When Colleen Russell was approached to lead a class of nine children in United Way’s Kindergarten Success Institute (KSI) at El Camino Elementary School, she leaped at the opportunity. Colleen grew up in Los Angeles and came from a family of educators. In recalling her childhood she reflected, “my mother and grandmother taught nursery school” it was a “natural” choice her to go into teaching. After graduating college, Colleen took a teaching position at South Central LA’s Lennox Elementary. She hadn’t intended to be a forerunner in education, but being thrown into an impoverished school district that was striving to innovate through community partnerships, pilot programs, and greater teacher autonomy shaped her into a spirited educator who sought to put her students first despite any difficulties.
Colleen decided to refine her skills as a teacher by getting a Masters in Creative Dramatics from Loyola Marymount. Although many of her peers were enrolling in Masters Degrees in Education programs, she wanted to focus on how to creatively inspire students to learn. Colleen’s career has been focused on active and engaged teaching that approaches students as whole-persons.
After moving to Santa Barbara in 1995, Colleen taught at Franklin and Peabody Elementary schools as well as within the, now defunct, Homeschool program run through the Santa Barbara School District. Colleen also taught science at El Camino Elementary. Before she “retired” she taught 5th grade at Roosevelt Elementary. After taking a few years off, El Camino Elementary principal, Liz Barnitz, called her up with a proposition, teaching a small group of Kindergarten students, who were struggling and a little behind in the regular classroom, in a semester long after-school program. After meeting with Liz and talking to the two El Camino Kindergarten teachers, Nina and Kimberly, Colleen was convinced. KSI, offered an opportunity for Colleen to focus on a small group of students who are, “on the verge of being on grade level.” The relationship with students who she sees a “so excited” to receive personalized attention has increased student performance and confidence.
The priority on early intervention is something that drew Colleen to KSI and United Way. Reflecting on the importance of the program she believes, “When we don’t catch kids right now [lower-grades] the gap gets greater and greater.” Collen has also enjoyed the presence of United Way volunteers from United Postal Service who take time out of the day to work with the children on pronunciation, letter identification, and writing. “I am so impressed and excited to have volunteers, the kids, the teachers, and families are so thankful, it is a great feeling.”
Colleen has participated in United Way Campaigns in the past, but since working with KSI and with volunteers, she has a new appreciation. "United way is offering a way to volunteer that makes a difference and is easy to do."