Page 8 - Priorities #14 2000-September

Alumni Profile
Class time included pre-algebra and algebra as well as math/science and math/technology (classes that show how math relates to life). The students also designed and built their own web page and each Friday listened to inspirational speakers (leaders from the Redwood City community).
“This adds balance to the program,” explains Dora. “We want our students to hear about the struggles and successes of others from their community who have faced similar challenges.”
The success rate - 100%! All 31 students achieved above the necessary score on their final assessment and are now enrolled in Algebra I at their local schools.
During the course of the year Dora runs Saturday follow-up sessions for her summer students to ensure continued success. “Working with the entire family helps to ensure that the children can continue to succeed,” she said, ” She’s currently developing workshops to teach parents from diverse backgrounds how to best use the resources available in the school system and to prepare their children for college admissions.
Dora’s dreams for the future of the program include working with Priory’s Cayewah and Reed Easley to develop ways to show the students how math and art can intersect. She also hopes to expand the Bridge program in the coming year to prepare her current group for Geometry, as well as a new group of 7th graders for Algebra I.
Funding for the programs comes through the Bridge Program, the Peninsula Foundation, and other organizations. The Priory provides use of all of its facilities as a donation to the program.
Dora Arredondo, Class of 1995 Santa Clara University (B.A.) Lives in Redwood City
Siblings: Ramiro, Class of ‘97, and Henry, Class of ‘02
Favorite Activities: Walking, running, coaching WPS’s seventh and eighth grade volleyball teams, and watching her brothers play sports.
Professional Field: Education
She’s a Priory alum, Assistant to the Deans, teacher in the Social Studies Department. People who know this young woman on campus mightbeawarethatalloftheaboveapplies to Priory’s Dora Arredondo, but might know nothing at all about her most interesting title - Director of WPS’s Summer Bridge Program for less advantaged, academically talented youth..
Dora was one of the first women to graduate from the Priory. She went on to Santa Clara University to major in Political Science with an emphasis in law and a minor in Anthropology. Dora’s parents came to the United States in 1975 from Mexico, and her goal has always been to find a way to give back to the community she was raised in - Redwood City. Her plan was to do this by becoming a lawyer.
“It’s been an opportunity for me to pursue teaching and to learn more about administration, as well as to work in the community.”
Life intervened, though, when classes in child development, an influential professor-mentor, and internships at the Public Defender’s Office and as a teacher at Juvenile Hall changed Dora’s mind. She discovered that her true vocation, and the best way to share her gifts, was as a teacher.
As Director of Priory’s Summer Bridge Program, Dora’s job is to identify under-served, but motivated, 7th grade students in the Redwood City School District and prepare them for 8th grade Algebra I. The goal - get these students on a math track that will prepare them for college and, more importantly, give them a taste of what they can accomplish.
Math success is highly correlated with college admissions, and Priory’s Bridge program is the only local middle school/high school summer program that targets math, Dora said.
This past summer, 31 students were accepted into the program. Dora, three other teachers (including Priory’s Doug Sargent), and four Priory student interns (Henry Arredondo, Ayary Diaz, Zayra Diaz, and Laura Hurlbut) worked six hours a day for five weeks with the students.
Her plan was to become a lawyer...but she discovered the best way to share her gifts was as a teacher.
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