https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9 Notice someone or something that’s MAKING A DIFFERENCE at our school? Share it here! en-us 2020-10-02 07:07:10 UTC 2025-11-08 17:03:20 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f30f.png YouMakeADifference https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/797177012 2020-10-02 10:13:27 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/797177012 businessdirector https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/797287214 You are always so interesting to chat with.  I always learn something about myself when we talk.

I am proud and happy to work with you!]]> 2020-10-02 11:58:08 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/797287214 mweichman https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/797312163 You all rock! I love how our community can come together during ALL situations and thrive! Every experience makes us stronger. Have an amazing break! 
-WEICHY
#GRATITUDE]]> 2020-10-02 12:12:24 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/797312163 gzakers https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/799025016 Have fun everyone!
#thankyou]]> 2020-10-02 20:10:22 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/799025016 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/799380879 You are a great example of quiet strength and kindness. 💐
I am grateful and inspired to be working with you !! Especially today !! 😉  - Ms. Zarah ]]> 2020-10-03 01:30:01 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/799380879 YouMakeADifference https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/823085203 2020-10-12 23:18:13 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/823085203 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/823159704 You work with students of so many different ages and needs and you creatively work with them all to empower them and help them build their pathways to success! The way you designed your classroom set-up is genius. PLUS you found a way to get free yoga classes for anxious teachers! PLUS you make the most awesome kombucha ever!]]> 2020-10-13 00:10:26 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/823159704 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/823255851 You always teach my students exactly what I would most want them to know before I realize it myself - (current example: spreadsheets for ITGS kids) - *and* you appreciate the value of a chip bag! You are kind, caring, thoughtful and accept no excuses for not meeting the Ventura Standards of Excellence (TM).]]> 2020-10-13 01:00:26 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/823255851 businessdirector https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/824863788 We are so lucky to have you as part of VIMSIA staff! You bring so much energy and creativity to your work and the school. You make me smile - thank you.]]> 2020-10-13 13:51:11 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/824863788 islandgirl5776 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/824971721 Thanks for the great masked laughs between your dome and my hideout! Helps me recharge my crystal!!! 

_ Sib]]> 2020-10-13 14:15:18 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/824971721 islandgirl5776 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/824985611 Thank you for taking up the reigns while I was away! You laid a great foundation with the kids upon which we will build and create some super duper theater magic! You're fab!

_Sib]]> 2020-10-13 14:18:16 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/824985611 sdelong15 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/825177807 Thank you for welcoming me with so much love. It's been so much fun getting to know you both and I am super happy to be a part of an AWESOME Arts Department !!
-Shauna]]> 2020-10-13 14:59:56 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/825177807 kbutler73 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/825821390 Your light is well seen, loved and cherished!  Plus your yard grows the loveliest of dragon fruits!  Thank you for ALWAYS sharing!]]> 2020-10-13 17:16:55 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/825821390 kbutler73 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/825834210 Your calm and concise ways are refreshing and worthy of being followed. I am extra grateful for your leadership!]]> 2020-10-13 17:19:37 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/825834210 gzakers https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/828783347 I took this picture at arrival the other morning and was awestruck by the beauty overarching our campus. I love how this Kindness Board is spreading rainbows! Great idea!]]> 2020-10-14 14:26:27 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/828783347 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830597346 * Will never rest until every PGIA student has top notch higher order thinking skills!
* Designs amazing ManageBac tasks!
* Enthusiastically credits students for innovative ideas!
* Cares about the WHOLE student in the context of their WHOLE lives - not just how they may function in college but what kind of person is graduating from our school!
* Pretty sure "high standards of excellence" is her middle name!]]> 2020-10-15 00:27:53 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830597346 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830605195 A calming presence in anxious times.
Always willing to listen.
Incredibly well-informed and organized.
Quietly makes good things happen, Every Single Day.
Takes care of little details the rest of us miss, at the same time being a go-to person on mission and vision. (How does he do this????) ]]> 2020-10-15 00:31:55 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830605195 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830618000 If you look up "Gloria Arpasi" in the dictionary, the first synonym is probably:  support.
The next might be:  realistic.
Mrs. Arpasi has always, always, always offered support and has helped students and helped teachers in a thousand ways to support all kinds of PGIA students. Gloria, you also recognize the hard challenges all teachers, all students, all humans face. I'm so glad you always provide communication - it's so key to helping students, families, staff, institution. ]]> 2020-10-15 00:37:48 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830618000 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830648802 *Provides a calm, safe space for students of all abilities to learn.  Don't mistake this for a simple compliment.  This is not so easy to achieve.  But it's incredibly impactful and inspires students to care about learning
*Is a walking advertisement for multilingual/multicultural education.
*Meets students where they are - and gives them wings.
*Takes immense amounts of her personal time to create pathways for her students to master Espanol.  Language acquisition is NOT generally fun or easy - it's exhausting and there's more memorization involved than in any other subject.  Ms. Rodriquez somehow (magically?) makes this happen for her students, every single day.

]]> 2020-10-15 00:51:38 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830648802 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830669159 *How on earth* do you inspire your students to produce such amazing, creative work while familiarizing them with core texts and fanning the flames of their higher order thinking skills?  And, somehow, make building their abilities to structure sentences a goal they want to pursue?  At the same time, you always offer support to fellow teachers and find ways to get every input you can on how to maximize your teaching impact.  You are amazing, you are appreciated!
 ]]> 2020-10-15 01:00:37 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830669159 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830681779 You have the hardest teaching job of all. Teaching a hands-on, creative, subject to  blended Zoom/in-person groups!  Yet you have always shown that you care about the students in your charge and have not only been so kind but have found ways to make your classes fun and participative.  That's worth a GOLD MEDAL any time, but, wow, yes especially right now!!!  Thank you!

]]> 2020-10-15 01:06:10 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/830681779 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/834066620 2020-10-15 21:39:21 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/834066620 businessdirector https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/835244870 I LOVE this feature - such a peaceful and pretty way to enter campus. Thanks Chris, Megan and Mr. Bornn.]]> 2020-10-16 11:50:37 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/835244870 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837237625 Dr. Weichman - before long.
Beacon of light.
Searches for the students who need her support.  Finds them, uplifts them.
Understands meeting students where they are at and masterfully motivates them toward where they need to be.
Gives so generously to this institution and the students. 
Never strays from reality - strict yet beloved by students.  Spends incredible amounts of her own time finding some way to make the toughest, driest, most challenging topic interesting and fun.

]]> 2020-10-17 01:12:04 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837237625 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837241626 Most caring, positive, most uplifting, yet challenging. The most charming, diplomatic traffic diva at pick up time. A secret theatrical production genius - ok maybe not so secret but not acknowledged nearly enough. Kind, generous - Ms. Bump is the real deal. A masterful teacher, a fantastic human being, a role model. If there's one person you want to be around when your kid has a tough moment, it's Melissa Bump. Ms. Bump, you could not stop giving back to this community no matter what. We are so, so blessed that you have chosen/are called to give back to VIMSIA.]]> 2020-10-17 01:17:44 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837241626 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837246461 Quietly the most awesome science teacher EVER!  Tough, but fair.  When you walk into a classroom your insightful, delightful, smart-sharp and so classy supportive attitude immediately lifts the room and inspires students.  They know they will learn A LOT in your class!  And, it will be hands-on, real-world, something they can connect to.  Oh, and they will get tech and math skills too!  PGIA has a GREAT science program - Ms. Kessler is the PILLAR of that.  
Can we talk about leadership? Grace Kessler has empowered the Student Council.  She takes just enough of a step back to make sure the students have important leadership roles, while working ridiculously hard, behind the scenes, to make sure everything works. It's pretty amazing how Ms. Kessler gives them a chance to do what they do, extremely well, and handles anything else needed behind the scenes.  Brilliant leadership, nobody else would do this like you, Ms. Kessler!

]]> 2020-10-17 01:24:16 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837246461 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837253224 Leader.
Empowers the unempowered.
Helps the wounded find a path to healing.
Voices the voiceless.
Discrete.  Thoughtful. Caring.
Brave.
Leader.]]> 2020-10-17 01:33:48 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837253224 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837270207 I'm betting you get a bunch of likes on this shout out, because you are every staff member's best friend when it comes to Tech.
Your incredible positivity when dealing with teachers who might be clueless like me
Your incredible knowledge of all the crazy wild tech-adjacent topics we ask you about
Your willingness to be a teacher of teachers (yeah, that's famously like herding cats, only worse)
You demonstrate again and again how much you care about the personal tech problems of our students and teachers.
But you still NAIL DOWN the critical stuff like the government inventories.
Mr. J., you are a Critical Asset!]]> 2020-10-17 01:57:30 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/837270207 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/862972558 Walking past the music room makes me so happy when I see Ms. Byrd sharing her love of music with the students in such creative ways! Such a pleasant sound hearing children sing and play instruments, makes VIMSIA an even more beautiful place - Thank you Joie for all you do! ]]> 2020-10-26 18:02:10 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/862972558 mburkett7 https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/863219505 Thank you for the abundant respect you have for assistant teachers! ]]> 2020-10-26 18:56:48 UTC https://padlet.com/youmakeadifference/rmytrn47ztowt9j9/wish/863219505