1. Stacey Weiser & Kendall Christensen

2.  Location: 3900 Stabler St. Lansing, MI (south Lansing)  Mascot: Vikings  Colors: Red, white, and blue  Student Population: 1,675  Principal: Howard Cousins  Magnet School for the Performing Arts— theater program.

3.  Lots of wings within the school (dead ends)  School is older with colorful decoration (red and yellow) on the outside.  Students hang out outside before school starts in the morning, and between class is a time for socializing.

4.  Students are sought out to take MEAP  They are brought on college visits  Mr. Salias is in contact with problem student’s parents to fight behavioral issues  The daily announcements propose to students to abstain from violence, and profanity. ◦ “I dare you to try to make it through the day without using one profanity. I dare you to try to think of another way to communicate” –Mr. Cousin’s (Principal)

5.  Student Population: 1,675  Graduation Rate (2008): 73.98%  50% female; 50% male  51% eligible for free or reduced price lunch (2008)  Student:Teacher Ration- 25:1  Racial Breakdown: ◦ Black 46% ◦ White 33% ◦ Hispanic 14% ◦ Asian/Pacific Islander 6% ◦ American Indian/Alaskan Native <1% Data from www.education.com

6.  Central Michigan Univ. for BA & MA  Teaching for 16 years  Founded two chapters of a Latino Fraternity; one at CMU & one at MSU  Classroom Climate: ◦ Desks arranged in two groups on either side of the room, facing each other. ◦ Lots of décor; flags of Spanish-speaking countries are hung up all around the room. ◦ Relaxed atmosphere: Sr. Salais talks like a student (uses slang, jokes around). ◦ Utilizes Powerpoints, videos, games, books (students do not get their own copy of the book), photocopies, recordings.

7.  He teaches a foreign language because he wants to make a change to language learning. He likes to take interns and MSU seniors each year so that he “keeps up” with the times (the new ideas coming from the students/interns)  He wants to teach teachers to do things differently.  He is passionate about the Spanish language and the Latino and Spanish speaking cultures.

8.  Salais is recognized as the initiator of the first Mariachi band at Lansing Everett HS  He recognizes all Spanish speaking countries with flags of each around his classroom.  He has a close and personal relationship with his classes.  His classroom is a constant comfortable, friendly, inviting environment.  He makes language learning fun and interesting to his students.