Abe Flores

Background

About Abe Flores

Education is exploration: I've taught k-9 in both low and high API performing Charter and Private schools, in classrooms with 11 home languages, ones composed entirely of "At risk" students and with kindergarten students who have come into the class with identified special needs as well as those who show signs of needing additional support but who have not chosen to be assessed. Through programs with rigorous teaching design and ones with looser structures I've found that students learn best when they are able to propel themselves through the academics with guidance from mentors and educators. We are rapidly entering an era where factual and raw data can be had at the touch of a button. It is no longer sufficient for student success to be measured by their ability to simply follow instructions and complete work they are shown. Context, analysis, interpretation are the mental skills that memorization used to be, and promoting the ability to independently master academic issues is going to be a key in bringing out those skills. With academic independence our students can outshine their teachers, they can better understand the value of collaboration and no matter what they pursue they will all be teachers, and learners, and explorers. I love teaching, it can be challenging, frustrating, and tiring, but the bottom line is the kids are always worth it all.