About This Episode
Season 5. Episode 4.
In this episode of Education Insight, we dive into the unique challenges faced by 9-year-olds who missed crucial in-person kindergarten and first-grade experiences due to the pandemic. These now-4th graders are struggling socially and emotionally, and educators are working tirelessly to help them catch up academically while also addressing their emotional needs.
We hear from Pearla Badena, a 4th-grade teacher at SeaView Elementary in the Coachella Valley Unified School District, who shares the struggles her students face with social interactions, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. Pearla discusses how teachers are adapting to support students in these areas and provides advice for parents looking to help their children build confidence and manage their emotions.
Additionally, Cara Molina, Executive Director for Health and Wellness Services in the Ontario-Montclair School District, explains the district’s efforts to provide social-emotional support for students. Cara highlights the importance of creating a comprehensive system of care to address these issues at the district level and shares recommendations for how parents, teachers, and schools can work together to support children in overcoming these challenges.
Featured Guest
Pearla Badena
4th Grade Educator, SeaView Elementary School in the Coachella Valley Unified School District
Cara Molina began her journey in the education field in 2003 as a Classified staff member working in Food Services and then as an Instructional Aide. As a Classified staff member, wife, and mother of five children, she was empowered by her mentors, who were all educational leaders, and decided to pursue her dream going back to school as a first generation college graduate to become a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and now currently is the Executive Director of Health & Wellness Services in the Ontario-Montclair School District (OMSD) in Southern California, the third largest PK-8th grade district in California, which serves over 18,000 students in 33 schools. She co-leads district-wide implementation of the OMSD Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and leads district implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Restorative Practices, Trauma-Informed Practices, Medical Billing, Homelessness Services, Community Schools, Mental Health, Case Management, and School Health. With her department team, OMSD has been awarded several state and local grants to provide in-district behavioral health, clinical mental health, and clinical social work services. In 2024, she was recognized with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 Central Office Administrator of the Year Award. She has presented at the ACSA Every Child Counts Conference, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Conference, Southern Regional Student Wellness Conference, and other state and local conferences. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Administrative Credential at the University of La Verne. From her experiences in overcoming barriers of poverty and trauma, she is a committed to opening pathways for students, families, and staff to realize dreams they may never thought possible, increasing inclusive practices, and is passionate in supporting current and future educational leaders in transformational and inclusive leadership practices for ongoing positive change supporting the whole-child.
Cara Molina
Cara Molina began her journey in the education field in 2003 as a Classified staff member working in Food Services and then as an Instructional Aide. As a Classified staff member, wife, and mother of five children, she was empowered by her mentors, who were all educational leaders, and decided to pursue her dream going back to school as a first generation college graduate to become a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and now currently is the Executive Director of Health & Wellness Services in the Ontario-Montclair School District (OMSD) in Southern California, the third largest PK-8th grade district in California, which serves over 18,000 students in 33 schools. She co-leads district-wide implementation of the OMSD Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and leads district implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Restorative Practices, Trauma-Informed Practices, Medical Billing, Homelessness Services, Community Schools, Mental Health, Case Management, and School Health. With her department team, OMSD has been awarded several state and local grants to provide in-district behavioral health, clinical mental health, and clinical social work services. In 2024, she was recognized with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 12 Central Office Administrator of the Year Award. She has presented at the ACSA Every Child Counts Conference, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Conference, Southern Regional Student Wellness Conference, and other state and local conferences. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Administrative Credential at the University of La Verne. From her experiences in overcoming barriers of poverty and trauma, she is a committed to opening pathways for students, families, and staff to realize dreams they may never thought possible, increasing inclusive practices, and is passionate in supporting current and future educational leaders in transformational and inclusive leadership practices for ongoing positive change supporting the whole-child.
Watch the Episode
Interview Highlights
3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.
7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.
8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.
9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE.
13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.
20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.
21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.
23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.
25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues.
32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond.
36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.
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Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.