Welcome back to iLEAD Agua Dulce’s staff spotlight! This week, we’re thrilled to feature the wonderful Ms. Cullen, a dedicated facilitator who brings with her a decade of teaching experience to serve our kids. With her passion for the arts and her unwavering belief in the power of a growth mindset, Ms. Cullen is a beloved part of the iLEAD Agua Dulce community.
Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at iLEAD Agua Dulce.
This is my 10th year teaching and my second year at iLEAD. I have two teenage kids. I love painting and really enjoy seeing kids gain confidence and new abilities in life. I recently started an adult tutoring business to help anyone who wants to better their own lives.
What is your role at iLEAD Agua Dulce? What’s the best part about it? What’s the biggest challenge?
I am a facilitator at iLEAD.
The best part is the learners! Each one has their own unique story, and making connections helps me feel surrounded by love.
The biggest challenge is staying organized!
What do you LOVE about iLEAD Agua Dulce? What sets it apart from other schools?
I love the learners here! I love the animals surrounding us, and mainly I like iLEAD Agua Dulce because I fit in here with the free range-ness we have.
Are you involved in other activities at iLEAD Agua Dulce?
I tutor, I am part of iCREATE, and I am responsible for the library at the school!
In your opinion, what makes a great leader?
Working through problems and solutions with your team to model professionalism, and having the willingness to listen to other ideas.
There are great social-emotional learning activities/opportunities at iLEAD Agua Dulce. Can you share a story about seeing learners using them in action (or yourself)?
Personally I choose growth mindset to start talking about the 7 Habits, and I hear the vocabulary I use in my class.
What does a day in your school life look like (pick a day, any day…or a composite of a day)?
Our day starts with a growth mindset conversation, which leads into our discussion about math patterns. We work on fluency of pattern recognition and discuss why and how to teach those pattern recognitions to each other.
After exercising our brains, we exercise our bodies and brains with outside break and snack.
Once we are back inside, I facilitate how and why language is important by discussing the fundamentals of phonemic awareness in reading, writing and spelling. Fundamentals are important!
Then we read all kinds of stories ranging from novels, science or geography/community articles and study why they are important to study.
Depending on what day it is, we have a special class for most days of the week. We have animal science, gardening, and physical movement outside the classroom environment.
One day I reserve time to dive into art and how important art is to each person. Art is also a visual way of expressing growth, patience, and perseverance. By the end of the day, the kids are learning new technology by accessing school sign-ons, typing, organization, dexterity, and critical thinking with time management and balancing responsibility.
Please name three fun facts about you. Extra credit for lots of details.
- I am a lefty who loves advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves.
- I like to learn about new things.
- I love to read, and I am writing a book in whatever spare time I find.
Ms. Cullen’s journey, from her love of art to her commitment to helping others, reflects the heart of our community. She’s not just a facilitator; she’s a mentor who empowers learners to grow, a community builder who helps run the school library and iCreate, and an advocate for anyone who needs a helping hand. Her belief in the importance of fundamental skills, from phonics to critical thinking, ensures our learners are well-prepared for the future, while her warm approach makes them feel safe and supported. It’s educators like Ms. Cullen who truly set our school apart and make iLEAD Agua Dulce a place where everyone can thrive.
About iLEAD Agua Dulce:
iLEAD Agua Dulce is a free public school offering TK-12th graders a unique, personalized education in picturesque Agua Dulce, CA. Founded in 2018, the school emphasizes leadership development, play-based and project-based learning, and social-emotional development. Its outdoor classroom, complete with farm animals, promotes empathy and responsibility. Learners benefit from technology, arts, and aerospace opportunities, developing collaborative skills and critical thinking. High schoolers take advantage of UC a-g approved coursework, Career & Technical Education (CTE), and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme, preparing for success in college and career. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadaguadulce.org.