Local Teacher Gives Students All the Credit

MORENO VALLEY >> Trenquilla Francis, a high school reading teacher at Vista del Lago High School, has been named one of only six recipients of the prestigious 2016 180 Educator Awards. The awards, now in their tenth year, honor educators across the United States for helping struggling students turn their lives around by building their reading and math literacy using intensive intervention programs READ 180, MATH 180 and System 44. Ms. Francis stood out in the application process for the gains her students have achieved, her combined use of creative teaching practices and data-driven decision-making, and the sheer dedication she gives to her students, which total more than 100 and all of whom enter her classroom reading well below grade level. For example, one student entered Ms. Francis’s class reading at a third grade level. This student, a 9th grader, is now reading at a 10th grade level. Dr. Janelle Woodward, principal of Vista del Lago High School, said, “Ms. Francis is truly a one-of-a-kind teacher. She has a way about her that motivates students to excel and I believe that she is able to work her magic through the supportive relationships that she develops with each student. In Ms. Francis’ classroom, students work hard not because they are told to do so, but rather because they have learned to believe in their own ability to succeed.” Students describe Ms. Francis as someone “who listens to all of the problems [they] have and gives the best advice any teacher could give.” She dedicates her time, energy, and personal resources to her students and has built a self-funded classroom library that now contains over 1,000 books. This year, her students achieved such a high level of reading growth that she and her husband took them on a celebration trip to Disneyland. Ms. Francis will receive an invitation to attend the 24th annual Model Schools Conference being held in Orlando, FL, in June, where an award ceremony will be held to recognize her achievements. She will also receive an additional library of HMH titles for her classroom that will be selected specifically for her students’ ages and reading levels. Francis said, “It feels great to be chosen, but the students who work so hard for me every year are a huge part of my success. I push them to be the best they can be, and they push me to be creative in meeting their needs. READ 180 is an amazing program that enhances the learning of my students and teaching it has been the highlight of my career."