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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2017)
A16 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017 FROM PAGE A1 EDUCATION: Mountain Community Col- lege, Eastern Oregon Uni- versity, and George Fox University. He hopes to continue to play soccer, and study athletic training to merge his two passions. “I’ve always liked be- ing around sports, so I figure if I can get a career being around sports, I’ll be happy — and also helping people one-one-one,” he said. He also hopes to contin- ue volunteering. “For as long as I can re- member I’ve always liked helping people,” he said. “Whatever community I end up in — hopefully I get to stay in Hermiston — I’d continue to volunteer in any way I can.” continued from Page A1 “We continue to be a re- source after kids graduate high school or college,” Marvin said of the Ca- reer and Counseling Cen- ter where she works. “If I didn’t get to work with kids, I probably still wouldn’t be doing this,” she said. BEYOND TESTING Garth Lind, the district’s top teacher for 2016, is a little embarrassed about re- ceiving the award. “It’s awkward getting an award for yourself when it’s part of what your team does,” the fifth grade teach- er said. Sitting in a classroom at Hermiston’s Desert View Elementary with his three colleagues, Lind says ev- erything he’s achieved as a teacher has been matched by his colleagues — Dia Bernabe, Janey McCor- mack and Rachel Lind (his wife). “It’s easier to be out of the spotlight, just do- ing your thing,” Lind said. “Any successes I’ve had has come from my team.” At the ceremony Lind was praised for his ability to connect with students and colleagues, further his own teaching skills, and turn out consistently above-average test scores. According to district statis- tics, 87 percent of students in Lind’s class over the past three years have scored at benchmark or above on the Science OAKS assessment — 21 percent above the state average. His students have also shown an average growth of 55 points on the Smarter Balanced Assess- ment in Language Arts, compared to a statewide expectation of 32 points. Lind’s classes have grown an average of 75 points in math scores, against an ex- pected growth of 40 points. “Garth is such a moti- vator,” Bernabe said. “And he has such a rapport with students.” Lind has taught for 20 years — 17 with the Herm- iston School District, and a few in Umatilla and Toppe- nish, Washington. This is his fourth year back in ele- mentary school after a stint at Hermiston High. Lind said his students have benefited from the close relationship the four teachers have. “It’s like one giant class- room with four doors,” Lind said. “It’s a seamless educational experience for the kids.” WON’T SLOW DOWN STAFF PHOTO BY E.J. HARRIS Desert View Elementary fifth grade teacher Garth Lind was named the Hermiston School District’s educator of the year at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Citizens Awards Banquet on Wednesday in Hermiston. That philosophy has extended to all aspects of teaching, Lind said. Though he has been lauded for high test scores, Lind said the entire fifth grade team has the same philoso- phy when it comes to state assessments. “We don’t focus on it,” he said. Instead of teaching specifically for test prepa- ration, he said the group teaches to the academics instead. “We teach more founda- tional skills,” he said. “Our goal is to put our kids aca- demically ahead. If Smart- er Balanced ends up being something our kids do well on, that’s good.” He said he and his team don’t get caught up in the idea of “teaching to the test.” “Smart is smart,” Lind said. “Do we teach the stan- dards? Yes. But if you can do math, and think at a high level, you’re going to do fine. What lets me sleep is knowing that my kids are prepared to go beyond high school.” Lind said his favorite STAFF PHOTO BY JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN Liz Marvin, the Project College Bound coordinator at Hermiston High School, meets with a group of students to discuss a college visit this weekend. subject to teach is writing. “There’s no boundaries to it,” he said. “It can be creative, informative — there’s an infinite amount of ways to go about it.” DRIVEN TO SERVE the two things he’s always loved: sports and helping people. The senior is in the school’s National Honor Society, a volunteer orga- nization, as well as a four- year soccer and track and field athlete. Outside of school, he volunteers often, especially at dinners and auctions held at the Herm- iston Conference Center. Arenas plans to attend college after high school, and is looking at Blue Vanessa Ambriz-Men- doza is busy with school, work and many clubs — but the Hermiston High School senior has no in- tention of slowing down when she goes to college. She balances several responsibilities outside of school: working as a sales associate at Payless, as well as participating in several clubs: Key Club, Good Shepherd Commu- nity Health Foundation, the Speech and Debate Club and the College Savings Group. She tries to help out in the commu- nity whenever she can at the Agape House and at local churches. “I really do believe in volunteering,” she said. Ambriz-Mendoza is thinking about studying International Relations, and hopes to attend Whit- man College in Walla Walla. “It’s an amazing pro- gram,” she said of Whit- man. “It’s a liberal arts school with a small group of students.” Of her award, Am- briz-Mendoza said she was shocked, but thrilled by the honor. “I try to be involved in the community as much as I can,” she said. Elias Ismael Arenas is hoping he’ll get to follow NOW THROUGH FEBRUARY 20! ALL NEW 2017 CAMRY MODELS IN STOCK 4 , 000 OFF $ MSRP NEW 2017 COROLLA LE 188 $ $ Dog Days Grooming Salon Mention this ad and receive 10 % OFF a groom thru the end of February MO * STK # 17TH314* on approved credit 0 DOWN Wendy Grammer Owner/Groomer 541.969.1419 46 SE 5th Street Pendleton • OR 97801 muttcuttsgrooming@yahoo.com Like us on facebook NEW 2017 TUNDRA DOUBLE CAB SR5 5.7L V8 399 STK # 17TH320* $ MO * on approved credit Pupcakes is proud to introduce… Critter Cartons! 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