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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

OUTLOOK Just getting started at

TEACH! After the first half of the first year of new Venture Academy program, future educators are getting a feel of what it is like to be a teacher

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Troy A. Brown, Ed.D., County Superintendent of Schools

CONTENTS

ONE SCHOOL, ONE BOOK

LEADING OUTSIDE THE LINES

A CODING COLLABORATION

Lincoln Unified School District campuses promote literacy at all grade levels

Women Together International inspires individuals and organizations to lead outside the lines

Young makers and innovators collaborate at the FabLab

A STANDING OVATION

BUT FIRST, WORK EXPERIENCE

THE FIRST PERFORMANCE

OUR UNSUNG HEROES

THE HEART OF AN EDUCATOR

JUST GETTING STARTED AT TEACH!

A GUIDING HAND

ACADEMIC DECATHLON

The San Joaquin County Office of Education celebrates high school student musicians

San Joaquin County SELPA rolls out food and drink carts to provide on-the-job training for students in special education

Foundations Academy students take the stage for the first time in Venture Academy’s new theater

Conference celebrates early educators for serving families and the community during difficult times

Jamie Baiocchi retires after 40 years of service to San Joaquin County children, students, and families

After the first half of the first year of new Venture Academy program, future educators are getting a feel of what it is like to be a teacher

Mentors in Special Education Programs help new teachers and instructional assistants find their way

Middle College High School takes first and will represent San Joaquin County in the state championships

LOOKING AHEAD Events, trainings, & more! Learn more about upcoming events, meetings, trainings, and workshops for students, families, and educators on the San Joaquin County Office of Education calendar at www.sjcoe.org/calendar.aspx.

07 OUTLOOK

VOLUME 75 | ISSUE 4 | MARCH 2022 The Outlook is published bimonthly, September through May, by the San Joaquin County Office of Education Public Information Office.

DR. TROY A. BROWN

San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools

SCOTT ANDERSON Deputy Superintendent Business Services

JANINE KAESLIN

Associate Superintendent Student Programs and Services

JANE STEINKAMP Assistant Superintendent Educational Services

BRANDIE BRUNNI

Assistant Superintendent Special Education and SELPA

SEAN MORRILL

Assistant Superintendent County Operated Schools and Programs

CHRISTINA TORRES-PETERS Chief Human Resources Officer

The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) is a regional agency that provides educational leadership, resources, and customized services to assist school districts. The SJCOE promotes student achievement and accountability, serves San Joaquin County students, and strives to create an environment in which every student, regardless of circumstances, has an opportunity for a quality education. Zachary Johnson, Editor Carly Sexton, Editor Kailyn Hill, Contributor Lisa Bryant, Contributor Kim Borges, Contributor Melissa Galea, Contributor Brandie Moore, Contributor Gabrielle Pitman, Contributor CodeStack Digital Media

bit.ly/SJCOENews

SUBMIT A STORY sjcoepio@sjcoe.net

Let’s stay connected!

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OUTLOOK | DISTRICT HIGHLIGHT

ONE SCHOOL, ONE BOOK Lincoln Unified School District campuses promote literacy at all grade levels

With Accelerated Reader programs and little libraries, Lincoln Unified School District campuses promote literacy at all grade levels. This school year, Lincoln Elementary School began its own initiative to encourage reading: the One School, One Book program. One School, One Book is organized by Read to Them, a national organization for literacy in schools. Becky Sprinkle, principal at Lincoln Elementary, said she adopted the program for her school to make reading a more interactive experience for families. “One School, One Book really spoke to me about how to connect literature from school to home,” Sprinkle said.

Through the program, all students at a school read the same book one chapter at a time, with a reading schedule and activities to encourage personal engagement with the story. The students are assigned at-home reading, and parents or guardians are encouraged to read the selected book to their child. After researching the program early in the fall 2021 semester, Sprinkle selected three books for Lincoln Elementary students. The first, “Dog Days: The Carver Chronicles” by Karen English, centers on a boy whose aunt gives him a dog to care for, hoping it will encourage him to become more responsible. “Dog Days” was assigned to Lincoln Elementary students on Nov. 1. Students could listen to pre-recorded readings of each chapter through a website created by Sprinkle and Assistant Principal Jonathan Gillig. In addition to the assigned reading and discussions, students were encouraged to bring photos or pictures of their pets to school, comparing their own experiences with those of the main character and his dog. All these pictures are posted on a bulletin board in the school’s cafeteria.

Though students finished reading “Dog Days” on Dec. 8, Sprinkle said she is still receiving pictures two months later. For the next book in the program, Sprinkle would like to see teachers request submissions for similar activities. “I want them to create something so that as we’re walking through campus, kids are talking and looking and exploring other things that other grade levels have done,” Sprinkle said. The March book at Lincoln Elementary is “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo. Like “Dog Days,” this book was endorsed by Wendy Filippone, the school’s library aide. Filippone said she had been pleasantly surprised by the positive reception to One School, One Book at all grade levels. She hopes for students to personally connect to all books in the program and that these books will bring them closer to their families. “I think any time families sit together with a relaxing activity to escape the outside world and to come together is a great thing,” Filippone said.

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OUTLOOK | NEWS

LEADING OUTSIDE THE LINES

Women Together International inspires individuals and organizations to lead outside the lines The Women Together conference returned virtually on Feb. 3, with a new theme for the second-annual event: Leading Outside the Lines. Kirsten Olson kicked off the daylong event of speakers, breakout groups, and networking by asking the attendees to ponder what leading outside the lines looks like in 2022. Olson, the chief listening officer at Old Sow Coaching and Consulting, has been a driving force guiding a team from the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) and Lodi Unified School District working to grow the new, inclusive Women Together International network. The network aims to recognize the contributions of women and empower them in the workplace. The conference, which further inspires the work, included a dynamic lineup of speakers: Dr. Tina Opie,

Dr. Carrie Arnold, Dr. Lucy Vezzuto, Jennifer Janzen, Jodi-Ann Burey, and Cori Takkinen. Back for the second year was Dr. Tina Opie, an award-winning researcher and founder of Opie Consulting Group. She discussed questioning norms of professionalism and challenged participants to think about how they can encourage authenticity in the workplace. “Notice your organization’s norms – who’s considered professional and who isn’t? Reflect on if those judgments have anything to do with getting the work done,” said Opie. “Then, don’t just reflect. Promote actual behavioral change, revisit policies, brainstorm with colleagues, and role-model authentic behavior.” The conference wrapped up at the end of the day with a panel of local leaders:

Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, San Joaquin County Public Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park, SJCOE Business Services Director Terrell Martinez, and A.G. Spanos Companies Vice President of Community Relations Brenna Butler Garcia. The panelists shared their thoughts about what they learned throughout the day. “Everything from the beginning to the end was encouraging,” said Martinez. “As women in a world where we know that men have it easier, I think we have to help each other,” she said

WOMENTOGETHERINTL.ORG

Nurturing our Resilience and Wellbeing in Challenging Times Women Together International is providing an interactive online series focused on strength-based perspectives to cultivating one’s resilience and wellbeing, not only for self-benefit but also for the benefit of others. The threepart virtual series includes: Calm and Alert on April 28 from 12- 1 p.m., Aware and Present on May 5 from 12-1 p.m., and Connected and Curious on May 12 from 12-1 p.m. Learn more and register at https://conta.cc/3JkZff8.

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OUTLOOK | NEWS

A CODING COLLABORATION

Young makers and innovators collaborate at the FabLab Young makers and innovators from across the county gathered at the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) FabLab on Saturday, Jan. 29, for the third annual Girls Coding Collaboration. The Girls Coding Collaboration is a free event hosted by the SJCOE STEM Programs and CodeStack departments. It provides elementary, middle, and high school students the opportunity to engage in hands-on coding activities while teaching them how to work together to engineer and code simple smart devices. “Today is about taking an idea and turning it into a prototype,” Educational Technology and Engineering Design Coordinator Stephen Callahan said at the start of the event. “And it’s a collaboration – so everyone will be working together,” he said before leading attendees through the activities of the day. The first task was to build a timer using computer coding and the materials, devices, and resources laid out for them in the FabLab. It was also a chance for the students to start collaborating. “You’re going to have extra time,” Callahan said. “And with the extra time, we would like you to

talk with the others at your table, draw out an idea, and design something new!” The SJCOE first offered the Girls Coding Collaborative in 2019 in a partnership with Girls Who Code – a national organization on a mission to close the gender gap in technology due to the decline in women computer scientists in the field and the drop off of girls in computer science between the ages of 13 and 17. Emerie from Franklin High School was at the event with a few of her classmates. Although no coding experience was required to participate, Emerie came equipped with some background from participating in other FabLab events, such as a field trip to the SJCOE FabLab as part of the Verizon Innovative Learning Academy, and STEM clubs where she had been learning coding, 3-D printing, augmented and virtual reality, and robotics. She felt she had a good grasp on the electrical engineering piece of the project, but she was hoping to hone her coding skills. When it came time to build their prototypes, participants had options. They

Top: Emerie with her prototype. Right: San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Troy A. Brown welcoming participants to the FabLab.

could use Scratch (coding), electronics/ cardboard, and even a laser cutter to create their computer-aided designs. Emerie’s vision was to create a drumlike musical instrument. She used her coding and engineering skills to piece together the circuits and sticks of her device. She tested it out and: Success! But when it came to time to present her prototype to the event staff, it had stopped working. The in-house coders and engineers came to the rescue -- troubleshooting every aspect of the device to determine the problem. The fault was not in Emerie’s design or her engineering. It was the circuit board. It had fried and needed to be replaced. Emerie switched it on for one more test. The sticks began to beat the drum, causing a hollow rumble as a smile spread across Emerie’s face.

Learn more: SJCOESCIENCE.ORG

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OUTLOOK | NEWS

A STANDING OVATION

The San Joaquin County Office of Education celebrates high school student musicians The San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) would like to congratulate the outstanding student musicians who have met the high standards to be accepted to join the San Joaquin County High School Honors Concert in all their four years of high school. This year a total of 25 high school seniors received the Nelson Zane Four-Year Award. Each year, interested students must audition to be among the few selected to join the Honors Concert band, choir, or orchestra ensembles. The award winners were recognized at the 2022 San Joaquin County Honors Concert, which consisted of three consecutive ensemble concerts at San Joaquin Delta College’s Warren Atherton Auditorium on Jan. 8. The concerts were livestreamed and are available to watch at https://youtu.be/ImxvzavGm-A. This year, 198 students (54 choir, 75 band, and 69 orchestra) from 18 public and private schools in eight districts within San Joaquin County were selected to perform. The auditions and concert are organized by SJCOE Student Musical Events, which sponsors the event with the Delta College Music Department and the San Joaquin County Music Educators’ Association.

2022 Nelson Zane Four-Year Awardees: Band

BAND

• Paul Barron, Homeschool* • Liana Galan, Lincoln High School • Eli Hancock, Lincoln High School • Dharyl Licudine, Weston Ranch High School • Keagan Low, Lincoln High School • Trisha Pangan-Kennedy, Lincoln High School • Sarah Ung, Lincoln High School

*Also awarded the $500 Nelson Zane Scholarship.

Choir

• Alyssa Baumbach, Lodi High School • Nathaniel de la O, Ripon High School • Jackson Lee, Lincoln High School • Kaitlyn Redman, Lincoln High School • Sheryl Victor, Mountain House High School

CHOIR

Orchestra

ORCHESTRA 8 | SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION

• Abigail Cheng, Tracy High School • Scott Colonese, Tracy High School • Andrew Delgado, Lincoln High School • Grace Greeno, Lincoln High School • Kaiden Imada, Lincoln High School • Michael Joo, Lincoln High School • Anastasia Karp, Tracy High School • Donovan Musicant, Tracy High School • Summer Risso, Lincoln High School • Alicia Roice, Mountain House High School • Ashlyn Roice, Mountain House High School • Yun-Rong Ting, Mountain House High School • Jaime Thor, Lincoln High School

OUTLOOK | NEWS

BUT FIRST, WORK EXPERIENCE San Joaquin County SELPA rolls out food and drink carts to provide on-the-job training for students in special education

Outside the Manteca Unified School District’s central office in the fall, students in the district’s Young Adult Program were hard at work making sure that the students and employees who come to the district office campus could get a cup of coffee, a cold drink, or a snack to start their week off right. Angelina and Elizabeth arranged creamers in a basket on the side of the cart. Oswaldo and Jesus transferred cold drinks into a cooler. Angela dove into the cooler when it arrived, turning the jumble of cans and bottles inside into a neat display. While she did that, Meranie Marks-Edmonson -paraprofessional and job coach -- explained the importance of “facing” the merchandise so the customer could see what was for sale. The tasks the students performed helped develop important skills, which is why the cart was there. The main purpose of the coffee cart is to give a chance to develop work-based learning opportunities to students with special needs. Its operation is a collaboration with the San Joaquin County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) and Manteca Unified School District. “It gives them an opportunity to learn how

to socialize with the public. It gives them an opportunity to work with money. Also, it gives them a sense of accomplishment because they have a job, they’re working, and they have the ability to know that they can do it too,” said Dr. Jody Burriss, the school district’s director of Special Education. “The empowerment is the biggest piece.” The coffee cart was at the district office for a 10-week stint, just steps away from the students’ classrooms. Being located by the district office put the students in a place surrounded by potential student and staff customers and opportunities to have a richer experience through interactions with the variety of programs and people located there, too, she said. “I like meeting people,” said Oswaldo, a student who said this was the first job he’s ever had and that he feels prepared for other jobs, now, too. Since the start of the pandemic, those job experiences have been harder to find for students, said Frank Souza, program manager for the San Joaquin County SELPA. The coffee cart was created through the

SELPA’s WorkAbility I program to fill that gap. Named “But First, Coffee,” this cart is not alone. A second cart, “But First, Ice Cream,” rolled out in Mountain House with students from Mountain House High. The collaboration between school districts and the SELPA can open many more workexperience opportunities for students, Souza said. “That’s one great thing about the carts; we can take them to different programs throughout the entire county.”

The WorkAbility I grant-funded program provides students with special needs paid work experience at no cost to their employers. To find out more about joining the program as a student or an employer, go to sjcoe.org/selpa/ WorkAbility1 or call (209) 468-4908.

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OUTLOOK | NEWS

THE FIRST PERFORMANCE Foundations Academy students take the stage for the first time in Venture Academy’s new theater

The very first performance in the Venture Academy Family of Schools brand-new theater was about to begin. “I am nervous and excited at the same time,” said Luna, a junior at Venture’s Foundations Academy. “I think it is definitely a change.” Luna and her classmates were putting the finishing touches on their wardrobe and makeup before the first number for the first of two showings on Dec. 17 of the Foundations Winter Performance: “The Christmas Show that Goes Wrong.” A lot was going on in their minds. The space was so new they were only able to practice in it for about a week. And the dress rehearsal had been rough. But this is theater. The show must go on. It was also a historical moment, something teacher Dionne McDonald noted as she psyched up her students. “There are so many students who have come before you who wanted to perform up on that stage,” said

McDonald, who has taught at Foundations for 19 years. “You’re the class that gets to christen this stage. Turn on your funny. Turn on your best performance face. Enjoy the moment,” she said. “I believe in you.” The show began, and the students pulled it off. They rose to the occasion, as they always do, McDonald said. For the first time, the students performed in their own theater -- and not a space used for multiple uses -- from serving food to distributing textbooks and laptops. The new theater has tiers for seating rising from the floor where the stage is located. There’s more room in the wings and backstage, which opens up even more creative options and easier transitions for sets. The theater is designed with screens on stage, and the back of the theater has an enclosed control room for the crew. New lighting, sound, and other equipment have yet to be added to the theater. Still, the

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completed theater provides an environment for student cast and crew closer to a real-world experience than putting on a performance in a multipurpose room. In its new location, the theater also has a lobby with enough space to provide options for concessions and includes digital signage to use as a marquee for shows. And the classrooms used by Foundations surround the theater, so they can be used as a place to change and prepare during performances. The proximity also means the theater is a learning space students have access to every day. Students know the new theater is their space, McDonald said. “I think they take ownership over it. When it’s specifically their room, they don’t feel like they’re just borrowing a shared space,” she said. “There’s a little more ownership over their projects and their performances.”

OUTLOOK | NEWS

OUR UNSUNG HEROES

Conference celebrates early educators for serving families and the community during difficult times

Since the beginning of the pandemic, early educators have been on the front lines supporting families by providing quality care for the children of essential workers. In San Joaquin County, there are nearly 3,500 early learning and care professionals, approximately 300 licensed preschool and childcare centers, and over 600 family childcare homes providing care to close to 20,000 young children. With the voices of these early educators in mind, Shadaneca Harbour, a coordinator with the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s (SJCOE) Early Childhood Education department, and her team made it their goal to provide a conference this year that celebrated early childhood education (ECE) professionals – our unsung heroes. “The communication we’ve received from the field indicated the need for tools to deal with burnout, stress, self-care, and overall mental health,” Harbour said. “Our department is consistently looking for ways to support all early educators and let them know just how important they are in the lives of children and families.” With more than 100 early education professionals in attendance, the 2022 virtual conference focused on wellness,

resilience, advocacy, and empowerment. “It was important to provide content that would recharge the workforce, allowing them to continue their work with our most vulnerable populations,” Harbour said. The conference began with a welcome from San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Troy A. Brown. “Early learning and care professionals are committed to providing our youngest students with the supports they need to succeed in school and beyond,” Brown said. “And early educators are critical to families and our workforce.”

yourself by doing at least one thing that is just for you,” Brown said. “Because you are a superhero, and even superheroes need a little rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation to successfully carry out their superhero duties of making the world a better place.”

Following Superintendent Brown, conference attendees heard from LaWanda Wesley, Mary Anne Doan, and Julie Nicholson, who ignited meaningful discussions and shared activities and tools related to culturally responsive self-care. Participants were encouraged to begin exploring the self-care activities that are meaningful, authentic, and culturally responsive for them and to begin making plans for intentionally integrating self-care into their daily lives. “I can’t stress the importance of selfcare enough, and I encourage you to find time this week to prioritize

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OUTLOOK | NEWS

The heart of an

EDUCATOR Jamie Baiocchi retires after 40 years of service to San Joaquin County children, students, and families

Jamie Baiocchi operates under the philosophy that we all have a responsibility to be advocates for children. She believes that every single child has the ability to be a responsible and contributing member of our society and that all adults and educators have a responsibility to provide every opportunity for them to meet that goal. Baiocchi has exemplified that philosophy while dedicating her 40-year career to the advancement of children as a classroom teacher, adjunct college instructor, and early childhood education (ECE) administrator. It’s not just what she does. It’s who she is. “In my heart, I’m an educator -- I’m a teacher,” she said. A self-proclaimed “product of Lincoln Unified School District,” Baiocchi, who was born and raised in San Joaquin County, attended Lincoln Unified schools from the first through twelfth grades. An overachiever from an early age, Baiocchi had already earned some high school credit before she was a freshman. Once in high school, she was a teacher’s assistant and was able to complete her coursework quickly enough to graduate by her junior year. There was just one

caveat – Baiocchi’s mother told her if she was going to graduate early, she had to attend San Joaquin Delta College. At just 17 years of age and unsure of which direction she should take for her career path, Baiocchi met with her Delta College counselor, who asked the question: “What are you interested in?” Baiocchi’s response? “Well, I like children.” It was the start of a career path aligned with her interests. She began taking ECE courses and was introduced to Delta College’s Child Development Center. After transferring to California State University, Sacramento, she earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and child development in just four years. She later earned her master’s degree in counseling and guidance and was also a part of the first cohort of educators to earn a teaching credential through a pilot program now known as the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Impact program through the Teachers College of San Joaquin. In 1997, Baiocchi joined the SJCOE as an educator at New Start – part of what is now known as the SJCOE’s one.Program – serving pregnant and parenting teens.

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“My time in alternative education and working with parenting teens was the most meaningful work I’ve done,” Baiocchi said. “I was humbled the minute I walked into that classroom. My students taught me so much, including how to be a better person.” Her experience and passion led her to accept a position with Stockton Unified School District as an early education administrator. Since 2005, Baiocchi has served as the director, then division director, of Early Education and Support at the SJCOE. In this capacity, Baiocchi spearheaded the successful application for a $20 million federal Head Start grant in 2015. This was a pivotal point in Baiocchi’s career as the grant expanded services and access to early childhood education in San Joaquin County. Known as a leader and mentor in early childhood education, Baiocchi has participated in a variety of local, state, and national organizations over the years that seek to improve the quality of services provided to families, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Beyond our Gates Community Council, and First 5 San Joaquin School Readiness Advisory Committee -- and

OUTLOOK | NEWS programs such as Read to Me, Stockton!, which puts free books in the hands of young children. Through her career, Baiocchi has inspired students and colleagues alike. “Her story is one of fortitude and perseverance, starting with raising her five children -- for quite some time as a single mother -- while working and going to school to pursue her degrees and credentials,” said Nou Hendricks, SJCOE director of Student Services for Alternative Education programs. Hendricks, who worked closely with Baiocchi to develop the Head Start grant, calls Baiocchi a mentor, role model, peer, and friend. “Jamie’s passion for children is part of the fabric of early education in this community,” she said. Baiocchi officially retired in February 2022 with plans to spend more time with her children and grandchildren. However, the decision remained bittersweet for Baiocchi.

LEADING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FORWARD Connor Sloan steps into the role as SJCOE division director of Early Education and Support

As Jamie Baiocchi steps into retirement, Connor Sloan has stepped into the role as the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s (SJCOE) division director of Early Education and Support – a role that oversees SJCOE programs that provide services and support to our county’s youngest children at a critical time in their development. “Early Education provides the building blocks for educational achievement, social-emotional well-being, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, and healthy families,” said Sloan.

“I’ve set a retirement date, but every day I come to work, I second guess that date,” said Baiocchi. “Because I really love it here. I really love the work. And I love not just my department, but my extended work family.”

Sloan joined the SJCOE as the director of Continuous Improvement and Support in 2021 and has years of experience as an educator and leader. At Stockton Unified School District, he was a school administrator from 2012 until 2018 before becoming the district’s director of Local Control Accountability Program and Charter Oversight.

Baiocchi to be honored by Lincoln High School

Sloan has a doctorate degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of the Pacific, a master’s degree in administration and leadership from California State University, San Jose, and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Puget Sound.

Baiocchi, who graduated from Lincoln High School in 1977, will be inducted into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame on April 30. The recognition honors former staff, administration, athletics, fine arts, student body, and community-wide contributors for their outstanding achievements and contributions to Lincoln High School.

From 2005 until 2012, Sloan taught fifth and sixth grade in Lodi Unified School District. He also taught kindergarten, fifth, and sixth grade in Santa Cruz prior to coming to San Joaquin County.

“I am excited to be part of the great work Early Education and Support has done and will continue to do,” said Sloan. “My parents instilled in me the importance of being a lifelong learner, and I look forward to providing leadership, educationalgrowth pathways, and learning experiences for educators, families, and young children that instill the love for learning and celebrating children using their imagination and being creative in equitable, inclusive environments,” he said.

Left to Right: Baiocchi with colleagues learning the SJCOE had been awarded the Head Start grant, Baiocchi with Read to Me, Stockton! President Ann Johnston, and Baiocchi with members of the Early Education and Support team after receiving an award from Public Health Services for her contributions to creating a healthier San Joaquin County.

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OUTLOOK | FEATURE

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OUTLOOK | FEATURE

Just getting started at

TEACH!

After the first half of the first year of new Venture Academy program, future educators are getting a feel of what it is like to be a teacher The Ventureland Academy fourthgraders had broken up into four rotating discussion groups as one of their exercises when reading the historical fiction book “By the Great Horn Spoon.” The groups focused on reading comprehension, vocabulary, character studies, and how the book connects to the history of California. But fourth-grader discussions can sometimes veer off-topic. In the vocabulary group, one student lifted his hand slightly off the desk, declared he was double-jointed, then showed his group how his fingers could bend at each knuckle. Felicity -- one of the high school freshmen helping to lead the discussion groups -- rolled with the knuckle talk for a moment before steering the conversation back to vocabulary, saying: “Now, let’s get back on topic.” The fourth-graders followed Felicity’s lead and started thumbing through their books to look for one of the day’s vocabulary words -- “speculation” -- to come to a better understanding of what the word meant by seeing how it was used in the book. The double-jointed fourth-grader was excited when they found the word, exclaiming: “We did it!” Guiding students while keeping them focused and on task are important skills for an educator to learn. Felicity and her freshman classmates at TEACH! Academy were all working with the fourth-graders in those discussion groups to start developing their skills as teachers.

That’s because they are pioneers in the new TEACH! Academy -- an early college high school program designed to give students an affordable, fast track to the teaching profession. The hope is that this first freshman class will be the first of many students from the community who will be ready to fill the need for a passionate and diverse education workforce to make up for the teacher shortages anticipated for years to come.

school operated by the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). “They are learning to facilitate group work,” said Molly Johnson, one of the TEACH! instructors.

But that will come later.

The ninth-graders had done a lot of preparation before meeting with the Ventureland fourth-graders. They broke out into groups so they could practice answering the questions from the book to get comfortable leading the discussion.

For now, the students have made it past the halfway point of their first year in high school. They’ve had time to get to know each other and themselves a little bit better as they continue toward their long-term goals.

It wasn’t the first time they had a chance to work with younger students, but the book discussions were more challenging for the TEACH! students than the other exercises they’ve had with elementary students so far.

And they’ve had a glimpse of what it would be like to be a teacher.

With groups of students rotating through every 15 minutes -- the goal is to keep young students focused on learning to make the best use of a short amount of time. “It’s not just about hanging out,” Johnson said. “There’s a goal.”

“It’s just an amazing feeling just being able to be in the classrooms with kids ... and showing them how to do things that you had older kids, your classmates, and teachers that care about you, showing you how to do,” Felicity said. She feels that the exercises with the younger students were helping prepare her to become a teacher. They also made her more confident and passionate in her decision to become a teacher herself. “Just seeing the looks on their faces when they finally get it. It’s just surreal,” she said. Both TEACH! Academy and Ventureland Academy are part of the Venture Academy Family of Schools, a charter

Early College High School

This wasn’t just the first year of high school for the TEACH! Academy students. This was their first year of college since they began taking their first courses from San Joaquin Delta College, too. “The college courses were stressful in the beginning, but at the same time, it was exciting,” Felicity said. “Because I was learning at a level that some people probably don’t realize high schoolers can think at. Or act at.” The ability to take college classes

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION | 15

OUTLOOK | FEATURE is what drew Archana to TEACH!. She wasn’t particularly interested in going into teaching at the time, but she is considering it as an option now. “My favorite part about TEACH! so far is definitely the people: the classmates, the teachers, and the staff,” she said, adding that students work together and help each other. “We’re all friends. They greet me, and they see how I’m doing. We talk when we’re working together. No one is ever shy to ask for help,” she said. “It’s really nice to just know everyone and to work with them in a way where you feel comfortable.”

Building a Community

The growth of a sense of community among the students is not an accident. “I think they do an amazing job learning together,” said TEACH! instructor Sunelle Simpfenderfer, . “We are very thoughtful about doing activities where we can learn about each other to build

community together,” she said. “You have to make time to talk together.” That’s something that is important for her students’ education now, but it will also be important for them in their possible future as educators working to build connections with both students and colleagues, she said. “Our goal for them is to be the person who is going to play a role in someone else’s education, someone who is going to pour into their students,” she said. “It’s really important for students here to learn that you need to build a strong community and that you need to really know who you are and what it is that you are really good at. Because that’s what you’re going to bring to the table on your future teaching team or in your future career.” Oscar, another TEACH! student, said he wants to become a teacher because he’s been inspired by teachers in his life. He has liked the time he has spent working with younger students, too.

“It’s nice seeing that spark in kids,” he said. He also wants to, one day, be that person providing a safe environment for his students because, “You never know what people’s home life is like. You never know what people are truly going through,” he said. “I enjoy helping my community. I enjoy seeing that happiness in kids.” The students in TEACH! Academy are just getting started, but the Ventureland fourth-graders are already impressed. Presley -- a Ventureland student -- thought the high-schoolers would make pretty good teachers. She was one of the students in the reading-comprehension discussion Oscar helped to lead. “He’ll help you a lot,” she said. “And he’s nice.” Presley felt the same way about all the TEACH! students who have visited her class.

- About the Academy -

The TEACH! Academy is an early college high school where students can receive an associate degree from San Joaquin Delta College when they receive their high school diploma. Through partnerships that include the Teachers College of San Joaquin, graduates can continue on an affordable and direct pathway to a bachelor’s degree, teaching credential, and job in the classroom. Enrollment is open for students across San Joaquin County. More information is available at ventureacademyca.org/.

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OUTLOOK | IN THE CLASSROOM

Left to right: Juan Ortega, Marlene Hodges and Natalie Trinoco.

Left to right: Enrique Lopez, Ryan Owens, and Catherine da Roza Michels.

A GUIDING HAND Mentors in Special Education Programs help new teachers and instructional assistants find their way

Making the transition to a new job in a new field isn’t easy. Starting that job in education during the COVID-19 pandemic can make it a lot harder to feel grounded in a new environment. When Natalie Trinoco joined the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) Special Education Programs team as an instructional assistant (IA) in August 2020, instruction was still all online. It would be another month before health and safety guidance changed and Special Education Programs began welcoming students back in the classroom in small groups. Right at the start, Trinoco thought she would feel disconnected, only seeing her new world through a computer screen. But she wasn’t alone. She had Marlene

Hodges -- a fellow instructional assistant who volunteered to guide Trinoco through her transition as part of the instructional assistant mentorship program. “She was such a lifeline to me,” Trinoco said, describing how Hodges was always there for her to provide basic information, career advice, or just to listen. It helped Trinoco when in-person instruction resumed, too, and in the months that followed. Trinoco felt more than comfortable with the new job. She fell in love with working with students. “I really love working with the kids, spending time with them, being with them every day, and seeing all the positive changes,” she said.

Whenever there is a new IA hired, they have a choice to join the mentorship program for the first year on the job. Then they are connected with a seasoned IA who has volunteered to take on this responsibility. “Being an instructional assistant is all about passion for the work with students,” said Hodges, who has been an SJCOE IA for more than 10 years. “You’re going to learn really quickly whether or not it’s for you if you have the right support system. And it really is a work of love,” said Hodges, who kickstarted the creation of the program about three years ago to mirror the mentorship program for teachers in the Special Education Programs. In practice, part of being a mentor is to help someone new understand the job

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OUTLOOK | IN THE CLASSROOM and to learn the ropes of the organization. Another aspect of it is to provide emotional support -- to be a place to vent and find encouragement and advice, Hodges said. The value of mentorship has been especially clear in recent years. “Education is changing so rapidly now due to circumstances of the pandemic. So having that person to say: I’m here for you. What do you need? How can I help you? That’s a big deal,” she said.

Teacher Mentorships Ryan Owens is a first-year teacher at the SJCOE’s Redwood School. His students are ages 15 to 22 in an extensive support needs (ESN) classroom.

throughout her career. Making it official as part of a mentorship program means she’s been able to help, even more, she said. The official connections help the new teacher feel more comfortable reaching out and asking for help, even if it is just to have a question or two answered. “My biggest thing that I always tell them is you need to know your students and get a good rapport with the parents. Always have good contact with the parents,” da Roza Michels said. “Keep up that back and forth, so the parents know you are there to help their students.”

Overall, Owens said his first year on the job has made him confident he made the right career choice, and the mentorship support was a part of that. “I’m enjoying this. It’s been a blast, especially learning about the different kids’ personalities in my classroom. It’s been fun; I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. His mentor at Redwood School has been Catherine da Roza Michels, a veteran teacher of 15 years who has been at Redwood for about five years. Helping new teachers is something she’s done unofficially

Recruitment and Retention Support in the form of mentorship programs or encouragement to career advancement can help attract new employees, then help them find their love for the work.

She was joined by Juan Ortega, who worked with Hodges to start the IA program and coordinate mentors until he made the change to a teacher this year. When Hodges first told him about the idea for the mentorship program, he said he knew he wanted to be a part of it. “I said if I can help somebody love the job as much as I do -- I’m all for it.”

“Having that person there supporting me has really helped me become the teacher I am today, and hopefully will be in the future, too.”

That help means he has been able to have more time to focus on teaching and his students, he said.

“It’s just being there to walk them through their challenging days and let them know that there are some hard days, but all your hard work will pay off,” he said. “And you will feel rewarded when your students meet their goals.”

At the latest SJCOE recruitment fair for new employees, Hodges was there to talk to prospective colleagues about the mentorship program.

“Being able to have a mentor through the program has really helped me -- as a first-year teacher - grow in ways I never thought I could, both inside the classroom and outside of the classroom,” he said. “It really helped me become a better teacher.”

He’s been an instructional assistant and substitute teacher for the past six years, but now he is a fulltime teacher. One piece that Owens said has helped him the most has been assistance with paperwork, such as the individualized education plans (IEPs) that are an important, though time consuming, part of the job of a special education teacher.

Technical support is important, Lopez said, but so is the emotional support.

She likes doing the mentorship work. “I like helping someone who wants to be helped to be better at their job and make it easier for them instead of struggling,” she said. “If a new teacher is struggling, then how can they spend their time and emotion on the children?” Enrique Lopez is the Redwood School administrator, but on his way to that position, he had been an instructional assistant, teacher with a mentor, and a teacher-mentor himself. As a mentor, Lopez said he would first look to see how he could help teachers in a few fundamental ways in the classroom. This entailed looking at the visuals on the walls, how the students were grouped, and how the day was scheduled. A tightly scheduled classroom can be an essential factor, especially for students with autism who need the structure, he said.

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Once somebody feels comfortable with the job and the students, they can start to realize how rewarding it can be to see how the students grow. Educators cherish those “a-ha moments” when they see students show they grasp something taught to them. “There have been a lot of a-ha moments,” Trinoco said. She remembers one student who was just learning how to communicate using signs. “It’s beautiful to see how he had gone from his own way of communicating to learning sign and being able to communicate with us -- and to see him do it on his own,” she said. “We look back and say: Wow, remember when they first came,” she said. “It really touches your heart.”

OUTLOOK | A LOOK BACK

ACADEMIC DECATHLON Middle College High School takes first and will represent San Joaquin County in the state championships

Students from 12 high schools in San Joaquin County took part in the 41st Annual Academic Decathlon, held by the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE). Each year, all the decathlon events are tied together with a single theme. This year, the theme was “Water: A Most Essential Resource.” The competition began with the online essay event on Jan. 18, followed by an online speech and interview contest on Jan. 19-20. The competition’s objective testing events continued virtually on Jan. 31 and Feb. 2, where competitors showcased their knowledge of art,

economics, literature, mathematics, music, science, and social science. On Feb. 5, the teams took part in the Super Quiz competition and awards ceremony at the SJCOE campus in Stockton. “Today was pretty fun,” said Xavier Villa, captain of the Division II team from Stockton Early College Academy (Stockton Unified School District), not long after competing in the Super Quiz event. “At first, everyone’s nervous. But once you are in there, it’s exhilarating. Exciting,” he said. “A great experience.”

During the Super Quiz event, each school had its own conference room at the SJCOE’s Wentworth Education Center with a video feed from the Burwood Auditorium, where each of the three Super Quiz rounds would take place, in turns. In the individual rooms, the students cheered on their teammates. Giancarlo Fornaris from Middle College High School (Lodi Unified School District) liked being together as a team and being able to cheer each other on. “That is easily the best part.”

Academic Decathlon Division I Top Overall Teams 1st place: Middle College High School, Lodi Unified School District

2nd place overall: Mountain House High School, Lammersville Unified School District

3rd place overall: Manteca High School, Manteca Unified School District

Middle College High received the Dave Sorgent Winner’s Cup and will compete in the State Academic Decathlon Championship.

Find more photos from the 2022 Academic Decathlon on the SJCOE Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sjcoefb.

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Who’s a colleague that inspires you?

TAMI MENDEL

MARY ZAKLAN

MY DUONG

Administrative Assistant

Human Resources Technician

Data Support Specialist

“The SJCOE Nurses. Their jobs are not easy right now and they handle everything with grace and kindness every day. I have the most respect for all of them.”

“Jane Steinkamp (Educational Services Assistant Superintendent). She is creative, innovative, friendly, and easy to talk to. She inspires me every day.”

“That would be my boss, Leticia Sida (Head Start San Joaquin Director). She is not just a leader, she is also a role model.”

DAWN SPEAKS

JOANNA SALDANA

DOREEN ELIAS

“The ERSEA liaisons Cynthia Contreras, Itzel Flores, and Seng Kingkhilysack. It’s amazing how organized the three of them are, how patient they are with families, and how they get the job done. They are just: Go, go, go!”

“Carly Sexton (Public Information Officer) was my supervisor at WorkStartYES. I still rave about her management style, her organizational skills, and how compassionate she was to all her team and made sure we always felt supported.”

“I think Jamie Baiocchi (Division Director) because she’s been working in education all her career. And now that she is at the end part of her career, she still has that passion for children. That and her vision. And she likes the San Francisco Giants.”

LISA CHEIM

PRISCILLA SEGURA

KARINA AGUILERA

“I am really inspired by Lesley Fantazia (program manager) because she is consistently encouraging us to be better. She always shows up as the best version of herself. She’s just a positive, kind human. She really helps connect families to resources.”

“Dawn Glass (parent educator). She is always inspiring me to have a positive attitude. She always has a bright smile and a positive energy. It inspires me to be the same way.”

“Enrique Lopez. He commenced his career in Education as a teacher and worked his way up to an administrator. He is well liked, respected, and is someone who is passionate and dedicated about his work; influencing other colleagues in a positive way.”

Program Manager

Project Facilitator & Teacher Coach

Program Manager

Parent Educator

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Coordinator

Special Education Teacher

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