Jonathon Fernow oral history transcript

Title

Jonathon Fernow oral history transcript

Description

A transcript of an oral history of Jonathon Fernow, Teacher on Special Assignment, Title III (ESL), on Hispanics in the Hillsboro schools. Mr. Fernow is currently the ESL TOSH or Teacher on Special Assignment for the Hillsboro School District for Title 3 ESL. Mr. Fernow has also been teaching in the Migrant Summer Camp Program since 1995. He was born in Argentina and schooled in Spanish thru 7th grade. After attending Gresham High School, Fernow went on to attend Warner Pacific College, where he earned an Elementary Education degree. He has taught ESL at all levels, including at Glencoe High School, J.B. Thomas Middle School, and David Hill Elementary Schools. Also during his career, he was principal at a school in the Cayman Islands. Has been a classroom teacher, Resource teacher, and Head teacher (principal) in the Summer Camp program. At the elementary level teaches basic vocabulary and Spanish Literacy. To transition from ESL classes to English, must receive a 4 on a “Woodcock Muños”. Hillsboro has the highest percentage of students exiting ESL in Oregon. Mr. Fernow wrote a report in 1995 on the drop-out rate of Hispanic students in the Hillsboro School District. It was his thesis project for his Master’s Degree at Linfield College. Some of the causes for dropping out were economic reasons, or starting a family at an early age. Some came to high school with only 3rd or 4th grade education and found school to be extremely hard. There are several programs to help dropouts finish their education, for example: Miller Education, PASS program, Migrant Summer Camp program. Hillsboro District is incorporating SIOP program (Sheltered Instruction Objective Protocol), where every lesson has a direct goal and language objective. According to Mr. Fernow one of the best teaching models is the ESL program as it teaches students in dual-language. The “No Child Left Behind” act made ESL students more visible and schools looking for ways to better meet their needs.The State of Oregon expects 11-13% of ESL students to exit the program after five years.

Creator

Fernow, Jonathon

Date

2004

Is Part Of

Century High School Project

Identifier

WCM_OH_28

Rights

In Copyright

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Spatial Coverage

Washington County (Or.)

Hillsboro (Or.)

Subject

Hispanic Americans -- History

Education

Language

English

Extent

1 vol.

Contributor

Kilger, Andy

Allen, Sam

Type

Text

Source

Washington County Museum