California School News Radio

Covina High School math teachers and Interact Club advisors Jason Saleh and Sheri Prado join Covina High School senior and Interact Club president Gianna Herrera to discuss Colt Outfitters, a student-run thrift store which offers affordable access to clothing and school supplies and is staffed by students in Covina High’s Life Skills Education Advancement Program (LEAP). Colt Outfitters recently won a 2025 Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association (CSBA).

CalECSE Co-Executive Director Melanie Hertig, Northern California Program Specialist Carrie Rodrigues and Southern California Program Specialist Laura Clarke discuss the importance of providing early education for children with special needs, what families and school districts need to know to be compliant with California regulations, CalECSE online training seminars and other resources for early childhood providers, and the third annual CalECSE “Reaching New Heights” Symposium in October.

Whittier High School’s Cardinal Academy of Technology (CAT) is a three-year STEAM pathway with a mission to inspire high school students to pursue careers in tech and engineering. CAT teachers Daniel Oliver and Steve Swanson are joined by Whittier High senior and CAT president Wendy Carcamo and Whittier High alum and current Cal Poly Pomona architect student Gershwin Mason to discuss what makes the pathway so fun for students, senior projects that include building a replica R2D2 droid and an electric guitar, and how CAT students acquired prestigious Gates and Edison scholarships during the 2023-24 school year.

Chaparral Academy of Technology (CHAT) principal Tim McCaffrey and kindergarten teacher Shawna Corona discuss winning the Josten’s Renaissance Epic School Revamp contest, which netted the school a prize package worth up to $150,000 to rebrand the school and pay for campus improvements; CHAT’s epic first day of school; the importance of incorporating technology into class lessons; and creating a nurturing environment that allows all students to excel.

San Dimas High School Class of 2021 graduate Ally Lemos has won championships at the state, college, and pro levels, all before turning 21 years old. On California School News Radio, Lemos discusses her career, how the pandemic inadvertently paved the way for her to play for her high school team, what female high school athletes should know about pursuing their college dreams, the future of women’s sports, and how she relaxes when not in league play or training.

Since immigrating to El Monte from Mexico in the 1970’s as schoolchildren, Freddy and Bernie Arteaga have established a legacy of excellence at El Monte Union High School District, helping turn a struggling alternative school into a model continuation school. Now serving as principal and counselor of Fernando R. Ledesma High School, respectively, the Arteaga brothers discuss their journey from English learners to educators, and how their legacy has been preserved on campus with the naming of the Freddy and Bernie Arteaga & Frank Ogaz Center.

Lynwood Unified Asst. Superintendent of Technology & Innovation Dr. Patrick Gittisriboongul and Jasmine Walker, Director of District Engagement at the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) at the Southern Education Foundation discuss how OBC is poised to become the future of public education services, how OBC vendor contracts work, and how school districts can set up an OBC program.

Bonita High School Director of Choral Music Ryan Yoder is joined by senior Reese Gonzales, senior Nathaniel Kisaka, and sophomore Erik Hernholm to discuss the school’s successful choral music program, which saw 21 students selected to the Southern California Vocal Association 2024 Honor Choirs. Yoder and his students discuss what brought them into choral music, the intricacies of performing in a choir, the camaraderie found at Choir Camp, and the honor of performing at Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional and other prestigious events. 

UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center Community Education Manager Dr. Margaret Golden and Greater Good Lead Facilitator Salina Mae Espinoza discuss the state of social-emotional learning (SEL) in California; how Greater Good provides workshops, resources and communities of practice for educators throughout the state; the need to provide SEL for both students and teachers; the role CalHOPE plays in supporting school districts and offices of education; and how mindfulness exercises can relieve stress and help keep teachers from burning out and leaving the profession.

Southridge Tech Middle School seventh-grader Cyrus Moss discusses the petition drive he initiated that led to the Fontana Unified Board of Education approving the renaming of Randall Pepper Elementary School to O’Day Short Elementary School, honoring the legacy of the pioneering African American family who originally owned the property. Joining Moss is his mother, Taneka Moss, and Dolores Huerta International Academy Spanish Dual Language Immersion teacher Ashley Silva.

La Puente High School public safety pathway instructor Toni Ramirez and La Puente High senior Nathan Tadeo discuss the school’s public safety pathway, what it takes to become a certified dispatcher, how to handle a crisis situation calmly, talking to classmates about domestic violence, and the importance of being able to communicate clearly and effectively.

San Dimas High School senior Emily Moore and her grandmother Kris Mendolia discuss the Silver Surfers Tech Club, a service club devoted to student volunteers helping San Dimas-area senior citizens better understand modern technology, the cross-country road trip and tech glitch that inspired the formation of the club, and the special role music has played in bringing the pair closer together.   

Wayne Ruble Middle School computer science and math teacher Zahra Razi discusses being named an Amazon Future Engineer Ambassador, her advocacy of computer science education in Fontana Unified and beyond, introducing computer science concepts to middle-schoolers, bridging the generation gap in technology, ensuring her students learn the ethics of computer coding, and the power of algorithms. 

El Monte High School art teacher Mickaela Kubiak and El Monte High junior and Art Club president Juan Torres discuss a classroom mural created by Visual and Performing Arts students over the course of two years, increased participation in the school’s Art Club, the symbiosis between music and art, and the importance of students developing creative and critical thinking skills through art.

Lamont Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Lori Gonzalez joins Covina-Valley Unified School District Health Services Coordinator Nicole Salas and Mental Health Services Coordinator Ana Vasquez to discuss establishing easily-accessible and equitable wellness centers in their districts, and the differences and challenges of providing health care in rural and urban school district areas.

Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School senior Brigitte Lopez and junior Codi Thompson discuss academic and community leadership, the joys of helping others in need and share their thoughts on Black History Month and Women’s History Month. 

Hacienda La Puente Unified Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez joins Fontana Unified Executive Director of College, Career and Economic Development Hillary Wolfe, A.B. Miller High School aviation teacher Jeff McGlocklin and A.B. Miller High School senior Johnny Hortua as they discuss what it takes to establish an aviation education pathway in a Southern California school district.

South Hills High School senior Ahriana Chavez, Covina High School junior Gianna Herrera and Northview High School freshman Jin-Jin Sanglimsuwan discuss being chosen to join the League of Innovative Students, how they are helping shape future education policies, and why they feel compelled to give back to their communities.

Fontana High School Career Connections CTE instructor Lamar Hanger and Fontana High junior Cyrus Sapien discuss the Career Connections construction pathway, preparing for the annual CIEF Foundation Design Build competition, learning life skills and the camaraderie of being a family of aspiring carpenters.

South El Monte High School senior Aaron Morales (“Legacy: After Effects”) joins Whittier High School junior Julia Rae Rodriguez (“Dried Lavender & Sage: Poems As I Grow”) to discuss their latest published works, what inspires them to write, balancing their studies with literary pursuits, extracurricular activities and what writer – living or dead – they would love to have a conversation with.