Los Paseos educator has more than 30 years in the classroom
One thing the Morgan Hill School District teacher of the year has learned after more than 30 years in the classroom is that students need much more than textbooks and “traditional” education to reach their full potential.
Los Paseos Elementary fifth grade teacher Margaret Rodrigues was chosen by her peers, the members of the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers, to represent the district as teacher of the year for the 2004-2005 school year. She was chosen for her eagerness to share her talents with students and colleagues and for her innovations in teaching throughout the years.
Along with her team-teaching partner of 19 years, John McPherson, Rodrigues looks at each of her students as individuals who have specific gifts, as well as specific needs.
“We like to give our kids lots of options,” Rodrigues said. “We have class productions twice during the year, we have had mock trials. Any opportunity that we can use to the advantage of our students, to look at what they can consider for their future, that’s what we want to do.”
McPherson said he and Rodrigues enjoy finding ways to expand the horizons of their students.
“Though we are never monolithic in our thinking, we do have common philosophies and goals. In the face of mounting pressures to conform with pre-packaged, formulaic curricula, we both believe in teaching children, not programs,” he said. “Some of my greatest pleasures in education is sitting down with Margaret and figuring out a creative way to cover the standards. We feel that the things our students benefit most from never show up on standardized tests.”
The two teachers have developed some popular activities over their 19 years together, but are always looking for something new.
“Our students perform two musicals, author and publish eight books, learn science by doing experiments, create PowerPoint and Web page projects, participate in three living history days, study and create pieces after 30 artists, build airplanes, and produce award-winning documentaries,” McPherson said. “Little of that will be tested in April, but that is what our students take from our class and remember fondly years later when they reflect back on their years with us. Yes, we also do teach all the other items so our students will be prepared for the tests.”
It is not surprising that creativity is a part of what drives Rodrigues. Although she said neither of her parents had a career in education, they built a very strong sense of the importance of education in their three daughters.
“We didn’t have to be told we were expected to make good grades, we always knew that we were going to college,” she said. “Wherever we went on vacation, we visited the museums, the factories. I remember thinking, can we just go to the beach?”
Rodrigues’ experience includes teaching second, fourth, fifth and sixth grades. With an elementary education credential, an administrative credential and a master’s in educational leadership and administration, she is well-qualified to serve as a mentor for other teachers.
If she were to give advice to anyone considering becoming a teacher, Rodrigues said, she would tell them they must possess three key qualities.
“They better love kids, first of all, or they don’t even need to consider teaching as a profession,” she said. “And not just love them, but truly enjoy being around them. Also, you must be flexible. No place is it truer than in the classrooms that best laid plans will go awry. And, you better have a sense of humor. That will get you through many difficult situations.”
“You can learn a lot about technology, you can be very organized, and both of those are good things,” she said. “But if you don’t have those other qualities, all your technology knowledge, all of your organization, won’t matter. I remember one student teacher I had who had everything organized to a ‘t,’ planned perfectly and well thought out, but when something happened that wasn’t planned, she was lost.”
Rodrigues, who was nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award by the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers, was honored at a ceremony Sept. 26, along with 29 other teachers from Santa Clara county. Many of her co-workers, as well as the School Board trustees and Superintendent Alan Nishino, attended the ceremony.
“This was a very well-deserved reward,” Nishino said. “I have heard really wonderful stories about Margaret since I came to the district. She is obviously appreciated by her peers. Everyone stood up and cheered.”
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@mo*************.com.
