Caryn Lewis, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent [email protected] 831-755-0383 (office) @p12innovation Operating from core principles that everything we do must generate a positive impact on the success of all students, the 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 years, serving as a preschool and elementary classroom teacher, grade level coach, elementary school principal, Director of LCAP, Student Services, State and Federal Programs and Early Learning, Director of State Preschool Programs, and is currently the Senior Director of Educational Services in Monterey County. Michelle collaborates with districts in their work with the Local 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. . Areas of speciality: ● Educational Partner Engagement ● LCAP Development and Support ● State and Federal Policy ● Applied Use Improvement Science ● Increased and Improved Services for At-Promise Youth Areas of speciality: ● Improvement Science Methodologies ● Communities of Practice ● Innovative Leadership Models ● Deeper Learning Competencies and Program Development
Areas of speciality: ● Continuous Improvement ● Leadership Development ● Change Management ● Equity Based Leadership ● Linked Learning Approach to High School Reform ● Application of Authentic Assessments Aligned to Graduate Profile and Defense of Learning Matthew Turkie, Ed.D. District and School Support Liaison [email protected] 831-784-4155 Matt is committed to equity and social justice, and believes that education is the most powerful tool we have to enact positive societal change to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills to be college, career and community ready. Matt has a passion for authentic collaboration and the use of continuous improvement to get better results at the school and district level level. He is partnered with the Salinas Union High School District. Before coming to MCOE, Matt served as a secondary Math Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. 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 student outcomes. Maralina believes in the power of equitable practice, collaborative communities, and seeking continuous improvement through improvement science and the cycle of inquiry. Her focus is in creative ways to close the achievement gap, disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, build equitable environments, and increase access for all students. She enjoys SCUBA diving, travel, fosting animals, and adventure. “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Ryunokuke Satoro Areas of speciality: ● Improvement Science Differentiated Assistance Supports ● Courageous Conversations ● Supports for At-Promise Youth ● Instructional Methodology ● Professional Learning Communities
Areas of speciality: ● Data analysis ● Program evaluation ● Data Visualization ● https://github.com/dobrowski David Dobrowski Director of Data, Research and Partnerships [email protected] 831-784-4189 David Dobrowski brings a rich experience in data analysis and evaluation including R, data visualizations and facilitated outcomes discussions. His work supports using assessments, data and information to make decisions that improve outcomes and reduce inequities. He previously worked for the County of 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. Yolanda Barba Educational Administrator, Continuous Improvement [email protected] 831-755-0300 x 1017 Yolanda Barba has been in education for more than 30 years, serving as a special education teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Special Projects & Interventions, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and is currently an Educational Administrator of Continuous Improvement for the Monterey County Office of Education. Yolanda’s passion for achieving educational equity is rooted in her life experiences, knows first-hand the obstacles students face, and dedicates her work to breaking down those barriers. She is committed to lifelong learning and public service and creating a culture of continuous learning and equitable opportunities for ALL students. Areas of speciality: ● CSI/ATSI School Level Improvement and Plan support ● LCAP Development ● Needs Assessments to accelerate outcomes for for At Promise Youth Yolanda Photo
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 over 20 years as a high school, middle school, and elementary school principal. He most recently served six years opening up the new Monte Bella Elementary in the Alisal Union School District, and led the effort of making the school a CA Distinguished Gold Ribbon School within the first three years of existence. 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. Areas of speciality: ● School Systems ● All things Equity ● Cultural Proficiency ● Transformative Leadership ● Administor Induction, Mentoring, and Support This could be you! Areas of specialty: ● ELA/ELD Framework ● CA English Learner Roadmap ● Reading Specialist Certified ● Language Acquisition ● Literacy Development Raquel Camberos Program Coordinator II, Early Language & Literacy [email protected] 831-755-0304 (office) Raquel Camberos has 20 years of experience in education. She has held positions as a reading specialist, elementary and dual language teacher, elementary/middle school instructional coach, and district Language and Literacy TOSA. She has been recognized at the state level receiving an award for effectiveness in teaching multilingual learners. Additionally, she has presented at state conferences, university seminars, district leadership meetings and various professional development experiences for new and veteran teachers. Raquel believes in the transformative power of reading and brings a “we are better together” approach towards improving quality of language and literacy instruction. Her passion is in leveraging equitable best practices that create instructional opportunities to close the achievement gap and provide deeper access for all youth. She has a service mindset with a strong will to listen, serve and uplift the community. “Together all things are possible.” Cesar Chavez
Rosa Hernández, Ed.D. Director, P-12 Teaching & Learning [email protected] 831-755-6435 (office) Dr. Rosa G. Hernandez is an experienced educator and administrator with over 25 years in the field of education. Her extensive experiences teaching in the secondary setting, college/university level as well as roles as parent engagement coordinator and academic counselor have greatly deepened her knowledge. Her wide range of experience has provided her a clear understanding of the importance of providing optimal learning opportunities in the education of students from cradle to career. In her recent role as the principal of Lakeview Middle School for the past 7 years, Dr. Hernandez takes great pride in having led her team in being recognized as awardees for various grants including the Kaiser Foundation Trauma Informed Schools Grant as well as the Santa Cruz Community Foundation Girls Paving the Way Grant that extended opportunities in the implementation of effective practices and structures that serve the needs of the whole child. As the Director of P12 Teaching and Learning (T&L), Dr. Hernandez leads the Multilingual Education Collaborative Network as well as facilitates the organization of the professional learning opportunities (PLO) in the T & L division. Her guiding principles are grounded in the belief that education can be transformative and that culturally and linguistically responsive teaching is essential to increase connectedness and engagement necessary for student learning. She is committed to creating collaborative networks and PLO’s for educators that reinforce instructional practices that increase equitable access for all students and contribute to closing the achievement gap. Photo coming soon! Areas of speciality: ● Immigrant/Refugee Students ● ELAC/DELAC Training ● Professional Development Coordination Jennifer E. Figliomeni, Ed.D. Program Coordinator II, Language & Literacy [email protected] 831-784-4154 (office) Jennifer E. Figliomeni has been in education for over 21 years, serving as a classroom teacher from grades 2 through 9, a new teacher mentor, an English Language Development TOSA, and an Instructional Coach. Jennifer was one of the many people who helped Monte Bella Elementary School achieve its California Distinguished Gold Ribbon School status after only 3 years of being open. While a teacher there, Jennifer taught ELA & ELD in a departmentalized classroom. Her educational career has spanned from Ontario, Canada, to Chicago, IL, to Salinas, CA. These broad geographical experiences have given her a very strong understanding of languages, dialects, multiculturalism, equity, and diversity. Jennifer is passionate about reading and literacy, and believes that literacy is the foundation upon which all other subjects are built. She is also equally fervent about ensuring equitable access for Language Learners to succeed and thrive, coming from a line of immigrants herself. As the Program Coordinator for Language & Literacy in Educational Services at MCOE, Jennifer will dedicate herself to ensure that each and every child has a level playing field and equal opportunities to reach their highest potentials through reading, literacy, and language development. Photo Coming Soon! Areas of speciality: ● ELA/ELD Frameworks ● BeGLAD Certified ● C&I ● Tech Integration ● Literacy Development ● Language Acquisition ● CA English Learner Roadmap ● Reading & Literacy
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 science enthusiast. He has helped to develop and implement science programs for our local communities, as well as, transition schools to 21st Century learning environments. With the onset of increasingly digitized learning environments and opportunities, Rod is focused on innovating educational practices to prepare our students for the future. As part of the STEAM Team for MCOE Ed Services, Rod’s main focus is centered around supporting schools in their efforts to build Computer Science (CS) programs , transition to Distance Learning, and promote equitable practices in a digital space for all K-12 students. Photo of Person Areas of speciality: ● Transitions to Distance Learning ● Educational Technology ● Computer Science Implementation ● Virtual Coaching ● Equity and Access in CS and Technology ● CA K12 CS Standards Lora Carey Coordinator II, Math [email protected] 831-784-4113 (office) Lora Carey is a former elementary teacher who spent many years teaching math in a departmentalized classroom. She is excited to engage with teachers and districts around the learning opportunities in the coming Math Framework. Her goal is to collaborate with math educators to increase math access through equity, elevate student achievement, and deepen our students’ knowledge and understanding of math and how it relates to the world around them. Areas of speciality: ● Math Framework ● Visible Thinking ● Equity and Access in Math ● Number Talks ● K-12 Math Standards ● Tech Integration ● Coaching
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, management, stakeholder collaboration, and project-based curricula design. She directs the provision of support services to the region’s LEA grantees and community based organization partners with a focus on increasing cohesion between in school and out-of-school time. Her greatest passion is that students have access to the highest quality expanded learning opportunities that promote wonder, exploration, equity and SEL. 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 management within the non-profit educational sector. She has dedicated her career to increasing the quality of services and support staff with the strategies and tools to prepare our students for college, career and life. Throughout her career she has been involved in local and 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. Areas of speciality: ● Program Design & Organizational Systems Thinking ● Program Compliance & Quality Improvement ● Collaborative Networks ● TK-12 Integration/STEAM Areas of speciality: ● Program Development & Management ● Capacity Building ● Quality Improvement ● Active & Engaged Learning ● Social Emotional Learning
Claudia Morales Educational Administrator, Induction Programs [email protected] 831-784-4166 (office) Claudia Morales comes to MCOE with 26 years of experience in education. Throughout her career she worked as a classroom teacher, resource teacher for Dual Immersion programs, teacher-tutor, reading coach, intervention teacher, vice principal, program manager for English learners & bilingual programs, and most recently, elementary school principal. In her various roles, she supported both students and staff in best practices for English language arts & development, reading interventions, dual language instruction, and teacher collaboration. Claudia believes in the power of collective efficacy and that all students deserve our best. Claudia is excited about working with new teachers and collaborating with and learning from educational leaders across the county. Photo coming soon Areas of speciality: ● Dual language immersion programs ● English Language Development ● Foundational Literacy ● Reading Interventions ● MTSS: Student Study Teams and Coordination of Student Services ● Differentiated instruction and small group instruction 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 over 20 years as a high school, middle school, and elementary school principal. He most recently served six years opening up the new Monte Bella Elementary in the Alisal Union School District, and led the effort of making the school a CA Distinguished Gold Ribbon School within the first three years of existence. 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. Areas of speciality: ● School Systems ● All things Equity ● Cultural Proficiency ● Transformative Leadership ● Administor Induction, Mentoring, and Support
Photo of Person Lauren Patron-Castro 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. 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 Coordinator and then as a Family Services Specialist supporting students, families, and schools in many different ways. Additionally, as a long time Salinas local, Irma brings strength in networking and connections across the county. She is dedicated to youth and community service. Irma is serving as Hartnell College Board of Trustee for District 4, and as a Board Member for the Ernie Camacho Educational Foundation. She is also a volunteer of TFTMC, Gonzalez Youth Guardians and the National Steinbeck Center. Irma has done so much within the community, that she was a recipient of Salinas’ “City of Champions” commendation award. Areas of speciality: ● Program Development ● Youth Development ● Recruitment Specialist ● Volunteer Coordinator ● Community Outreach ● Networking Specialist ● Youth Mentor ● Communications ● Fundraising
Megan Matteoni Director, Early Care & Education [email protected] 831.755.0300 x407 @m_matteoni Areas of speciality: ● CA Regional Anchor: ECERS-R & FCCERS-R ● CLASS Observer: PreK, Toddler, Infant ● Teaching Pyramid Preschool Trainer ● Loose Parts ● Emergent Curriculum With over 20 years of experience teaching and supporting early learning environments. Her experience ranges from teaching in toddler, preschool, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten classrooms to coaching and conducting assessments. Megan is a certificated Early Childhood Education teacher with a Master’s in Child Development and a Program Director permit. She holds a CTE Teaching Credential and is in the process of obtaining her Administrative Services Credential. Her philosophy is rooted in constructivism and believes in utilizing children’s interests and abilities to promote a cohesive community within the classroom. Her research interests lie in the social 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 Early Learning Program Specialist [email protected] 831.755.0300 ext. 1086 (Main) Gelacio Gonzalez has over a decade of working with the special needs and early childhood profile. Gelacio holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a specialty in Trauma, as well as a Site Supervisor Permit from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. His unique blend of expertise allows him to create and provide services that are holistically designed, taking into account the multitude of factors that affect the well-being of our children, educators, and families. 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. Areas of specialty: ● CLASS Master Coach ● ECERS-R & FCCERS-R Reliable Assessor ● CLASS Pre-K & Toddler Assessor & Trainer of Trainers ● ASQ.3 & ASQ-SE.2 Trainer of Trainers ● TALLK DLL Certified Coach ● Registered Circle of Security Practitioner
Laurie Ramirez, Ph.D. Program Coordinator I, Early Care and Education [email protected] 831-784-4141 (office) Laurie comes to MCOE with an interesting variety of both educational and community outreach experience. Prior to entering graduate school, Laurie worked as an adult teacher at a welfare-to-work program, assisting students with GED prep, English classes, as well as a community outreach worker connecting students with needed services. 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 District as a CSPP and Migrant preschool teacher. She worked with preschool professionals to provide on-site coaching. As well as implemented a myriad of preschool and family literacy programs. Eliza’s practitioner journey includes being a program director, site supervisor, and family home visitor. Eliza is a pioneer as the first mentor in Monterey County for the California Early Childhood Education Mentor Program with Hartnell College. Areas of speciality: ● Child Development ● Community Partnerships ● Setting up equitable learning systems Areas of speciality: ● Program Development ● Early Literacy ● Child Development ● 40 Developmental Assets ● Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors
Emiliano Valdez Director, MCAET, The Media Center for Art Education and Technology [email protected] 831.755.0393 As an arts educator and curriculum developer, Emiliano has dedicated the last 20 years of his career to serving programs and arts organizations across multiple counties in Region V. Notably creating the after school, English Language Learner Visual and Performing Arts curriculum CASA de Milagros for the David and Lucile Packard 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. Areas of speciality: ●Visual Performing Arts ●Career Technical Education ●Arts, Media and Entertainment ●Film / Television Production ●Theatre Technical Design ●Digital Media ●AME Curriculum Sean True Manager of Fab Lab Program [email protected] 831.755.0300 ext 1497 Sean brings 28 years of experience in public education to the role of Fab Lab Manager. He has been a classroom teacher, site administrator and most recently served as the Senior Director of Education Services for MPUSD. Those experiences inform his work in supporting schools and districts in understanding the role that digital design and fabrication skills can play as a key part of the instructional frameworks that our schools are implementing. He spent nearly 20 years in the classroom where he focused on creative approaches to learning that leveraged maker skills. He has also been supporting teacher and leadership training both at the district and the university level. Sean is also the Technical Director for the Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theatre and previously served in that role for the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo. Areas of speciality: ● Curriculum and Instruction ● Curriculum Adoption and Program Pilots ● Digital Fabrication ● Visual and Performing Arts ● Wood and Metal Working ● Teacher and Leadership Training ● Theatrical Production and Design Picture coming soon!
This could be you! TBD Educational Administrator, Science @montereycoe.org 831-784-4147 (office)