Civil Municipal - Feb 2024

University and Oakland Community College to a robust Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, Avondale offers a plethora of pathways. Wilson outlines the district’s diverse offerings, including accelerated options for obtaining associate degrees, extensive web design and engineering CTE programs, and partnerships for local business internships. “Our junior and senior years offer internships that are ever expanding,” he adds, highlighting the practical application of learning in real-world scenarios. CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING At the heart of Avondale School District’s success is its teaching philosophy and approach to attracting and nurturing educational talent, as elucidated by Assistant Superintendent Coleen Brunni. Her insights show the district’s commitment to fostering an environment where students and teachers thrive through continuous learning and connection. Brunni emphasizes the district’s focus on cultivating students’ capacity for learning. “We work on how we ask good questions,” she explains, underlining the importance of teaching students to set goals, reflect on their learning, and foster curiosity. She says this approach is about imparting knowledge and building a lifelong passion for inquiry and learning. Brunni highlights the need for educators who can connect with a diverse student body when recruiting new teachers. “We speak 41 different languages in this district,” she points out, stressing the importance of teachers being able to engage with students from varied backgrounds. The district seeks educators who can facilitate learning through collaboration and embrace the diversity that each student brings to the classroom. Addressing the challenge of the current teacher shortage, Brunni reveals the district’s unique strategies for attracting and retaining teaching talent. “Learning is social, and teacher learning is also social,” she asserts. Avondale distinguishes itself through a leadership structure that allows teachers to assume leadership roles without leaving the classroom. This structure includes professional learning community leaders and a range of mentorship programs. PRIORITIZING SAFETY AND SECURITY When it comes to safety and security, Avondale School District stands at the forefront, adopting comprehensive measures to ensure the well-being of its students and staff. Dr. Schwarz provides an in-depth look at the district’s multifaceted security approach, encompassing physical and mental health aspects. “We have added safe and secure entranceways in all our buildings, staffed with armed personnel.” These fortified entry points are part of a broader strategy to secure the school environment physically. In addition to armed security,Avondale has implemented weapon detection systems at these entranceways, ensuring that all who enter are screened for potential threats. The district’s commitment to safety extends beyond physical deterrents. Dr. Schwarz details using Raptor, a system for conducting visitor background checks. “When we have visitors, their ID is processed through the system, giving us an immediate reporting on their criminal background history,” he says, emphasizing the thoroughness of their security checks. 153 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 02 AVONDALE SCHOOL DISTRICT