Tera Portillos joined us at Alpha 4 years ago. She has demonstrated exceptional commitment to student support services throughout her time on our team. Her high energy and passion are student-centered which have allowed her to develop connections with students of all ages. She has uses innovative approaches to teaching math concepts and is well-versed in handling student questions about the learning. These efforts have resulted in an increased number of middle school students being on pace in math with better grades. She has also worked hard to maintain a thriving Work Keys program for graduates who are over-age and under credit. Each student in the program has a specific pathway outlined for them by Tera and she has set high standards when it comes to students keeping on pace and attending her Capstone class.
Her attitude and dedication to understanding the unique needs of our students has transformed how our team approaches the idea of math, and has set new standards for excellence that other staff members and students regularly follow. When facing difficult situations with frustrated students, Tera maintains her professionalism while finding creative solutions that often exceed my expectations. She has helped implement a student council at Alpha Learning Academy and has taken the initiative to collaborate with other departments in regards to scheduling, school spirit and following the rules and policies of HOPE online. During team meetings and in email communications, she frequently updates on the status of her student in their pacing , their behavior while meeting with her and
Her knowledge in math and in making it understandable for our students, her practice of making students feel at ease as they learn, her ability to motivate young adults who are almost done and who often procrastinate, and to do it all with a smile is amazing. Her efforts have not only improved individual student experiences but have also contributed to our learning site's success.