Roxane Rollins
Roosevelt Middle School
Oceanside, CA

"I am a middle school teacher with an eye toward the future. I picture a school where every student has access to technology, where every student is allowed time with his teacher, and where every student is treated with tolerance. The 46 minutes per day spent with students should be memorable, mind-blowing, and magical. Doing this 100% of the time with 100% of the students is certainly a lofty goal, but one I can live with."

"Roxane Rollins is a shining star among her professional peers. She has the ability to challenge the gifted and to motivate students who are not connected to school. Mrs. Rollins is always looking for that 'hook,' that one way of making a student feel like the assignment is both achievable and a task that Mrs. Rollins will help them complete successfully. Mrs. Rollins' creative sense is boundless when it comes to finding ways to stimulate her students' curiosity and engage them in her passion for learning."

Roxane's innovative classroom environment is centered on music, modeling, and mentoring. "It is music that bridges our ages, our experiences, and our development. There is music to come in with, music to go out with and, if the situation is right, there is even music to write or think with," says Roxane. For example, when she introduced the book, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1964," she featured music classics from the '60's such as "Yakkety Yak" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." With the right music, an atmosphere unfolds that complements the theme of the lesson. When asking students to perform new or challenging tasks, Roxane always demonstrates what the finished product should look like. This helps the students understand the lesson and gives them a standard of achievement that they can visualize. Since the middle school years are a kaleidoscope of change, "I mentor my students - not just in academics, but in their emotional development as well. I try to provide a space for students to have a voice, share a dream, and face their fears," says Roxane.

Other Highlights:

• Adjunct Faculty, National University instructing teacher candidates in cultural and language acquisition and development, 1999-Present
• Alumni Representative Board of Directors, California State University, San Marcos
• Annual presenter at California League of Middle Schools, 1993-Present
• 8th Grade Young Ambassador Advisor, a peer mediation program
• Coordinator and author of the Middle School Demonstration Grant in Literacy, 1993-Present
• Loves travel and has toured five European countries in addition to extensive travel in Mexico & South America
• Has hosted four exchange students from three countries
• Facilitator, Learning Forum, Super Camp, 1995