Our Employee of the Month is Monica Silva from California!
Monica Silva is a dedicated member of the Apollo After School team at Ventura Charter. She began her journey with Apollo in 2021 as an educator, where her commitment to high-quality programming and natural leadership quickly stood out. These strengths earned her a promotion to Assistant Site Director, a role in which she provided strong support to both students and staff.
This year, we were thrilled to promote Monica to Site Director. She has poured her whole heart into this role and has truly transformed the Apollo program at Ventura Charter into a top-notch program—one that students love, and families are excited to be a part of.
Monica, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher.
To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift from us.
Check out our interview with Monica below:
- Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
My name is Monica Silva. I am from Ventura California.
- How long have you been teaching with Apollo?
I believe I have been a part of Apollo for almost 4 years.
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
Every child is different, one set of rules will not work with every child. We adapt to the needs of the child, alternate the rules in a way that they can follow and be motivated to follow and understand.
- How do you motivate your students to succeed?
I love planning field days in random days, especially if they have been doing their very best in clubs/activities or in school in general. Everyone needs a break.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To fly! I love soaring in my wheelchair so I think flying fits.
- What is your most memorable memory from your time as an Apollo instructor?
I have so many good memories with the children that it’s hard to pick just one.
- If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
I’d still be working, just like some of our friends, I cannot sit still.
- What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
First things, see if they are hungry. I cannot express how many times someone’s behavior is due to hungry. Hangry is so real. If they continue to be handful, we have a quiet corner in our classroom. Some kids need space and I like to provide that space for them. We also talk about anything before speaking about the situation, I’ve noticed it relaxes them and be more open to talking.
- What is an unusual place you have been to?
Skull cavern, I don’t remember exactly where it was as this was a road trip. But it was pretty unusual and spooky and cool.
- Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I can sing, I love to sing, but I don’t normally sing in front of people.
- What’s your #1 teaching tip?
Remember that they are tiny humans and to be able to teach them, you need to allow them to teach you. Because I sure do learn a lot from them.
- What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
Oooooh everyone I work with knows this. It’s “one, two, three, eyes on me” and if I need them all together, I’ll add a “huddle up”
- What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Apollo After School?
I’m a bit of a homebody in that sense but I used to go to the public library and work on whatever 1k piece puzzle they had that week.
- How do you spend your summer breaks?
I take advantage of my free time and play videogames.
- Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
Sorry, I’m a Harry Potter girlie. I do enjoy sci-fi but I prefer fantasy.
- What do you like most about working with Apollo?
How well we all get along, staff and students.
