Hours after his last performance at the California Music Education Association (CMEA) Festival as Music Director at Evergreen Valley High School, I sat down with Steven Barnhill to chat. The topic, of course, was his journey through a 35-year career as a music teacher in East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD). A San Jose […]
I was a band mom. It started when my son joined the band at Chaboya Middle School, and I attended each concert or performance as one of many proud parents in the audience. I encouraged him to expand his horizons by finding opportunities for him to enrich his musical exposure and hone his saxophone skills. […]
“Be true to yourself.” “It doesn’t matter where you go.” “Find the college/university that is the best fit for you.” These phrases are like guide posts in the world of college admissions – at least in my little corner of it. Yet, students are bombarded with messages like “You need at least 10 AP courses […]
I just returned from an 11-day cruise to the Caribbean, to celebrate my birthday. While this was not my first cruise, in some ways it felt like that. I always tell students they should get comfortable talking to people they don’t know because you never know from where the next internship, informational interview or job […]
A few weeks ago, while shopping at the Evergreen Village Square farmers’ market, I noticed one of the vendors was wearing a shirt that had the UC Merced logo on it. I asked him if he attended Merced and his replied “yes”. I then began a conversation with him, asking the usual questions – how […]
“Oh, the places you’ll go!” As I reflect back on 2018, this sentiment was definitely true. People often ask me why I travel so much and if the travel is related to my work. My response is simple – yes, it’s necessary to better support my students! I take great pride in having been accepted […]
My phone is ringing, alerts from incoming emails are buzzing and I am a happy camper. Why? Because parents and students are reaching out to me, ready to get started with the college preparation and application process. It means I get more time to ‘hold up the mirror’ while guiding students in self-discovery to help […]
Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, coach or neighbor, there’s a good chance that you know it’s college application season. How can you tell? Because it consumes the conversation at the dinner table, fills the air while in the car riding to school, becomes the distraction during class or on the field, and causes […]
While in the Hallmark store earlier this week, I couldn’t help but notice the change of seasons within. Signs of Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas were sprinkled throughout the store, and I thought “it must be Fall.” Days are getting shorter. Families are back in the groove of the school year. Football, soccer and other […]
Welcome to July! This month always means transition for me – winding down my work with recently graduated seniors, ramping up application and essay work with rising seniors and checking in with my freshmen and sophomore students. But I always try to find time to re-connect with my former students who have just completed one […]
Get in touch with me today to apply
to your dream college or university.
Email: info@antoinettebattiste.com
Tel: 1-408-270-1930