AVID Showcase #2

Advancement Via Individual Determination

By Elizabeth Hurst
Photo Articles
October 25, 2023

AVID in Gunston is no joke.

From energizers to organized color-coded binders, AVID is in place in every single room at Gunston. Today, for the second time in less than a year,  students and staff were excited to share their thoughts about AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) with members of the Fairfax County Schools Leadership, various FCPS teachers and administrators, and a crew of AVID board members and founders from California. 

See video from previous visit here.

We are lucky to be the home base of an FCPS Elementary AVID coordinator, Miah Ford.  She presented the overview and emceed the program of the day with support from Eric Kinne. Our group of visitors started in the gym to hear an introduction along with testimonials of students who used AVID at Gunston but are older now.  Teams of visitors grouped with SCA guides toured various classrooms to see WICOR, AVID callouts, and AVID celebrations in practice.

teacher posing
Miah Ford, local FCPS AVID Coordinator

SCA members became guides for AVID Showcase guests.

SCA students wore college jerseys.

SCA students wore college jerseys.

They carried a sign for their group of guests

They carried a sign for their group of guests

Guests were led to different classes to observe

Guests were led to different classes to observe

Hands up called their groups back to head to a new destination

Hands up called their groups back to head to a new destination

Our AVID room was on the tour. Sophia explains to her group about how we use the AVID room.

Our AVID room was on the tour. Sophia explains to her group about how we use the AVID room.

There were rave reviews about our friendly tour guides.

There were rave reviews about our friendly tour guides.

Hall posts and SCA timers stood guard in their college jerseys too.

Hall posts and SCA timers stood guard in their college jerseys too.

Guides were super helpful

Guides were super helpful

Each group had their own SCA tour guide with a sign

Each group had their own SCA tour guide with a sign

The guides even helped each other be successful.

The guides even helped each other be successful.

Tours groups stopped in a number of classrooms to observe the successful implementation of AVID strategies.  Even classes not on the tour could be seen using AVID elements in their lessons.  

Additional information about AVID is on AVID’s national website.

Following the classroom visits and opportunity to meet with individual students, guests were treated to a information Q & A with a panel of staff and students. The panel shared their thoughts with statements like these.

  • “It levels the playing field.”
  • “AVID cheers really build enthusiasm in the lower grades.”
  • “AVID helped me to get organized.”
  • “I was surprised to discover that AVID helps me teach better.”AVID water bottole

    Read more about AVID at Gunston

Staff and Student AVID Panel

Student interviewed by FCPS leadership member

Student interviewed by FCPS leadership member

Panel of staff and students answer questions

Panel of staff and students answer questions

Staff and student shared their thoughts on AVID

Staff and student shared their thoughts on AVID

The room of school leaders and AVID coordinators learned from Gunston staff and students

The room of school leaders and AVID coordinators learned from Gunston staff and students

Everyone agreed that AVID elements have helped them be better learners and teachers.

Everyone agreed that AVID elements have helped them be better learners and teachers.

Visitors from around the US viewing Gunston AVID program in action.
Mrs Azizian's Class

Mrs Azizian's Class

Mrs Azizian's Class

Mrs Azizian's Class

Mrs Flores' Class

Mrs Flores' Class

Mrs Flores' class doing a callback

Mrs Flores' class doing a callback

Ms Graham's Class

Ms Graham's Class

Miss Allen's class doing an AVID celebration (not even part of observation tour!)

Miss Allen's class doing an AVID celebration (not even part of observation tour!)

Mr Rutkowski espouses the benefits of organized binders.

Mr Rutkowski espouses the benefits of organized binders.

Miss Siraco's class gets going technology to share ideas and learning

Miss Siraco's class gets going technology to share ideas and learning

Using blocks to explain thinking in Miss Siraco's class

Using blocks to explain thinking in Miss Siraco's class

Mrs Rucinski checks on a group in Miss Siraco's class

Mrs Rucinski checks on a group in Miss Siraco's class

Mrs Thompson talks about word endings followed by an AVID Golf Swing Celebration

Mrs Thompson talks about word endings followed by an AVID Golf Swing Celebration

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Library: Student volunteers share their experiences with AVID in class

Mrs Basil reminds students about good questions

Mrs Basil reminds students about good questions

Mrs Rucinski provides SCA Team a pep talk

Mrs Rucinski provides SCA Team a pep talk

Guest observer asks students about their AVID use.

Guest observer asks students about their AVID use.

Small groups as well as whole classes use AVID skills

Small groups as well as whole classes use AVID skills