We spent time at three awesome Mesa View Middle School events last week, where educators are working on student success, highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month, and playing a rivalry on the big stage.
Our week began in Mesa View’s revamped data room, a space that has undergone a remarkable transformation since the start of the school year. The room has now become a vibrant celebration space, adorned with string lights, portraits of all 453 students, and the thoughtful message on the window: “The Future of Our World is in this Room.”
This remodeling serves as a symbol of the school’s continued commitment to placing students at the heart of their work, fostering a culture that extends beyond the regular school day. To achieve it, every teacher has been encouraged to forge a personal connection with a student.
Assistant Principal Kevin Beckner described this initiative as “engaging the hearts of students” and creating a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.
A gold star next to a student’s name signifies the establishment of a meaningful relationship, and it often includes an interesting fact about the student. As weeks have passed, staff members have added more information about their students, gradually unveiling the talents and aspirations within the Mesa View community.
For example, Serenity, an aspiring digital artist, now finds recognition within the room. Kayla’s love for the musical “Hamilton” is celebrated, and Brady’s passion for golf has secured its place. Julian, the avid reader, and Analise, with aspirations of becoming a lawyer, have also found their rightful spots.
On Day 2, we were part of professional development, with small group discussions led by Dr. Phil Warrick from Marzano Resources on “Creating an Inviting Classroom Climate.” This training is an integral part of Mesa View’s High-Reliability School work, focusing on a Safe, Supportive, and Collaborative Culture.
The staff engaged in discussions centered on creating inviting environments for students and exploring best practices for maintaining “open doors.” Conversations revolved around learning new ways to greet students in respectful and culturally appropriate manners, as well as designing innovative opportunities for student success.
Dr. Warrick emphasized the importance of teachers possessing “with-it-ness” – the ability to identify potential disruptive behaviors and proactively address them. This discussion provided educators with real-time examples of how to maintain a positive classroom atmosphere.
The ultimate goal of this work is to provide as many opportunities as possible for students to succeed, fostering an environment where every student feels valued and supported.
On Day 3, we had the opportunity to observe what was happening in Ms. Janie Soto's Spanish/Bilingual Class during Hispanic Heritage Month. The students were engaged in learning about the rich and diverse Hispanic heritage. They participated in interesting lessons, presentations, and activities. This week, their focus was on the famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
The students delved into the life of Frida Kahlo. Just like Kahlo herself, the students worked on creating self-portraits, adding elements and items from their own lives. Students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades also collaborated on a portrait of Frida Kahlo decorated with colorful paper flowers.
Ms. Soto, who has been teaching at Mesa View for 26 years, expressed her joy in seeing the students learn.
“Me gusta verlos aprender, como sus ojos se prenden cuando han entendido algo. I enjoy seeing them learn and witnessing the excitement in their eyes when they've understood something,” said Ms. Soto, who is the language enrichment teacher at Mesa View.
Later that same day, we had the chance to witness an exciting football game between two of our middle school teams at Hutchinson Stadium. The game ended in favor of Heights Middle School, but the experience left a lasting impression on all our young athletes. It provided them with a glimpse of what it might be like to play football for one of our high schools in the near future.
Our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff and families of Mesa View Middle School for allowing us to spend these days with them, and providing insight into their hard work. Mesa View is not just a school; it's a community that is redefining what it means to invest in the future of our youth. Go, Hawks!