What is Advisory?

Advisory provides a space and structure for teachers to support middle school students, both individually and as a group, as they develop their sense of self and identity in connection to their relationships with peers.

For new middle schoolers, consistency is key. While navigating a new building, and adjusting to a different schedule, students find comfort and consistency in Advisory.

The 8th grade humanities team teaches the standards outlined by California Department of Education for language arts and social studies (United States History).

We put a big emphasis on project based learning. This allows for students to insert their voice and creativity into individual and group-based projects while learning and developing the skills needed to show mastery of the standards embedded in each project.

There are also a number of projects (such as our spoken word unit, colonial sales booth project, and pop-up toasts) that culminate in a perfomative presentation. We believe it is important for student to practice public speaking.

I grew up in the Bay Area (where I met my wife, Elizabeth) and moved up to Sacramento in 2003 to attend Sac State, which is where I earned my BA in liberal studies (the teaching major). I then went on to earn my teaching credential and MA in education at UC Davis. This is my 17th year as a teacher and my eighth year teaching middle school at Westlake Charter School.

Not only am I a Westlake staff member, I am also an Explorer parent. Both of my children are now Explorers! Grace is in 6th grade and Quinn is in 3rd grade.

I'm also a big baseball nerd. I'm a life-long Oakland Athletics fan. Both Grace and Quinn play softball and love it!

I've also been called a coffee and donut snob. My love for each sometimes borders on "obsessed."

Google Voice

(916) 376-7322

Gmail

raichele@westlakecharter.com