2022-2023 Ventura County Education Report to the Community

A Message from Dr. César Morales

Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

It’s an understatement to say the last few years have been an eventful period for public education. The COVID 19 pandemic shined a bright light on the critical functions we expect schools to fulfill that go well beyond educating students. It highlighted what was working well in our schools as well as opportunities to do better.

With the worst of the pandemic behind us, there is a renewed commitment to ensuring that schools are equipped to meet the needs of the diverse students we serve. Ventura County schools are addressing student well being by opening wellness centers and increasing access to behavioral health supports. They are also providing new opportunities for tutoring and after school learning to help students who fell behind when classrooms were closed.

In addition, this is the first school year that school meals are available for free to all students so they can better focus on learning. And major strides are being made to make universal preschool a reality for our youngest students.

As public education is increasingly drawn into the political divisions facing our country, it’s critical to remember that our schools are here to serve ALL students from all types of backgrounds. Whether they’re being raised by college educated professionals or a single parent who doesn’t speak English, every student deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.

In this report, we are excited to share some of the many ways Ventura County schools are responding to the challenges of our unpredictable world to ensure that the benefits of a quality education are available to every student in our community.

A New Baseline to Measure Student Success SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY

What’s in the DASHBOARD?

The 2022 California School Dashboard will measure performance in these areas:

The COVID 19 pandemic forced an unexpected reset in the system the State of California uses to assess students, schools, and school districts. Introduced in 2017, the California School Dashboard measures performance in key areas including test scores, attendance, and graduation rate. The pandemic complicated the processes used to measure attendance and the ability of schools to administer statewide academic tests.

Number of Ventura County Students Who Took the State CAASPP Test

8 and grade 11.

•

Academics

• Chronic Absenteeism

• English Learner Progress

• High School Graduation

•

Suspension Rate

Rate

TEST NOT GIVEN

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress or CAASPP (also known as Smarter Balanced) test was not used at all during the 2019 2020 school year and only about half of eligible Ventura County students took the test the following year.

Last year, participation was much higher, but the test had been revised to make it shorter and easier to administer. As a result, the most recent test results can’t be meaningfully compared to prior years and are being used as a new baseline. Most local schools have already shared individual student score reports that give parents and guardians a picture of how their students are doing in school. The reports indicate whether a student is meeting state standards in math and

This year’s Dashboard will provide important insights into the impacts of the pandemic on students. Educators will use this information, along with frequent local assessments, to tailor programs and allocate resources in the areas where they’re needed the most. We invite you to watch a video explaining the 2022 California School Dashboard at www.bit.ly/acsa video.

California School Dashboard

Find out how your school or district is performing in a variety of measures. The newest data should be available by the end of 2022. www.caschooldashboard.org

CAASPP Test Scores

See test scores in math, English language arts, and more for your school and district. Compare to others throughout the state. caaspp-elpac.cde.ca.gov

Maximizing Safety is a Countywide Priority SCHOOL SAFETY

No one should have to worry about their children being safe when they go to school. That’s why Ventura County educators have come together in an unprecedented effort to maximize security and minimize the risk of violence on our campuses.

In September, every school district and charter school that has in person classes gathered for a seminar led by Strategos International, a leading consultant on school security. It was the first in a series of six training sessions that will help schools secure their facilities, assess threats, and more closely coordinate with local law enforcement agencies. The US Secret Service will also be lending its expertise.

The seminars will build on work that’s been underway for years at local schools. “We are not waiting for a tragedy to happen before we take security seriously,” says Dr. Victor Hayek, a former law enforcement officer who is now the Deputy Superintendent for Business Services at the Conejo Valley Unified School District. “The countywide training demonstrates our collective belief that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority.”

The workshops are being presented jointly by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) and the Ventura County Schools Self Funding Authority, a local agency that provides insurance and risk management services to school districts.

In addition to strengthening security, schools are more attentive than ever to the emotional well being of their students. Many high schools and middle schools are opening wellness centers that provide counseling and referrals for students dealing with trauma and stress (read more about wellness centers on page 6).

There is also a new partnership between VCOE and Gold Coast Health Plan that will make behavioral health services more accessible to students in areas where the need is the greatest.

This multipronged approach to safety will help ensure that students are ready to learn and that families can rest assured their kids are safe at school.

If You See Something, Say Something

It’s critical that students know to speak up when they hear of a potential threat on social media or elsewhere. To make it as easy as possible, all Ventura County school districts participate in a program called WeTip that allows anyone to anonymously report a threat. All reports are directed to the appropriate school officials who can notify local law enforcement as needed. Tips that help lead to a conviction may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Some local school districts have their own WeTip hotline numbers, but anyone, anywhere can submit a tip by calling 800 782 7463 or online at www.WeTip.com.

All Ventura County school districts and charter schools are joining with local law enforcement agencies for a series of action oriented seminars on school safety.

Helping Students Cope in a Stressful World Wellness Centers Provide Refuge and Emotional Support

For Israel Lozano, volunteering at the wellness center at Channel Islands High School was the highlight of his senior year. He says the center reflects the reality that students need more than academics to thrive at school and in life. “Knowing how to read and write is one thing, but what happens when you need to settle a conflict? What happens when you need to respond to stress in a healthy manner? What happens when there something traumatic in your life?”

Students are getting help with those questions at wellness centers that are opening their doors at high schools from Ventura to Santa Paula to Thousand Oaks. The centers are designed to be safe and relaxing spaces where students can drop in to de stress and recharge or make appointments for counseling. They’re staffed by school employees and student wellness peers” like Israel. Some even have therapy dogs.

In the last school year, more than 28,000 students visited the wellness centers at Buena, Channel Islands, Fillmore, Hueneme, Moorpark, Oxnard, Pacifica, and Santa Paula High schools alone. Israel says it’s no surprise that today’s teens are stressed out. “The pandemic is the easiest thing to point to, but I also think it’s how fast technology has evolved and the rise of social media. It's so meteoric.” From cyberbullying to online misinformation to the nonstop flood of negative news, it all adds up.

Israel Lozano volunteered as a “wellness peer” when he was a student at Channel Islands High School.

The wellness center at Fillmore High School

Through both on campus programming and community based partnerships, wellness centers provide coordinated services to increase emotional well being, which allows students to better focus on succeeding in school. The Ventura County Office of Education is partnering with Ventura County Behavioral Health and local school districts to provide funding and staff for the wellness centers.

Ventura County is one of the leading counties in the state when it comes to getting wellness centers up and running. Expect to see more of them opening soon at high schools and even some middle schools throughout the county.

What is a WELLNESS

CENTER?

Wellness centers provide a variety of services to support students’ social and emotional well being, including:

• Counseling • Stress management • Crisis intervention • Conflict resolution • Referrals to community resources • Drop out prevention • Suicide prevention

Ventura County Students Who Experienced Chronic Sadness or Hopelessness

Ribbon cutting for the new wellness center at Fillmore Middle School, which opened in September.

Empowering Students to Make Healthy Choices

Twenty percent of Ventura County 11th graders have tried marijuana, 25% have tried vaping, and 30% have used alcohol according to the 2021 California Healthy Kids Survey. While these numbers are declining from prior years, there’s growing concern about the use of powerful and dangerous opioids such as fentanyl among students. The Ventura County Office of Education provides a series of programs, such as Friday Night Live and Teens Kick Ash, that give students the knowledge and tools they need to avoid substance abuse. Learn more about them at www.vcoe.org/health.

Prekindergarten for All is Becoming a Reality

Roll Out of Transitional Kindergarten Began this Year

The long sought dream of giving every four year old access to high quality learning the year before kindergarten is now becoming a reality in California. Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is a statewide initiative based on decades of research that shows the tremendous value of investing in early learning.

UPK will rely on a combination of services to bring the benefits of early learning to our youngest students:

• Transitional Kindergarten (TK) an optional new grade level for four year olds

• Expanded Learning - before and after school programs

• Community Early Childhood Programs center-based and family child care providers

This mixed delivery approach will allow families to choose a program that best meets their child’s needs. Many school districts plan to offer full day or part day options not only for TK students but for other three and four year olds as well.

Transitional kindergarten is being rolled out in stages beginning this year. Thanks to an unprecedented investment from the state, it will be available to all California four year olds by the 2025 26 school year.

TK can only be provided by schools. Every classroom will have a credentialed teacher qualified to work with young learners. There will be a minimum of one adult for every twelve students.

During the current school year, Ventura County

EARLY EDUCATION

schools are providing TK to over 3,250 students across 108 school sites. While some districts offer TK in a standalone classroom, about half combine TK with preschool or regular kindergarten.

Nearly 80% of Ventura County school districts are accelerating their eligibility timelines beyond what’s required by the state. Check with your local school district to find out if your child can take advantage of this new

TK and UPK in Ventura County

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/tk

Map of Child Care Providers

California Department of Social Services mychildcare.ca.gov

Child Care Referrals

Child Development Resources bit.ly/cdrv rr

Child Care Financial Assistance

Child Development Resources bit.ly/cc assistance

CAREER EDUCATION

Paving Pathways to Rewarding Careers

Whether they’re going to college or straight into the workforce, Ventura County students can benefit from an impressive selection of local career oriented course offerings.

The Career Education Center (CEC) operated by the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo offers courses in dental assisting, auto repair, welding, aviation, and more. Several CEC programs lead to certifications that qualify students to go right to work. The CEC also runs programs for adults who need basic training or new skills for their current jobs.

In the past three years, the CEC dental assisting program has placed 100% of their students in internships and every graduate has been offered employment. As a dental intern, Emily Salazar prepped equipment and assisted with procedures. She says it gave her a big boost in confidence and a head start toward her goal of becoming an orthodontist. “It’s a great opportunity,” she says. “I’ve learned so much and as I continue my dental training, this will be extremely helpful.”

In addition to the CEC’s many courses, students

and resiliency. Students from DATA Middle School and Foothill Technology High School in Ventura are putting these skills to work.

In this program, students run a business in which they design, manufacture, market, and sell their products. They have access to 3D printers, laser engravers, and other high tech gear at their schools and at the new IDEA Center makerspace on Ventura Avenue. They then sell their products

Report to the Community | Ventura County Office of Education

The DTech program at Foothill Technology High School in Ventura lets students design, manufacture, and market products for sale.

CEC dental assisting teacher Tacha Robles and graduate Emily Salazar.

online and in local stores through a partnership with the Downtown Ventura Organization.

Additional entrepreneurship opportunities will soon be available to students at the new Sa’aliyas Ranch organic farm located at Pacific High School in Ventura. The farm will be funded by the sale of the fruits and vegetables it produces.

Computer Programming Oxnard Union HSD

In the CODE Academy at Pacifica High School in the Oxnard Union High School District, students learn popular coding languages and complete internships and projects in fields such as cybersecurity, game development, and machine learning. They also participate in a variety of regional and state competitions including FIRST Robotics and CyberPatriots.

While there were mostly boys in the program when it started in 2017, there are now nearly equal numbers of males and females. Program graduate Wendy Sandoval says, “Being a Latina, I didn’t see a clear future for myself. When I joined CODE, I realized that I could go to college and

CAREER EDUCATION

one of seventy career training programs in the Oxnard Union High School District’s ten high schools.

At Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, stagecraft students get hands on experience in all aspects of theater production.

TV, Film & Theater Simi Valley USD

Students prepare for careers in the film, TV and live production industries at Hillside Middle School and Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley. Many go on to careers as designers, technicians, and theater actors some even appearing on the Broadway stage. Students have the opportunity to learn production technologies used at well known venues including Disneyland and the Hollywood Bowl.

Santa Susana stagecraft student Austin Minghelli says the class helped him find his passion. “You can try out different things like lighting, sound, projection, management, and all kinds of areas where people can apply themselves and find their niche.”

The unique alignment of programs between Hillside and Santa Susana is recognized as a model program by the California Department of Education.

Learn more about career education programs from your local school district and by visiting www.vcoe.org/cec.

Students in the CODE Academy at Pacifica High School in Oxnard learn popular coding languages and participate in high-tech competitions.

teachers choosing to change careers or retire, but the reality is that many new teachers are entering the profession. According to the Center for American Progress, interest in becoming a teacher is highly localized and in Ventura County, the numbers look good.

At the VCOE department of Educator Support and Effectiveness (ESE), enrollment has increased in our teacher training and preparation programs

Educator Support & Effectiveness

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/ese

Education Job Openings

See K 12 job openings throughout the state www.edjoin.org

Somis School

STUDENT COMPETITIONS

Popular Competitions Return In-Person

Battle of the Books and Art Expo are New this Year

Science Fair

VEX Robotics

From future lawyers arguing cases before real judges to budding scientists displaying their ingenious creations, the countywide student competitions presented by the Ventura County Office of Education provide interactive hands on experiences that let students have fun while they learn.

During the pandemic, these popular events had to be held virtually, which didn’t provide the same level of engagement that students were used to. This school year, we’re happy to report that all of the competitions will be back in person.

This year will also see the introduction of two brand new student competitions. The Battle of the Books will support literacy and a love of reading for students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Mock Trial

Younger students will engage in reading activities while kids in 4th through 8th grade will play a trivia style game based on books they’ve read.

The other new event is the Ventura County Student Art Exposition. Students from all grade levels will create artwork in a variety of media that will be publicly displayed at the Museum of Ventura County. There will also be an evening of live student performances in theater, music, and poetry.

To find out how your student or school can participate in Ventura County’s student competitions, visit www.vcoe.org/competitions or contact VCOE’s Student Competitions Coordinator Andrea Rubin at 805 437 1501 or arubin@vcoe.org.

VENTURA COUNTY STUDENT COMPETITIONS

Event Date Location

Academic Decathlon

Mock Trial

Science Fair

Jan. 17 Feb. 4, 2023

Feb. 6 9, 2023

March 24, 2023

Battle of the Books April 28, 2023

Art Expo

VEX Robotics

May 15 21, 2023

Nov. 4, 2023

Oxnard High School

Ventura County Courthouse (Ventura)

VCOE (Camarillo)

VCOE (Camarillo)

Museum of Ventura County (Ventura)

VCOE (Camarillo)

Giving Students the Gift of Two Languages

Matthew Guzman Native Spanish Speaker

“The DLI program is so important to me because it can help me with my future jobs. I also feel like this program can help me get into good colleges because research shows that learning two languages helps your brain grow. I love being in the DLI program because it is fun to learn two languages and there are lots of benefits to it.”

“

Malcolm Merricks Native English Speaker

The DLI program has shaped me to be who I am today. With the help of the DLI program, I am proud to say that I am officially bilingual. I have better job opportunities waiting for me in the future. It is healthy for my brain to manage two languages as well. Being in the DLI program is a privilege, and I am proud to be part of it!”

Matthew Guzman grew up speaking Spanish. Malcolm Merricks’ native language is English. Since kindergarten, both boys have been enrolled in the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program at Juan Lagunas Soria Elementary School in the Oxnard School District. Now they’re in sixth grade and can read, write, and speak fluently in both languages.

DLI students spend part of their day learning in English and the other part in Spanish. The programs strive to have an even mix of English speakers and Spanish speakers so students can learn from each other.

The beauty of DLI is that students become proficient in a new language while continuing to advance their skills in their native language. It’s equally beneficial for kids who grew up speaking English and those who didn’t. Both groups consistently outperform their peers who did not participate in DLI.

The Rio Real Dual Immersion Academy in the Rio School District is a shining example of the power of DLI. Located in the El Rio section of Oxnard, the majority of the school’s students come from low income families.

Each year, about half of Rio Real’s 8th graders take the Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish Language and Culture Exam a test that’s usually taken in 11th grade. For the past two years, every single one of them has passed, earning them college credits and eligibility for the California State Seal of Biliteracy.

Before 2002, Ventura County didn’t have any DLI programs, and now nearly half of the county’s 20 school districts offer DLI. The newest DLI program started this year at Conejo Elementary School in Thousand Oaks. Demand for DLI is at an all time high as families become more aware of the benefits of learning in two languages.

Migrant Student is Now Teaching Migrant Kids

Mayra Estrada has a powerful message for the migrant students she teaches at Hueneme High School. “There is no way you can tell me I don’t know how it feels to come from a different country. I know it’s going to be hard, I know it will take time. But if I did it, you can do it.”

Like many of her students, Mayra came to the US as a child. Her dad picked crops and frequently moved for work. She spoke no English and had to adapt to an unfamiliar culture. She says it was the Migrant Education Program (MEP) that made all the difference for her. Administered by the Ventura County Office of Education, the program provides tutoring and support to help migrant students succeed in school.

While a student at Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, Mayra enthusiastically participated in the program's annual speech and debate tournament, placing first in the state. She says the MEP summer program at CSU Channel Islands changed her life. “After that, I do everything I could to be a college student in this country.” Mayra went on to s at CSUCI and her teaching credential from National University. Her younger brother was also in the migrant program and is now studying environmental engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Today, Mayra has a career that lets her support her family. And she’s helping a new generation of students overcome the same hurdles that she faced in school. “I love working with migrant students because I was one of them.” Learn more about the Migrant Education Program at www.vcoe.org/migrant

Help for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Nicholas Perez was a high school student living in a homeless shelter with his mom and three siblings when classrooms closed due to the pandemic. He had no quiet place to work and no Wi Fi to connect to his remote classes. Struggling to keep up, he was advised that his only chance to graduate was to transfer from Adolfo Camarillo High School to Frontier High School, an alternative education school in the Oxnard Union High School District. At first, he was reluctant to go, but now he says it was the best decision he could have made. “People there are focused and want to get things done.” Nicholas says the Frontier staff gave him extra attention and support and even delivered school supplies, including a Wi Fi hotspot, to him at the shelter.

After more than a year without permanent housing, Nicholas and his family were determined to get a place of their own. “We just wanted to have a roof over our heads and to be with each other and cook and be like a family again, an apartment in Camarillo with Nicholas and his mom both working in fast food to pay the rent. Nicholas graduated in October and plans to enroll at Moorpark College.

There are currently more than 5,500 students experiencing homelessness in Ventura County. The Homeless Education Program at the Ventura County Office of Education helps connect students like Nicholas with the services they need to overcome their unique challenges. Learn more at www.vcoe.org/homeless

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Inclusion for Students with Disabilities

Lee Ann Holland can’t help but get a bit teary eyed when recalling her daughter AJ’s preschool experience at the Oak Park Neighborhood School. AJ is autistic with limited language abilities, but she was in a preschool class with non disabled kids and Lee Ann says it couldn’t have been better.

“In addition to the wonderful staff, there were kids who just embraced her. There was one little girl who would wait for her every day before going onto the playground,” she says.

Lee Ann’s dream is for that level of inclusion to continue throughout the entire school experience for kids like AJ and she’s not alone. There’s a growing effort statewide and here in Ventura County to include students with disabilities in general education classrooms as much as possible.

“I firmly believe that EVERY SINGLE LEARNER deserves access to grade level classrooms with their peers,” says Dr. Katie Novak, a nationally recognized expert on inclusive practices.

There will always be some students with disabilities who require specialized programs, but research shows the rest benefit greatly when they are included with other kids rather than separated out.

With proper training and support for school staff,

What is INCLUSION?

The full and active participation of children with disabilities or delays in activities, services, and programs designed for typically developing children. If support, accommodations, or modifica tions are needed to ensure full, active participation, they are provided appropriately.

SOURCE: California Dept. of Education

Lee Ann Holland is an advocate for her daughter AJ and other kids with disabilities to be included in mainstream school programs.

students with disabilities can be integrated with no adverse impacts on classroom learning. In fact, non disabled students develop empathy and a better understanding of people who are different than themselves. “Children who learn together, learn to live together,” is one of Lee Ann’s favorite quotes on the topic.

Most Ventura County school districts are making progress toward including students with disabilities. Fourteen of the county’s 20 school districts increased their rates of inclusion in 2020 2021, the most recent school year for which data is available. Among them is the Conejo Valley Unified School District, where AJ is currently in middle school and benefitting from a growing commitment to inclusion.

Special education is a service we provide for students with disabilities, not a place to put them,” says Emily Mostovoy Luna, who leads the Ventura County SELPA, the local agency that oversees special education programs. “They are general education students first and local schools are committed to inclusive practices.”

The SELPA is presenting a series of workshops on inclusive practices for educators and families. Learn more about this free opportunity at bit.ly/selpa inclusion.

Ventura County Office of Education

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

After-School Programs Get a Big Boost

Some Programs Expanding to Weekends, Holidays, Summer

In addition to being a necessity for many working parents, after school programs give students educational opportunities beyond what they receive during the regular school day. Those opportunities are expanding in Ventura County thanks to a historic new investment by the state. When Governor Newsom signed the 2021 22 state budget, he authorized the highest level of education funding in California’s history. The budget earmarked billions of dollars for after school and other “expanded learning” programs through the creation of the Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant and Program. One of the

What is EXPANDED LEARNING?

Before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning programs that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of students through hands on, engaging learning experiences.

state’s primary goals is to provide services for students who need them the most. This includes students experiencing homelessness, students in foster care, and students from low income families.

Ventura County school districts received an additional $35 million for expanded learning programs for the 2021 22 school year and will be getting even more for 2022 23.

programs that take place before and after the school day as well as on weekends, holidays, and during summer break. These new options will help alleviate the many challenges students and families have faced during the pandemic by providing engaging programs in key areas, such as social and emotional learning, skill building, and STEAM. Contact your local school district for information about after school programs in your area.

Expanded Learning Services

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/els

School District Contact Information

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/vc districts

Mesa Union School

Pandemic Puts School Tech on the Fast Track EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY

When the pandemic forced classrooms to close in 2020, schools had to quickly pivot to provide at home learning. This required a herculean effort to ensure that devices and internet access were available to ALL students.

HOW MANY DEVICES?

There are about 210,000 laptops and other devices connected to the internet in Ventura County schools.

Two years later, we’re back in the classroom, ahead of where we were before the pandemic closures and wiser about future challenges. We’ve learned the following important lessons about optimizing the benefits of technology in education as

Access to the internet is not equitable. Rural communities and students working in large, concentrated areas may experience connection difficulties due to limited bandwidth or a lack of internet service.

The digital divide is not limited to students. Schools and teachers need access to the latest technology to provide optimal learning experiences. School budgets need to account for technology replacement cycles.

Cybersecurity threats are growing. Data breaches, ransomware, and other cybersecurity threats targeting schools are on the rise. The Ventura County Office of Education has quadrupled our efforts to secure student data and is providing cybersecurity support to all local districts.

So where do we go from here? Schools must continue to review their data, secure their systems, and develop a collaborative vision for the consistent use of technology. One silver lining of the pandemic is that it pushed the use of educational technology dramatically forward. For the sake of our students, we cannot backslide to pre pandemic use of technology in our classrooms.

High-Tech Lab to be New Field Trip Destination

Students from throughout Ventura County will soon have the chance to enjoy high tech learning experiences at a new lab. The LMNOP Lab whose name stands for Learning Makes New Opportunities Possible will offer hands on instruction in robotics, computer coding, and more.

The LMNOP Lab is located at the Ventura County Office of Education in Camarillo. Thanks in part to a partnership with the Navy, the lab is equipped with robotics kits and other high tech teaching tools. It’s been providing summer programs for students in the Somis School District for the past two years and will soon be open to all students in Ventura County.

Winning Teacher has a Passion for Students

Shannon Klemann, a veteran educator who has taught in the Oxnard Union High School District for 23 years is the 2022 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Klemann currently teaches biology at Adolfo Camarillo High School.

Her Principal, Matt La Belle, says she showed extraordinary initiative in keeping her students engaged with learning when classrooms were closed due to the pandemic. She kept her hands on curriculum relevant by conducting labs over video, having students submit data on their experiments in real time, end encouraging students to interact with text chat if they were hesitant to participate on camera.

La Belle says Klemann’s dedication to teaching is clear the moment you step into her classroom. bright orange nasturtiums blossoming from the compost box that sits near the entrance of her room, where earthworms happily munch on banana peels, carrots, and old recycled books, students are welcomed into a world of biology. From skulls to scat, stuffed birds in flight to sea stars, Mrs. Klemann surrounded by and engaged in biology all period, all week, all year.

Klemann brings biology to life by taking students on a field trip to Santa Cruz Island to survey and observe organisms in tidepools and intertidal zones. She is an environmental advocate who is constantly expanding her knowledge and adjusting her teaching methods to best serve her students.

A love of teaching runs in Klemann student at UC Berkeley who intends to become a biology teacher like her mom. reflect upon my life, I know this is what I was meant to do, impact in the world by inspiring and teaching the next generation of learners.”

The Ventura County Teacher of the Year becomes eligible to compete in the statewide Teacher of the Year competition. Learn more at

PAST VENTURA COUNTY TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Ventura County Office of Education

Glen City Elementary

Santa Paula USD

Ventura County Office of Education

5189 Verdugo Way • Camarillo, CA 93012 805 383 1900 • www.vcoe.org

Dr. César Morales

County Superintendent of Schools

Misty Key

Deputy Superintendent, Fiscal & Administrative Services

Dr. Consuelo Hernandez Williams

Associate Superintendent, Student Services

Emily Mostovoy-Luna Associate Superintendent, SELPA

Lisa Salas Brown

Associate Superintendent, Educational Services

Teri Page

Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Ventura County Board of Education

Rachel Ulrich • Trustee Area 1

Mike Teasdale • Trustee Area 2

Dr. Mark Lisagor • Trustee Area 3

Arleigh Kidd • Trustee Area 4 Dr. Ramon Flores • Trustee Area 5

Ventura County School Districts

District

Briggs Elementary Deborah Cuevas 805 525 7540 briggsesd.org

Conejo Valley Unified Dr. Mark McLaughlin 805 497 9511 conejousd.org

Fillmore Unified Christine Schieferle 805 524 6000 fillmoreusd.org

Hueneme Elementary Dr. Christine Walker 805 488 3588 hueneme.org

Las Virgenes Unified Dr. Dan Stepenosky 818-880-4000 lvusd.org

Mesa Union Elementary Dr. Raul Ramirez 805 485 1411 mesaschool.org

Moorpark Unified Dr. Kelli Hays 805 378 6300 mrpk.org

Mupu Elementary Dr. Marlene Batista 805 525 6111 mupu.org

Oak Park Unified Dr. Jeff Davis 818 735 3200 oakparkusd.org

Ocean View Dr. Craig Helmstedter 805 488 4441 oceanviewsd.org

Ojai Unified Dr. Tiffany Morse 805 640 4300 ojaiusd.org

Oxnard (K 8) Dr. Karling Aguilera Fort 805 385 1501 oxnardsd.org

Oxnard Union High Dr. Tom McCoy 805 385 2500 oxnardunion.org

Pleasant Valley Dr. Danielle Cortes 805 389 2100 pleasantvalleysd.org

Rio Elementary Dr. John Puglisi 805-485-3111 rioschools.org

Santa Clara Elementary Kari Skidmore 805 525 4573 santaclaraesd.org

Santa Paula Unified Jeffrey Weinstein 805 933 8800 santapaulausd.org

Simi Valley Unified Dr. Hani Youssef 805 306 4500 simivalleyusd.org

Somis Union Dr. Jesus Vaca 805 386 5711 somisusd.org

Ventura Unified Dr. Antonio Castro 805 641 5000 venturausd.org