In the second workshop in the Building Better from Disruption Series, participants gathered to hear from school leaders that are implementing innovative strategies that capture and utilize the teacher and staff voice to create positive and equitable learning environments.
When considering the concept of gathering authentic student voice and input realize that in the long run it is a net benefit. Even if it is difficult to hear or guided by incomplete information, it will inform your decisions and point you to areas of need. Remember, they are often having these conversations whether you hear it or not.
About the Session Supporting the social emotional needs of the adults in schools is necessary for student success. In this webinar, teachers, school leaders, and district leaders will share best practices and strategies that have been implemented to strengthen the capacity of adults and provide the support needed for staff and student success.
Panelists – Dr. Charles Fischer, Executive Director, Alternative Education, Riverside County Office of Education – Adele Thomas, Director, Professional Development and Teacher Support, Fontana Unified School District – Robert Brough, Assistant Superintendent, Education Services, Perris Union High School District
Watch the Session Video Recording or Listen to the Session Podcast Below
Building Better from Disruption is a virtual series designed to build upon lessons learned from districts’ responses to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on schools and school systems. This series is designed to provide education partners, particularly administrators and teacher leaders working at the school site level, with best practices and resources that support students’ successful return to in-person instruction. This five-part virtual series will focus on the essential areas of social-emotional learning, accelerated learning, and community partnerships. During each session, participants will have the opportunity to learn, connect, and interact with expert practitioners and session participants. Support for Building Better from Disruption provided by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Teens and College: Inland Empire Student Perceptions, Plans, and Obstacles
Is college still valuable in the eyes of Inland Empire teens? An innovative “multimodal cognitive method” study provides insights on teen student perceptions of the value of college today and their knowledge of colleges, majors, and information resources. The study includes surprising insights and opportunities for positive small and large-scale impacts. Featuring Dr. Yvonne Olivares.
Grant funding will allow colleges to act on student feedback and recommendations for improvements.
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) is pleased to announce that ECMC Foundation has awarded a $375,000 grant to support Inland Empire community colleges. The grant will allow community colleges to build on their work with Guided Pathways to create student-ready college systems by focusing on institutional commitments to elevating and acting on student voice, including student recommended changes that emerged from the regionwide Student Voice Project.
In addition, grant funding will support the development of regionwide Communities of Practice, where college representatives in student services, technology, and other areas, will meet to share knowledge gained from student feedback and review the impact of changes as they are implemented at campus sites.
Students are the best source of feedback for institutions as they seek to improve systems that will support equitable student outcomes. We are thankful to ECMC Foundation for recognizing the positive impact this will have at our Inland Empire colleges and trusting GIA with coordinating this work.
ECMC’s mission is to inspire and facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes—especially among underserved populations—through evidence-based innovation. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. ECMC Foundation makes investments in two focus areas: College Success and Career Readiness; and uses a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grantmaking and program-related investments, to invest in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Working with grantees, partners and peers, ECMC Foundation’s vision is for all learners to unlock their fullest potential. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org and ECMC Group by visiting www.ecmcgroup.org
For more information about the implementation of grant funding please direct inquiries to Michael Wangler, Director of Institutional Support at GIA – michael@gia.echofactory.dev.
Over 24-percent of Inland empire adults have gone to college and dropped/stopped out, sometimes shortly before graduation. In this episode we speak with two people in the Inland Empire leading the charge to get those adults with some college back to finish. And, we hear from a determined mother who shares her journey of returning to complete her education for a very special reason.
Featured Guests
Dr. Emma Diaz
Director, California Adult Education Program, Inland Adult Education Consortium, San Bernardino Community College District
Emma Diaz has more than 30 years of experience in the fields of healthcare and education. She is currently the Director for the Inland Adult Education Consortium at San Bernardino Valley College, where she manages the implementation of the California Adult Education Program (CAEP) legislation. As Director she has played a leadership role in creating and expanding educational programs across the region for underserved, often marginalized populations in adult education.
Emma participates regularly on state level advisory groups, presents at regional, state and national conferences, and is an international lecturer. She strategically positioned the Inland Adult Education Consortium as the professional development center for the Inland Empire, partnering with both state and national organizations. Most recently hosting the 2nd Annual Google Summit for Adult Education.
In addition to her current role as Consortium Director, she teaches for both credit and noncredit programs at multiple community colleges. She is currently a Board Member of the Association of Continuing and Community Education and is on the Basic Skills and Noncredit Committee for the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. She earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from California State University, Northridge.
Annette Webb, M.Ed.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, University of California-Riverside
Annette Webb, M.Ed., is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of California Riverside, University Extension. In her role, Annette upholds University Extension’s preeminent status in the professional, online, and continuing studies realm by evaluating and successfully responding to the educational needs of non-traditional learners, both domestic and international. She provides leadership in curricular and instructional areas, strategic planning, partnership engagement, student success, academic quality, and financial management.
Annette is a product of the California Master Plan for Higher Education, beginning her educational journey at Crafton Hills Community College then transferring to California State University, San Bernardino to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She went on to complete a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis on Higher Education Leadership and Policy from UC Riverside.
She is a member of Growing Inland Achievement’s Returning Adult Action Network Team and she is the inaugural Co-Chair and Staff Representative for the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women at UCR. Annette is a proponent for life-long learning and is a higher education professional who represents excellence, accountability, integrity, and respect.
Interview Highlights
3:35 – Emma Diaz describes the California Adult Education Consortium and how it supports adult education in the Inland Region.
13:29 – Emma shares some of the top reasons students drop out of college.
18:45 – Emma explains how Inland Empire colleges and universities are doing at accommodating the education goals and learning styles of returning adult students.
24:29 – Emma tells students where they should begin if they are interested in going back to school.
27:48 – Annette describes what the UCR Extension program is and how it supports adult education.
31:27 – Annette shares what degrees have been the most desirable among the returning adult learners.
36:48– Annette explains how the process of previous college credits and courses works for students returning to school 10+ years later.
39:22 – Annette gives listeners tips on how to deal with the fear and anxiety about going back to school.
40:46 – Annette tells students where they should begin if they are interested in going back to school.
42:31 – Special Guest Feature: The Success Story of Linda Awad
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.
Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) in partnership with the Riverside County Office of Education and San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, recently hosted its first workshop in the Building Better from Disruption Series. Participants gathered to hear from school leaders that are implementing innovative strategies that capture and utilize the student voice to create positive and equitable learning environments.
When considering the concept of gathering authentic student voice and input realize that in the long run it is a net benefit. Even if it is difficult to hear or guided by incomplete information, it will inform your decisions and point you to areas of need. Remember, they are often having these conversations whether you hear it or not.
We have been very intentional about celebrating, monitoring, and confronting issues that come up for our students. Our schools are conducting morning talks and morning walks as ways to harness the student voice and improve students’ mental and physical wellbeing. While listening to the student voice, students asked us if there were a way for students to refer themselves to mental health services without going through an adult. We found a way.
About the Session Listening and understanding the voice of students are essential aspects of social emotional learning. During the session, participants heard from school leaders that are implementing innovative strategies that capture and utilize student voice to create positive and equitable learning environments.
Panelists Dr. Kimberly MacKinney, Assistant Superintendent, Oro Grande Unified School District Dr. Henry Herreras, Principal, Excelsior Charter Schools (Corona-Norco) Pat Schlosser, Assistant Superintendent, Apple Valley Unified School District Mark Lenoir, Assistant Superintendent, Val Verde Unified School District
Watch the Session Video Recording or Listen to the Session Podcast Below
Building Better from Disruption is a virtual series designed to build upon lessons learned from districts’ responses to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on schools and school systems. This series is designed to provide education partners, particularly administrators and teacher leaders working at the school site level, with best practices and resources that support students’ successful return to in-person instruction. This five-part virtual series will focus on the essential areas of social-emotional learning, accelerated learning, and community partnerships. During each session, participants will have the opportunity to learn, connect, and interact with expert practitioners and session participants. Support for Building Better from Disruption provided by the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation.
