Hey Mesa! On Monday I interviewed a few members of the WASC committee you’re seeing around the halls this week. I asked some clarifying questions to hopefully give you a better idea of who they are and what it’s all about.
Sitting down with this committee was truly such an amazing experience. They were very welcoming, respectful, and overall great people to interview and interact with. If you’re called in for an interview, or you see them walk in your class, please don’t be nervous! These people aren’t some big scary group with dark glasses and stern faces that most imagine when hearing about WASC (coming from experience).
The WASC committee wants the best for all of us, so when they come into your class or call you out for an interview, acknowledge them, and don’t freak out. Show them your best self, and answer their questions honestly.
Coming from a fellow student, I strongly encourage us Mavericks and Mustangs to give the WASC committee a friendly smile and wave hello, let’s show them what Mesa spirit is really about while they’re here, and hopefully leave a lasting impression.
Here is our conversation:
Hitching Post: Can you tell me who are you and what schools you come from?
I’m Brett Killeen, and I’m Principal of Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego
Im Dr. Charles Izuakor, I am a special education support and teacher.
I am Vera Johnson, assistant principal, Desert Hot Springs High School,
Christine Kenny, I’m a counselor at Rio Mesa High School.
I’m Dr. Richard Chavez. I’m the chairperson for this visit
Hitching Post: What has stood out to you the most at Mesa, so far?
Dr Richard Chavez: As a campus, how clean are you? Thus far, I only found one piece of paper.
Principal Brett Killeen: I enjoyed the tour yesterday with the students. There was a lot of pride, positive energy there, and just walking around as students are coming in, they’ve been very friendly.
Assistant Principal Vera Johnson: I would say the amount of ROP programs that you have available for students.
Counselor Christine Kelly: The teachers that have been here for so long, who did their student teaching and and taught and they don’t want to go anywhere else…it’s great to hear.
Dr. Charles Izuakor: Everyone’s excited to be here, it says a lot about what’s going on campus.
Hitching Post: What are you hoping to see while here on campus?
Dr Richard Chavez: Well, you know that the school wrote a document, and in that document, there’s different sections. Our responsibility is to validate what was in that document, areas of growth, areas of need. So as a team, we’re going around to do that. So we hope to see everything that’s in the document and how you, as a school, plan to grow with the implementation of what you said you were going to do. So pretty soon we’re going to be heading into a ton of classrooms around the school.
Hitching Post: What was your first impression of Mesa when taking those tours?
Counselor Christine Kelly: You have a lot to offer your students, a lot of different classes, electives, that was impressive to me and stood out.
Dr Richard Chavez: I was shocked when I asked a question about food, and everybody said, they’d give it a ten.
Principal Brett Ken: I really like your pool.
Assistant Principal Vera Johnson: The dedicated athletic weight training area just for sports. That’s pretty amazing.
Dr. Charles Izuakor: I also see that there’s no boundary between middle school and high school, so it’s very inclusive.
Hitching Post: I know WASC visiting committees are volunteer based. What inspired you to volunteer your time for this committee?
Assistant Principal, Vera Johnson: For myself, I want to learn from other schools, but then also, like, Dr. Chavez said, to be able to validate what you’re doing on the campus and with our input and insight, help connect the pieces to some of the things that your areas of growth help support you in making that come to pass.
Counselor Christine Kelly: It’s a really, really great learning experience for all of us, to take ideas back and then to see how other schools do things that we do.
Principal Brent Ken: I have a team visiting my school on March 2nd, so I’ll be going through the same thing you guys are, and it’s just good to know exactly how the process is working right now.
Hitching Post: How would you describe Mesa in one word?
Dr Richard Chavez: Inclusive.
Hitching Post: How many times have you been a part of a visiting committee?
Kristine Kelly: This is my second time.
Assistant Principal, Vera Johnson: Also my second time.
Principal Brett Killeen: Third time.
Dr. Charles Izuakor: This is my first time.
Dr. Richard J. Chavez: At the end of this year, I’ll have completed 43.
Hitching Post: What are you hoping to see this week from Mesa students?
Assistant Principal Vera Johnson: Inclusivity, that everybody has a place, like WEB, where everyone belongs. I want to see that.
Dr. Charles Izuakor: Just seeing the classes and everything
Principal Brett Killeen: How they connect.
Dr. Richard Chavez: That you’re having fun.
Journalist Carmen interviewing the committee. Closest: Dr. Richard Chavez. Closest right: Counselor Christine Kelly. Middle Right: Assistant Principal Vera Johnson. Furthest right: Dr. Charles Izuakor. Furthest left: Principal Brett Killeen.
