member of the Curriculum Committee, Technology Committee and other school committees during her tenure at our school.  Patricia has been a Train the Trainer for CALPRO and used her knowledge to help the Adult School research and design new curriculum to meet student needs.  She volunteered to go through the process of learning how to create Professional Learning Communities in Adult School and consequently she helped implement the PLC model in San Mateo, serving as the first facilitator. The PLC has expanded to level PLCs and full day meetings.  She has been instrumental in keeping its focus on students and learning.

Patricia has also been a member on our regional adult consortium, San Mateo County ACCEL.  Her input as a teacher is unique and invaluable in bringing a grounded yet creative perspective to the consortium design process in implementing strategies and setting goals to help our students.   As a member of the Collaborative Action Team, a group that was created to implement local curriculum and support services between San Mateo Adult School and the College of San Mateo, Patricia’s contribution was vital in helping design a pathway for our Advanced ESL students to the College.

Throughout the years Patricia has set high expectations for herself through her continued efforts to learn and grow professionally.  This, combined with her initiative in taking on school leadership roles, has positively impacted teaching and student learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Visit Patricia’s classroom on any given day and you will see and hear students having fun learning but at the same time being challenged and encouraged to take risks. Her students rise to the challenge because she works hard in creating curriculum and lessons that not only meet their immediate needs but motivates and provides them with the skills they will need to be successful at college, work and to navigate their community.

Patricia is stepping up to the challenge and demands of the new AEP focus on college and careers and measurable outcomes.   Her work along with other colleagues on the school’s curriculum and technology committees is providing teachers with concrete plans, curriculum and measured outcomes to ensure that our students receive 21st century skills that are also aligned with AEP goals.

Though the AEP has moved its focus to measurable outcomes and transitions to college and careers, Patricia has not lost sight of the importance of connecting with students, of empathizing and showing interest in their lives and culture.  Students respond to Patricia with an equal amount of respect and affection.