California School News Radio

Shirpser School Teacher/Assistant Principal Juan Flores discusses El Monte City School District’s Leader in Me program, the Panda Cares program that brought Panda Express employees to Shirpser to promote leadership and literacy, growing up in El Monte and returning as a teacher.

Fontana Unified Elementary School counselor Eduardo Valencia discusses the experiences that led him to be a school counselor, bringing college and career days to District elementary schools, arranging for students to visit the capitol in Sacramento and establishing a leadership nonprofit.

Baldwin Park Unified Director of Early Childhood Education Ricardo Rivera details the history of the District’s Head Start program, the importance of community support, and the program’s annual District Toy Drive.

Fontana Unified’s Southridge Tech Middle School science teacher Pam Matea – a C-STEM 2019 Teacher of the Year – is joined by three of her eighth-grade students to talk about coding, robotics and the academic benefits of learning from your mistakes.

Monroe Elementary School Principal Dr. Lily Jarvis and interventionist Shirley Conde discuss anti-bullying strategies, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and the benefits of rewarding good behavior.

Paramount High School seniors and National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholars Rebecca Mejia and Edward Quezada join Principal Christiana Kraus to discuss school life, the rigor of Advanced Placement classes and their dream colleges and careers.

Whittier Union Adult School alumnus Sachin Mishra discusses how taking adult school classes have enabled him to acquire his diploma, find a full-time job at LAX and prepare to continue his education at Rio Hondo College. Mishra is joined by Adult School Assistant Principal Juan Anzaldo.

Bonita Unified School District Superintendent Carl Coles and Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Matthew Wien discuss the District commitment to student achievement and core values that embrace academics, activities, athletics and the arts.

Lynwood Unified Chief Business Officer Gregory Fromm discusses the recent District facilities upgrades made possible by voter-approved measures K and N, and the connection between enrollment, daily attendance and state funding.

West Covina Unified Director of Student Services Devon Rose and Edgewood Academy senior Joel Adell discuss what it means to be a California District of Choice and highlight the academic programs and resources available at the District.

Buena Park Junior High teacher Shelley Andros and seventh-grader Joseph Williams discuss the school’s computer science program, where students learn to code Java and Python and can receive college credit if they pass the Advanced Placement exam.

Baldwin Park High School Principal Dr. Gilberto Rodriguez, Asst. Principal Dr. Josefina Steinmetz and freshman Rene Cisneros discuss a school visit to San Francisco-based IT company Cisco-Meraki, where students received career advice from its CEO.

Bonita Unified Senior Director of Specialized Services Mark Rodgers and Coordinator Danielle Walker discuss the District’s Parent Partnership Academy, which offers training on such topics as modern technology to individualized services for students with special needs.

Buena Park Junior High program specialist Debbie Clark discusses an ocean conservation program where junior high students learn to swim, sail and build waterproof robots.

Jurupa Hills High School Principal Caroline Labonte joins Middle Years Program coordinator Randy Bertok and Diploma Program coordinator David Cambero to discuss 10 years of being an International Baccalaureate World School in Fontana.

Fontana Unified Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Miki Inbody discusses the District’s International Baccalaureate K-12 continuum, which will include a Primary Years Program at Dolores Huerta International Academy and a Middle Years Program at Southridge Tech Middle School.

Orangewood Elementary School kindergarten and Spanish dual-language immersion teacher Karla Toledo, a Los Angeles County Office of Education 2019-20 Teacher of the Year, discusses instilling the values of empathy and tolerance to her students as part of the West Covina Unified International Baccalaureate continuum.

Paramount Park Middle School intervention teacher Felicia Akuamoah, a Los Angeles County Office of Education 2019-20 Teacher of the Year, discusses the school’s acclaimed student support service program, Panther Academy, and the rapport she shares with her students.

West Covina Unified Assistant Superintendent Dr. Drew Passalacqua discusses facilities upgrades funded by a $143 million bond measure passed by voters in 2016, including a newly renovated football stadium, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and new performing arts center.

Monrovia High School WorkAbility and Transition Program Partnership Coordinator Kymberly Hirst discusses the school’s Roasters coffee cart program, which teaches independence and life skills to students in special education.