Home - Ms. Zarate (she/her/hers)
Hey Hey there students!!!!
It's me Ms. Zarate your 8th grade English and Leadership teacher!
I am so excited to embark on this learning adventure together! I am here to support you in anyway possible. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you.
At this point I'm not sure if we are going to physically meet each other just yet, but I do hope that we can at least virtually connect and do our best to make this year the best for all of us.
A little bit about myself:
I am Filipina American. I am married to a computer video game nerd. I have two children 7 years old and 4 years old. I was born in Chicago but raised in Los Angeles. I am very passionate about social justice and community activism. I have my BA at Cal Poly Pomona in Liberal Studies.
My favorite food is sushi. My favorite movie is Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original) and Guardians of the Galaxy (and anything Marvel really). I enjoy reading and my favorite books so far are Children of Blood and Bone, Akata Witch, Patron Saint of Nothing, the list goes on and on I am always reading.
This is my fourth year teaching at King and I love it!
My past teaching experiences include:
Studio School 7th grade English and Science (2015-2018)
Thomas Alva Edison Middle School 7th/8th grade English and History (2014-2015)
Title 1 Teacher K-8th Catapult Learning Greater Los Angeles Area (2009-2013)
Reading and Math tutor Accelerado Education, Long Beach ( 2010-2012)
118th Street 4th Grade (2007-2009)
Substitute teacher LAUSD and GUSD (2006-2007)
I use Mastery Grading as my grading policy. Mastery Grading is a grading system that grades students on a scale of their mastery of certain Learning Targets.
Learning Targets
Learning Targets are based on the Common Core State Standards (to the right of this page for each grade level). There will be different assignments which will focus on specific Learning Targets throughout the school year.
Grades
Once a student submits an assignment, a rubric/scoring guide will be used to grade it (examples below). Final grades are not based solely on an average of all assignments, but on evidence of progression.
PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT MASTERY GRADING.
