Wa-Hi teacher named national AVID trainer and developer

Walla Walla High School math teacher Mike Gobel has expanded his role with the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program. Gobel taught the senior AVID class at Walla Walla High School last year and is now working for the program on a national level.

Gobel serves as a Western Division (WA, OR, ID, CO, NM, NV, NE, MT, HI, AK, AZ) AVID Consultant. He teaches AVID elective teacher workshops in the fall and spring. These workshops bring the newest, latest, most up to date AVID curriculum to AVID elective teachers, according to Gobel. Last spring, he conducted two regional trainings in Eastern Washington (Pasco and Spokane). He is also scheduled this fall to lead two trainings in Eastern Washington. 

“I am a believer in the impact and life changes that AVID gives its students,” Gobel said. “This new role is a chance to impact more students and I believe new challenges keep people young.”

Last spring, Gobel applied for and was selected to be a Summer Institute Staff Developer.  Gobel attended a train-the-trainer three day workshop in San Diego. He was trained in AVID high school implementation.

“This is a class for teachers who were scheduled and are currently teaching AVID at the high school level for the first time this school year,” Gobel said. “This summer I was in San Diego and Sacramento preparing for, teaching, and finalizing the curriculum.”

Gobel plans to continue working as a trainer and developer for AVID.

AVID

AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID supports students by providing them with skills necessary to be successful in college.  AVID students are expected to access rigorous curriculum. The AVID elective class is an avenue for students to acquire skills in communication, critical thinking, note-taking, peer-tutoring, organization, time-management and more.  Students become a family by staying together for four years with the same group of peers and teachers. This is where the deep relationships are nurtured.