Mr. Alcos Teacher Feature (2012)
When you talk with Elvene Alcos, it doesn't take long to see how passionate he is about teaching. It's hard to believe that he didn't always want to be a teacher. It was his wife (then girlfriend) Arlene who recognized his ability to connect with and motivate children and encouraged him to become a classroom teacher when he was attending Southwestern College.
"Because of her encouragement, I volunteered in my nephew's classroom and almost immediately discovered my calling," said Alcos who later went on to attend San Diego State University and earn his multiple subject teaching credential.
Since that time, Mr. Alcos has taught 8 years, all at Hilltop. He's had one fifth grade class, four combination classes of fourth and fifth graders, and two sixth grade classes where he currently teaches. He believes that teachers are instrumental in the development of today's children.
"I enjoy taking an unmotivated child and turning them into a motivated child with a love for learning. Equally importantant is motivating all children to reach their potential. This is hard because the students come into my class at different levels. I have to balance my time appropriately so that each child gets the attention they need," said Alcos.
Although teaching academics is important, he also believes his role is even bigger. "I'm also concerned about the social aspects of being a good person/citizen and respectful to others. When they leave my class, they are heading for junior high school and I want them to have the life skills both social and academic to be successful," said Alcos.
One of his classroom rules is "have fun while learning." There's lots of laughter and humor that goes on in his class and he believes that learning should be an adventure, not a chore. He likes to focus on quality of instruction, not quantity and his goal is to provide each student with a deep understanding of grade level material. Another classroom rule is "be honest about your learning".
"I want my students to believe in themselves, take the proper steps to get help if they neeed it, and recognize and admit their areas of need. I hold them accountable and eventually they start holding themselves accountable. My favorite moment teaching is when a student's light bulb turns on and they understand something that was previously confusing," said Alcos.
Two words that are not acceptable in Mr. Alcos' classroom are "I can't".
"If students say these words, it's my job to get them to believe in themselves. I really think it's all about self-motivation and confidence when it comes to success in school and in life," said Alcos.
He also believes that reading is important to life-long learning. He models to his students that reading is an adventure and a way to gain knowledge.
"I tell my students that reading is thinking, not just looking at words. It has to be something that they want to do. If they are not self-motivated readers, it's not going to work."
Mr. Alcos also feels that parents play a key factor in a child's progress. During back to school nights, he always shows a poster that says: Student+Parent+Teacher=Success.
"Parents can really help by reinforcing what is happening in the classroom, holding their child accountable and showing them the value of education," said Alcos.
Outside of his classroom, you can often find Mr. Alcos leading and playing a touch football game or a basketball game with students during upper grade recess. He also advises the school's safety patrol.
Some of his future goals are to continually improve as a teacher and earn a master's degree in technology.
During his spare time, he enjoys spending quality family time with his wife Arlene and his children Anthony and Alyssa.
When you talk with Elvene Alcos, it doesn't take long to see how passionate he is about teaching. It's hard to believe that he didn't always want to be a teacher. It was his wife (then girlfriend) Arlene who recognized his ability to connect with and motivate children and encouraged him to become a classroom teacher when he was attending Southwestern College.
"Because of her encouragement, I volunteered in my nephew's classroom and almost immediately discovered my calling," said Alcos who later went on to attend San Diego State University and earn his multiple subject teaching credential.
Since that time, Mr. Alcos has taught 8 years, all at Hilltop. He's had one fifth grade class, four combination classes of fourth and fifth graders, and two sixth grade classes where he currently teaches. He believes that teachers are instrumental in the development of today's children.
"I enjoy taking an unmotivated child and turning them into a motivated child with a love for learning. Equally importantant is motivating all children to reach their potential. This is hard because the students come into my class at different levels. I have to balance my time appropriately so that each child gets the attention they need," said Alcos.
Although teaching academics is important, he also believes his role is even bigger. "I'm also concerned about the social aspects of being a good person/citizen and respectful to others. When they leave my class, they are heading for junior high school and I want them to have the life skills both social and academic to be successful," said Alcos.
One of his classroom rules is "have fun while learning." There's lots of laughter and humor that goes on in his class and he believes that learning should be an adventure, not a chore. He likes to focus on quality of instruction, not quantity and his goal is to provide each student with a deep understanding of grade level material. Another classroom rule is "be honest about your learning".
"I want my students to believe in themselves, take the proper steps to get help if they neeed it, and recognize and admit their areas of need. I hold them accountable and eventually they start holding themselves accountable. My favorite moment teaching is when a student's light bulb turns on and they understand something that was previously confusing," said Alcos.
Two words that are not acceptable in Mr. Alcos' classroom are "I can't".
"If students say these words, it's my job to get them to believe in themselves. I really think it's all about self-motivation and confidence when it comes to success in school and in life," said Alcos.
He also believes that reading is important to life-long learning. He models to his students that reading is an adventure and a way to gain knowledge.
"I tell my students that reading is thinking, not just looking at words. It has to be something that they want to do. If they are not self-motivated readers, it's not going to work."
Mr. Alcos also feels that parents play a key factor in a child's progress. During back to school nights, he always shows a poster that says: Student+Parent+Teacher=Success.
"Parents can really help by reinforcing what is happening in the classroom, holding their child accountable and showing them the value of education," said Alcos.
Outside of his classroom, you can often find Mr. Alcos leading and playing a touch football game or a basketball game with students during upper grade recess. He also advises the school's safety patrol.
Some of his future goals are to continually improve as a teacher and earn a master's degree in technology.
During his spare time, he enjoys spending quality family time with his wife Arlene and his children Anthony and Alyssa.