22/23 Professional Learning Catalog

Caryn Lewis, Ed.D. Areas of speciality:
Assistant Superintendent ● Improvement Science
[email protected] Methodologies
831-755-0383 (office) ● Communities of Practice
● Innovative Leadership
@pk12innovation Models
● Deeper Learning
Operating from core principles that everything we do must Competencies and Program
generate a positive impact on the success of all students, the Development
Educational Services team is dedicated to growing the
collective capacity of the Monterey County educators who
lead this vital work every day. Our shared purpose is to
engage in collaborative partnerships and develop dynamic
instructional systems in order to accelerate learning and
maximize opportunities for all of our youth. Recognizing the
diverse needs of our learning communities across the region,
we are committed to supporting schools and districts with
innovative programs and services to ensure equitable
solutions for college and career readiness. Our goal is to
provide you with extraordinary service and ongoing support to
develop rigorous academic pathways that cultivate deeper
learning competencies.

Michelle Ramirez
Senior Director
[email protected]
831-755-0388 (office)
559-259-6559 (cell)

Michelle Ramirez has been in education for more than 25 Areas of speciality:
years, serving as a preschool and elementary classroom ● LCAP Development and
teacher, grade level coach, elementary school principal, Support
Director of LCAP, Student Services, State and Federal ● State and Federal Policy
Programs and Early Learning, Director of State Preschool ● LEA Self Assessment
Programs, and is currently the Senior Director of Educational Tools
Services in Monterey County. ● Continuous Improvement
Supports for Level 2
Michelle collaborates with districts in their work with the Local Eligible LEAs
Control Accountability Plans to create the best conditions for
positive student outcomes. Michelle brings to MCOE the love
of learning, a strong will to serve the community, a passion for
the arts, and extensive work on comprehensive balanced
literacy.
.

David Dobrowski
Director of Data, Research and Partnerships
[email protected]
831-784-4189

David Dobrowski brings a rich experience in data analysis and Areas of speciality:
evaluation including R, data visualizations and facilitated ● Data analysis
outcomes discussions. His work supports using assessments, ● Program evaluation
data and information to make decisions that improve outcomes ● Data Visualization
and reduce inequities. He previously worked for the County of ● https://github.com/dobrowski
Santa Cruz’s Human Services Department where he supported
divisions including Family and Children’s Services, Adults and
Long Term Care, and Employment and Benefits. Prior to that
he worked at First 5 Monterey County where he supported
schools and nonprofits throughout Monterey County that work
with families with young children. He has lived in Monterey
County since 2003. He received his Master’s of Public
Administration from the Middlebury Institute of International
Studies.

Roberto Núñez, Ed.D.
Director of Leadership and School Systems
[email protected]
831-512-1376 (office)

Dr. Nunez is a TK-12 Administrator and Education, having served Areas of speciality:
over 20 years as a high school, middle school, and elementary ● School Systems
school principal. He most recently served six years opening up the ● All things Equity
new Monte Bella Elementary in the Alisal Union School District, and ● Cultural Proficiency
led the effort of making the school a CA Distinguished Gold Ribbon ● Transformative Leadership
School within the first three years of existence. ● Administor Induction,
Mentoring, and Support
As the Director of Leadership and School Systems, Dr. Nunez is
leading the new Center for Transformative Leadership. His
expertise is in Cultural Proficiency and he walks the talk as a
transformative leader, advocating for scholars of color having more
access to a 21st Century education system, closing the
achievement gap, disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, and is all
in for equity.

Matthew Turkie
District and School Support Liaison
[email protected]
831-784-4155

Matt is committed to equity and social justice, and believes that Areas of speciality:
education is the most powerful tool we have to enact positive societal ● Continuous Improvement
change to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills to ● Leadership Development
be college, career and community ready. Matt has a passion for ● Change Management
authentic collaboration and the use of continuous improvement to get ● Equity Based Leadership
better results at the school and district level level. He is partnered ● Linked Learning Approach to
with the Salinas Union High School District. High School Reform
Before coming to MCOE, Matt served as a secondary Math Teacher, ● Application of Authentic
Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Assessments Aligned to
Curriculum and Instruction. Graduate Profile and Defense
of Learning

Maralina Milazzo
Director of Student Success
[email protected]
831-755-0833

Maralina comes to MCOE with over 20 years of experience as a
teacher, instructional coach, vice principal and principal at the
elementary, middle and high school levels. She has been a mentor
teacher, seminar speaker, department chair and has taught in Japan
and South Korea. Maralina has served on WASC committees for
school accreditation, audited assessments at CDE, and worked with
induction Programs.

Her passion is in building partnership to create capacity for successful Areas of speciality:
student outcomes. Maralina believes in the power of equitable
practice, collaborative communities, and seeking continuous ● Improvement Science
improvement through improvement science and the cycle of inquiry. Differentiated Assistance
Her focus is in creative ways to close the achievement gap, disrupt Supports
the school-to-prison pipeline, build equitable environments, and
increase access for all students. She enjoys SCUBA diving, travel, ● Courageous Conversations
fosting animals, and adventure. ● Supports for At-Promise

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are Youth
● Instructional Methodology
an ocean.” Ryunokuke Satoro ● Professional Learning

Communities

Dora Ann Salazar Photo of Person
Director, Language & Literacy
[email protected]
831-755-6435 (office)

Dora Salazar has been in education for more than 30 years. Areas of speciality:
She has been an administrator for 20 years and 15 of those ● ELA/ELD Framework
years were as a school site principal. She currently serves ● BeGLAD Certification
Monterey County as a representative for the Bilingual ● ELAC/DELAC Training
Coordinators Network at the California Department of ● Immigrant/Refugee
Education as well as in the Region 5 Community of Practice Students
for the CA English Learner Roadmap. She is a co-leader of ● CA English Learner
the Monterey County Bright Futures Goal 3 Advisory group. Roadmap

Dora is passionate about ensuring equitable instructional
opportunities for English learners to thrive. She is dedicated
to creating networks, collaboration and professional learning
opportunities for educators who impact student learning,
including parents, who are a child’s first teacher.

Rod Garcia
Computer Science and Digital Learning
Coordinator II
[email protected]
(831)-755-0300 Ext. 371
(831)233-4411 (Cell)

Rod Garcia is a former elementary school teacher and lifelong Areas of speciality:
science enthusiast. He has helped to develop and implement ● Transitions to Distance
science programs for our local communities, as well as, Learning
transition schools to 21st Century learning environments. With ● Educational Technology
the onset of increasingly digitized learning environments and ● Computer Science
opportunities, Rod is focused on innovating educational Implementation
practices to prepare our students for the future. As part of the ● Virtual Coaching
STEAM Team for MCOE Ed Services, Rod’s main focus is ● Equity and Access in CS
centered around supporting schools in their efforts to build and Technology
Computer Science (CS) programs , transition to Distance ● CA K12 CS Standards
Learning, and promote equitable practices in a digital space
for all K-12 students.

Lora Carey Photo of Person
Coordinator II, Math
[email protected] Areas of speciality:
831-784-4113 (office) ● Math Framework
● Visible Thinking
Lora Carey is a former elementary teacher who spent many ● Equity and Access in Math
years teaching math in a departmentalized classroom. She is ● Number Talks
excited to engage with teachers and districts around the ● K-12 Math Standards
learning opportunities in the coming Math Framework. Her ● Tech Integration
goal is to collaborate with math educators to increase math ● Coaching
access through equity, elevate student achievement, and
deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of math
and how it relates to the world around them.

Will Franzell Photo of Person
Educational Administrator, Science
[email protected] Areas of specialty:
831-784-4147 (office) ● Next Generation Science
Standards
As an Educational Administrator at MCOE, Will is responsible ● Curriculum Review and
for facilitating Science Professional Learning Opportunities Adoption Support
with TK-12th grade educators and administrators in Monterey ● Equity and Access in
County. He is available to meet with your team throughout the Science
school year to provide support with the Next Generation ● Instructional Coaching
Science Standards build capacity at your sites. His skills ● Environmental Principles
include designing, developing, and implementing workshops and Concepts
aligned to the NGSS while approaching this work with a
combined lens of empathy and equity. Will looks forward to
working with your team in order to foster creative confidence
through innovation, collaborations, and deeper learning
experiences. Contact Will to help transform your school
communities so all students have access and support to be
successful in college, career, and life.

TBD This could
Fab Lab Program Specialist be you!
@montereycoe.org
831.755.0300 x497

Mara Wold, M.P.A.
Regional Lead, Region 5 Expanded Learning

Serving 240+ ASES/21CCLC funded Expanded Learning programs
in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties

[email protected]
408-313-6059 (cell)

Mara brings 25 years experience in program development, Areas of speciality:
management, stakeholder collaboration, and project-based ● Program Design &
curricula design. She directs the provision of support services to Organizational Systems
the region’s LEA grantees and community based organization Thinking
partners with a focus on increasing cohesion between in school ● Program Compliance &
and out-of-school time. Her greatest passion is that students have Quality Improvement
access to the highest quality expanded learning opportunities that ● Collaborative Networks
promote wonder, exploration, equity and SEL. ● TK-12 Integration/STEAM

Mara leads the Region 5 STEAM Hub for Expanded Learning and
greater Region 5 STEAM Ecosystem, a member community of the
National STEM Network. She has been appointed to numerous
statewide and local advisory committees, including collaborative
funder networks, strategic design teams, and efforts to promote
collective impact..

Lety Gomez Gong
Manager, Region 5 Expanded Learning

Serving 240+ ASES/21CCLC funded Expanded Learning programs
in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties

[email protected]
831-237-0053 (office)

For more than 20 years, Lety Gomez Gong has worked in Areas of speciality:
management within the non-profit educational sector. She has ● Program Development
dedicated her career to increasing the quality of services and & Management
support staff with the strategies and tools to prepare our students ● Capacity Building
for college, career and life. ● Quality Improvement
● Active & Engaged Learning
Throughout her career she has been involved in local and ● Social Emotional Learning
statewide collaboratives and partnerships to increase programming
and services in inclusion, students with special needs, Social
Emotional Learning, Summer Learning, Prevention/Intervention
services, School Climate and Mental Health.

She is a capacity builder and leads the coordination of the
Leadership Institute, as well as the ReV Up Conference that brings
600+ educators and experts to learn and share promising
practices.

Tara Crampton
Program Coordinator II, MTSS
[email protected]
831-755-0843

Tara Crampton has been in education for 18 years. She has Areas of speciality:
been an administrator, an instructional coach, a teacher, a district ● Multi-tiered Systems of Support
professional development committee co-chair, an educational ● Student Academic Success
technology liaison, an induction mentor, and a McKinney- Vento ● Social and Emotional Learning
liaison. She currently serves Monterey County as the Coordinator ● Mindfulness
of Multi-tiered System of Support and Tobacco Use Prevention ● Restorative Justice
Education. ● Behavior Support
Tara is passionate about enhancing knowledge of Equity, ● PBIS/SWIS/CICO Facilitator
Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching, and Universal ● District Conference Planning
Design for Learning. She is dedicated to using a strengths ● The Continuous Improvement Cycle
based approach towards continuous improvement. based of Strengths.
Together we can create transformational change and meet the ● Technology Integration: Google Level 1 &
needs of the Whole Child with inclusive academic instruction, 2 Certified.
inclusive behavior instruction, social and emotional instruction, ● Support for McKinney Vento Students
and mental health support. ● Support and Lesson Design for ELLs

Greg Fry Areas of speciality:
Program Coordinator II, School Climate ● Positive Behavior Interventions and
[email protected]
831-784-4110 Supports - PBIS
● PBIS ASSESSMENT/SWIS/CICO
After spending many years running summer camps and after-school
programs, Greg came into education over 14 years ago. Greg has Region Facilitator
worked as a special education teacher, a site administrator, and ● Interconnected Systems Framework
most recently as a district administrator. He brings experience
supporting school sites with Positive Behavioral Interventions and (ISF) Implementation
Supports (PBIS), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and school climate ● Social Emotional Learning
development, while also leading teams of school counselors, ● Mental Health Support Coordination
LGBTQ+ task force, site/community partnerships, and equity ● Special Education
systems. ● Supports for Mckinney Vento

In his MCOE role of Program Coordinator of School Climate, Greg Students and Foster Students
brings an equity-centered passion to ensure that no student falls
through the cracks by working with Districts and Sites to develop
school climates where every student has at least one adult that
cares about them, knows them by name, and sees them for both
who they are and who they can become. Greg’s primary focus is
around building capacity in PBIS/SEL, supporting the strengths of
community partnerships, and promoting Equity-centered learning.

Irma C. Lopez
Recruitment and Retention Specialist,
AmeriCorps
[email protected]
831-512-1387 (Office)

Irma joins us from The First Tee of Monterey County (TFTMC), where

she was the Members Services Coordinator. She has experience

working with Monterey County school districts through partnerships with

The First Tee, and supervised a staff team of 15-25. In earlier work,

Irma worked with Alisal Union School District as an Outreach Areas of speciality:
Coordinator and then as a Family Services Specialist supporting ● Program Development
students, families, and schools in many different ways. ● Youth Development
● Recruitment Specialist
Additionally, as a long time Salinas local, Irma brings strength in ● Volunteer Coordinator
networking and connections across the county. She is dedicated to ● Community Outreach
youth and community service. Irma is serving as Hartnell College ● Networking Specialist
Board of Trustee for District 4, and as a Board Member for the Ernie ● Youth Mentor
Camacho Educational Foundation. She is also a volunteer of TFTMC, ● Communications
Gonzalez Youth Guardians and the National Steinbeck Center. Irma ● Fundraising

has done so much within the community, that she was a recipient of

Salinas’ “City of Champions” commendation award.

Lauren Patron-Castro Photo of Person
Program Coordinator, AmeriCorps
[email protected]
831-755-0300 x386 (Office)

Lauren came to MCOE having a professional career of over 10 years
committed to the value and accessibility of education within diverse
communities. Her specializations include: project management, budget
oversight, customer service, compliance, and asset-based community
development. She has also served in a variety of roles within diverse
educational and non-profit settings. Lauren has supported leaders at
different areas of their careers and life journeys, ranging from high-level
administrators to elementary school students. Additionally, these
different roles have allowed her to develop a penchant for detail-oriented
projects, internal and external relationships, workplace leadership, and
strong community development.
As the new Coordinator for AmeriCorps, Lauren brings a full circle
experience. She served as an AmeriCorps member from 2008-2010
with Public Allies of Silicon Valley working with non-profits dedicated to
adult and elementary education. This experience will help our current
tutors make the transformation of confidence and abilities that could only
be generated through the power of education and the commitment to our
community.

Laurie Ramirez, Ph.D.
Early Learning Manager, Early Childhood
Education
[email protected]
831-784-4141 (office)

Laurie comes to MCOE with an interesting variety of both educational and Areas of speciality:
community outreach experience. Prior to entering graduate school, Laurie ● Child Development
worked as an adult teacher at a welfare-to-work program, assisting ● Community
students with GED prep, English classes, as well as a community Partnerships
outreach worker connecting students with needed services. ● Setting up equitable
learning systems
Laurie holds a Masters and Ph.D. in Education from U.C. Berkeley. Her
graduate work findings reaffirmed her beliefs that high expectations both
at home and in schools, along with educational support systems that take
into account the unique personalities of the student population are critical
for student success.

Laurie believes that only by having the multi-faceted components of
children’s lives all work in unison can a child truly thrive. Laurie is excited
to work alongside the MCOE community as well as community partners
and stakeholders to build improved early childhood systems in Monterey
County.

Eliza Gomez, M.A.
Program Coordinator II, QRIS
[email protected]
831-783-5289 (office) @Together4NINOS

Eliza is the Quality Rating & Improvement System Coordinator for
Quality Matters. She is a strong advocate for ensuring ALL children
have access to high-quality early childhood programs. She leads to
evoke quality improvement efforts in culturally responsive practices
informed by local work and grounded in research. Her grassroots
background provides a wealth of experience and knowledge as a
strategic partner in coming together collectively for positive outcomes.

In 1991, Eliza began her career with the Soledad Unified School Areas of speciality:
District as a CSPP and Migrant preschool teacher. She worked with ● Program Development
preschool professionals to provide on-site coaching. As well as ● Early Literacy
implemented a myriad of preschool and family literacy programs. ● Child Development
Eliza’s practitioner journey includes being a program director, site ● 40 Developmental Assets
supervisor, and family home visitor. Eliza is a pioneer as the first ● Abriendo Puertas/Opening
mentor in Monterey County for the California Early Childhood Doors
Education Mentor Program with Hartnell College.

Megan Matteoni
Program Coordinator, QRIS
[email protected]
831.755.0300 x407 @m_matteoni

With over 20 years of experience teaching and supporting early Areas of speciality:
learning environments. Her experience ranges from teaching in ● CA Regional Anchor:
toddler, preschool, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten
classrooms to coaching and conducting assessments. Megan is a ECERS-R & FCCERS-R
certificated Early Childhood Education teacher with a Master’s in ● CLASS Observer: PreK,
Child Development and a Program Director permit. She holds a
CTE Teaching Credential and is in the process of obtaining her Toddler, Infant
Administrative Services Credential. ● Teaching Pyramid Preschool

Her philosophy is rooted in constructivism and believes in utilizing Trainer
children’s interests and abilities to promote a cohesive community ● Loose Parts
within the classroom. Her research interests lie in the social ● Emergent Curriculum
emotional and cognitive importance of play and movement. She has
worked within preschools dedicated to intentional teaching practices
through emergent curriculum, and has supported children on the
spectrum building on their social emotional skills through play.

Gelacio Gonzalez, IFECMH-P Areas of specialty:
Early Learning Program Specialist ● CLASS Master Coach
[email protected] ● ECERS-R & FCCERS-R
831.755.0300 ext. 086 (Main)
Reliable Assessor
Gelacio Gonzalez has over a decade of working with the ● CLASS Pre-K & Toddler
special needs and early childhood profile. Gelacio holds a B.A.
in Early Childhood Education with a specialty in Trauma, as Assessor & Trainer of
well as a Site Supervisor Permit from the Commission on Trainers
Teacher Credentialing. His unique blend of expertise allows ● ASQ.3 & ASQ-SE.2 Trainer
him to create and provide services that are holistically of Trainers
designed, taking into account the multitude of factors that affect ● TALLK DLL Certified Coach
the well-being of our children, educators, and families. ● Registered Circle of Security
Practitioner
Gelacio is an Endorsed Infant-Family Childhood Mental Health
Practitioner by the California Center Infant-Family Childhood
Mental Health, and believes it is imperative to address the
social-emotional needs of children in order to build strong
education foundation for their educational success.

Emiliano Valdez Areas of speciality:
Director, MCAET, The Media Center for Art
Education and Technology ●Visual Performing Arts
[email protected] ●Career Technical Education
831.755.0393 ●Arts, Media and

As an arts educator and curriculum developer, Emiliano has dedicated Entertainment
the last 20 years of his career to serving programs and arts ●Film / Television Production
organizations across multiple counties in Region V. Notably creating ●Theatre Technical Design
the after school, English Language Learner Visual and Performing ●Digital Media
Arts curriculum CASA de Milagros for the David and Lucile Packard ●AME Curriculum
Foundation. Emiliano has proudly represented Monterey County
Office of Education as the CCSESA Creativity at the Core Community
Arts Organization Lead. He has spent the last six years as a founding
teacher for the Luis Valdez Leadership Academy, a Visual and
Performing Arts charter high school in East San Jose, where he
developed the career pathway curriculum for the school’s Digital
Media Production program.

Emiliano’s passion is to build hands-on learning programs dedicated
to serving the career pathways of film, television broadcasting and
digital media production while improving inclusion and representation
in those fields.