Mr. Silveira

What a roller coaster ride this position has been thus far! Several years ago I was welcomed to Great Valley School for a portion of the day as your Program Coordinator. The other half of the day, I was teaching 2nd grade at August Knodt Elementary. August Knodt is where I began my career as an educator, teaching grades K-3 for about 8 years. The classroom is really where my heart lies and will as I look to keep one foot in teaching.

I have been involved with staff development at the school site, district, and through the California Reading Association. I am always looking to assist in improving our kids education, not only in academics, but also in making learning fun!

As coordinator, I had a lot of the same responsibilities as I do now, just with added duties and discipline. Discipline is where I have to be the judge and the prosecutor! It isn't always easy, but I always try to turn it into a learning opportunity; all our kids should feel safe and want to be here at school! Teaching responsibility is a big undertaking and sometimes kids will fall hard before they learn to walk tall. It's great to see a child turn their behaviors around! And as a team, we make it happen!

As a father of two boys, I want what's best for them as I do for all our kids here at Great Valley School. My son, Lawrence is a 1st grader and Patrick is a typical 3 year old; My wife teaches 1st grade. We live on a farm, someone once told us that it was a "ranchette"I still feel it's a farm. We have several sheep, birds, fish, turtles, and over 30 guinea pigs. I love gardening and riding ATV's.

Sometimes things go as planned and sometimes they just don't. I will work with you and listen. I may not always have an answer to everyone's concerns, but we'll just do our best and respect the rest!

Have a great school year!