About This Episode
Season 1. Episode 3.
Taking our education system entirely online within a month would have seemed to be an impossible task before the pandemic. Yet, schools across the region made it happen to ensure learning continued despite the challenges faced during the crisis.
Many of us were surprised at the things we learned. Now, with a glimmer of normalcy on the horizon, and state and national resources dedicated to accelerating out of the pandemic, what are the positive takeaways from this experience? Join us for a discussion with three special guests about using lessons learned to improve student access and success.
Featured Guests
Ted Alejandre
San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.
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.
Edwin Gomez
Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
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
4:14 – Ted explains how San Bernardino County is geographically very diverse which sometimes complicates the struggle to keep kids learning.
6:36 – Ted describes what was done by the district to ensure that learning continued even amidst unprecedented learning conditions.
13:25 – Ted reveals that many administrators including himself, have learned valuable lessons that might actually make local schools better in the long run.
15:14 – Ted discusses how his district has offered support for mental health issues when it comes to students.
19:27 – Ted shares how the pandemic has changed the way he views K-12 education in the Inland Empire.
21:33 – Edwin reveals where his office had made the greatest changes for Riverside County schools.
24:40 – Edwin shares what he found to be the most difficult thing that his team in the superintendent’s office had to address.
30:03 – Edwin talks about new projects, initiatives, that have started as a result of the pandemic.
35:45 – Edwin shares his concerns for the students that lost their senior year of high school and what his office is doing to address their struggles.
42:40 – Special Feature: Richard Edwards
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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.
