Xochitl Gilkeson
Position: Ninth Grade English Teacher and AVID Coordinator
School: El Camino Real Charter High School
School District: El Camino Real Alliance
City, State: Woodland Hills, CA
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Xochitl Gilkeson was nominated by a colleague, Eric Wilson.
Ms. Gilkeson and Mr. Wilson began working together at El Camino Real Charter High School at the same time. In that time, Mr. Wilson has seen Ms. Gilkeson grow as an instructor, leader, and advocate for both her students and innovative pedagogy.
For three years, Ms. Gilkeson has taught a range of English courses, including college preparatory, honors, and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination); an academy that aims to prepare first generation college bound students for success in higher education. In her second year in the AVID program, she is taking on a leadership role, bringing meaningful experiences to her students as she helps prepare them and faculty for academic success.
"We have worked together on numerous initiatives across our school’s campus. Ms. Gilkeson and I first collaborated on the inaugural Earth Day Art and Poetry Festival. After that, she and I became founding members of the teacher-driven Professional Development Committee," Wilson said.
In this group, Ms. Gilkeson was able to empower fellow teachers to change the school’s paradigm and improve its professional development programs. Prior to her work on this committee, the school brought in outside speakers who presented in lecture format, only to leave after their speaking time ended. Instead, a dedicated group of teachers, including Ms. Gilkeson, spearheaded the effort to transition to teacher led professional development that molded best teaching practices, taking a learner centered approach,
After some work on environmental issues, Ms. Gilkeson took this commitment to the next level and created an environmental literacy strand in her courses, which led to presentation and speaking opportunities at conferences across the Los Angeles area. Ms. Gilkeson sat on a panel of teachers at the 10th Annual Green Schools Conference, sharing her experiences with bringing environmental literacy to her students.
Due to her desire to see environmental literacy programs grow, she formed a group of like-minded individuals across the campus to discuss these issues and find common ground. Her advocacy and initiative are unparalleled among the school’s faculty, culminating in her participation in the US-Japan Fulbright Educating for Sustainable Development summer exchange of teachers.
"Her ability to work within her discipline and across traditional academic categories speaks to her depth of leadership," Wilson said.
Additionally, Ms. Gilkeson stepped up by volunteering to serve as a Focus Group leader in her school's accreditation process. Most recently, she has served as a founding member of her school's data committee. Her versatile skills and interests serve her students incredibly well. In the classroom, Ms. Gilkeson creates an experience that focuses on the learner and allows students to find unique authentic opportunities to learn.
"She is a true leader and a consensus builder, the rare talent in both the classroom and clear thinker in meetings," Wilson said.
Admittedly, English was never my favorite subject, but Ms Gilkeson helped change my attitude and gave me a positive outlook for my high school experience. Her class was very engaging and I definitely felt more prepared to continue my English endeavors by the time I finished it. She also lent her time to support me in my college application process despite the fact I was no longer her student. Ms Gilkerson made a lasting impact on me and she is certainly deserving of this award.
When I learned that Xochitl Gilkeson was nominated for the LifeChanger of the Year award, I couldn't help but smile because that is exactly what she is for our students and faculty. I've had the pleasure to get to know Xochitl more closely since she became the AVID coordinator a year ago. As a counselor, I get to hear first-hand from students the impact that a teacher makes in their lives. Xochitl doesn’t only care about our students’ academic success, but she also deeply cares about their social, emotional, and behavioral well-being. She is warm, caring, empathetic, innovative, inspiring, and always….ALWAYS encouraging. I find that not only is she this way with our students, but she exudes all these wonderful qualities to all of us who have the privilege of working with her. She never hesitates to help when asked, to listen when someone needs it, and to provide positive, emotional support when it’s warranted. I can’t recommend Xochitl enough! It is for these reasons and so much more that I believe Xochitl Gilkeson is deserving of the LifeChanger of the Year award!
As the Teacher Librarian at El Camino Real Charter High School I am happy to support Xochitl Gilkeson for the LifeChanger of the Year award. Have been fortunate enough to witness Xochitl teach and interact with her students on frequent occasions. Besides bringing an attitude of positivity that simply radiates from her, she is able to instill the love of reading both classic and contemporary literature. In her teaching she models the behavior that we want want our young people to exhibit. Xochitl's calmness and smarts are evident that she truly does have the skills to change the life of her students and colleagues as well. She is the perfect choice for this award.
Xochitl really is a life changer and I am thrilled that Eric Wilson nominated her for this award!
I am so proud to call Xochitl my colleague and my friend and I see how dedicated she is to her craft. She is incredibly passionate about doing all she can to help students. She gives them her time, her enthusiasm, her vast knowledge, her incredible warmth, and her varied pedagogic strategies. In short, Xochitl gives all she can. It is a joy to observe how she molds her students into confident, successful young adults who read for pleasure, think critically about the world around them, and genuinely want to leave the world a better place than they found it. Xochitl's passion is infectious and all who know her are better teachers because of her influence. She shares best practices, holds faculty book club discussions, and helps create meaningful professional development for our faculty.
As a teacher, colleague, and friend, Xochitl has already successfully changed the lives of those around her; it seems only fitting that she earn the LifeChanger of the Year Award.
Me Xoch has a kind and beautiful soul and it shines throughout her life and in all she does.
As the Teacher Librarian at El Camino Real Charter High School I am happy to support Xochitl Gilkeson for the LifeChanger of the Year award. Have been fortunate enough to witness Xochitl teach and interact with her students on frequent occasions. Besides bringing an attitude of positivity that simply radiates from her, she is able to instill the love of reading both classic and contemporary literature. In her teaching she models the behavior that we want want our young people to exhibit. Xochitl's calmness and smarts are evident that she truly does have the skills to change the life of her students and colleagues as well. She is the perfect choice for this award.
Each year, when I inherit Ms. Gilkeson's former 9 Honors students, they speak of her and their time with her in reverent tones. Though I appreciate her for many reasons, her commitment to her students and their welfare is why, for me, Mr. Wilson's nomination is so timely and appropriate.
Her leadership of the AVID program has strengthened the program immeasurably, and the students and their families reap long-term benefits as a result. She is unafraid of conflict but deftly avoids it by building teams and communities.
When I first read Ms. Gilkeson's application for our English position, I could tell she was special, and Mr. Hussey felt the same way. We accomplished a good deal in our time working together with the English department, but I think we are united in feeling that securing Ms. Gilkeson for our students was our most important achievement. She could have chosen any school, but she chose us, and her students and colleagues alike respect her.
She is also just nice, bringing stickers and a smile to brighten a day, reminding people why what they do matters, showing respect for people who do good things and who have been good to her, and keeping her head above the fray. I couldn't be happier to be in the classroom next door to her (even when the peals of "Happy Friday!" begin) and to be her colleague and friend.
I do not know if you could find a more worthy individual than Ms. Gilkeson for a nominee for being a Life Changer. Ms. Gilkeson is a forward thinker/educator and has been part of the school’s vision to change the lives of our students on an hourly basis. She has introduced new teaching strategies and has pushed the school to reevaluate our teaching methodologies for the benefit of our student body. She values collaboration and has worked to introduce and support new teaching methodologies.
Ms. Gilkeson participated in the US-Japan Fullbright Educating for Sustainable Development summer exchange of teachers and brought back a wealth of information for our students. Her involvement in the project will help transform the school’s approach on how we engage writing strategies and collaboratively develop ways of improving students’ writings and teachers’ best practices. She has been an active member in our professional development committee and has helped reinvent our AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program.
The highest compliment that a teacher can get is from a student. Ms. Gilkeson is the Life Changer for many of our students and they will be the first ones to advocate for her and the impact she makes on their daily lives, but more importantly, on their future lives.
I was on El Camino Real Charter High School's hiring committee when Xochitl Gilkeson applied. Out of the numerous applicants, Ms. Gilkeson was the unanimous choice of all six committee members. Since she joined ECR's staff several years ago, she has exceeded everyone's expectations and has been an integral, indispensable staff member. First off, she is a friendly, positive coworker. She always has a smile on her face and something kind or helpful to say. Next, she takes her job seriously. I've never seen her look tired of or frustrated by her pupils or tasks. She always gives 100%. Furthermore, she accepts extra duties and leadership positions in professional development workshops and staff meetings and does so more competently than the rest of us! I love how Ms. Gilkeson often takes the time to thank me for the little things I do. She has that way of making people feel like they matter, and I bet her students feel that way with her. I love how she transcends pettiness and drudgery and brings honor and purpose to the teaching profession. I am glad she is being recognized for her rare wonderfulness!
I am proud to call Ms. Xochitl Gilkeson my mentor, and I feel that this nomination is well deserved.
When I came to El Camino Real Charter High School as a brand new English and journalism teacher in Fall 2016, I had the opportunity to observe Ms. Gilkeson teaching one of her 9th grade English classes. I was immediately impressed by Ms. Gilkeson's dedication to best practices and evidence-based pedagogy, coupled with her empathic ability to connect with her scholars on a relevant, academic level.
Ms. Gilkeson further demonstrated this dedication when she hosted a Dickens-Hosseini Conference for our department in October of 2016, where she invited our colleagues to join her in presenting teaching strategies and lesson ideas we could implement in our classroom. I vividly recall her presentation highlighting student work samples and how she used those samples as formative assessments, guiding her teaching in an authentic manner.
From that point on, I sought out Ms. Gilkeson for advice and mentorship. I teach 10th grade English for the AVID program, and when I found out that she would be our new AVID Coordinator, I was ecstatic, because I knew she would help me continue to become the educator I aspire to be. She is a visionary coordinator who inspires me and my colleagues in the AVID program to rethink our teaching units in order to make our content relevant to our students, driven by authentic essential questions and inquiry themes.
Ms. Gilkeson is immensely deserving of the LifeChanger of the Year nomination. I am a better teacher because of her influence. Thank you, Mr. Eric Wilson, for nominating Ms. Gilkeson.
