Great School, Great Teacher

For Teacher Appreciation Week—May 2-6—Patch decided to shine light on some schools that often go unnoticed by the public. Throughout the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, students and teachers are sharing what makes a good educator. Check back daily this week to hear from more kids!

Christine Falcone is more then just a teacher to her students at , a charter high school in Watsonville. She is a confidant and a friend.

“She’s the best!" freshman Jasmine Perez said. "She’s nice, she lets us know we can trust her and she is there to talk to."

“She’s pretty cool; she makes us laugh,” added student Jocelyn Melendez.

The appreciation is mutual. Although Falcone plans to retire next year, she said she will return to volunteer time to give kids therapy as needed.

Falcone holds master’s degrees in both education and in counseling psychology. She uses both disciplines to assist her students’ educational and emotional growth. Her love and respect for the kids in her class is palpable.

“I can trust them; it is highly therapeutic for both sides,” she said, with a warm smile directed at her class. "I have learned an awful lot from them."

Falcone will retire after 30 years in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, the last eight spent at the Academic Vocational Charter Institute, or AVCI.

AVCI is a charter, academic, vocational, alternative high school, but it is not a continuation school. Principal Bruce White is very clear on that point.

It was started in 1999 to serve as an alternative to students who might not be college-bound but are interested in job skills or technical school. Today, AVCI operates much like a private school, with an intimate population of just 58 students who must apply and be accepted, and can be released if they are not performing up to expectations.

The school is fully accredited, having just received a six-year accreditation from WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). It has a campus on Diamond Drive, which feels remote, while it is very near to the center of Watsonville. Classes also are held in one of the airplane hangars at the Watsonville Airport. 

With the oversight of PVUSD Assistant Superintendent Albert Roman, AVCI's faculty has begun to focus on green technology in order to give kids a chance at the jobs of the future.

Falcone said she understands how important it is to help kids find a their place in the world. Originally from Rhode Island, she lost her husband at an early age and needed a fresh start. Watsonville schools offered her a job. She teaches English, U.S. history, economics, psychology, health and social studies at AVCI.

Falcone said she loves working at the small charter school, because of "not only the size, but the family atmosphere. I get to bond with students. I love the philosophy of this school; after four years I get to know them each well.”

With five teachers on his faculty, it was hard for White, the principal, to choose one teacher to single out for Patch.

• David Patino has replaced his father, Victor Patino, as a teacher at AVCI. He teaches CAD and CAM (computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing) engineering and industrial technology.
• Gary Liu teaches math and science.
• Erin Hall is the head of the English and Art Department.
• Michael Tennant teaches word processing, accounting and photography.

White ultimately decided to honor Falcone, because this would be his last chance to show his appreciation before she retires and starts her private practice.

When asked what she will miss about teaching, Falcone replied, “laughing with young people, the honesty, the innocence, the craziness—crazy good!”