Dianda Learning Support Center in Cauchi Hall
In 1991 the National Congress on Catholic Schools encouraged all Catholic school educators to open their minds and hearts and doors to an increasingly diverse world.
As a result, the Diocese of Oakland believes that Catholic Schools must be inclusive to reflect the principles of the Roman Catholic faith. The task of the schools is to identify and develop these gifts where they are appreciated and shared and where diversity is celebrated. The Learning Support program offerings at each school site are determined by the resources available.
A Learning Support Program at St. Agnes School has been in existence since 2003 and continues to evolve. Currently, as a team, we support the curricular program, provide screening as appropriate, recommend accommodations, manage the SST process, schedule intervention as needed, facilitate communication between parents, teachers, students, medical and educational professionals, and function as advocates for students identified with special needs.
When a student’s learning needs require additional understanding and clarification, the Learning Support teachers will coordinate a Student Success Team Meeting (SST). The SST process enables classroom teachers, learning support teachers and parents the opportunity to identify student strengths and areas of challenge and establish an action plan. The action plan will provide direction for the next steps in meeting the learning needs of the student.
Fairness in education does not mean all are treated the same. To educate students fairly sometimes means teaching them differently. Fairness means giving students equal access to a quality education, not doing everything in exactly the same way as everyone else. – Carol Ann Tomlinson.
Meet the teachers:
Hello! My name is Mrs. McDonald and together with Mrs. Miner, we are the Learning Support Coordinators here at St. Agnes School. Welcome! I joined St. Agnes at a Resource Teacher in 2011 and had been teaching in the field of special education for nine years before that. After graduating from St. Francis of Assisi School and Carondelet High School, I went to UC Berkeley where I majored in English and Pre-Medical Studies and then matriculated to the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where I earned a Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance. I take off my Learning Support Coordinator hat to teach the 5th grade Bell Choir–if you have an interested student, send s/he my way! In addition, I am involved with the Altar Server Ministry for St. Agnes Parish as the scheduler–again if you know of an interested student, direct s/he to me. When I am not teaching, I enjoy watching live theater, going to concerts, tennis, cooking and spending time with my family and the large number of pets in our household.
Welcome to Learning Support! My name is Mrs. Miner, and with 15 years of teaching experience, I joined St. Agnes in 2022 as a Learning Support Teacher. Prior to working here, I was a proud parent of two St. Agnes students (now at De La Salle), and an active member of the PACE board. I attended Carondelet High School (and met my husband at De La Salle!) From there, I graduated from UCSB, then continued my education at both San Francisco State and St. Mary’s for credentials in English, Special Education, and finally a Master’s in Education. When I am not in the classroom, you can find me on the golf course, watching football (go Niners!) or exploring the wilderness while backpacking with my husband and our two sons.
| Learning Support teachers: |
Patricia McDonald: pmcdonald@csdo.org Jennifer Miner: jminer@csdo.org |
| Please print out a copy of the Study Skills provided here, and use it to help you with all of your assignments. |
Study Skills » |
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Types of Learners – The following link directs you to a test which allows students to answer questions and determine what type of learner the student is: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles.shtml. Refer to the document in the right-hand column for a description of Types of Learners. |
Types of Learners » |
| A mnemonics section is included here, through the link in the right-hand column. These mnemonics tricks are invaluable in our fact-filled world. |
Mnemonic Tricks » |
| We are posting here for your convenience instructions for using our Afternoon Log, followed by the Afternoon Log sheet. This is a useful tool to help students build time management skills. |
Afternoon Log Instructions » Afternoon Log » |